Consumer Reports 2026 Rankings: The 10 Best & 10 Worst Car Brands Revealed

Every year Consumer Reports (CR) drops its highly anticipated brand rankings and 2026 is no different. Based on data from ~380,000 vehicles, CR evaluates reliability, owner satisfaction, road-test performance, and maintenance costs. This year’s list names the 10 brands that stand out for long-term dependability and customer happiness and the 10 that often disappoint. If you’re shopping for a car this year, these rankings are a strong place to start.

Subaru Forester

Oh dude, the Subaru Forester, that’s like the king of not dying on you, you know? It’s got that standard AWD that just grips in snow or mud without breaking a sweat, super roomy inside for all your gear, and reliability scores through the roof—Consumer Reports loves how it shares parts with other Subarus so nothing fancy goes wrong. I’m sitting here thinking, honestly, if you’re in a rainy spot like Seattle or whatever, this over some flashy SUV any day, even if the engine’s not a rocket, it’s comfy, gets decent MPG like 30-ish highway, and starts around $30,000 which is a steal not gonna lie. Like, my buddy had one forever, zero headaches.

BMW 3 Series

BMW 3 Series, man, second place brand and this sedan’s why it’s sporty as hell, handles like it’s on rails, that turbo engine purrs and you can tune it for fun. But wait, I was gonna say it’s pricey to fix, but CR says they’re more reliable now? Huh, color me surprised, the interior’s plush, tech’s insane with those screens, safety stuff everywhere. Around $45,000 base, which uh, feels steep but if you want that drive-you-smile feeling without total regret later, yeah maybe skip the oil changes at home. Compared to old Beemers, this one’s grown up, you know?

Porsche 911

Porsche 911, okay so Porsche third overall, this thing’s a legend but like, is it practical? Nah, but who cares, rear-engine magic, turbo flat-six that screams to 60 in 3 seconds flat, and it scores high on owner love ’cause it just feels alive. Reliability’s better than you’d think for a sports car, comfy for two, but seating four? Forget it. Starts at like $120,000 holy crap, that’s a house down payment, but if you’re dreaming big, this beats a Lambo for daily-ish use, honestly. Tiny joke: it’s the car that makes traffic fun, till the gas bill hits.

Honda Civic

Honda Civic, fourth brand Honda, this compact’s the everyman’s champ zippy hybrid option gets 50 MPG easy, super reliable forever, and now with slick tech like wireless everything. I mean, starts under $25,000, roomier than old ones, fun to toss around, why would you not? You know, beats Toyotas sometimes on price, my cousin swears by his, zero issues after 100k miles. Uh, only gripe is it’s not luxury, but for daily grind? Perfect, no second thoughts.

Toyota Camry

Toyota Camry, fifth spot Toyota but they’re reliable gods, this sedan’s like your boring uncle who never breaks down hybrid now standard, 50 MPG, smooth ride, huge safety suite. Around $28,000 to start, comfy seats, quiet cabin, owners rave ’cause it just works. I was thinking Corolla maybe, but nah Camry’s got more space, compares to Accords but cheaper long-term. So yeah, if you’re family-hauling, this over flash any day, not gonna lie.

Lexus NX

Lexus NX from sixth-place Lexus, luxury but reliable like Toyota’s fancy cousin hybrid powertrain sips gas at 40 MPG, plush interior, quiet as a mouse. Uh, starts about $42,000, AWD option grips great, tech’s intuitive not overwhelming. Why good? CR says low ownership hassles, feels premium without Porsche price, beats Audi on fixes. Like, random thought: perfect for date nights, smooth and safe, you know?

Lincoln Corsair

Lincoln Corsair, seventh Lincoln jumped huge, this compact SUV’s comfy cruiser soft ride, massive screens, quiet cabin with like massage seats? Reliability climbed ’cause older lineup aged well, hybrid available for 30 MPG. Around $38,000 base, spacious, safety tech everywhere. I mean, compares to Europeans but cheaper to own, honestly underrated for luxury vibes without drama. Side thought: American luxury done right, maybe?

Hyundai Tucson

Hyundai Tucson eighth, budget king SUV loaded with features like panoramic sunroof standard, turbo engine peppy, 25-30 MPG, now reliable AF per CR. Starts at $28,000 wow, warranty’s nuts 10 years, roomy back seat. Was gonna say Korean cars sketchy but nah, this beats some domestics, owners love the value. You know, tiny joke: gets you everywhere without emptying wallet, perfect daily.

Acura Integra

Acura Integra ninth, Honda luxury liftback sporty hatch vibe, turbo 200 horses fun twisties, premium inside without insane cost. Reliability top-tier, 30 MPG, manual option even! About $32,000 start, tech crisp, safe as heck. Uh, better than Civic for style, compares to Golf GTI but more dependable. Personal take: sleeper hit, you’d grin daily.

Tesla Model Y

Tesla Model Y tenth finally cracking top 10, electric beast insane range 300+ miles, autopilot wizardry, quick as hell 0-60 under 5. Build quality fixed now, owners hooked on no gas bills, spacious SUV. Starts $45,000-ish, supercharger net gold, but charging home? Plan it. I was meh on EVs but CR says most reliable ones, beats gas for city zip. Like, future-proof maybe.