Nissan Leaf wins Consumer “reliability” survey

The electric Nissan Leaf tops Consumer’s November reliability survey.

It’s followed by the Mitsubishi ASX small SUV and the Suzuki SX4 and new generation S Cross (2013 on).

The survey covers 10,350 cars owned by Consumer members, asked about reliability problems in the past year ranging from minor faults to serious ones. Owners were also asked how satisfied they were with their car and whether they’d recommend their make and model to others.

Winning car the Leaf was “perhaps no surprise” as it has no combustion engine or gearbox – “the two most complicated, and problematic” car parts, Consumer says.

No serious faults were reported, and just 4% said they had some major reliability issues.

About 97% were “very satisfied” and 90% would recommend it to family and friends.

No Mitsubishi ASX owners reported serious faults either, just 8% saying they had major reliability issues and 83% saying they were very satisfied.

Owners liked the driving performance, safety, practicality, interior and value but weren’t so pleased with comfort.

The Suzuki had 4% of owners report serious faults in pre-2009 cars, but none in newer models. About 91% were very satisfied. Major faults increased with age, yet all the fault percentages were well below average for the respective ages, Consumer says.

Visit consumer.org.nz for more information.