Trying to predict the reliability of a new car can be like trying to predict next week’s lottery numbers. One can consider the past performance of a model after its introduction, the number of recalls against it, and the general usability of the thing — but in a machine with literally thousands of moving parts, it can often be a dark art.
Recommended Videos
Still, we try. Or, at least, Consumer Reports tries. The automotive outlet has been accumulating data on makes and models for nearly so long as most of the writers at Driving have been alive, meaning CR is more qualified than most to stick its neck out when attempting to predict the future reliability of a complicated machine.
To be sure, the days of “bad cars” are largely in the past; after all, when was the last time you saw a nearly new vehicle broken down on the gravel shoulder in a cloud of angry steam? It wasn’t that long ago such a scene was replayed countless times across the country. These days, Consumer Reports files the term “least reliable” under a track of twenty potential trouble areas. These range from nuisances like squeaky brakes and broken interior trim to major items such as engine, transmission, battery, and EV charging problems.
Each type of problem is then given a weight of severity to create a predicted reliability score out of a possible 100. That number is then combined with data collected from track testing, safety data, and owner surveys to arrive at the scores shown in this post. It’s worth keeping in mind intangibles like a hard-to-use infotainment system can ding a car’s score, though how much weight it is given by CR for scoring compared to an outright failure is unclear. If your favourite whip appears on the naughty list, please direct your ire to Consumer Reports, and not the bald-headed Newfoundlander typing this missive.
In true Canadian form, we’ll start with the good news.
10 Most Reliable vehicles
It’s a welcome feeling when a machine which is arguably the second-largest purchasing decision of most people’s lives operates as intended and expected. Twisting the key – or, these days, thumbing a button – on a brand-new automobile and finding oneself in command of a perfectly functioning machine is understandably the bare minimum most customers expect in 2024. Seven of the ten are from Toyota or Lexus, though we will argue some, like the trio of RAVs, are all markedly similar save for powertrain variations.
- Toyota RAV4: 86
- Toyota Corolla: 84
- Toyota RAV4 PHEV: 84
- Mazda MX-5: 84
- Toyota RAV4 Hybrid: 83
- BMW i4: 82
- Hyundai Elantra Hybrid: 79
- Lexus NX: 77
- Lexus NX Hybrid: 76
- Toyota Corolla Hybrid: 76
10 Least Reliable Vehicles
We’ll temper this list with a notation that some poor showings can be chalked up to people being confused about how to use systems which are working exactly as designed, but may be poorly understood. The vexation could be down to a lack of explanation on delivery or inflated expectations with no basis in reality. Meanwhile, there are scores on this list which are absolutely down to poor quality and mechanical failures. Eight of the ten are from traditional Detroit brands.
- Ford F-150 Hybrid: 7
- GMC Canyon: 15
- Chevrolet Colorado: 15
- Rivian R1T: 20
- Ford Escape Hybrid: 21
- Jeep Grand Cherokee L: 22
- Jeep Grand Cherokee: 22
- Nissan Frontier: 27
- Jeep Wrangler: 27
- Ford F-150 Lightning: 28
Most Reliable Crossovers and SUVs
Long-time readers – thanks, both of you – will recall last year’s list was also packed with members of the Toyota family and its extended relatives. This time around, the same model appears thrice thanks to a variety of well-received powertrains available underhood of the RAV4. The non-electrified RAV gets top billing, followed just a few points later by the regular hybrid and plug-in hybrid. Remember, the latter dropped its “Prime” moniker this year.
Variants of Lexus NX also get a shout-out, ranging from pure gasser to hybrid. With results like this, the Toyota group clearly has in spades what readers (and testers) of Consumer Reports are looking for. In fact, every single crossover or SUV on the 2025 list is from either Toyota or Lexus, so be prepared to hear such plaudits being recited by sales staff of those brands if you’re shopping for a rig in the near future.
Least Reliable Crossovers and SUVs
Anecdotally, the Wrangler, which squeaks into the basement group by one point, suffers from no shortage of squeaks and leaks, most of which are brought on by using the removable top as it was designed. The frequent on-off-on-off cycles through which most Wrangler roofs endure are guaranteed to cause these issues over time — you try removing and installing major body panels on a RAV4 every other day and see how long it takes to leak.
That being said, assembly plants for the Grand Cherokee and its ilk have been under fire for poor assembly quality of late, to say nothing of a paint booth which they can’t seem to get right for love nor money. It’s worth noting these three Jeeps also appeared on the last year’s list with scores equal or worse than 12 months ago.
New Pickup Truck Reliability
Remember the caveat earlier about how, in this instance, “unreliable” can cast a wide net to include confusion about vehicle systems or disappointment in operation? That could very well be the case with the Ford F-150 Hybrid on this list, which scored a scarcely believable seven-of-100 mark from Consumer Reports. Since there aren’t volumes of broken-down examples of this model lining the Trans-Canada Highway, it is reasonable to think some customers may have unrealistic fuel economy expectations or are reporting the confusing operation of some features.
We must also remark that CR’s scores are part of a rolling average, so past poor performances impact this year’s number as well. But not all ailments can be dismissed, with the ICE trucks on this list suffering bad grades in areas like “Transmission Major,” body integrity, and power equipment.
Most Reliable Cars
Both the Corolla and Corolla Hybrid get called out as particularly reliable vehicles, proving that dependability needn’t cost a fortune if one knows where to look. Around these parts, the Corolla starts at $23,670 for an entry-level L trim with an automatic transmission, air conditioning, and the type of active safety features once reserved for pricey luxury cars. But reliability needn’t be boring or even mainstream, with both the entertaining Mazda MX-5 and far-better-than-it-has-any-right-to-be BMW i4 both ranking very highly on this annum’s Most Wanted list.
Least Reliable Cars
With the VW Jetta improving its standing and moving off the list (it scored just 25 reliability points last year) there isn’t a single traditional four-door sedan on the Least Reliable list. Since it is a market which continues to shrink with every flip of the calendar, it makes sense that the ones which remain are wheat instead of chaff. Smaller sample sizes for CR’s data bank may also be impacting the number of sedans here; without a sufficient breadth of numbers, there might not be enough data to form reasonable projections.
Sign up for our newsletter Blind-Spot Monitor and follow our social channels on X, Tiktok and LinkedIn to stay up to date on the latest automotive news, reviews, car culture, and vehicle shopping advice.