Consumer Reports just spilled the beans on EVs and plug-in hybrids, and it’s a real-life drama on wheels! So, here’s the scoop: EVs are grappling with a whopping 79 percent more maintenance hiccups than our reliable gas buddies, and plug-in hybrids are stealing the show with a jaw-dropping 146 percent more problems. It’s like they’re having a showdown on the streets!
They did some serious detective work, chatting with CR members about their rides from the past year – we’re talking about 330,000 cars, from way back in 2000 to the cool kids of 2024. They dove into 20 “trouble areas,” from minor squeaky brakes to big-league transmission and engine headaches.
Regular gas cars have 17 potential hiccups, EVs have 12, hybrids have 19, and plug-in hybrids are rolling with a whopping 20 possible issues. But guess what? Non-plugin hybrids are the unsung heroes, cruising smoothly with 26 percent fewer headaches. Shoutout to Lexus’ UX and NX Hybrid and Toyota’s Camry Hybrid, Highlander Hybrid, and RAV4 Hybrid for holding it down in the reliability game.
But oh, plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) are having a bit of a moment. With 146 percent more problems than regular gas cars, some are hitting rock bottom. The Chrysler Pacifica barely scraped a measly 14 out of 100, and the Audi Q5 isn’t doing much better. But don’t despair – there are PHEV champs like the Toyota RAV4 Prime and Kia Sportage, shaking up the reliability game.
Now, let’s talk electric cars and SUVs – the rockstars of the future. They’re singing a middle-of-the-road tune with average scores of 44 and 43, respectively. Electric pickups, the new kids on the block, didn’t exactly ace the test with an average of 30.
