2025 Auto Reliability Rankings: Subaru Dethrones Toyota in Historic Shift
Consumer Reports' Comprehensive Reliability Study
In a surprising industry shakeup, Subaru has claimed the top spot in Consumer Reports' 2025 Auto Reliability Survey, ending Toyota and Lexus' multi-year dominance. The nonprofit organization analyzed data from over 300,000 vehicles across 20 potential trouble areas to produce these authoritative rankings.
Methodology: CR combines rigorous road testing with member surveys covering vehicles from 2000-2025 model years, weighting problems by severity to generate reliability scores from 1-100. New 2025 models receive projected ratings based on manufacturer history and early data.
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2025 Brand Reliability Rankings
The complete rankings of brands with sufficient data (minimum 2 models):
| Rank | Brand | Score (100-point scale) | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Subaru | 68 | First-ever #1 ranking; tops overall brand score too |
| 2 | Lexus | 65 | Previous leader falls just short |
| 3 | Toyota | 62 | Consistent performer but no longer dominant |
| 4 | Honda | 59 | Strong showing for mainstream brand |
| 5 | Acura | 55 | Tied with Mazda |
| 6 | Mazda | 55 | Continues impressive reliability streak |
| 7 | Audi | 54 | Top European brand |
| 8 | BMW | 53 | Close behind Audi |
| 9 | Kia | 51 | Leads Hyundai sister brand |
| 10 | Hyundai | 50 | Completes Asian brand dominance |
| 16 | Chevrolet | 37 | Top domestic non-luxury brand |
| 17 | Tesla | 36 | EV leader but reliability lags |
| 22 | Rivian | 14 | Lowest-ranked brand |
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Notable Absences
These brands lacked sufficient data for ranking: Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Dodge, Fiat, Infiniti, Jaguar, Land Rover, Lincoln, Lucid, Maserati, Mercedes-Benz, Mini, Mitsubishi, Polestar, Porsche, Ram
Reliability by Vehicle Type
Consumer Reports breaks down reliability across major categories:
Body Style Rankings
| Vehicle Type | Average Score |
|---|---|
| Cars (sedans, hatchbacks, wagons) | 60 |
| Minivans | 57 |
| SUVs | 49 |
| Pickup Trucks | 36 |
Powertrain Technology
| Powertrain | Relative Reliability |
|---|---|
| Internal Combustion (ICE) | Most reliable |
| Hybrid (non-plug-in) | Nearly equal to ICE |
| Electric Vehicles (EV) | 42% more problems than ICE |
| Plug-in Hybrids (PHEV) | 70% more problems than ICE |
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Key Findings and Analysis
Subaru's Surprising Ascent
The Japanese brand's rise to #1 comes despite its electric Solterra scoring below average. Strong performances from:
- Outback (top-rated midsize SUV)
- Crosstrek (leading compact SUV)
- Forester (consistent high performer)
CR notes Subaru also leads their overall brand rankings when factoring in safety, owner satisfaction, and maintenance costs.
Hybrids: The Sweet Spot
Traditional hybrids demonstrate remarkable reliability despite added complexity:
- Toyota/Lexus hybrids set the gold standard
- Hyundai/Kia hybrids also perform well
- Ford's hybrid systems drag down their scores
EV Reliability Improving Rapidly
While still trailing ICE vehicles, electric cars show dramatic improvement:
- EV problem rates dropped from 79% to 42% higher than ICE year-over-year
- PHEVs improved from 146% to 70% more problems than ICE
- Tesla remains EV leader but ranks #17 overall
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Worst Performers
Models with notable reliability issues:
- Ford F-150 Hybrid (single worst-rated model)
- Ford Escape Hybrid
- Subaru Solterra (only blemish on Subaru's record)
- Various German luxury models with complex tech
What This Means for Car Buyers
Shopping Recommendations
- Prioritize traditionally strong brands (Subaru, Toyota, Honda)
- Consider hybrids for best balance of efficiency/reliability
- Research specific models - brand averages can hide outliers
- Verify CR's projected ratings for all-new 2025 models
Emerging Trends
- EV reliability is improving but still lags
- Domestic brands struggle against Asian rivals
- Simpler vehicles generally more reliable
- Pickups remain problematic across brands
Final Takeaways
The 2025 Consumer Reports Auto Reliability Survey reveals a dynamic automotive landscape where traditional assumptions no longer hold. While Asian brands continue to dominate, Subaru's ascent shows that consistency and focused engineering can dethrone even the most reliable giants.
For consumers, these rankings provide valuable guidance but shouldn't override individual model research and test drives. As CR's Director of Auto Testing notes, "Even brands near the bottom of our rankings may have standout models worth considering."
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