Like the Prius, Teslas are top rated

Between 2001 and 2010, Consumer Reports (CR) complained about the Prius in their reviews. Then CR surveyed their readers and were blown away by enthusiasm for the Prius. So they asked again and now the top reader car is the Tesla Model 3 followed by the Model S:

I still have problems with CR in the September 2020 issue, pp 65. CR criticized the Model 3 for "usability" which means 'not enough switches, buttons, and knobs.'

Bob Wilson

 

Interesting as their source is "Which?" with both the Sunday Times and "Which?" behind paywalls. But I understand the most recent survey ended back in February 2020. Did I get that wrong?

In contrast: 2020 What Car? Reliability Survey: executive cars | What Car?

Most reliable executive cars
1. Tesla Model 3 (2019-present)

Reliability rating 99.4%

What went wrong? Interior trim 5%

Tesla's newest model is the most durable executive car, with just 5% of cars suffering a fault, according to owners. All cars could still be driven and were fixed in a day or less at no cost to the owners.
...
Reliability for executive cars aged up to five years old
Rank Make and model Score
1. Tesla Model 3 2019-on 99.4%
2. Skoda Superb petrol 2016-on 98.3%
3. Mazda 6 2013-on 98.0%
4. Vauxhall Insignia 2008-2017 97.8%
5. BMW 3 Series petrol 2012-2019 97.3%
6. Ford Mondeo 2014-on 97.0%
7. Kia Optima 2016-on 96.7%
8. Audi A3 Saloon 2013-2020 96.3%
9. Volvo V60 2013-on 95.1%
10. BMW 3 Series diesel 2012-2019 95.0%
11. Jaguar XE 2015-on 94.7%
12. BMW 3 Series 2019-on 94.4%
13. Audi A4 petrol 2015-on 93.5%
14. Alfa Romeo Giulia 2016-on 93.1%
15. Skoda Superb diesel 2016-on 93.0%
16. Volkswagen Passat 2015-on 92.1%
17. Audi A4 diesel 2015-on 89.8%
18.

19.

Vauxhall Insignia Grand Sport 2017-on

Mercedes C-Class 2014-on

87.4%

87.3%

​

Source_2: 2020 What Car? Reliability Survey: electric cars | What Car?

Reliability for Electric cars aged up to five years old

Rank Make and model Score
1. Tesla Model 3 2019-on 99.4%
2. Hyundai Kona Electric 2018-on 98.5%
3. BMW i3 2013-on 97.9%
4. Nissan Leaf 2018-on 97.2%
5. Jaguar I-Pace 2018-on 97.0%
6. Nissan Leaf 2011-2017 95.6%
7. MG ZS EV 2019-on 89.4%
8. Tesla Model S 2014-on 85.7% ​

Source_3: 2020 What Car? Reliability Survey: hybrid cars | What Car?

Reliability for Hybrids aged up to five years old

Rank Make and Model Score
1. Toyota Yaris 2011-2020 99.5%
2. Lexus NX 2014-on 99.3%
3. Toyota RAV4 2019-on 99.2%
4. Lexus RX 2016-on 99.1%
5. Toyota Corolla 2018-on 98.4%
6. Honda CR-V 2018-on 97.9%
7. Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV 2014-on 97.8%
8. Toyota Auris 2013-2019 97.4%
9. Hyundai Ioniq 2017-on 97.4%
10. Kia Niro PHEV 2016-on 95.8%
11. Toyota C-HR 2016-on 95.6%
12. Volkswagen Golf GTE 2015-2020 94.8%
13. Toyota Prius/Prius+ 2016-on 94.6% ​

Source_3: 2020 What Car? Reliability Survey: brands | What Car?

Reliability by brand for cars up to five years old
Rank Brand Score
1. Lexus 98.7%
2. Mitsubishi 97.9%
3. Toyota 97.7%
4. Mini 96.8%
5. Skoda 96.4%
6. Hyundai 96.3%
7. Kia 95.9%
8. Honda 95.3%
=9. BMW 95.2%
=9 Mazda 95.2%
11. Alfa Romeo 94.6%
=12. Fiat 94.5%
=12. Subaru 94.5%
=14. Dacia 94.4%
=14. Suzuki 94.4%
=16. Citroën 93.8%
=16. Volvo 93.8%
18. Ford 93.7%
19. Seat 93.6%
20. Volkswagen 93.2%
21. Jaguar 91.8%
=22. Audi 91.5%
=22. MG 91.5%
=22. Porsche 91.5%
25. Peugeot 91.1%
26. Mercedes 91.0%
=27. Nissan 90.1%
=27. Vauxhall 90.1%
29. Tesla 88.6%
30. Renault 87.6%
31. Land Rover 78.2% ​

There are an abundance of details in the "Whatcar" survey which appears to be relatively open. We see similar behavior in the USA by various car reviewers:

• Consumer Reports - a frequently unreliable car reviewer whose staff often is in opposition to what their reader surveys report. For example, Consumer Reports staff claims the Tesla Model 3 is "unusable" while ignoring how many Tesla Model 3s are on the road surrounding them. They were worse three editorial staffs ago.
• Edmunds - my personal favorite, they do long term ownership tests with monthly summaries of their cars.
• Car and Driver - becoming better as they are doing in-depth analysis of car metrics including the EPA numbers without being as self-serving as Consumer Reports.

Bob Wilson

 

So what are you offering for my 2019 Std Rng Plus Model 3 with 28,858 miles?

Bob Wilson

 

I'm glad you're happy with your ride just as I am with mine.

Bob Wilson