Contributor “So it seems like kinks are being worked out. It's trending in the right direction, and there is improvement,” said Steven Elek, said Consumer Reports data analytics leader, during the presentation. “For the most part, hybrids and ice vehicles are kind of at parity. There's really not a detriment when it comes to hybrids,” added Jake Fisher, senior director of Consumer Reports’ Auto Test Center. The highest-rated hybrids were built by Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Lexus, and Toyota. Some of the most reported issues with EVs were related to either powertrain or build quality related, but some models often from the legacy automakers that are newer to EV technology had battery issues that occasionally even required full battery pack replacement, Elek said. In particular, owners of the Tesla Model X complained about incorrectly attached trim and misaligned doors, while Rivian R1t owners reported issues with doors and tailgates. Owners of the Cadillac Lyriq and Chevrolet Blazer EV found problems with the climate control systems, according to the report. Subaru is new reliability leader Overall, for the first time Subaru was the top-rated brand for reliability, supplanting perennial leaders Toyota and its luxury brand Lexus. For the first time the Subaru brand topped the Consumer Reports list for predicted reliability. Consumer Reports “Subaru tends to do conservative redesigns,” explained Elek. “They're slower to change technology, which, from a reliability standpoint, is a good thing, because they share many reliable components across their model line. This commonly means that when Subaru redesigns a vehicle, it can make fewer incremental changes by carrying over dependable systems from tried and true other models where they've already tested them, and this reduces the risk of new problems.” What accounted for Toyota and Lexus losing their top rating? While the RAV4, RAV4 hybrid and Corolla performed well, consumer complaints about quality issues in the Tundra and Tacoma pickup trucks as well as only average scores for the Lexus RX brought down the company’s overall rating. Tesla was 17th of 22 brands in the report as problems in its newer models dragged down its rating. NEW YORK - Owners reported several problems with the Tesla Model S in the latest Consumer Reports ... [+] reliability. (Photo by Mark Von Holden/WireImage) WireImage While its high-volume Model 3 and Model Y performed well, the newer Model S and Model S, which Elek said receive new technology first, did not. Owners reported build quality issues, including body hardware, paint and trim, noises and leaks, and problems with electrical accessories. Model X and S owners also noted suspension problems, and S owners reported climate system issues as well. “They tend to be unreliable,” said Elek. Holding down the bottom of the list were Cadillac and Rivian in 21st and 22nd places respectively. For Cadillac gas mileage for its XT5 SUV was “only average” according to Elek, and owners of the Lyriq EV said they experienced issues with the battery, electrical accessories, climate system, in-car electronics and others not specified. Rivian loses and wins Rivian R1T electric pickup truck. In the latest study by Consumer Reports Rivian was lowest rated ... [+] for reliability but highest-rated for owner satisfaction. Rivian In dead last for reliability the young Rivian brand suffered from growing pains as R1T owners complained of powertrain and build quality issues, specifically with the EV battery, charging, climate system, brakes, body hardware, among others. But languishing at the bottom of the reliability list apparently had no bearing on overall consumer satisfaction. Indeed, Rivian topped that list, topping BMW and Tesla, while reliability champ Subaru came in at only 8th out of 10 brands and Ford dead last. Why the paradox? “It appears that the people who are purchasing Rivians aren't doing it because they think that it's doing the most reliable vehicle. They're doing it because of those other aspects of the Rivian experience that they get, and they're they're happy with it,” explained Fisher. “Purchase doesn't mean that everyone's going to be happy with that purchase, but certainly the people who have chosen to purchase Rivian, they got what they expected, and they're happy with that.” Follow me on