Most Reliable Car Brands: What the Latest Data Says
According to the latest major surveys, Toyota, Subaru, Lexus and Honda are the most reliable car brands overall. Consumer Reports’ 2025 brand rankings put Toyota first, followed by Subaru, Lexus, Honda and BMW. J.D. Power’s 2026 Vehicle Dependability Study, which measures problems in three-year-old vehicles, ranked Lexus best overall and Buick best among mass-market brands. Across both, traditional hybrids tend to be more reliable than plug-in hybrids and fully electric vehicles.
Below are the rankings, what they actually measure, and how to use reliability data to choose a specific model, which matters more than the badge on the hood.
Key Takeaways
- Consumer Reports 2025 top 5: Toyota, Subaru, Lexus, Honda, BMW.
- J.D. Power 2026: Lexus ranked highest overall; Buick highest among mass-market brands.
- Least reliable in Consumer Reports 2025: Rivian, Ram, Jeep and GMC.
- Hybrids shine: conventional hybrids scored far better than EVs and plug-in hybrids.
- Check the model and year, not just the brand; redesigned first-year models often have more problems.
Most Reliable Car Brands: Consumer Reports 2025
Consumer Reports builds its predicted reliability scores from owner surveys covering hundreds of thousands of vehicles and 20 potential trouble areas, from engines and transmissions to electronics. Scores are out of 100.
| Rank | Brand | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Toyota | 66 |
| 2 | Subaru | 63 |
| 3 | Lexus | 60 |
| 4 | Honda | 59 |
| 5 | BMW | 58 |
| 6 | Nissan | 57 |
| 7 | Acura | 57 |
| 8 | Buick | 51 |
| 9 | Tesla | 50 |
| 10 | Kia | 49 |
At the bottom of the 2025 list were GMC (31), Jeep (28), Ram (26) and Rivian (24). Notable changes included Toyota retaking the top spot from Subaru, Tesla climbing into the top ten, and Mazda dropping from 6th to 14th after several redesigned models.
Most Dependable Brands: J.D. Power 2026
J.D. Power’s Vehicle Dependability Study surveys original owners of three-year-old vehicles and counts problems per 100 vehicles (PP100). A lower score is better.
- Lexus ranked highest overall and among premium brands, at 151 PP100, for the fourth year in a row.
- Buick ranked highest among mass-market brands, at 160 PP100, for the second year in a row.
- The industry average rose to 204 PP100, the most problems recorded since the study was redesigned in 2022.
- Premium vehicles averaged more problems than mass-market ones, and plug-in hybrids and EVs reported more problems than gas vehicles.
Many of the problems counted in dependability studies are not breakdowns but infotainment glitches, phone connectivity issues and driver-assist quirks, which still frustrate owners.
Why the Two Rankings Differ
| Consumer Reports | J.D. Power VDS | |
|---|---|---|
| What it measures | Predicted reliability of new models, based on problems over the past model years | Problems reported by owners of three-year-old vehicles |
| Scoring | 0–100, higher is better | Problems per 100 vehicles, lower is better |
| Includes | Serious mechanical issues weighted heavily, plus minor problems | All problems, including many minor tech and design complaints |
| Best use | Choosing a new or recent model | Understanding how cars hold up in the first few years |
Because they measure different things, a brand can rank well in one and average in the other. Brands that appear near the top of both, such as Lexus and Toyota, have the strongest overall record.
Are Hybrids and EVs Reliable?
Traditional hybrids, which have a gas engine and a small battery and never plug in, were among the most reliable vehicles in Consumer Reports’ data, partly because automakers such as Toyota have refined their hybrid systems for decades. Plug-in hybrids and many fully electric vehicles reported more problems, often with charging, battery and electronic systems, although EV reliability is improving and some models perform well. Newer, more complex technology generally takes a few model years to mature.
How to Use Reliability Data When Shopping
- Look at the specific model and year: reliability varies a lot within brands. A strong brand can have a weak model, and vice versa.
- Be careful with first-year redesigns: all-new or heavily redesigned models often have more problems in their first year. Waiting a year or buying the last year of a generation can be safer.
- Check the powertrain: some engines and transmissions within the same model are more reliable than others.
- Read recall and complaint data on NHTSA.gov for the exact model year.
- Consider cost of ownership: reliable cars also tend to hold their value better and cost less to maintain.
- For used cars, maintenance history matters most: a well-maintained car from an average brand can beat a neglected one from a top brand.
Quick Answers About Popular Brands
- Are Toyotas reliable? Yes. Toyota topped Consumer Reports’ 2025 brand rankings, and its luxury brand Lexus leads J.D. Power’s dependability study.
- Are Hondas reliable? Yes, Honda ranked fourth in Consumer Reports’ 2025 brand ranking, with Acura seventh.
- Are Subarus reliable? Yes, Subaru ranked second in 2025 after leading the year before.
- Are Kias reliable? Kia made Consumer Reports’ 2025 top ten, although results vary by model.
- Are Mazdas reliable? Mazda has historically ranked well but dropped to 14th in 2025 after several redesigns; established models tend to score better than brand-new ones.
What Makes a Car Last
Even the most reliable brand needs care. Regular oil changes, following the maintenance schedule, fixing small problems early and avoiding neglect do more for how long a car lasts than the logo on the grille. Many reliable cars reach 200,000 miles or more with proper maintenance.
Data note: rankings are updated every year. Figures here come from Consumer Reports’ 2025 brand reliability rankings and J.D. Power’s 2026 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study as reported publicly. Check the latest editions before you buy.
Try the calculator: use our total cost of ownership calculator to compare what cars really cost to own, or our car depreciation calculator to estimate your car’s future value.
Car Reliability FAQ
Toyota ranked first in Consumer Reports’ 2025 brand reliability rankings, and Lexus, Toyota’s luxury brand, ranked highest in J.D. Power’s 2026 Vehicle Dependability Study.
In Consumer Reports’ 2025 rankings the top five were Toyota, Subaru, Lexus, Honda and BMW.
In Consumer Reports’ 2025 rankings, Rivian scored lowest, followed by Ram, Jeep and GMC.
Buick ranked highest among mass-market brands in J.D. Power’s 2026 Vehicle Dependability Study, with 160 problems per 100 vehicles.
Traditional hybrids that do not plug in are among the most reliable vehicles in Consumer Reports’ data, often more reliable than plug-in hybrids and EVs.
Reliability varies widely. On average, EVs and plug-in hybrids have reported more problems than gas cars and traditional hybrids, though some models are very reliable and results are improving.
It is often wise to be cautious. All-new or redesigned models frequently have more problems in their first year of production.
Consumer Reports uses owner surveys to predict reliability on a 0 to 100 scale. J.D. Power counts problems per 100 vehicles reported by owners of three-year-old cars.
