Subaru, BMW top Consumer Reports’ top auto brands; Toyota named most reliable, with Tesla most improved-awdailynews

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2025-12-05

Subaru, BMW top Consumer Reports’ top auto brands; Toyota named most reliable, with Tesla most improved

Consumer Reports (CR) named Subaru (7270.T) the top brand in its 2026 Overall Brand Report Card for the second year in a row, with BMW (BMW.DE) the runner-up, though the German brand scored highest in the luxury category.

CR’s Automotive Report Card scores the best and worst in car reliability (new and used), owner satisfaction, and road-test performance, among other factors. CR tests about 50 new cars at its test center and surveys its members to gather data on reliability and owner satisfaction.

“While Subaru models provide good performance and comfort, they also excel in areas that may not be immediately apparent during a test drive,” CR senior director of auto testing Jake Fisher said.

Fisher added, “BMW has made very highly desirable models for years, and their reliability easily outshines all of their European rivals.”

Consumer Reports: Subaru, BMW make the best new cars, Toyota most reliable, and Tesla most improved. · Consumer Reports

As for the overall report card, Porsche, Honda, Toyota, Lexus, Lincoln, Hyundai, Acura, and Tesla rounded out the top 10. Lincoln made the biggest jump, climbing 17 positions to become the top domestic brand.

Conversely, Audi dropped the most, falling 10 spots to 16 overall. Dodge, GMC, Land Rover, Rivian, and Jeep rounded out the bottom five in overall score.

CR said this year’s survey data covered 380,000 vehicles across 25 model years, which the consumer nonprofit claims is the most vehicles it has ever covered.

“It enables us to dig into the details when an owner has a problem,” CR data analytics program leader Steven Elek said in a presentation to reporters.

Visitors inspect a new BMW X3 during the 46th Bangkok International Motor Show on April 5, 2025.(Peerapon Boonyakiat/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images) · SOPA Images via Getty Images

Toyota (TM) took the top spot in reliability, with the Camry in its second year following a major redesign, and improvements to the Tundra and Tacoma trucks driving gains. Subaru remained in the second spot, the same as in 2025.

Tesla’s (TSLA) Model Y and Model 3 “[overcame] build quality issues from the past” to slot in at ninth place, its highest-ever ranking.

Mazda (MZA.F) had the biggest drop, however, to 14th overall in reliability. The CX-90 and CX-70 SUVs “dragged down Mazda” at the brand level, Elek said.

Buick (GM) had the highest domestic ranking, coming in eighth in reliability, with Ford (F) improving to the 11th spot, its best showing in 15 years, according to CR.

Consumer Reports' 2026 Auto Reliability Survey findings are mixed for US-based manufacturers. Buick, as usual, ranks highest among them, coming in eighth overall. Only the Enclave has below-average reliability. — Consumer Reports’ 2026 Auto Reliability Survey findings are mixed for US-based manufacturers. Buick, as usual, ranks highest among them, coming in eighth overall. Only the Enclave has below-average reliability. · Consumer Reports

Interestingly, Rivian (RIVN) was lowest in reliability scores but highest in owner satisfaction, per the owners CR polled, with 85% claiming they would buy one again. CR said Rivian owners are willing to put up with the growing pains of new technologies.