When it comes to reliable cars, the US market speaks with one voice - that of thousands of satisfied (or disappointed) owners. The recently published large-scale annual rating by Consumer Reports stirred up the spirits, traditionally showing both the undisputed champions and the “black sheep“ of the automotive industry.
The analysis, which covered an impressive 380,000 cars from 26 popular brands, is not just dry statistics. It is a huge array of personal experiences shared by the drivers themselves, supplemented by uncompromising data from durability and safety tests. The result? An indicative barometer of which machines deserve the trust of buyers.
For another year, the Land of the Rising Sun has proven that its engineering school is a benchmark for quality and reliability. Six Japanese brands occupied the top ten, and the absolute leaders, no surprise, are Toyota, Lexus and Subaru. These brands have long become a byword for a car that “starts and runs“, without causing headaches to its owner.
Alas, several American brands are at the bottom of the ranking. Ram and Rivian were identified as the most problematic, which, of course, is a bitter bite for their native fans. However, Tesla presented an interesting twist: although it has traditionally been at the bottom of the list, this time the electric vehicle giant managed to make an impressive jump, climbing to ninth place! Apparently, the Californians are starting to tame quality problems.
But overall, hybrids are winning the battle, electric vehicles have to catch up
The study also sheds light on the changing landscape of drive systems. It turns out that hybrid cars (non-plug-in) are now more reliable than classic gasoline engines, registering a whopping 15% fewer problems. This is a clear signal that the combined systems have reached peak maturity and efficiency.
Unfortunately, plug-in hybrids and pure electric vehicles (EVs) are still a battleground for engineers. They continue to lag behind, with reported problems a shocking 80% more than their gasoline equivalents. Apparently, complex battery technology and software bugs continue to hinder their smooth operation.
Here is the full list of brands that received the highest reliability ratings:
In conclusion, we will say that the Consumer Reports rating is more than a list - it is a valuable guide for anyone looking for a long-term investment and peace of mind behind the wheel. The old maxim is confirmed again: for uncompromising reliability, look to Japan.