Rivian Is Final In Shopper Reviews’ Reliability Checklist. House owners Nonetheless Love Them

What’s a number of software program glitches, powertrain points and battery faults between you and a automobile you actually love?

Two not too long ago launched research from Shopper Reviews could be known as excellent news and dangerous information for Rivian. In two new surveys, the California-based electrical automobile startup discovered itself on the high of 1 record and the underside of one other: first in general proprietor satisfaction, but useless final in reliability among the many manufacturers the nonprofit journal was capable of check. 

This marks the second consecutive yr that Rivian’s R1S and R1T scored high honors in proprietor satisfaction, which relies on survey responses from Shopper Reviews members who’re requested if their new autos “met or failed to fulfill clients’ expectations in numerous essential methods.” A whopping 86% of Rivian house owners who responded to the survey additionally indicated they’d purchase from the model once more. 

“We’ve introduced the manufacturers that the majority fulfill house owners in particular areas: general consolation, driving enjoyment, cabin storage, usability, and possession price,” Shopper Reviews stated. Rivian led the 2024 survey, adopted by BMW, Tesla, Porsche and Lexus, in that order. 

Photograph by: InsideEVs

Photograph by: InsideEVs

However because the publication notes, that does not essentially imply a problem-free driving expertise. Subaru was ranked CR’s most general dependable model however was solely midpack by way of proprietor satisfaction. BMW too solely completed in the midst of the reliability surveys, whereas Chevrolet—the highest non-luxury model in satisfaction—was even decrease when it got here to reliability. (If you would like a automobile that ranks excessive in each, get a Lexus.) 

House owners ranked their Rivians excessive for consolation, velocity, drivability and ease of use. They could even have been gained over by the vehicles’ specs. Whereas their giant dimension and brick-like form can damage their electrical effectivity, Rivian’s EVs provide between 260 to 400 miles of vary or extra and boast a number of the most superior software program options obtainable within the U.S. EV market, together with continuous over-the-air updates. 

Photograph by: InsideEVs

However as we reported earlier this week, as a result of they characterize a brand new kind of know-how that is much less ironed out than the purely inner combustion autos made during the last century, EVs and hybrids do appear to have extra points than their standard counterparts. Fortunately, CR instructed InsideEVs in an electronic mail, that is altering rapidly. “On common, EVs from the previous three mannequin years have had 42% extra issues than gas-only vehicles, based on our unique survey information. Which may sound like loads, however the determine represents a major enchancment over our earlier yr’s survey outcomes when EVs had 79% extra issues than gas-only vehicles.” 

Rivian’s points weren’t unusual to some new EVs: issues with charging techniques and electrical motors, frustrations with in-cabin know-how just like the central touchscreen, local weather system complications and extra. But a few of Rivian’s high quality issues additionally communicate to the character of being a startup that is new to creating vehicles: paint and trim points, noises and leaks, {hardware} points and extra. “All of that confirms what our survey information has instructed us for years,” CR stated. “Tried-and-true designs are usually extra dependable, and shoppers could be sensible to attend a number of years earlier than buying a automobile that’s been designed—or redesigned—from scratch.” (CR lacked ample proprietor information for different newcomers like Polestar and Lucid.)

Photograph by: InsideEVs

The publication actually is not unsuitable there and one other EV startup is an efficient instance. For years, Tesla additionally ranked on the high of proprietor satisfaction surveys however the backside of reliability and high quality studies. But whereas it nonetheless struggles with new mannequin launches, Tesla’s general construct high quality has gotten a lot better through the years; vehicles just like the Mannequin 3 and Mannequin Y scored “common” in CR reliability studies. The model as an entire nonetheless ranks towards the underside of CR’s rankings, nonetheless, however above conventional automakers like Volkswagen and Jeep.

The takeaway right here? Individuals love what their Rivians can do for them, however like many startups, the corporate has a methods to go to enhance its general construct high quality and the way seamless its consumer expertise will be. Hopefully Rivian can do that because it continues to ramp up its Regular, Illinois plant and expands into an all-new one in Georgia. 

Do you personal a Rivian? What’s your expertise been with it, good or dangerous? Tell us within the feedback.

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