this Japanese brand just took the reliability crown

Toyota may be the first name that comes to mind when people think of reliability, but another Japanese automaker has quietly perfected the formula even further. Known for its precise engineering and attention to detail, this brand consistently produces vehicles that ignore mileage and age with remarkable ease, often outperforming Toyota’s own offerings in real-world ownership tests.

Its lineup ranges from practical sedans to adventurous crossovers, all sharing a reputation for rock-solid reliability and thoughtful design. Owners praise not only the longevity of these vehicles, but also the refinement and comfort that make them feel more premium than their price suggests.

In a market where Toyota reliability has long been the benchmark, this automaker is proving that there’s a new benchmark to beat, built on quiet confidence, long-lasting performance, and cars that simply refuse to give up.

Subaru dethrones Toyota and Lexus in reliability, according to Consumer Reports

Credit: Subaru

If reliability is your number one priority, chances are you’re a big fan of Toyota and Lexus. They have proven over the decades to consistently produce some of the toughest vehicles on the road. However, according to Consumer Reports’ latest list of automakers that make the most reliable cars, Subaru has quietly taken the top spot.

Most Trusted Car Brands

It’s no surprise that the five most trusted car brands in the United States come from Japan. The country’s automakers have spent decades building their reputations and continue to hold their own against their European and American rivals. For many years, Toyota and Lexus have traded first and second places on the annual list produced by Consumer Reports, but this year, Subaru stands out.

According to the report, the Forester and Impreza rank high in the lineup in reliability, with scores well above average. The Crosstrek, Legacy, Outback and Ascent also earn average to above-average scores. It was enough to earn them first place.

How did Subaru do it?

It is true that judging the reliability of a new car is an estimate. However, this estimate is based on a ton of data, including the historical reliability of a nameplate and the mechanical components that sit under the chassis. Much of Subaru’s longevity success comes down to the parts they use and how they slowly improve their vehicles rather than completely redesign them, head to toe.

According to Consumer Reports, Subaru cars share many reliable components. This commonality means that there are not many differences when it comes to the robustness of the different models. The brand judges which parts work and hold together well under stress, and uses these parts throughout its range. When they update and redesign their models, they keep some of the reliable systems that they know work well and make minor changes, resulting in slow but steady improvement over time.

Subaru is the car brand of the year

Consumer Reports doesn’t just rate reliability. They put products through rigorous testing, evaluating their performance on the road, their practicality and ease of use. They also use owner reviews to judge their satisfaction, which is determined by seeing how many owners would buy another product from the same brand again, if given the chance.

Subaru outperformed all other brands on the market in on-site testing. They scored well in the owner satisfaction section, but not exceptionally well, with their reliability and branded road test scores. We’ve reviewed their high reliability scores, but just as impressive is the fact that Consumer Reports gave the Japanese automaker an average score of 84 out of 100 in road tests. Below you will find the ranking of the top five brands.

1. Subaru

2. BMW

3. Lexus

4. Porsche

5. Honda

Toyota’s redesigned vehicles have lowered their average reliability score

Credit: Toyota

Subaru may have dethroned Toyota, but the truth is that both Japanese brands offer excellent vehicles with solid reputations for reliability. Along with the slow and steady improvements that Subaru has made to its lineup, Toyota has also seen a slight decline this year when it comes to the average reliability of its vehicles. There are a few main culprits that still need to prove themselves for the brand to reclaim the top spot.

An overview of Toyota reliability

In Consumer Reports’ review, they claim that Toyota still has a number of vehicles that rank highly in reliability. Four models stood out as well above average, including cars like the Camry. Much of the range is still above average, with seven models grouped into this category. There were also five models that looked no better than average.

The brand’s two pickup trucks, the Tundra and Tacoma, which account for a fairly large portion of their sales, were both recently redesigned. Unfortunately, Consumer Reports gave both of these models lower-than-expected reliability scores. Their all-electric SUV, the bZ4X, also hurt their overall reliability rankings. Oddly enough, the only Subaru considered to have below average reliability is the Solterra EV, which is essentially a rebadged bZ4X.

Subaru offers a lineup of rugged, adventure-ready vehicles that offer a ton of practicality

Looking at the Subaru lineup, it’s not hard to see why they’re held in such high regard by the folks at Consumer Reports. Their vehicles may not be designed to wow you with sleek styling or the most modern gadgets, but instead they focus on simplicity and capability. These two factors are what made Toyota such a popular brand in the first place.

The Subaru car range

The Subaru car range is divided into two distinct groups. The Impreza and Legacy form a group, being affordable, value-oriented cars designed for the average person. Both are reasonably inferior to their main rivals and come with standard features, including all-wheel drive. Unfortunately, the Legacy is expected to be discontinued, but the Impreza will live on.

While Subaru may no longer be the loud rally brand it once was, it still has two performance cars that deliver plenty of thrills. The BRZ is a sports coupe co-designed with Toyota that uses Subaru’s boxer engine, while the WRX is a home sedan that packs a punch. Like the Legacy and Impreza, these two sporty vehicles are incredibly affordable.

Subaru’s SUV lineup

Subaru’s SUVs all focus on the same things, with practicality and versatility being their main aspirations. Every model comes standard with all-wheel drive, and they can all go further off-road than most of their direct rivals. Most impressive in this department is the little Crosstrek, which offers insane capabilities for the price you pay, especially when equipped with the Wilderness package.

The Outback and Forester are very similar vehicles. The Outback is technically a station wagon, but it looks more and more like an SUV as time goes on. The Forester has always adopted the more traditional SUV style and approach. Both are similarly priced and come with the same impressive list of standard equipment. The Ascent is bigger than both and it’s the only vehicle in the brand’s stable that we think needs an update to be truly competitive in its segment.

Subaru has also made strides toward electrification, with the Solterra being its first fully electric model. Two other electric models are on the horizon. However, they are both rebadged versions of Toyota’s upcoming electric vehicles.