As the year comes to a close, it’s the season for major car manufacturers to introduce new models. On Thursday, December 5th, the reputable American product testing organization, “Consumer Reports,” released the 2025 list of the most reliable car brands and used cars to help consumers find the most suitable vehicle based on their needs and budget.
“Consumer Reports” conducted exclusive road tests on over 200 new cars this year, analyzing the data on the reliability and owner satisfaction of vehicles. They integrated over 300,000 data points on various brands’ safety performance to select the most reliable car brands and best models.
In the 2025 rankings by “Consumer Reports,” Japanese carmaker Subaru surpassed Lexus and Toyota to claim the top spot as the most reliable car brand.
After analyzing seven Subaru models, researchers found that the reliability scores of Subaru’s compact SUV Forester and compact sedan Impreza were significantly higher than the average. Additionally, Crosstrek, Legacy, Outback, and Ascent from Subaru also showed impressive reliability scores. The only Subaru model with below-average reliability was the Solterra EV.
In this year’s rankings, Lexus and Toyota followed closely behind Subaru in terms of brand reliability scores. It’s worth noting that the reliability ratings for Toyota’s new Tacoma pickup truck, Tundra full-size pickup, and bZ4X electric vehicle fell below the average, impacting Toyota’s overall score.
Among many American car brands, Ford Mustang scored well above average, while Chevrolet Trailblazer and Ford Escape also received above-average scores.
1. Subaru – 68 points
2. Lexus – 65 points
3. Toyota – 62 points
4. Honda – 59 points
5. Acura – 55 points
6. Mazda – 55 points
7. Audi – 54 points
8. BMW – 53 points
9. Kia – 51 points
10. Hyundai – 50 points
Alex Knizek, the Deputy Director of the Consumer Reports Auto Test Center, emphasized that as new car prices remain high, more people are naturally turning to the used car market. However, consumers should not sacrifice safety, reliability, or fuel economy of a vehicle to save on budget. The organization recommended 10 used cars in various price ranges.
– Used sedans under $10,000: 2016-2019 Chevrolet Cruze.
– Used sedans under $15,000: 2017-2020 Hyundai Elantra.
– Used SUVs under $15,000: 2016-2022 Honda HR-V, with the 2018 model standing out.
– Used hybrid cars under $20,000: 2020-2024 Toyota Corolla Hybrid, with the 2021 model being notable.
– Used compact SUVs under $20,000: 2017-2022 Kia Sportage, especially the 2021 model.
– Used hybrid SUVs under $20,000: 2016-2018 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, with the 2018 model being exceptional.
– Used three-row SUVs under $20,000: 2016-2023 Mazda CX-9, particularly the 2020 model.
– Used luxury SUVs under $20,000: 2016-2020 Buick Envision.
– Used pickup trucks under $20,000: 2005-2015 Toyota Tacoma.
– Used sports cars under $20,000: 2016-2024 Mazda MX-5 Miata.
Furthermore, although electric vehicles (EV) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) are gaining market share, researchers found that hybrid vehicles are still the most reliable in terms of power systems.
Cox Automotive, a US automotive market research firm, discovered a shift in the market as the year-end approaches. Buyers are showing a strong return to the automotive market.
According to Jonathan Smoke, Chief Economist of the company, the momentum in car sales growth may be related to a change in consumer mentality after the election, shifting attitudes from “better wait” to “better buy now.”