One Of Consumer Reports' Least Reliable Cars Ranked High For Customer Satisfaction

Reliability is a major factor to consider when shopping for a new car. It's why Consumer Reports' reliability assessments are considered highly authoritative and are often cited by major media outlets. But do reliability ratings correlate with consumer satisfaction? Not necessarily, at least not when it comes to a certain elective vehicle (EV) brand. Rivian, a relative newcomer that started in 2009, has grown into a popular electric SUV and pickup truck maker, but ranks fairly low on the Consumer Reports reliability spectrum. New vehicle reliability was deemed only 22 out of 100, while the Rivian R1T pickup in particular scored a reliability rating of 20 out of 100 in the December 2024 survey, making it one of Consumers Reports' 10 least reliable vehicles of the year. Drawbacks for Rivian were cited as essential functions relying on a touch-screen and brakes that are too aggressive to drive smoothly.

You'd think then that Rivian would be among consumers' least-favorite car brands, but that's not the case. In Consumer Reports' customer satisfaction survey released in December 2024, Rivian topped the list of all auto brands (EV and not) sold in the U.S. with a perfect 5/5 score, which no other brand received. 86% of Rivian customers surveyed likewise said they would repurchase the same vehicle. For comparison, BMW came in second place with 73% of customers saying they would buy again, while Tesla and Porsche came in third and fourth place with 72% and 71%, respectively. So, where's the disconnect?

Consumers on Reddit have cited Rivian's non-flashy, outdoor-friendly culture as a major draw, along with positive experience in terms of service and repairs compared to other high-end car companies. Similar sentiments have been expressed on Rivian Owners Forum, with drivers emphasizing Rivian's cargo and outdoor capabilities as superior to other EV brands, combined with lower sticker shock compared to other spacious vehicles like Hummer. Then there's the fact that pickup trucks and SUVs in general dominate the best-selling cars in the U.S. — Rivian exclusively focuses on both vehicle types, fulfilling modern market trends and longstanding wants.

So, will Rivian stay a strong brand? Even though there still is some debate on whether an electric vehicle saves you money in the long run, the market has exploded in recent years. Over 20% of global car sales in 2024 were electric vehicles, reflecting a 25% increase from 2023. China's BYD is the best-selling electric vehicle globally (by a landslide — BYD sold over twice the amount of vehicles than Tesla, its closest competitor, in 2024), but here's the kicker: BYD isn't available for sale in the United States. While Rivian didn't make the top 20 electric vehicles sold globally in 2024, the brand did place in the top 10 sold in the U.S. as per Kelley Blue Book sales estimates. BYD's absence in the market, combined with Tesla's waning influence in 2025, means smaller, consumer-praised brands like Rivian could be well poised for growth in the upcoming years.