The Consumer Reports brand reliability report for 2024 has been released. According to the survey, the brands that make up the top 5 remain the same as last year, although it is Subaru that now ranks No. 1. It also becomes the most trusted car brand of 2024.
That’s right, in 2024, Toyota and its sub-brand Lexus, is no longer at the top of the ranking of most reliable car brands, as it was last year. This news is based on statistics from the non-profit organization dedicated to the research, testing and promotion of more than 3000,000 cars, SUVs and trucks, which were sold between 2000 and 2025.
The overall score for this reliability report is determined by averaging the results of several criteria. These include owner satisfaction, safety rating, road test results and expected reliability. Such reliability ratings also assess problems and weaknesses that affect consumers immediately or long after they leave the dealership.
It is important to note that the list does not include any models from brands such as Alfa Romeo, Lincoln, Land Rover or Dodge. This is because the research considers companies that have sufficient data for at least two of their current models. Therefore, brands such as Fiat, Lucid, Jaguar, Ram, Polestar and Maserati, also ended up out of this report.
What made Subaru be considered the most reliable car brand of 2024?
You might think that what made Subaru be considered the most reliable car brand of 2024 might have been the integration of new technologies or advances in the design of its cars. However, the answer is far from these characteristics. In fact, it was quite the opposite.
According to Steven Elek, director of Consumer Reports’ auto data analysis program , the likelihood of new problems was significantly reduced, as many Subaru vehicles retain many of their parts over several model years.
Vehicle reliability was assessed in this study using member responses to a survey. The survey asked for data on personal problems with their vehicles over the previous 12 months. The survey included 20 potential “problem areas,” ranging from minor annoyances, such as paint and finish problems, to more serious problems, such as engine or gearbox problems.
From these, a 100-point reliability rating was generated by combining the problem area scores. These are weighted according to the severity of the problem. In addition, the statistics, together with results from owner satisfaction surveys and Consumer Reports internal testing, are factored into the overall model scores.
Subaru, far superior to the competition
Six of the seven Subaru vehicles that were under investigation received average, well above-average ratings, making it a very comfortable leader in the 2024 ranking of most reliable car brands. According to the information, all six cars have internal combustion engines. The only Subaru that did not reach the expected level was the Solterra EV, which was created in collaboration with Toyota.
Specifically, Subaru had an average reliability rating of 68 out of 100, ousting Lexus from first place, with 65 on average. Third place went to Toyota with 62 points.
