Rivian Is Final In Client Studies’ Reliability Listing. Homeowners 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 lately launched research from Client Studies is likely to be known as excellent news and dangerous information for Rivian. In two new surveys, the California-based electrical automobile startup discovered itself on the prime of 1 listing 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 take a look at. 

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

“We’ve offered the manufacturers that almost all fulfill house owners in particular areas: general consolation, driving enjoyment, cabin storage, usability, and possession value,” Client Studies stated. Rivian led the 2024 survey, adopted by BMW, Tesla, Porsche and Lexus, in that order. 

Picture by: InsideEVs

Picture 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 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’d like a automobile 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 received over by the vehicles’ specs. Whereas their massive dimension and brick-like form can harm their electrical effectivity, Rivian’s EVs supply between 260 to 400 miles of vary or extra and boast a few of the most superior software program options obtainable within the U.S. EV market, together with continuous over-the-air updates. 

Picture 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 inside combustion automobiles made over the past century, EVs and hybrids do appear to have extra points than their typical counterparts. Fortunately, CR informed InsideEVs in an e mail, that is altering rapidly. “On common, EVs from the previous three mannequin years have had 42% extra issues than gas-only vehicles, in response to our unique survey knowledge. That may sound like lots, however the determine represents a big 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 programs 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 knowledge has informed us for years,” CR stated. “Tried-and-true designs are usually extra dependable, and customers can be smart to attend a number 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.)

Picture by: InsideEVs

The publication definitely is not mistaken 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 general construct high quality has gotten significantly better through the years; vehicles 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, 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 person 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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