Are hybrids more reliable than EVs?

What recent large owner surveys suggest—and how to use that information when choosing a car.

Direct answer

Large owner surveys from Consumer Reports have repeatedly found that hybrids tend to report fewer problems than EVs on average, with EVs improving but still showing more issues in some surveys. That doesn't mean every EV is unreliable—it means you should factor warranty, service access, and "new tech" complexity into your choice.

How to interpret reliability surveys

• They measure reported problems across many categories (hardware + software).
• New platforms and new features can increase early issues.
• Some brands can score poorly on reliability yet score high on owner satisfaction.

What Consumer Reports has reported recently

Consumer Reports' annual reliability survey has found hybrids to be strong performers, while EVs and plug-in hybrids have had higher reported problem rates in some survey years (with improvement over time).

Practical takeaways

• If you want lowest-risk ownership: consider a mature hybrid platform.
• If you want an EV: prioritize warranty coverage, service footprint, and avoid "first-year" platforms if you're risk-averse.

Sources

• Consumer Reports — Hybrids are still the most reliable cars (Dec 2025)
• AP News summary of Consumer Reports reliability survey (Dec 2024)