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Subaru has passed BMW as the top-ranked car brand in the annual Consumer Reports assessment. The two car makers swapped positions from the last year, with the rankings based on road tests, reliability, owner satisfaction, and safety.
So who's the best for 2025?
1. Subaru
Tops the chart—#1 in overall score and predicted reliability for the first time. Consumer Reports attributes this to Subaru’s methodical evolution—tweaking existing models rather than leaps—and consistent road-test excellence .
2. BMW
A strong all-rounder: 2nd in overall brand ranking and within top five on reliability and road-test scores .
3. Lexus
A dependable favorite—3rd overall and 2nd in predicted reliability—continuing its streak of high satisfaction and strong test performance .
4. Porsche
Solid presence in the upper tier (#4 overall), with consistently high test scores and reliability .
5. Honda
Rounded performance lands Honda in 5th place overall and top five in predicted reliability .
Other top-performing brands within the top 10 include Audi (6th), Kia (7th), Hyundai (8th), Toyota (9th), and Infiniti (10th) .
But who were the worst? At the lower end of the rankings, these brands consistently receive poor evaluations from Consumer Reports:
- Jeep – dead last (32nd overall) due to severe reliability issues . Samsung owners describe it as being “synonymous with faulty and expensive vehicles” .
- Rivian – ranks 31st with low predicted reliability (score around 14–48 depending on metric), despite strong owner satisfaction .
- Land Rover – 30th, criticized for unreliability and high upkeep .
- GMC, Dodge, and Lincoln – also occupy the bottom third of the table .
Specifically, Jeep and Rivian are flagged as “brands to research carefully” .
I've been looking, not ready to pull the trigger yet. But this is a good tool if you might be looking for a new ride soon.