Cars now cost about $48,000, so consumers can’t afford to make mistakes in their search for a vehicle that will hold up well over time, perform to their expectations, and deliver a safe and satisfying ownership experience.
Consumer Reports, a research, testing, and consumer advocacy organization, offers brand-level performance data and information on CR.org/cars to help car consumers make smart vehicle choices.
Its 2025 Automotive Report Card is based on road test scores for more than 200 new vehicles, reliability and owner satisfaction data from member surveys, and safety performance.
Visitors to CR.org/cars can see where each brand ranks on new car reliability, used car reliability, owner satisfaction, road test score, and maintenance and repair costs.
“Buying a new car is a big expense and one that requires a lot of research to arrive at the best choice,” Jake Fisher, senior director of Consumer Reports’ Auto Test Center said in a statement.
With more information, consumers can make better choices, Fisher said.
Consumer Reports offers the following information based on its research:
Hybrid reliability is strong, while EVs and PHEVs are improving
Hybrids are the most reliable electrified vehicles. On average, hybrids have the same rate of problems today as internal combustion engine or ICE cars. Americans bought more hybrids in 2023, with sales increasing by 53 percent over the previous year, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
Consumer Reports’ survey shows that reliability for electric vehicles or EVs and plug-in hybrid vehicles or PHEVs have improved during the past year as the technology matures. Problem rates for both EVs and PHEVs compared to traditional ICE vehicles have dropped about half since Consumer Reports’ last survey.
EVs now have 42 percent more problems than ICE cars on average, down from last year’s 79 percent. PHEVs have 70 percent more problems than ICE cars on average, down from last year’s 146 percent. ICE vehicles and hybrids remain the most reliable vehicle types overall.
Hybrid technology has evolved over the years, making those vehicles extremely fuel-efficient.
“Today’s hybrids deliver reliability that is similar to conventional gas cars despite their added complexity,” he said. “CR’s tests have shown that they’re also often quieter, quicker, and more pleasant to drive than their gasoline-only counterparts.”
The best hybrids – from Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Lexus, and Toyota – have earned top reliability scores across several categories.
Some EVs and PHEVs have been slow to improve while others are getting better. The reliability of the Rivian R1S and R1T, along with the Ford F-150 Lightning, for example, remains well-below and below average. However, the Volvo XC60 PHEV has improved reliability and is recommended by Consumer Reports this year.
Subaru is tops for reliability for the first time, while Asian auto brands continue to dominate
Subaru is the No. 1 ranked brand in Consumer Reports’ latest Annual Auto Reliability Survey for the first time, outranking Lexus and Toyota, which have traded the two top spots for many years. Consumer Reports’ staff attribute Subaru’s improvement to the brand’s conservative approach to vehicle redesigns and the sharing of reliable components across its model lineup. The only Subaru with a below-average score for predicted reliability is the Solterra electric SUV.
This is the first time since 2020 that neither Lexus, second place, nor Toyota, third place, are on top of Consumer Reports’ brand reliability rankings. But dominance by Asian automakers continues with Honda, fourth place; Acura, fifth place; Mazda, sixth place; Kia, ninth place; and Hyundai, 10th place – all in the top 10.
The full report and brand reliability rankings can be found here.
Every year, Consumer Reports asks its members about potential trouble areas they’ve had with their vehicles in the previous 12 months. This year’s survey covers 20 problem areas, including engine, electric motors, transmission, in-car electronics, and more. The testing organization uses that feedback from consumers to predict reliability ratings for new cars from every major mainstream model. This year, Consumer Reports gathered data on about 300,000 vehicles from the 2000 to 2024 model years, with a few newly introduced 2025 models.
“While brand rankings can guide you to the showroom, it is critical to look at reliability for specific models before making a purchase decision,” Fisher said. “Even within high-ranking companies, there can be significant variation in reliability.”
The reliability predictions for 2025 models are based on each model’s overall reliability for the past three years, provided that the model hasn’t been redesigned during that time. If there’s insufficient data on a model in any given model year, Consumer Reports uses the brand reliability score to supplement that model’s new car prediction. Due to the changes in this year’s survey questions and methodology, direct comparisons to previous years’ brand reliability data can’t be made.
Subaru is also the No. 1 overall brand
Subaru is also the top brand in Consumer Reports’ 2025 Auto Brand Report Card Rankings for the first time since 2022, reclaiming the top spot from BMW by a one-point margin. The rankings are based on the average overall score, a combination of Consumer Reports’ road-test scores, predicted reliability and owner satisfaction data, and safety for all of the models from each automaker.
Behind Subaru and second place BMW are Lexus, Porsche, Honda, Audi, Kia, Hyundai, Toyota, and Infiniti to round out the top 10. Five of the top 10 overall brands are mainstream brands, meaning car shoppers don’t have to pay a luxury car price to get a high-quality vehicle.
Consumer Reports’ full report on which brands make the best cars can be found here.
Rivian leads all brands in Consumer Reports’ owner satisfaction survey, and its average road test score lands it in the middle of the pack. However, well-below average predicted reliability continues to plague the EV maker, landing it in second to last place in the overall brand rankings.
For more information on Consumer Reports’ 2025 Automotive Report Card findings, visit CR.org/cars.
I have a 10 year old Outback that has been very reliable and only gently used. I love it!
Yes, it’s wonderful when you get a reliable car. My Honda Accord is a 2002 and is running fine. I had a Buick Century that needed a lot of repairs until I hit a deer and totaled it. The repairs for my Mazda MX6 were expensive when repairs were needed. I was lucky to get the Honda Accord when it was a couple of years old. It’s a great car.