Subaru has done the unthinkable. For years, the battle for the top spot in Consumer Reports’ annual reliability rankings hasn’t been much of a battle, to be honest—Toyota and Lexus, comfortably parked at #1 and #2, these seats are never really in jeopardy. But not this year. After years of creeping up the charts, Subaru has taken the crown, dethroning the industry’s reliability big boys and leaving Toyota in a rare, unfamiliar position: looking up.
This shift didn’t come from flashy innovation or radical new designs. No, Subaru played it safe, and that’s exactly why it won. According to Steven Elek, head of Consumer Reports’ car data analytics program, Subaru’s trick was consistency. By reusing reliable components across multiple model years, they reduced the risk of new problems cropping up. In an industry that often stumbles over its own ambition—rushing to introduce untested tech—Subaru’s slow-and-steady approach proved to be the winning formula.
The Consumer Reports study is based on data from over 300,000 vehicles spanning model years 2000 to 2025. The ranking system evaluates owner satisfaction, safety, road test results, and—most crucially—reliability. This year’s list is notably missing several major brands, including Lincoln, Alfa Romeo, Dodge, Land Rover, Fiat, Jaguar, Lucid, Maserati, Polestar, and Ram. Why? They simply didn’t have enough models with “sufficient data” to qualify (womp womp).
The biggest surprise wasn’t just Subaru’s ascent but also Toyota’s slip. With a reliability score of 62 (compared to Subaru’s 68), Toyota fell victim to a few weak links—the Tacoma, Tundra, and the all-electric bZ4X, all of which dragged down the brand’s overall performance. Lexus still held strong with a 65, but neither was enough to claim the top position. Meanwhile, the worst-performing brands were a familiar quartet of American automakers: Jeep and GMC (33), Cadillac (27), and Rivian (14).
Subaru’s strategy was if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, and it’s paid off handsomely. Not only did they top the reliability rankings, but they also stole another crown: Consumer Reports’ overall brand ranking. In doing so, they knocked BMW from its throne, beating out other high-end brands like Porsche and Honda.
Categories:
News
