Consumer Reports’ latest reliability findings are in, we share which brands deliver the most reliable cars, trucks, and SUVs in 2026—based on comprehensive survey data from hundreds of thousands of CR members. We break down how major automakers, including Toyota, Tesla, Subaru, Rivian, BMW, Mazda, and Honda, compare; how EVs and plug-in hybrids stack up against traditional gas models; which used cars offer the most dependable performance; and whether luxury brands truly provide an advantage over their mainstream counterparts. We also address why some automakers place the gas cap on the passenger side of their vehicles and offer advice on simple maintenance tasks you can perform yourself to help reduce car-related expenses.
SHOW NOTES
———————————–
00:00 – Introduction
00:30 – New Car Reliability
02:51 – Used Car Reliability
05:57 – Big News
06:40 – Cars Least Expensive to Maintain
08:22 – EVs/ Plug-in Hybrids Reliability
10:04 – Hybrid Vehicle Reliability
11:34 – Owner Satisfaction
13:18 – Importance of Car Reliability
15:27 – How CR Gathers Reliability Data
19:55 – Question #1: Why do some car manufacturers put the gas cap on the passenger side and others on the driver side?
23:09 – Question #2: Which simple maintenance tasks can car owners perform on their own to help reduce car-related expenses?
———————————-
Who Makes the Most Reliable New Cars?
Which Brands Make the Best Cars?
Reliability of 5 to 10 year-old cars
Most and Least Loved Car Brands
5 – 10 Most Reliable Cars
How Car Brands Stack Up On Lifetime Repair Cost
10 Best SUVs You Can Buy Right Now
Car Reliability and Owner Satisfaction Guide
Consumerreports.org/Talkingcars
Love your comments on hybrid complexity vs. reliability and ownership costs. EVangelists over and over again go on that EVs are cheaper to maintain because they’re simpler but this is so false at present!!!! EVs are not simple and are still made up of a lot of relatively new technologies and control software. So what EVangelists are confusing is owner satisfaction vs reliability and maintenance cost.
Rivian owners seem to be victims of Stockholm syndrome
Will CR sell the Car Issue in stores again?
I loved being able to look at every car and see the reliability with the circles, half circles, etc
That gap between reliability and satisfaction for Rivian owners reminded me: When an elderly family member’s Tesla had a problem w/ a malfunctioning side camera she was able to request service through the app. She uploaded a photo, and Tesla scheduled someone to her house to fix it under warranty. The nearest service center was 50 minutes away. That’s how you make lemonade.
Rivian reminds me of Range Rover. Owners love them but most people are appalled by the reliability, or lack of it. Give me Toyota any day.
Tesla is not so much about knowing how to design cars – it is about not having substantially new models to have to settle in – maybe the cyber truck right. It is similar to how RAM had a good year and people were “what is up with that”, but few models and out a long time in production substantially not changed.
For Toyota hybrids, especially in recent years, add to the list of essential DIY maintenance checking and replacing as required the paper filter on the traction battery air intake vent.
My guess is that Rivian owners are not highly price sensitive because they are rich. So, reliability doesn’t loom large in their mind space provided the vehicle exceeds expectations. Also, they typically own multiple vehicles. Having their Rivian in the shop means they drive their Porsche or BMW, unlike us poor slobs that feel the pain when our Civic takes a dump. Thanks CR! Keep up the good work. You have helped changed he auto industry for the better.
hybrid also use “known tried and true” technology as they don’t have to over extend tolerances so much – think batteries. Toyota is the main reason they are so good – so telling the propaganda as they had 35 years of real work experience with hybrids – Hyundai doing major catchup and beginning to put out their improvements on it even – when Toyota and the hybrid industry was villianized in a no compromise manner – shut them down, burn the plans – pure EV is the new sheriff in town now.
Call BS on Toyota. Worst last three years a car company could have!!