Who makes the most reliable new cars? (consumerreports.org)

Article summary

According to Consumer Reports' annual reliability survey, Lexus, Subaru, and Toyota lead the rankings for the most reliable new cars, while Tesla has made significant improvements. The survey is based on data from over 380,000 vehicles and evaluates 20 trouble areas, including engine, transmission, and infotainment system problems. Hybrid models are found to be more reliable than electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids. Mazda has seen a significant drop in its reliability rankings due to issues with its new SUV models.

Main themes

• car reliability
• electric vs internal combustion engines
• manufacturing quality
• cost of ownership
• brand reputation
• new technologies and designs

What commenters say

• The concept of reliability in cars is complex and cannot be reduced to a single scalar value.
• Toyota's reputation for reliability is well-deserved, but its infotainment systems are notoriously bad.
• Electric vehicles have more reliability issues than internal combustion engine vehicles, likely due to their newer designs and technologies.
• The reliability of a car brand is not solely determined by its individual models, but also by its overall engineering approach and commitment to quality.
• Newer car models, including electric vehicles, often have teething problems that can affect their reliability.
• The cost of ownership and reliability are related but distinct concepts, with some cars being reliable but expensive to own, and others being unreliable but cheap to maintain.
• The push for electric vehicles may be leading to a decrease in overall reliability as manufacturers rush to bring new models to market.
• Consumer Reports' reliability rankings provide a useful but imperfect guide for car buyers, as individual experiences can vary widely.