Reliability and a hassle-free ownership experience are some of the main reasons we buy new cars. According to CarEdge, a site dedicated to making car ownership easier, average new car prices are creeping closer to $50,000. If you’re spending that much on a vehicle, you certainly don’t want to spend your time hanging out at the repair shop.
Luckily, we have independent organizations like Consumer Reports that fight for a fair marketplace. Every year, they list the best and worst vehicles on the market based on predicted reliability ratings, and using data from their annual reliability surveys.
Traditionally, the two top spots have been held by Toyota and its luxury brand, Lexus, but this year, there’s a new king of the hill. Let’s look at the 15 best car brands you can buy in 2025, as per Consumer Reports’ reliability rankings.
How These Brands Made the List
We didn’t throw darts at a board of car logos to figure this out (though that sounds fun). These rankings come straight from Consumer Reports’ 2025 reliability data, which is based on responses from hundreds of thousands of real car owners. The organization collects information on 20+ trouble areas for each vehicle — everything from engine and transmission issues to glitchy infotainment systems.
We also checked in with trusted sources like RepairPal, CarEdge, and automaker press rooms to help round out the picture. What you’re seeing here isn’t just one expert’s opinion; it’s a reflection of how these cars hold up in the real world.
1. Subaru
Subaru is, without a doubt, the biggest surprise on this year’s reliability list. According to RepairPal, an online automotive complaint resource, the Japanese brand has been known to suffer from certain issues, such as head gasket failure, excessive oil consumption, and CVT transmission problems.
However, this year, the Subaru Impreza and Forester received well-above-average reliability scores, while the rest of the lineup, except the Solterra EV, is rated above average and average. One reason for this is that Subaru uses tried-and-tested technology, resulting in fewer problems.
2. Lexus
Lexus is usually found in the first or second spot on Consumer Reports‘ reliability rankings, so nothing has really changed for 2025. This Japanese brand builds cars that’ll last you a lifetime, and they’re right up there with the Europeans in terms of luxury.
Four of Lexus’ models received an above-average score, while three managed an average rating.
3. Toyota
In this year’s rankings, Consumer Reports says Lexus and Toyota have traded the two top spots for many years, but Toyota has now been knocked down to third. The brand took a hit due to below-average reliability ratings for three of its vehicles — the bZ4X EV, the Tundra, and the redesigned Tacoma. Coincidentally, the bZ4X is the same vehicle as Subaru’s Solterra, so that one should definitely be avoided.
If not for those models, Toyota would still reign supreme, as four Toyota models scored well above average, seven scored above average, and five scored average.
4. Honda
Honda is another Japanese carmaker known for making reliable, high-quality cars, and is usually found near the top of every Consumer Reports rating. This year, Honda earned fourth place overall in the reliability rankings.
Three of Honda’s models, including the CR-V and HR-V compact SUVs, received an above-average score, with another seven getting an average rating.
5. Acura
With Honda in fourth, it’s no surprise that its luxury brand follows right behind in fifth. Surprisingly, Acura no longer offers any hybrid models, despite Honda being one of the pioneers of that game.
This year, Consumer Reports has only ranked two Acura models, the RDX and MDX SUVs. The RDX received an above-average score, and the MDX was rated as average.
6. Mazda
Mazda offers a wide variety of models, from the open-top 2-seater MX-5 Miata to the midsize three-row SUV CX-90. Its models tend to be affordable, good-looking, fun to drive, and reliable.
Several of Mazda’s vehicles have earned above-average reliability ratings by Consumer Reports, with the SUVs and crossovers consistently ranking among the best in the segment.
7. Audi
Audi is the first non-Japanese brand on the list. European luxury vehicles are loaded with modern technology, which, according to Scientific American, tends to fail more often than older tech that’s been tried and tested.
Even the entry-level vehicles in Audi’s lineup offer excellent build quality and are more luxurious than most of the Japanese models. That said, they also come with higher maintenance and repair costs, so Consumer Reports says it’s hard to recommend used models.
8. BMW
BMW is perhaps Audi’s fiercest competitor, and the two have duked it out for decades. This time, Audi won the battle, but the Bavarians are following right behind.
All the things we said about Audi also hold true for BMW. It’s one of the top brands if you’re in the market for a new luxury vehicle, but expect it to be costlier to own than a Lexus or Acura.
9. Kia
A couple of decades ago, no one would’ve guessed that Korean carmakers Kia and Hyundai would feature in the top-ten most reliable car brands, but here we are.
Kia now offers vehicles in most modern segments. They’re usually not among the top in terms of reliability, but the low price and excellent warranties help offset that.
10. Hyundai
Everything we said about Kia also goes for Hyundai, which secures the tenth spot on Consumer Reports’ rankings.
It’s possible to find some serious bargains in Hyundai’s lineup, and while they may not last as long as a Lexus, they’ll certainly run for a few hundred thousand miles. The electric Ioniq 5 N is even one of the most fun EVs on the market today.
11. Buick
Just missing out on the top ten, we find Buick, the first American brand on the list. If you want to buy American and reliability is important, then Buick is clearly the brand to go for — at least according to Consumer Reports.
Buick offers two- and three-row SUVs with better interiors than you’ll find in a Chevy or Ford, but for less money than traditional luxury brands such as Lexus, Lincoln, and Cadillac.
12. Nissan
It’s no secret that Nissan’s vehicles have struggled with various reliability issues over the years. Nissan Problems, a website dedicated to tracking issues related to various Nissan vehicles, mentions problems with the CVT transmission, engine failures, and a smorgasbord of other issues.
Consumer Reports also says the brand’s overall scores suffer because of up-and-down reliability and average to below-average owner satisfaction. Still, they managed to squeeze into 12th place of the 22 car manufacturers in this year’s ranking.
13. Ford
Ford sells its pickup trucks under the “Built Ford Tough” slogan, but the Blue Oval is only the 13th most reliable brand. The F-150 remains one of the best-selling trucks on the North American market, but Consumer Reports gave it a below-average reliability rating.
In fact, with the exception of the Ford Mustang, the electric Mustang Mach-E, and the small Maverick truck, most Ford vehicles have been given an average to below-average reliability rating.
14. Genesis
Genesis, Hyundai Motor Group’s luxury brand, goes head-to-head with all the established luxury carmakers but often costs less than the competition.
Consumer Reports says Genesis models tend to be impressive during road tests, but the reliability varies, with some models having dropped to below-average reliability ratings.
15. Volvo
Gone are the days when Volvo was known for making brick-shaped cars that were surprisingly fun to drive and so well-built that they could probably emerge unscathed from a demolition derby.
While the Swedish carmaker still builds safety-focused cars, it suffers in other areas—reliability, in particular. Consumer Reports says most of Volvo’s new cars scored average or below average in their reliability rankings. Although Volvo ranks 15th for new car reliability, it’s 17th in owner satisfaction, and 24th in maintenance and repair costs, giving it a 22nd place overall.
What This Means If You’re Car Shopping
If you’re planning to drop nearly fifty grand on a new car, you probably don’t want to spend your weekends at the repair shop or arguing with roadside assistance. These rankings give you a solid place to start — not just for reliability, but for peace of mind.
Japanese brands continue to dominate the list, but a few surprise contenders (like Buick!) are worth a closer look. Just remember: no car is perfect, but some are a whole lot easier to live with than others.
Looking for longevity, low stress, and a car that won’t leave you stranded? Start with the top half of this list. Thinking about rolling the dice with something flashier? At least now you’ll know what you’re getting into.