Rivian Is Final In Client Studies’ Reliability Checklist. Homeowners Nonetheless Love Them

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

Two not too long ago launched research from Client Studies could be known as excellent news and unhealthy information for Rivian. In two new surveys, the California-based electrical automobile startup discovered itself on the prime of 1 record and the underside of one other: first in total proprietor satisfaction, but lifeless final in reliability among the many manufacturers the nonprofit journal was capable of take a look at. 

This marks the second consecutive 12 months that Rivian’s R1S and R1T scored prime honors in proprietor satisfaction, which is predicated on survey responses from Client Studies members who’re requested if their new automobiles “met or failed to fulfill prospects’ expectations in numerous vital methods.” A whopping 86% of Rivian homeowners who responded to the survey additionally indicated they might purchase from the model once more. 

“We’ve introduced the manufacturers that almost all fulfill homeowners in particular areas: total consolation, driving enjoyment, cabin storage, usability, and possession price,” Client Studies 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 total dependable model however was solely midpack by way of proprietor satisfaction. BMW too solely completed in the course of the reliability surveys, whereas Chevrolet—the highest non-luxury model in satisfaction—was even decrease when it got here to reliability. (If you need a automotive that ranks excessive in each, get a Lexus.) 

Homeowners ranked their Rivians excessive for consolation, pace, drivability and ease of use. They could even have been gained over by the automobiles’ specs. Whereas their massive 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 among the most superior software program options out there 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 signify a brand new kind of expertise that is much less ironed out than the purely inside combustion automobiles made over the past century, EVs and hybrids do appear to have extra points than their typical counterparts. Fortunately, CR instructed InsideEVs in an e-mail, that is altering shortly. “On common, EVs from the previous three mannequin years have had 42% extra issues than gas-only automobiles, in response to our unique survey knowledge. That may sound like quite a bit, however the determine represents a big enchancment over our earlier 12 months’s survey outcomes when EVs had 79% extra issues than gas-only automobiles.” 

Rivian’s points weren’t unusual to some new EVs: issues with charging methods and electrical motors, frustrations with in-cabin expertise just like the central touchscreen, local weather system complications and extra. But a few of Rivian’s high quality issues additionally converse to the character of being a startup that is new to creating automobiles: paint and trim points, noises and leaks, {hardware} points and extra. “All of that confirms what our survey knowledge has instructed us for years,” CR stated. “Tried-and-true designs are typically extra dependable, and customers can be clever to attend a couple of years earlier than buying a automobile that’s been designed—or redesigned—from scratch.” (CR lacked enough proprietor knowledge 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 prime of proprietor satisfaction surveys however the backside of reliability and high quality stories. But whereas it nonetheless struggles with new mannequin launches, Tesla’s total construct high quality has gotten a lot better through the years; automobiles just like the Mannequin 3 and Mannequin Y scored “common” in CR reliability stories. The model as a complete nonetheless ranks towards the underside of CR’s rankings, nevertheless, however above conventional automakers like Volkswagen and Jeep.

The takeaway right here? Folks love what their Rivians can do for them, however like many startups, the corporate has a methods to go to enhance its total construct high quality and the way seamless its consumer expertise may 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 unhealthy? Tell us within the feedback.

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