THE ELECTRIC CAR BRAND WITH THE LEAST PROBLEMS PER 100 CARS BUILT

Electric vehicles (EVs) have fewer moving and mechanical parts than an internal combustion engine (ICE) car. On paper, as conventional wisdom should tell us, a vehicle with fewer moving and mechanical parts should be more reliable, right? Well, that's not entirely true in the real world with EVs.

All brands, except for Tesla, are new to EVs. Therefore, the vast majority are just learning the ropes of how to make a durable EV and its components, such as an electric motor, and a long-lasting battery, among others. Tesla is in the unique position of being in the EV business for so long, that its EV drivetrains are now robust. All they have to do now is improve their craftsmanship and build quality.

An EV may be mechanically simpler, but with circuits, diodes, batteries, and more semiconductors involved, an EV is also more electrically complex. While everyone is in the learning process of how to make a durable EV, some automakers are more durable than others. Surprisingly, however, while Tesla's electric motors are now reliable, they fall short in other respects. Therefore, the most reliable EV brand in 2024, measured by being the brand with the least problems per 100 vehicles built, is not going to be Tesla, but one that already has a solid reputation for reliability in the first place.

The Most Reliable EV Brand Is Lexus

The most reliable EV brand, therefore, hails from Japan, and it's Toyota's luxury brand, Lexus. Lexus was crowned by J.D. Power this year to be the most dependable brand with 135 problems per 100 vehicles. This is followed by Porsche with 175 problems per 100 vehicles, and then BMW in third with 190 problems per 100 vehicles.

You Have This Singular Model To Thank For

Following through with J.D. Power's rankings, the Lexus RZ, which is the only EV that the brand offers in the United States, is also the most reliable electric crossover SUV, according to Consumer reports. The RZ scored 79 out of 100 based solely on dependability, and with only one EV model to speak of, the overall brand reliability among EV makers has become high as well.

Lexus coming out on top of brand dependability studies is unsurprising as the Japanese automaker, which is owned by Toyota, already has a solid reputation for making extremely reliable cars. Though reliability data for the RZ is more limited compared to other models in its lineup since it's a newer car with fewer sales than other Lexus models, the studies gathered a vast amount of data from the past and the present to confirm the anticipated dependability of Lexus as a brand as well as the RZ.

Factors That Make The RZ Reliable

The Lexus RZ's reliability unsurprisingly comes from the brand's commitment to quality and durability, but while that's a generalized answer, let's get into the nitty-gritty details of why the RZ is a very reliable EV. As mentioned, Tesla's electric motors and batteries are now mostly robust in 2024, but where it falls short is when it comes to craftsmanship, the reliability of the features, and the other aspects that are also considered in a car's quality.

That's where Lexus already has the upper hand ever since time immemorial. The only thing they have to work on is the durability and reliability of its electric motors. You see, Lexus has been making hybrids since 2005 with the first RX hybrid, while Toyota has been making hybrids since 1997 . So you can bet that even the electric motor and batteries, which are merely scaled up from its hybrid experience, is going to be extremely reliable in an EV.

But apart from its hybrid expertise, Lexus made a few engineering compromises to make its EVs durable, for better or worse. The RZ, which shares its mechanicals with the bZ4X , uses a 71.4 kWh lithium-ion NMC battery, which is a good size. However, unlike most EV makers whose usable capacity is around 95 percent of the total battery size, the RZ is even more conservative at 64 kWh or just 90 percent of its usable capacity. The Kia EV6 Long Range, for instance, has a 77.4 kWh battery whose usable capacity is 74 kWh or around 96 percent. This is why Lexus can claim that the RZ's can retain more than 90 percent of its capacity even after more than 10 years of ownership.

The RZ Faces A Strong Battle

It is one thing for an EV to be reliable, but if it falls short on other aspects, then that reliability won't be taken full advantage if owners want to get rid of their EVs anyway after just a short ownership period. While the Lexus RZ is a good and durable EV, it's not necessarily the outright best EV to own long-term.

Its Range Is Middling

Remember that battery whose usable size isn't as big as others? Well, that comes at the expense of range. At its best, the RZ is EPA-estimated to achieve 266 miles of range for the base RZ 300e with 18-inch wheels. Scale that up to the nicer 20-inch wheels, and the range is reduced further to 224 miles. If you want a faster RZ with all-weather traction, the RZ 450e does even less at 220 miles, while fitting 20-inch wheels to this model drops it even further to just 196 miles.

As a primary car, the base RZ 300e may be livable enough, but in reality, the RZ might be relegated to second-car status for the rich folks. It's a luxurious car for trips around town and when charging is abundant on your freeways, but otherwise, the RZ will have a hard time being a primary car for most people.

It's Not Cheap, Either

Further making things challenging for the RZ is its pricing situation. At $55,175 for the base RZ 300e , this doesn't sound too bad for a 266-mile EV, but because this isn't made in the United States, it faces stiff competition from more capable and well-thought-out EVs with far greater range and better functionality. The RZ, despite its e-TNGA foundations, isn't actually a ground-up EV platform. It's heavily based on the TNGA platform for ICE cars, which is unlike the plethora of similarly-sized EVs out there like the Tesla Model Y, in particular. The RZ will never beat a ground-up EV in terms of efficiency, usability, and packaging.

But Here's Why You Might Still Want An RZ

While I'm sounding a bit pessimistic against the Lexus RZ, it's not all bad news, though. While its middling range is its biggest drawback, there are other aspects where the RZ performs excellently . Again, if your mindset in the RZ is to treat it as a second car for the household, the RZ is a posh tool for the daily grind.

A Linear Driving Experience

I was able to drive the Lexus RZ as a press car from where I live, and one of this EV's key highlights is its linear driving experience. Now, that's a cliché we often associate with gas-powered cars whose power delivery is broad and not concentrated in a certain rev range, so how does that apply to an EV that doesn't have gears or even a power band? Well, Lexus engineers have tuned the electric motors to have this sort of delay in the initial throttle tip-in. Rather than having the power instantly reflected by your right foot, there's a gradual build-up that results in smooth but responsive acceleration.

The model I drove was an RZ 450e with 20-inch wheels, so its four-paw traction is great, but that comes at the expense of efficiency. In my case, it averaged around 4.3 km/kWh (or around 2.67 miles/kWh), so multiply that by its 64 kWh battery, and you've got a real-world range of around 170 miles. If range is, therefore, your concern, the RZ 300e's front-wheel drive (FWD) layout is better suited for you.

Lexus RZ vs. Tesla Model Y Specs Comparison

Typical Lexus Qualities Made Electric

Luxury cars try their absolute best to be as refined as possible, and going electric is definitely a natural evolution of this refinement pursuit. The driving experience of the RZ leans on the comfortable side of things, while the linear EV drivetrain is more for smooth but responsive overtakes as opposed to sudden bursts of power.

The sumptuous ride is coupled with excellent interior quietness, as well as impeccable Lexus build quality. While the interior isn't the most stylish or the most futuristic out there, the typical Lexus qualities of quality craftsmanship and excellent materials carry over to the RZ . While the e-TNGA platform doesn't provide a front trunk, the EV-centric packaging is evident in the interior space. There's no transmission tunnel to speak of, and the airiness of the interior is emphasized by the available panoramic glass roof that can turn dark or transparent with the touch of a button.

2024-09-07T09:08:36Z dg43tfdfdgfd