CR’s credentials of the best car brands and the most reliable cars, Subaru now stands at the top of both

Subaru now has your attention.

Subaru is the top-ranked car brand in two key categories. In Consumer Reports’ annual brand report, which measures factors such as vehicle performance, safety and reliability, Subaru topped both categories for the second time in four years.

Automotive News says, “Subaru has secured the top spot for Best Brand and Reliability in Consumer Reports’ 2025 rankings.”

In the AN interview, Jake Fisher, senior director of auto testing at Consumer Reports, said automakers that take a more long-term strategy and don’t revise every few years tend to have better results.

Subaru’s unique approach to car manufacturing, which involves staying the course, making incremental changes and already having good, competitive products, has put the company in a pretty good position, according to Jake Fisher, senior director of auto testing at Consumer Reports , emphasized in an interview with Automotive News.

“The more you change, the more mistakes can occur,” Fisher told Automotive News. “If you look at an automaker like Toyota or Subaru that really stays the course, makes incremental changes and already has good competitive products, they’re really on track to do quite well.”

“Other automakers vary quite a bit; there’s a new platform, new powertrains, and you end up with reliability issues.”

Consumer Reports typically releases the Auto Brands report that I cover each February, but released the information earlier than planned.

CR’s 2025 Auto Brands Report is part of an updated data set that brings together all automotive rankings in one place. Here are the surprising results.

Subaru is at the top of Consumer Reports’ 2025 Brand Report. Here are the ten best car brands and their ratings.

1. Subaru 82
2. BMW 78
3. Lexus 77
4. Porsche 77
5. Honda 75
6. Audi 74
7. Kia 73
8. Hyundai 73
9. Toyota 73
10. Infiniti 71

According to Consumer Reports data, Subaru also performed best when measuring vehicle reliability.

Consumer Reports says: “While brand rankings can guide you to the showroom, it’s important to also check the reliability of specific models before making a purchasing decision,” says Jake Fisher, senior director of auto testing at Consumer Reports. “Even within high-level organizations, there can be significant differences in reliability.”

Automotive News says, “It’s the first time Subaru has taken the top spot, which Lexus and Toyota have traded in the last five years.”

Consumer Reports rated the vehicle reliability of 22 brands based on owner feedback. Here are the ten most reliable car brands and their ratings.

1. Subaru 68
2. Lexus 65
3. Toyota 62
4. Honda 59
5. Acura 55
6. Mazda 55
7. Audi 54
8. BMW 53
9. Kia 51
10. Hyundai 50

This year’s survey covers 20 areas of potential problems, including engine, electric motors, transmissions and electronics. Consumer Reports collected data on approximately 300,000 vehicles from model years 2000 to 2024, as well as some newly introduced 2025 models.

This comprehensive data collection process ensures the accuracy and reliability of the report, which should increase the confidence of Subaru customers.

Scores from 0 to 100 are calculated by averaging each brand’s overall scores over the past three years, assuming a model has not been redesigned during that time. Fisher said recalls only impact a brand’s rating if customers directly experienced the error that triggered the recall.

He also pointed out that problems with infotainment systems – long a sore point for the industry – remain widespread but are not weighed as heavily in the rankings as more dangerous mechanical problems. Similar to brand testimony, Fisher said automakers with more stable, consistent strategies performed best.

“It is those who have a long-term goal and stick to it; these are the brands that truly satisfy consumers and produce reliable products,” he said.

Subaru’s long-term goal is to satisfy its customers and make them feel valued and important. It shows in tangible results. According to Consumer Reports, they are the best in two critical areas.

I’m Denis Flierl, Senior Torque News Reporter since 2012. My over 30 years working in the automotive industry, initially in an advisory role with all major car brands and later as a freelance journalist testing new vehicles, have equipped me with a wealth of knowledge. I specialize in reporting the latest automotive news and providing expert analysis on Subaru, which you can find here to ensure you, the reader, are always well-informed and up to date. Follow me on my X Subaru Report, All Subaru, WRXSTI, @DenisFlierlFacebook and Instagram.

Photo credit: Denis Flierl via Tucson Subaru