According to Autos CheatSheet, Consumer Reports has just published its reliability ratings of EV and PHEV vehicles. Excerpt: Of the three plug-in models with excellent reliability scores for 2019, two were plug-in hybrids. Toyota Prius Prime and BMW i3 set the standard in this segment following the latest owner survey. (The Nissan Leaf distinguished itself among pure EVs.) As for the Chevrolet Volt, this long-range plug-in ranked among the worst. Its reliability score (32%) trailed Prius Prime (91%) and the i3 (89%) by miles. Issues with the drive system, power equipment, and cabin electronics have turned up in recent years. The article admits that most EV and PHEV models are too new to have long reliability histories as yet.
Predicted reliability: Poor?? Is it because of past Honda hybrids? So far the RLX Sport Hybrid and the Accord Hybrid (2017+ with the Earth Dreams setup) have been working out (as far as I know). I haven't heard anything bad from the latest generation of Honda hybrids.
CR's reliability ratings are based on consumer surveys, and apparently doesn't involve any weighing of the issues. One car has a trim piece snap off and another a blown head gasket, and they both are counted as one problem. Then what someone reports problem doesn't necessarily mean something broke. Not defending Sync's poor interface design, but complaints about it, though it worked as intended, dragged down Ford's reliability rating for years. I understand the issues with the i3 mostly involved the range extender system. EV drive trains aren't as tricky to do as an ICE one.
Pretend you've always been talking about their motorcycles and you've been correct for 40 years. Come to think of it - isn't the range extender a motorcycle engine?
