Rivian has secured the top spot in owner satisfaction for the second consecutive year, according to the latest Consumer Reports (CR) owner satisfaction survey. Owners of the R1S and R1T electric vehicles (EVs) particularly praised their comfort, speed, driving experience, and user-friendliness. A remarkable 86% of Rivian owners expressed their willingness to purchase another vehicle from the California-based EV manufacturer, surpassing competitors like BMW and Tesla in owner satisfaction.
The Paradox: Satisfaction vs. Reliability
Despite the high satisfaction ratings, Rivian faces a significant challenge: it ranks at the bottom of the CR survey in terms of reliability. This stark contrast raises the question of how a brand can simultaneously achieve such high owner satisfaction and such low reliability.
Teething Troubles of a Young EV Maker
As a relatively new EV manufacturer, Rivian is still navigating the complexities of electric vehicle technology. “Since EV technology is still relatively new, automakers continue to work the bugs out of their powertrains and platforms,” explains Steven Elek, who oversees auto data analytics at Consumer Reports. “But we also see issues with their non-EV components, such as the latest infotainment and electronic features.”
Survey Methodology and Findings
CR’s survey collected data from approximately 300,000 vehicle owners spanning the 2022 to 2024 model years. Reliability was assessed across 20 problem areas, ranging from minor inconveniences like squeaky brakes and damaged interior trim to major issues like costly out-of-warranty repairs for engines, transmissions, EV batteries, and EV charging systems.
Not an Isolated Case
Rivian isn’t the only automaker experiencing this discrepancy between satisfaction and reliability. BMW, ranked second in owner satisfaction, also received mediocre reliability ratings. Conversely, Subaru earned the highest overall reliability rating but only achieved average satisfaction scores.
The New Car Warranty Factor
This disparity highlights a key factor: “Owner satisfaction ratings for a brand or particular car might not always match up with its reliability, especially for new models,” CR observes. “Even cars that require frequent trips to a dealership repair shop can make owners happy because the new-car warranties take the financial sting out of an unreliable vehicle.”
The Future of Rivian
The high owner satisfaction suggests that Rivian has created compelling EVs with desirable features and performance. However, addressing the reliability concerns will be crucial for the company’s long-term success. As Rivian matures and refines its technology, it will be interesting to see how these ratings evolve. The challenge for Rivian is to maintain its high owner satisfaction while simultaneously improving its reliability, a task that will be essential for securing its position in the competitive EV market.
