The American non-profit Consumer Reports (CR) has released its annual reliability survey, assessing problems and owner experiences with vehicles available in the report. The rankings place Toyota, Subaru, and Lexus at the top of the list of most reliable automakers. While the order has shifted from , the same manufacturers led the brand rankings last year.
All three leading brands share common principles in enhancing reliability: utilizing common parts across model families, implementing conservative and gradual changes rather than radical modifications, and swiftly addressing identified issues. This approach has demonstrably translated into fewer reported problems from vehicle owners.
Specifically, the Honda Passport, Lexus IS, and Toyota 4Runner were identified as the most reliable individual models in the survey. This highlights a pattern of consistent performance across different vehicle segments within these brands.
The Toyota Camry significantly improved its score in the model year, rising from 56 to 74 points, tying with the Honda Accord for second place in its category. The Toyota Tacoma and Tundra pickup trucks, after initial issues, have both achieved average or better reliability ratings. Notably, the Toyota GR86, the all-new Land Cruiser Prado, and the redesigned 4Runner models all demonstrated above-average reliability.
Subaru secured the second position overall. The Impreza stands out as its most reliable model, with the Crosstrek and Forester Hybrid achieving above-average reliability. The conventional Forester performs at the average level, indicating a generally strong performance across the Subaru lineup.
Lexus, Toyota’s luxury division, exhibited average or better reliability across all its models. The IS sports sedan proved particularly reliable. Among premium SUVs, the NX, NX Hybrid, and UX are the most dependable, while the TX leads the mid-size three-row SUV category and the RZ tops the all-electric premium SUV segment.
The survey also addressed self-charging hybrid vehicles. Toyota and Lexus self-charging hybrid models frequently demonstrate greater reliability than their traditional internal combustion engine counterparts. Top performers in this category include the Ford F-150 Hybrid, Kia Carnival Hybrid, Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid, Honda CR-V Hybrid, Lexus NX Hybrid, and Subaru Forester Hybrid. This suggests a technological advantage in hybrid powertrain durability for these manufacturers.
Conversely, all-electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) showed weaker results. Thirteen of the 26 least reliable models are exclusively electric or plug-in hybrid, with the Kia EV9 identified as the least reliable. This finding underscores ongoing challenges in ensuring the long-term dependability of these newer powertrain technologies, potentially related to battery management systems, software integration, or novel component failures.
Asian automakers continue to dominate in the realm of reliability. Seven of the ten most reliable brands originate from the region, averaging 56 points on a 1-100 scale. This sustained performance reinforces the established reputation for quality control and engineering excellence within these manufacturers.
The Consumer Reports data, based on approximately 380,000 vehicles, provides a comprehensive assessment of real-world reliability. The analysis spans model years from through , with some models already included, allowing for evaluation of both long-term ownership trends and the initial reliability of new vehicles. Each vehicle is assessed across up to 20 potential problem areas, offering a detailed picture of dependability.
The findings have significant implications for consumers and the automotive industry. Prioritizing reliability can lead to lower long-term ownership costs, reduced downtime for repairs, and increased owner satisfaction. For automakers, the rankings serve as a benchmark for performance and a driver for continuous improvement in design, manufacturing, and quality control processes. The relative struggles of EVs and PHEVs, however, suggest a need for focused investment in enhancing the durability and dependability of these emerging technologies to foster wider consumer adoption.