The American magazine Consumer Reports published a few weeks ago the results of its renowned annual reliability assessment of the multiple models offered on the North American market. While pure hybrid vehicles topped the list, plug-in variants had the highest number of defects.
Based on 330,000 responses to a survey which focuses on 20 potentially problematic elements, the exercise concludes that hybrid models are on average affected by 26% fewer problems than traditional gasoline vehicles. Lexus and Toyota, which largely base their offerings on creations with hybrid engines, respectively occupy the first two places in the ranking of the most reliable brands. The Toyota Camry is the hybrid model with the most brilliant results.
The plug-in hybrid dunce
On the other hand, plug-in hybrid versions, which generally allow you to store a few tens of kilometers of electric range, occupy the bottom of the list. Consumer Reports estimates that they are subject to on average 146% more problems than models with thermal engines. Their complexity, which combines a number of electrical components with a gasoline engine, largely explains this tangent. Here again, the Toyota RAV4 Prime is the exception which proves the rule, which is among the most reliable models, all engines combined. The plug-in hybrid Chrysler Pacifica is also the most problematic model of all, according to the media.
But where do electric models fit into all this? Somewhere in between, but still below combustion engine vehicles. The review suggests that they present 79% more problems on average than thermal vehicles. Defects affecting the charging system as well as the battery color the results of certain models, including the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and the Volkswagen ID.4.
In return, Consumer Reports has affixed the “Recommended” seal to two Tesla models: the Model 3 and Model Y. Although their assembly quality is uneven, there is good general reliability of the components. The magazine also believes that electric models are generally showing progress. A positive note, if ever there was one.