Top 5 Most Reliable Car Companies In America
The average cost of a new vehicle in America is hovering around $48,000 these days, and the last thing anyone wants to see is a major repair bill on top of the monthly payment.
That’s why reliability is a key metric for new-car shoppers, and why rankings from publications like Consumer Reports can be so useful.
Using data gleaned from its subscribers and spread across more than 300,000 vehicles from the 2000 to 2024 model years (a few 2025 models were thrown in as well), Consumer Reports ranked automakers that sell cars in America by their projected reliability.
Here are the top five automakers ranked by predicted reliability along with their scores.
Top five most reliable automakers: |
|---|
Subaru (68) |
Lexus (65) |
Toyota (62) |
Honda 59) |
Acura and Mazda (tied at 55) |
None of Subaru’s vehicles with traditional engines rank lower than average for reliability, and popular models like the Forester and Impreza rank well above average. The only Subaru-branded model that ranks below average is the Solterra, which is actually made by Toyota.
SEE ALSO: Least Reliable Car Companies In America
Steven Elek, who oversees auto data analytics for Consumer Reports, said, “Subaru’s cars share many reliable components. This commonality means that when Subaru redesigns a vehicle, it can make fewer incremental changes by carrying over dependable systems. This reduces the risk of new problems.”
Toyota performed well overall and landed in third place. According to Consumer Reports, below-average scores for the Tacoma and Tundra pickup trucks and bZ4X EV hurt the brand overall.
Consumer Reports uses 20 different trouble areas to derive its reliability scores, and each of those areas is ranked by seriousness on a scale of 100. Not all vehicles have the same number of trouble areas. By virtue of their complicated drivetrain systems, plug-in hybrids are ranked across all 20, hybrids are ranked in 19 categories and traditional cars with internal-combustion engines are ranked in 17 categories.
Due to their simple design, electric vehicles are ranked in 12 categories, but that doesn’t necessarily help their scores. EVs average 42% more problems than gas-powered or hybrid vehicles, according to Consumer Reports.
Become an AutoGuide insider. Get the latest from the automotive world first by subscribing to our newsletter here.
Growing up in a family obsessed with performance and as the son of an automotive engineer, Jeremy Korzeniewski has spent his entire life as a car enthusiast. Also an avid motorcyclist, Jeremy has spent the last two decades writing about the transportation industry and providing insights to many of the largest automotive publications in the world.
More by Jeremy Korzeniewski
Comments
Join the conversation
I don't understand how Subaru finished 1st. Their head gasket issues have been going on for years. I have a 2005 WRX my son bought new & sold to a friend. Very little winter use. When brought in for the control arm recall the dealer said the car was unsafe to drive & needed over $10,000 in repairs. This was years ago. I'll stick with Honda & Toyota products (granted some have their own issues).
My last honda was an '88 Honda / Michelin Civic, back from when they were still made in Japan. We raced the bag off that thing for 6 straight years, never touched the engine or the trans. Pretty much bulletproof. What I'm hearing about Honda these days is not so great, in fact one article said Honda is now rated lower than Kia in terms of reliability which is a shame.