The American non-profit organization Consumer Reports has presented another, now traditional, car brand reliability rating. As part of the study, experts compared automakers based on a set of indicators and determined which brands demonstrate the least amount of technical problems during operation.
The first place in the assessment was taken by the Japanese Toyota, scoring 66 points. Subaru was right behind it with a score of 63 points. The third position in the ranking was taken by the premium brand Lexus, closely associated with Toyota - its final score was 60 points. The top five also included Honda, which earned 59 points, and the German manufacturer BMW with a score of 58 points, which closed the top of the list.
Consumer Reports analysts explain the success of these companies by their restrained and verified approach to car development. This refers to the focus on long-proven engineering solutions, the gradual evolution of model lines without sharp technological leaps, as well as the careful and thoughtful implementation of new systems. Instead of radical changes, the leading manufacturers prefer a consistent update of designs, which, according to experts, directly affects the reliability of the equipment.
The opposite picture is demonstrated by brands that actively experiment with innovative platforms and fresh technical concepts. It was these companies that ended up at the bottom of the ranking. Among the outsiders of the study are Jeep, which received 28 points, Ram with a score of 26 points, and the electric brand Rivian, which closed the list with 24 points. The use of fundamentally new architectures and solutions, as follows from the report, is still accompanied by an increased number of problems.
The study also noted a noticeable deterioration in Mazda's position. The Japanese manufacturer dropped by eight lines at once compared to previous results. Experts attribute this fall to technical difficulties identified in the new CX-70 and CX-90 models. The largest number of complaints were recorded regarding their hybrid modifications, which had a negative impact on the overall brand rating.
At the same time, the Consumer Reports report emphasizes that classic hybrid cars, which do not provide for the possibility of recharging from the mains, still demonstrate an exceptionally high level of reliability. Such power plants, combining an internal combustion engine and an electric part without external charging, have proven to be particularly stable in operation.
The list of the most reliable models includes Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid, Honda CR-V Hybrid, Lexus NX Hybrid and Subaru Forester Hybrid. These cars, according to the study, confirmed that traditional hybrid technologies remain one of the most reliable solutions in the modern automotive market.