Every year, millions of consumers await the release of the Consumer Reports rankings to find out which car brands offer the best vehicles on the market. In its 2025 edition, the prestigious organization once again consolidates its role as an undisputed reference for buyers by offering a rigorous analysis that combines road tests, reliability predictions, and owner satisfaction levels.
Consumer Reports is a nonprofit organization with over 80 years of experience in product analysis. Its advertising independence and massive database sourced from millions of members make it a reliable source. Its ranking is not based on perceptions or advertising trends: the methodology is backed by practical evaluations, surveys of thousands of owners, and safety analysis.
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Which car brands top the list of best cars for 2025?
According to the latest rankings, the top five car brands in 2025 are:
- Subaru – With an overall score of 79, it ranks as the best brand of the year, overtaking BMW. Its outstanding road test performance (84) and reliability support this position.
- BMW – Although it drops to second place, it maintains an excellent score of 78. Its predicted reliability (89) is the highest in the ranking.
- Lexus – Climbs from fifth to third place with 77 points, benefitting from the drops of Porsche and Honda.
- Porsche – Also with 77 points, it maintains its reputation for quality, although it loses some ground to competitors.
- Honda – Drops one position to fifth place with a solid overall score of 75.
These brands stand out not only for the quality of their vehicles but also for their consistent driver satisfaction and strong reputation for reliability.
Which car brands rose and fell the most in rankings?
One of the most notable shifts in the 2025 ranking is Audi, which climbed six positions to take sixth place with a score of 74. This rise reflects improvements in reliability and handling.
Other brands that moved up:
- Infiniti: +6 positions (rank 10)
- Genesis: +2 positions (rank 13)
- Nissan: +1 position (rank 15)
- Mercedes-Benz: +5 positions (rank 23)
- Land Rover: +1 position (rank 30)
In contrast, the biggest drops were:
- Cadillac: -7 positions (rank 21), affected by the poor reliability of the electric Lyriq model.
- Mazda: -6 positions (rank 14)
- Buick: -4 positions (rank 17), with just an adequate score for the Envista model.
- Mini: -5 positions (rank 11)
- Chevrolet: -3 positions (rank 25)
These changes show how a single model can significantly affect the average score of brands with limited product lines.
Which car brands are the least recommended in 2025?
At the bottom of the ranking are the brands with the lowest overall scores. These brands are part of the Stellantis group or have limited catalogs, where each individual model has a strong impact on the overall average.
- Jeep (rank 32): Last place with a score of 46. Its reliability and owner satisfaction are poor.
- Rivian (rank 31): With only 48 points, its electric models still face major challenges.
- Land Rover (rank 30): Despite climbing one spot, it remains one of the least reliable brands.
- GMC, Dodge, Alfa Romeo, and Lincoln also appear at the bottom, with no recommended models.
Which car brands offer the most consistent models?
Although some brands have small lineups, Porsche, Infiniti, Mini, and Buick achieved recommendations for every model tested by Consumer Reports. However, this should be interpreted with caution: having fewer models makes it easier to maintain a high average rating.
For example, Chrysler ranks 16th with only three models evaluated (Pacifica, Pacifica Hybrid, and Voyager), which may inflate its relative position compared to brands with broader catalogs like Toyota or Hyundai.
How is the 2025 car brand ranking determined?
Consumer Reports evaluates car brands through an “Overall Score.” This final number is a weighted average of four essential factors:
- Road tests: More than 50 tests that examine acceleration, braking, visibility, fuel economy, comfort, and handling.
- Predicted reliability: Based on surveys of members regarding 20 potential problem areas in their vehicles.
- Owner satisfaction: Measures whether the owner would buy the same model again.
- Safety: Includes crash test ratings and crash-prevention systems from IIHS and NHTSA.
Which car brands show uneven performance?
Even brands with high overall scores may have underperforming models. Consumer Reports notes that in brands like Toyota, there are noticeable differences among vehicles: while the Camry receives high marks, others like the Tacoma score lower in reliability.
This highlights the importance of checking the specific model rather than relying solely on the brand’s reputation.
