A car that lasts a long time is probably more important to most drivers than a car with a low purchase price.
Over time, a car that regularly breaks down or needs other repairs creates untold headaches and bleeds buckets of cash. On the other hand, a model that keeps chugging along gives you one less thing to fret about in a world of worry.
Recently, Consumer Reports asked its members to report the problems they have had with their vehicles during the prior 12 months. The publication then compiled the data on more than 300,000 vehicles for model years ranging from 2000 to 2025.
Based on their study of 20 problem areas — from broken interior trim to transmission issues and EV-charging problems — here are Consumer Reports’ most reliable automakers.
1. Subaru
Average predicted reliability for this automaker: 68 (on a scale of 1 to 100)
Subaru is the most reliable car in the survey after many years of either Lexus or Toyota taking the top slot. In particular, the Forester and Impreza have reliability scores that are well above average.
In the Consumer Reports recap of its survey findings, Steven Elek — who is in charge of data analytics at CR — says:
“Subaru’s cars share many reliable components. This commonality means that when Subaru redesigns a vehicle, it can make fewer incremental changes by carrying over dependable systems. This reduces the risk of new problems.”
2. Lexus
Average predicted reliability for this automaker: 65 (on a scale of 1 to 100)
Toyota’s luxury brand Lexus had four models that scored above average, including the Lexus NX Hybrid, which was among the most reliable models. On the other hand, the Lexus NX PHEV merely received an average rating.
3. Toyota
Average predicted reliability for this automaker: 62 (on a scale of 1 to 100)
Toyota had four models that scored well above average, and another seven that scored above average. However, below-average ratings for three vehicles — the Tacoma, Tundra and bZ4X electric vehicle — hurt the carmaker’s overall reliability numbers.
Somewhat reliable brands
Consumer Reports says the following brands are reliable, but not quite good enough to unseat the big three in this survey:
- Honda: 59
- Acura: 55
- Mazda: 55
- Audi: 54
- BMW: 53
- Kia: 51
- Hyundai: 50
- Buick: 48
- Nissan: 48
- Ford: 44
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