According to Consumer Reports’ Annual Auto Surveys for 2023, Rivian has emerged as the most beloved car brand, with an impressive 86% of owners expressing willingness to purchase another electric vehicle (EV) from the brand. The survey, based on feedback from over 330,000 vehicles spanning model years 2021 to 2023, along with a few 2024 models, measures owner satisfaction across five key areas: comfort, driving experience, cabin storage, usability, and ownership cost.
Rivian’s stellar performance in comfort, driving experience, cabin storage, and ownership cost categories secured its position at the top, although the brand did not stand out in terms of usability. The California-based EV manufacturer is actively addressing concerns through over-the-air updates, addressing issues such as a dead infotainment screen observed in late 2023.
See also: Rivian Expands Leasing Program to Include R1S SUV
Mini saw a notable jump, securing the second spot on the list, while its parent company, BMW, claimed the third position. The top five also featured Porsche, Tesla, Genesis, Lexus, Subaru, Ram, and Honda. Surprisingly, Toyota, known for its reliability and strong sales, ranked 12th, with only 69% of owners expressing a desire to purchase another Toyota.
On the flip side, the list of least-loved car brands included Infiniti, Volkswagen, Nissan, Jeep, and Audi. Volkswagen, in particular, ranked lowest in driving satisfaction and usability, with potential concerns tied to its cars’ capacitive touch buttons. The automaker is reportedly making changes to address this issue.
Consumer Reports emphasizes that consistency across a model range is crucial for automakers to top its list, as some may have a few high-ranking models but fall short with the rest of their lineup.
See also: Rivian Addresses Accelerator Issue in Early R1T and R1S Models Through Over-the-Air Software Update
Currently offering the R1T pickup truck and R1S full-size SUV, Rivian is reportedly gearing up for the release of a new electric compact SUV, the R2, which could debut at a special event in Laguna Beach, California, in March.
Sources suggest that Rivian’s commitment to customer satisfaction and ongoing improvements could further solidify its position as a leading player in the evolving electric vehicle market.
