Purchasing a car is a long-term investment, with the expectation that it will provide dependable transportation for the long haul. But as Consumer Reports’ latest auto surveys show, not all cars can fulfill that promise.
“Buying a reliable car is a good way to avoid the inconvenience of repairs while the car is under warranty and a smart way to save money on the cost of vehicle ownership over time,” said Jake Fisher, senior director of auto testing at Consumer Reports. “That’s why consumers consistently tell us that reliability is one of the most important factors when buying a car.”
This year, Consumer Reports collected data on over 330,000 vehicles through surveys distributed to its members. Most of these vehicles ranged from the 2000 to 2023 model years, with a handful of early 2024 MY examples. Notably, the study has expanded to cover 20 trouble areas, with the inclusion of the electric motor, battery pack, and charging aspects for electrified vehicles (EV, PHEV, HEV).
Each model was assessed, resulting in a reliability score, ultimately leading to a predicted rating for each brand. Lexus claimed the top position in this year’s rankings, dethroning last year’s leader, Toyota. Meanwhile, Mini secured the third spot, surpassing its parent brand, BMW. On the opposite end of the spectrum, Chrysler, Mercedes-Benz, and Rivian found themselves at the bottom of the list, representing the least reliable models. Below, you’ll find the complete ranking of automakers from the most to the least reliable.
Brand Reliability in 2023
| Reliability Ranking | Brand | Predicted Reliability Score (out of 100) |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | Lexus | 79 |
| #2 | Toyota | 76 |
| #3 | Mini | 71 |
| #4 | Acura | 70 |
| #5 | Honda | 70 |
| #6 | Subaru | 69 |
| #7 | Mazda | 67 |
| #8 | Porsche | 66 |
| #9 | BMW | 64 |
| #10 | Kia | 61 |
| #11 | Hyundai | 56 |
| #12 | Buick | 55 |
| #13 | Infiniti | 53 |
| #14 | Tesla | 48 |
| #15 | Ram | 46 |
| #16 | Cadillac | 45 |
| #17 | Nissan | 45 |
| #18 | Genesis | 44 |
| #19 | Audi | 43 |
| #20 | Chevrolet | 43 |
| #21 | Dodge | 42 |
| #22 | Ford | 40 |
| #23 | Lincoln | 38 |
| #24 | GMC | 36 |
| #25 | Volvo | 28 |
| #26 | Jeep | 26 |
| #27 | VW | 26 |
| #28 | Rivian | 24 |
| #29 | Mercedes | 23 |
| #30 | Chrysler | 18 |
*Alfa Romeo, Fiat, Jaguar, Land Rover, Lucid, Maserati, Mitsubishi, and Polestar are excluded from the list due to insufficient data.
While body style may not have a direct impact on reliability, Consumer Reports has computed the average scores for different categories. Traditional car styles, including sedans, hatchbacks, and wagons, continue to lead the pack in reliability with an average rating of 57/100. They are followed by SUVs at 50/100, minivans at 45/100, and pickup trucks at 41/100.
A more critical reliability factor appears to be the powertrain type. Owners of fully electric vehicles reported 79% more problems compared to gasoline-powered cars, indicating that automakers still have work to do in fully mastering the new technology.
Plug-in hybrids performed even worse, with 146% more reported problems than regular ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) vehicles. However, non-plug-in hybrids had 26% fewer problems than ICE-powered cars, with some examples proving to be more reliable than their non-electrified counterparts.
The top 10 model rankings are largely dominated by Toyota, with 7 out of 10 spots occupied by the Japanese automaker. Topping the list is the Toyota 4Runner, a model that has seen minor upgrades since 2009, showcasing the reliability of Toyota’s enduring ladder-frame architecture. An entirely new generation of this SUV is on the horizon, and it will be intriguing to observe whether it can match the reliability of its predecessor. Following closely are the Camry Hybrid and Camry sedans with similar scores. The only non-Toyota entries in this elite group include the BMW X5 (ranked 5th), the Subaru Forester (ranked 6th), and the Acura RDX (ranked 8th).
Most Reliable Models in 2023
| Reliability Ranking | Model | Reliability Score |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | Toyota 4Runner | 87 |
| #2 | Toyota Camry Hybrid | 87 |
| #3 | Toyota Camry | 86 |
| #4 | Toyota RAV4 Prime | 84 |
| #5 | BMW X5 | 82 |
| #6 | Subaru Forester | 82 |
| #7 | Toyota RAV4 | 80 |
| #8 | Acura RDX | 80 |
| #9 | Toyota Corolla | 77 |
| #10 | Toyota Highlander Hybrid | 75 |
Source: Consumer Reports
