Featured PHEVs are by far the least reliable vehicles, Consumer Reports says

Discussion in 'Prius, Hybrid, EV and Alt-Fuel News' started by Gokhan, Dec 30, 2025 at 2:32 AM.

  1. Gokhan

    Gokhan Senior Member

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    Prius (Prime) PHEV shines at the pinnacle of reliability, but most other PHEVs rank rock-bottom in the reliability list. Ford Escape PHEV and many others have numerous issues, such as being bricked. One owner had her vehicle bricked for six months.

    Meanwhile, gas-only HEVs shine in reliability.

    See the video.

    Hybrids are still the most reliable cars, CR survey shows—Consumer Reports
     
    #1 Gokhan, Dec 30, 2025 at 2:32 AM
    Last edited: Dec 30, 2025 at 2:54 AM
  2. VelvetFoot

    VelvetFoot Active Member

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    But for how long....
     
  3. Georgina Rudkus

    Georgina Rudkus Senior Member

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    No Toyota PHEV is included in the list.

    The RAV4 PHEV received the highest ratings.
     
  4. notspam3

    notspam3 Junior Member

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    My experience with Ford products is that they are weak when it comes to designing reliable electrical components on their vehicles. I won't even entertain the idea of buying a Ford EV/HEV/PHEV because of my bias on electrical problems.

    I've had good luck with the Toyotas except our new PHEV has had 12V battery issues under warranty and its less than a year old. In comparison our PriusV 12V battery lasted 12 years before replacement, our Camry Hybrid is still good (knock on wood) after 8 years.

    Keep in mind that the PHEV reliability reports also include manufacturers like Stellantis and their products tend to suck on a good day when it comes to reliability and longevity. Their PHEVs tend to be real turds on fuel economy and are the bottom of the barrel in terms of reliability.

    I'm still willing to bet that the new Toyotas will be more reliable than most vehicle manufacturers on the market today.

    [​IMG]
     
  5. VelvetFoot

    VelvetFoot Active Member

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    Buick? How about that?
     
  6. notspam3

    notspam3 Junior Member

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    You got it, Pontiac!
     
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  7. hill

    hill High Fiber Member

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    Less anyone forgets, the OPs article is from consumer reports, & CR used to bash the Prius for many years- the practically only gas hybrid - when it came out. Such reports cost them to a lot of credibility in many people's eyes - ever since.
     
    #7 hill, Dec 30, 2025 at 8:55 AM
    Last edited: Dec 30, 2025 at 9:24 AM
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  8. Georgina Rudkus

    Georgina Rudkus Senior Member

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    The Buick Encore is made in South Korea in the erstwhile Daewoo plant.

    The Buick Envision is made in China.

    The name on the car is US, but the vehicles are Asian.

    So much for Made in the USA.
     
  9. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

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    My BMW i3-REx have been very reliable because the only power coupling is the 25 kW, generator. But BMW walked away from a winning design. Only used ones available today.

    As for EVs, the fewest number of moving parts to break or wear out. No gear shifting transmission.

    As for Consumer Reports, they remain 10 years behind the Technology Curve. Edmunds has more credibility.

    Bob Wilson
     
    #9 bwilson4web, Dec 30, 2025 at 10:45 AM
    Last edited: Dec 30, 2025 at 12:33 PM
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  10. Georgina Rudkus

    Georgina Rudkus Senior Member

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    The ICE extender is a brilliant innovation that of which they foolishly abandoned.

    The carbon fiber construction, being overly expensive and costly and difficult to repair is another bad choice.

    Future cars if the type with inexpensive steel body construction to sell at lower cost would likely thrive on the market.
     
  11. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    reliability surveys are misleading. i will say that toyota likely makes the only reliable phev as far as drivetrain.(gen 3 excludud)
    hyundai might be catching up, but they've had their issues
     
  12. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

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    That was over 10 years ago and material design is much better today. Leases were more affordable then.

    Bob Wilson