For car buyers navigating the vast automotive market, understanding brand reliability and overall performance is crucial. Every year, Consumer Reports releases its highly anticipated car brand report card, a comprehensive ranking system designed to guide consumers in making informed decisions. This report card evaluates All Car Brands based on a rigorous methodology, combining road-test scores, safety ratings, predicted reliability, and owner satisfaction data. This data-driven approach provides a clear picture of which brands consistently deliver quality and which ones might pose more risks.
This year’s report, featuring 32 car brands, reveals some interesting shifts at the top. While the top five brands remain largely consistent with the previous year, there’s a new leader in the pack. Subaru has overtaken BMW to claim the number one spot, demonstrating a slight but significant improvement in its overall score. This change highlights the competitive nature of the automotive industry and the constant striving for excellence among all car brands.
Lexus also made a notable move upwards, climbing from fifth to third place. However, this wasn’t due to Lexus’s own advancements but rather slight declines from Porsche and Honda, illustrating the subtle shifts that can occur within the rankings each year. These movements emphasize the importance of staying updated with the latest reports to understand the current landscape of all car brands.
Audi demonstrated a significant improvement, jumping six places to secure the sixth position. Conversely, Mini and Acura experienced drops in their rankings, primarily due to decreased predicted reliability scores. These fluctuations remind consumers that brand performance isn’t static and can vary based on model updates and reliability trends across all car brands.
Buick also faced a notable decline, falling four places to 17th, attributed to lower road-test scores, particularly for the new Envista model. Cadillac experienced an even steeper drop, plummeting seven spots to 21st, partly due to the below-average reliability of its Lyriq EV. These examples underscore how individual model performance can significantly impact a brand’s overall ranking among all car brands.
The annual reshuffling in rankings is a natural occurrence, especially for brands with smaller product lines. Because these rankings are based on brand averages, each model within a smaller lineup has a more pronounced effect on the overall brand score. This means that for some car brands, the performance of just a few key models can heavily influence their position in the report.
For car buyers, the key takeaway is to look for brands with consistent high performance, as exemplified by the top-ranked brands. Equally important is to be cautious of brands that consistently rank at the bottom. Consumer Reports’ data indicates that brands like GMC, Land Rover, Rivian, and Stellantis brands such as Alfa Romeo, Dodge, and Jeep tend to occupy the lower tiers of the rankings across all car brands.
It’s crucial to remember that even high-ranking car brands can have models that underperform. Therefore, always check the ratings for the specific models you are interested in. This is particularly relevant for larger brands like Toyota, where models like the Camry receive high praise, while others, such as the Tacoma, may receive lower scores for road tests and predicted reliability. Focusing on model-specific reviews is as important as considering all car brands in general.
Interestingly, only four manufacturers achieved the distinction of earning recommendations for every single model tested by Consumer Reports: Porsche, Infiniti, Mini, and Buick. However, it’s important to consider that these brands typically have smaller product lines, meaning fewer models were evaluated. For instance, Chrysler, ranking 16th and the highest among domestic car brands, owes its score to its limited lineup, including the Pacifica, Pacifica Hybrid, and the new Voyager.
Conversely, seven brands did not have a single model recommended by Consumer Reports. These include Lincoln, Alfa Romeo, Dodge, GMC, Land Rover, Rivian, and Jeep. Notably, these brands also tend to be positioned at the bottom of the overall brand rankings when considering all car brands. Consumers should exercise extra caution and conduct thorough research before considering vehicles from these manufacturers.
To be included in the Consumer Reports brand ranking, a manufacturer must have at least two current models tested. This criterion excludes brands like Fiat, Jaguar, Lucid, Maserati, Polestar, and Ram from the 2025 report, as they did not meet this minimum requirement within the assessment of all car brands.
Consumer Reports provides an interactive chart that offers a comprehensive view of the brand rankings. This chart allows users to filter rankings by mainstream and luxury categories, offering a more tailored perspective based on different shopping preferences. Whether considering mainstream or luxury options, the Overall Scores are calculated using the same methodology, enabling direct comparison across all car brands and segments. By utilizing resources like Consumer Reports, car buyers can confidently navigate the diverse market of all car brands and make well-informed choices.
