reliable car brands

Ranked: The Most Reliable Car Brands, via Consumer Reports

Bywahren

Reliability is key when choosing a car. Consumer Reports has shared the latest on the most reliable car brands. Their 2025 report shows some big changes in the car world.

Understanding Consumer Reports’ Brand Rankings Methodology

Consumer Reports is a top name in checking out car brands. They look at more than just how a car drives. They check many things to rank brands. This helps us see what makes each brand good or not so good.

How Overall Scores Are Calculated

Consumer Reports adds up several things to get a brand’s score. They look at how well the car drives, its safety, how reliable it is, and what owners say. This way, they get a full picture of a brand’s quality and how happy customers are.

Brand Testing Requirements

To be ranked, Consumer Reports needs to test at least two cars from a brand. This makes sure they have enough data to judge the brand fairly.

Data Collection Process

Consumer Reports collects lots of data from car owners. They look at over 300,000 cars from 2000 to 2024. This helps them guess how reliable new cars will be.

Knowing how Consumer Reports works helps car buyers make better choices. It shows which brands, like Subaru and Lexus, are the most reliable and satisfying. These brands often rank high in their reports.

“Subaru reclaimed the top spot in overall brand rankings for the 2025 Auto Brand Report Card Rankings.”

Top Performing Automotive Brands in 2025

The latest Consumer Reports rankings show the top five car brands in 2025 are the same as last year. Subaru is still at the top, followed by BMW. Lexus jumped to third place, while Porsche and Honda fell a bit.

The report points out that even top brands can have cars that don’t do well. This shows why it’s key to do your homework before buying a car. Subaru is known for being reliable, always getting better with each new model.

RankBrandOverall Score
1Subaru87
2BMW86
3Lexus85
4Porsche84
5Honda83

At the bottom are brands like Dodge, GMC, Land Rover, Rivian, and Jeep. They need to work on making better cars and pleasing customers.

Consumer Reports says their detailed tests on over 50 vehicles help buyers make smart choices. Their evaluations are a big help in picking the right car.

The Most Reliable Car Brands and Their Performance History

Choosing a reliable car is important. Knowing the performance history of top brands helps a lot. Consumer Reports’ rankings give insights into dependable cars from different makers.

Top Ranking Manufacturers

Japanese and German makers lead in reliability. Subaru, a Japanese brand, is at the top with a score of 69/100. Its Forester and Impreza models are known for being reliable.

Lexus and Toyota follow closely. Lexus has a 65/100 rating, and Toyota scores 62/100. These brands are known for making reliable cars.

Consistently High Performers

Honda and Acura, Honda’s luxury brand, also rank high. Honda scores 59/100, and Acura scores 55/100. They show a strong focus on quality and durability.

Audi and BMW, German luxury brands, have also improved. Audi scores 54/100, and BMW scores 53/100. This shows even luxury brands can make reliable cars.

Notable Brand Improvements

Some brands have kept their top spots, while others have improved a lot. Kia and Hyundai, Korean makers, have moved up. Kia scores 51/100, and Hyundai scores 50/100. They’re known for dependable cars now.

Tesla has also made big strides. It jumped from 24th to 15th in used car rankings and 17th in new car rankings. This shows Tesla’s commitment to quality.

BrandReliability Score (out of 100)
Subaru69
Lexus65
Toyota62
Honda59
Acura55
Mazda55
Audi54
BMW53
Kia51
Hyundai50

These rankings help you see how reliable different car brands are. Knowing this can help you choose the right car for you.

Electric Vehicle Reliability Compared to Traditional Powertrains

Electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) are gaining popularity. Yet, their reliability has raised concerns. Consumer Reports found EVs are slightly more reliable than PHEVs. However, they still face 42% more problems than cars with traditional engines.

Some EV models, like the Rivian R1S, R1T, and Ford F-150 Lightning, have shown lower reliability. Despite this, car makers are working hard to enhance EV technology. They aim to fix issues with EV parts and non-EV features, like infotainment systems.

Conventional hybrids, however, have fewer reliability problems than traditional cars. Brands like Toyota and Lexus lead the rankings. Their hybrid models perform exceptionally well.

The reliability of hybrid powertrains has matched that of traditional engines. Also, EV and PHEV problems have dropped by about 50% from last year.

As car makers gain more experience with EVs, their reliability is expected to rise. Yet, PHEVs, with their mix of EV and traditional parts, are still less reliable on average.

“Electric vehicles should be easier and less costly to maintain in theory, as they have fewer moving parts compared to internal combustion engines.”

Despite concerns, the EV industry is making strides. When choosing a new car, consumers should consider reliability data. This applies to electric, hybrid, or traditional powertrain models.

Brands with Complete Model Line Recommendations

Some car brands really shine when it comes to reliability. Porsche, Infiniti, Mini, and Buick are at the top. They have earned recommendations for every model they’ve tested. This shows they consistently deliver quality and performance.

But, it’s worth noting that these brands have smaller lines. They have fewer models tested by Consumer Reports. This can affect their ranking compared to big brands like Toyota or Honda.

Small Product Line Considerations

Brands with fewer models have more to lose or gain. A single model’s score can greatly influence the brand’s ranking. On the other hand, big brands with many models can balance out scores better.

So, while Porsche, Infiniti, Mini, and Buick are highly recommended, their smaller lines are something to think about. They face off against bigger brands with more models.

Understanding Used vs. New Car Brand Reliability

Car brand reliability can change a lot between used and new cars. Some makers are great with new cars but not as good with used ones. Others might have trouble with new cars but do better with used ones.

BMW is not as reliable with used cars but does well with new ones. Volvo is better with used cars but not as reliable with new ones. Tesla is getting better in both areas, showing it’s working hard to improve.

Why do used and new cars have different reliability levels? It’s because of things like new model releases, parts sharing, and changes in what the brand offers. When looking at used cars, it’s important to know how reliable different brands are. This helps you make a smart choice when buying.

BrandUsed Car Reliability RankingNew Car Predicted Reliability Ranking
BMW18th7th
Volvo7th15th
Tesla16th10th

Knowing the differences in used and new car reliability helps you make better choices. You can find a car that fits your budget, needs, and what you want for the long run.

used car reliability

Brands to Approach with Caution: Lower Rankings Analysis

Car reliability varies among brands. Consumer Reports shows some brands consistently rank low. No single model is recommended from these brands. These include GMC, Land Rover, Rivian, and Jeep.

It’s key to know the issues and areas for improvement in these brands. This helps buyers make smart choices.

Common Issues

These brands often face poor reliability scores and low owner satisfaction. Build quality, mechanical problems, and design flaws are common issues. These problems can make driving less enjoyable.

Areas for Improvement

To climb the reliability rankings, these brands must focus on several areas. They need to improve build quality and fix recurring mechanical issues. They also should enhance vehicle performance and features.

By doing so, they can win back consumer trust. This will lead to a better driving experience for everyone.

BrandRoad Test ScoreReliability Score (Problems per 100 Vehicles)
GMC75192
Land Rover72228
Rivian78N/A
Jeep72204

The table shows these brands’ poor road test and reliability scores. Buyers should be cautious and think carefully before choosing one of these brands.

The car world is changing fast, with big moves in brand reliability and performance. Electric vehicles (EVs) are leading this change. Car makers are working hard to make their EVs more reliable, which is already affecting how we see brands.

Brands like Tesla are getting better at making reliable EVs. This could change how we see EVs in the car world. Meanwhile, big names like Acura and Genesis are also improving their EVs. This could make them even more popular in the future.

Consumer Reports says Subaru is the most reliable brand right now. BMW, Lexus, and Porsche are close behind. But, as more car makers focus on making EVs better, things might change a lot.

RankBrandReliability Score
1Subaru68
2Lexus65
3Toyota62
4Honda59
5Acura55
5Mazda55

As the car world keeps changing, car makers need to keep up. They must focus on making better cars to stay ahead. The future of car brands looks exciting and full of change.

Automotive trends

Conclusion

Consumer Reports’ rankings are key for car buyers looking for reliable vehicles. Brands like Toyota, Honda, and Subaru stay at the top. But, BMW and Chevrolet have also shown big improvements.

The car world is changing fast, with electric cars and new tech becoming more common. These rankings help you make smart choices when buying a car.

Looking for a new or used car? Consumer Reports’ data can guide you to the most reliable ones. Brands like Lexus, Mazda, and Kia/Hyundai are also making big strides in reliability.

Knowing the strengths and weaknesses of car makers helps you find the right car. This ensures your next car meets your needs for years without trouble.

The car industry keeps getting better, and the reliable brands in these rankings are here to stay. They offer the best mix of durability, performance, and value. By focusing on reliability, you can buy a car with confidence and enjoy it for a long time.

FAQ

What is the methodology behind Consumer Reports’ brand reliability rankings?

Consumer Reports uses a mix of road-test scores, safety ratings, and reliability predictions. They also look at owner satisfaction. To be ranked, a brand must have at least two current models tested by CR. This means small lines can greatly affect a brand’s score.

Which car brands performed the best in the 2025 Consumer Reports rankings?

Subaru tops the 2025 rankings, followed by BMW. Lexus jumps to third. Porsche and Honda see slight drops. Audi leaps six spots to sixth.

Which car brands are consistently high-performing according to Consumer Reports?

Subaru, BMW, Lexus, Porsche, and Honda are always among the best. Toyota and Lexus lead in both new and used reliability. Tesla improves a lot, moving up in rankings. Audi also shows big improvement.

How do electric vehicles compare to traditional powertrains in terms of reliability?

Electric cars are a bit more reliable than plug-in hybrids. Yet, EVs face more problems than gas cars. Some EVs, like the Rivian R1S and Ford F-150 Lightning, have lower reliability.

Which brands have the most recommended models according to Consumer Reports?

Porsche, Infiniti, Mini, and Buick get recommendations for every model tested. But they have small lines. Chrysler is the top domestic brand at 16th, thanks to the Pacifica and Voyager.

How do used car brand reliability and new car predicted reliability differ?

Used car reliability can differ from new car predictions. This is due to model changes, component sharing, and brand shifts. For example, BMW is low in used reliability but high in new predictions. Volvo shows the opposite, ranking well in used but lower in new.

Which car brands consistently rank at the bottom of the Consumer Reports rankings?

Seven brands are at the bottom: Lincoln, Alfa Romeo, Dodge, GMC, Land Rover, Rivian, and Jeep. They struggle with reliability, road test scores, and owner satisfaction.

How might future trends in electric vehicle technology impact brand reliability and performance?

Electric vehicle tech will likely shape brand reliability and performance. As EVs improve, we might see changes in rankings. Tesla’s improvement suggests a trend of better EV reliability. Traditional makers investing in EVs could also impact their scores.