According to a recent Client Stories survey, hybrid vehicles have demonstrated exceptional reliability, while plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles are steadily improving.
According to the 2025 Automotive Report Card published by the organization, a definitive assessment was made, grounded in data from client satisfaction surveys conducted among its member base, with a primary focus on reliability and proprietor feedback.
According to Jake Fisher, senior director of Consumer Reports’ Auto Test Center, hybrid vehicles boast a comparable level of reliability to conventional gasoline-powered cars despite their increased technical sophistication. “Consistently, CR’s evaluations demonstrate that hybrid vehicles typically exhibit a more refined driving experience, with reduced noise levels, accelerated performance, and enhanced overall niceness behind the wheel.”
2025 Volvo XC60
While the initial enthusiasm surrounding hybrid vehicles is understandable, it’s equally important to consider the more recent findings from a 2023 reliability survey, which revealed that hybrids experienced 26% more issues compared to their non-hybrid counterparts, tempering our expectations somewhat. Despite initial expectations, EVs and plug-in hybrids took a surprising turn instead.
Compared to traditional internal-combustion designs, electric vehicles now come with a whopping 42% more complications, albeit this figure has declined from the staggering 79% excess problems seen last year. Sales of plug-in hybrids surged by a whopping 146% compared to non-hybrid vehicles last year, before skyrocketing to a staggering 70% increase this year.
2025 Rivian R1T and R1S
As in last year’s survey, reliability differed not just by powertrain but also by model type. While the Volvo XC60 plug-in hybrid saw significant improvements in reliability, earning a recommendation from Consumer Reports (CR). Despite initial hype, the Rivian R1S and R1T, along with the Ford F-150 Lightning, have fallen short in terms of reliability, earning subpar ratings across the board. Rivian’s performance in terms of reliability proved to be a notable weak point, ranking as the lowest among all models tested.
Various studies have further highlighted additional concerns surrounding electric vehicle plug-ins. In J.D. Power’s 2025 Car Dependability Report, According to Energy’s findings, electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrids have proven more prone to problems over the first three years of ownership compared to hybrids, while EV owners also reported a higher incidence of issues than the industry average for new vehicles in the company’s 2024 Preliminary Quality Study.
