The 5 Most Reliable Automakers, According to Consumer Reports

Every driver wants to pay a good price for a new car. But most of us covet something else even more: Reliability.

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 vehicle during the past 12 months. The publication then compiled the data on more than 330,000 vehicles for the model years 2000 to 2023 plus a handful of 2024 models.

Based on their study of 20 problem areas — from squeaky brakes to transmission issues and EV charging problems — here are Consumer Reports most reliable automakers.

Honda

Average predicted reliability for this automaker: 70 (on a scale of 1 to 100)

Consumer Reports notes that Asian automakers — such as Honda — are far and away the most reliable. As a group, these automakers have an average score of 63 out of 100.

Acura

Average predicted reliability for this automaker: 70 (on a scale of 1 to 100)

Honda’s luxury brand Acura also gets high marks for reliability. Consumer Reports says both the RDX (pictured) and TLX finished above average in terms of reliability. However, the MDX SUV and Integra sedan are ranked as merely average.

Mini

Average predicted reliability for this automaker: 71 (on a scale of 1 to 100)

Mini, a manufacturer based in Oxford, England, that was bought by BMW in 1996, is the one European automaker to finish in the Consumer Reports top five. As a whole, European automakers finished a distant second in the reliability rankings, with a average score of 46.

Toyota

Average predicted reliability for this automaker: 76 (on a scale of 1 to 100)

For the most part, Toyota did well in the Consumer Reports survey. The 4Runner SUV (pictured) was among the most reliable vehicles in the survey. However, the Tundra finished among the less-reliable vehicles in the rankings.

Lexus

Average predicted reliability for this automaker: 79 (on a scale of 1 to 100)

Toyota’s luxury brand Lexus finishes at the top of the list for reliability. Consumer Reports says all of its models save one — the NX — scored above average in terms of reliability.

No U.S. automaker finished in the Consumer Reports top five. As a group, domestic car companies scored just 39 out of 100 for reliability.

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