Toyota Reclaims Most Reliable Brand Crown From Subaru as EVs Score 80% Worse Than Gas Cars

Toyota has reclaimed the title of most reliable car brand in the United States, according to Consumer Reports’ 2025-2026 Annual Auto Reliability Survey. The Japanese automaker scored 66 out of 100, edging past Subaru, which slipped to second place with a score of 63, and Lexus, which fell to third at 60. Improved reliability across several key models drove Toyota’s return to the top for the first time in three years.

Subaru’s One-Year Reign

Subaru had claimed the top position in Consumer Reports’ previous 2024-2025 survey, posting a score of 68 and pushing Toyota to third place at 62. That shift had been fueled by below-average reliability ratings for Toyota’s redesigned Tacoma, full-size Tundra, and the all-electric bZ4X SUV. Toyota addressed those shortcomings in the latest cycle, with improvements across several key models propelling the brand back to No. 1.

How Consumer Reports Calculates Reliability

Consumer Reports determines reliability by surveying members about problems experienced with their vehicles over the previous 12 months. The organization evaluates 20 trouble areas, ranging from minor annoyances like squeaky brakes and broken interior trim to major concerns such as engine, transmission, battery, and charging-system failures in electric vehicles. Scores are weighted by severity and averaged to produce a rating out of 100 points.

EVs and PHEVs Continue to Struggle

The 2025-2026 survey confirms that electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids continue to lag significantly behind conventional gas cars in reliability. EVs and PHEVs report approximately 80% more problems than internal combustion engine vehicles, driven largely by issues with battery packs, charging systems, and drive motors. Seven of the 10 least reliable vehicles in the latest survey are EVs or PHEVs. Standard hybrids, by contrast, remain among the most dependable powertrains on the market, reporting 15% fewer problems than gas-engine cars.

Subaru’s Consistency Explained

Despite dropping to second, Subaru retained a strong overall reliability performance in the latest survey. Steven Elek, supervisor of automotive data analysis at Consumer Reports, explained the brand’s durability: “Subaru vehicles share many reliable components. This commonality means that when Subaru redesigns a vehicle, it can make fewer incremental changes by incorporating proven systems and components. This reduces the risk of new problems.” Subaru remained among the top-ranked brands in CR’s broader automotive report card, which also factors in owner satisfaction, safety, and cost data.

Expert Insight From Jake Fisher

Jake Fisher, senior director of auto testing at Consumer Reports, cautioned that brand rankings only tell part of the story: “Even within high-ranking companies, reliability can vary significantly.” He urged buyers to look at individual model scores rather than relying solely on brand reputation when choosing a new vehicle. His advice is particularly relevant given that several top-ranked brands still carry individual models with below-average reliability due to EV and PHEV components.

Full Brand Reliability Rankings

The 2025-2026 Consumer Reports reliability rankings place Toyota first, Subaru second, and Lexus third. Honda ranks fourth, BMW fifth, Nissan sixth, and Acura seventh, rounding out a top 10 dominated by Asian automakers. Tesla made one of the survey’s biggest moves, climbing from 17th place in 2025 to ninth in 2026 on improved reliability across most of its lineup, with the exception of the below-average Cybertruck.

What This Means for Car Buyers

For consumers, Toyota’s return to the top confirms it remains a benchmark for long-term dependability, though Subaru continues to be a strong alternative. Shoppers considering EVs or plug-in hybrids should weigh the ongoing reliability gap carefully, particularly for newer model-year vehicles. Experts advise comparing specific model scores, reviewing recall histories, and considering fuel efficiency, safety ratings, and total cost of ownership alongside brand-level reliability data when making a purchase decision.

Sources:
“Consumer Reports Releases Its 2026 Automotive Brand Report Card.” Consumer Reports, December 2025
“Toyota Again Tops Consumer Reports Annual Auto Reliability Survey.” Cars.com, December 2025.
“Consumer Reports Finds Plug-In Hybrids Have 80% More Problems.” CleanTechnica, December 2025.
“Consumer Reports Finds Reliability Issues With EVs, PHEVs.” TechBrew, December 2025.
“Toyota Reigns Supreme Again in 2026 With a Reliability Score of 66.” Ecoticias, February 2026.