There is a moment in every motorist’s life when the enthusiasm of the purchase gives way to reality. That’s when the new carthat promise as technological, sustainable, futuristic, begins to return to the dealer more often than it returns home. As long as it’s under warranty, you’re gritting your teeth. Then, when the coverage ends, the real problems begin: wasted time, bills and anger. This is where reliability stops being an abstract word and becomes a concrete choice.
Consumer Reports, which has been analyzing the world of cars for almost ninety years with a scientific approach and without discounts, starts from a simple principle: first the brand, then the model. Because not all cars are the same and not all innovations really improve the lives of those who drive. The numbers from the latest survey – based on 380 thousand vehicles – they tell a clear story, even if it is uncomfortable for some: which are the most reliable cars on the market.
A Japanese threesome
They are at the top of the rankings once again Toyota, Subaru e Lexus. Not by miracle, but by method. Sharing components, avoiding useless revolutions, improving little by little, this is the key that has turned these realities around. Toyota leads the ranking with a reliability score of 66 out of 100, followed by Subaru and Lexus.
The most interesting data, however, concerns the engines. Traditional hybrids – those that don’t require a plug – continue to be the most reliable. They consume less, last longer and they create fewer problems. It’s not ideology, it’s statistics. Hybrid models from Toyota, Lexus, Honda and Subaru are consistently above average. And it is no coincidence that many hybrid versions are more reliable than their petrol counterparts.
The reliability of the cars on tap
The situation changes when we move on to pure electric and plug-in hybrids. Here reliability becomes one unstable variable. Batteries, software, charging systems: too much complexity, too fast. Half of the least reliable models are EV or PHEV. No traditional hybrid appears at the bottom of the ranking. It’s a signal the market would do well to read carefully.
Tesla, symbol of the electric revolution, improves. It rises eight places, thanks above all to Model 3 e Model Yfinally more mature. But the picture remains uneven: Cybertruck deludeModel X remains problematic. Technology runs, but assembly and build quality don’t always keep up.
The one who slips is Mazda. A clear fall, due to a risky choice: new platforms and engines, first plug-in hybrid versions. The result? Repeated problems on CX-70 and CX-90, dragging down the entire brand. It is the demonstration of an ancient rule: never buy the first year of a new model.
The emergence of Asian brands
The geographical picture confirms another trend: Asia dominates. Japanese and Korean manufacturers lead in reliability. Europe follows, with BMW the only stable presence in the top ten. American brands lag behind, despite some improvements. Buick and Tesla make progress, but Jeep, Ram and GMC remain in difficulty.
In the end, the lesson is simple. The car is not a smartphone. You don’t change every two years without consequences. Reliability is a form of respect towards the driver, not an optional. And in an era where everything promises to be new, choosing what works remains the most modern act of all.
