Subaru did rank first in Consumer Reports’ 2025 reliability survey—but the result needs a date and a methodology qualifier. Lexus ranked second and Toyota third in that survey, and later Consumer Reports and J.D. Power results continued to place Toyota and Lexus among the leading reliability or dependability brands.
Subaru did rank as the most reliable brand in Consumer Reports’ 2025 reliability survey. But that does not mean Toyota and Lexus suddenly became unreliable—or that Subaru is now the permanent reliability champion. In the survey published on December 5, 2024, Subaru ranked first in predicted reliability, followed by Lexus and Toyota. Consumer Reports’ next cited ranking, updated December 4, 2025, again grouped Lexus, Subaru, and Toyota among the leaders.
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The accurate takeaway is narrower: Subaru briefly took the top spot in one Consumer Reports survey cycle, while Toyota and Lexus remained leading reliability brands. Anyone choosing a car should still compare the specific model, model year, powertrain, redesign history, and condition of the individual vehicle.
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Consumer Reports ranked Subaru first, Lexus second, and Toyota third in its 2025 predicted-reliability ranking. The result was notable because Consumer Reports said it was the first time Subaru had taken the top position in its Annual Auto Reliability Survey. Lexus and Toyota had historically traded the top spots more often.
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However, this was not a head-to-head test of every car those companies build. Consumer Reports calculated a brand-level result from the average predicted reliability of qualifying models. A brand must have sufficient data for at least two models to be ranked. That means the result describes the average performance of the models included in the survey—not the reliability of every Subaru compared with every Toyota or Lexus.
Consumer Reports’ predicted-reliability ratings are based primarily on owner-survey data and reported problems at the model level. They are intended to estimate how trouble-free new vehicles are likely to be, rather than to measure the long-term condition of every vehicle already on the road.
Why Subaru performed so well
Subaru’s strong result was supported by several models rather than one isolated winner. Of the seven Subaru models included in the cited survey, Consumer Reports said the Forester and Impreza scored well above average for reliability. The Crosstrek, Legacy, Outback, and Ascent were rated above average or average.
Consumer Reports also pointed to Subaru’s use of shared, proven components. When a manufacturer carries familiar systems across multiple vehicles, it may need to make fewer major changes during a redesign. That can reduce the number of new parts and technologies that introduce early problems, although it is not a guarantee that every model will perform equally well.
The exception in the cited Subaru lineup was the Solterra, which scored below average. The Solterra is closely related to Toyota’s bZ4X, illustrating how a brand’s overall ranking can conceal the performance of a particular platform or powertrain.
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Toyota and Lexus did not stop being reliable
The same Consumer Reports survey that placed Subaru first still ranked Lexus second and Toyota third. Those are strong positions, not evidence of a collapse in reliability.
Consumer Reports said Toyota’s overall result was pulled down by weaker results for specific products, including the Tacoma, Tundra, and bZ4X. A few model-level problems can affect a brand average, especially when a manufacturer has a relatively small number of qualifying models or when one model represents a significant portion of the available data.
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The later Consumer Reports report, updated December 4, 2025, is even more important when evaluating the headline. It again placed Lexus, Subaru, and Toyota at the top of its brand reliability rankings. In other words, Subaru’s first-place finish was a meaningful change within one edition, but the available follow-up does not support the claim that Toyota and Lexus were permanently displaced.
J.D. Power tells a different—but complementary—story
Consumer Reports is not the only major organization measuring vehicle reliability and dependability. J.D. Power’s studies use a different methodology and therefore produce different rankings.
J.D. Power’s 2025 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study measured problems reported by original owners of 2022 model-year vehicles after three years of ownership. Its principal measure was problems per 100 vehicles. In that study, Lexus ranked highest among premium brands for the third consecutive year, with 140 problems per 100 vehicles. Buick ranked highest among mass-market brands, while Toyota ranked third among mass-market brands with 162 problems per 100 vehicles.
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J.D. Power’s 2026 study again ranked Lexus highest among premium brands, this time with 151 problems per 100 vehicles. Buick again led the mass-market category. Toyota Motor Corporation also received the most model-level awards in that study, including awards for the Lexus IS, Lexus UX, Lexus GX, Toyota Corolla, Toyota Camry, Toyota Tacoma, Toyota Sienna, and Toyota 4Runner.
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Those results do not prove that Toyota or Lexus will always outperform Subaru. They do show why it is inaccurate to say that Toyota and Lexus are no longer among the most reliable carmakers. Depending on the study, measurement period, and vehicle category, Lexus, Toyota, Subaru, and Buick can all appear near the top for different reasons.
Why reliability rankings disagree
Reliability studies often use the same broad vocabulary while measuring different things:
| Factor | Consumer Reports | J.D. Power |
|---|---|---|
| Primary concept | Predicted reliability | Vehicle dependability |
| Typical data source | Owner surveys and model-level problem reports | Problems reported by original owners |
| Vehicle timing | Used to predict likely reliability for current or upcoming vehicles | Three-year ownership experience in the cited study |
| Brand result | Average predicted reliability of qualifying models | Problems per 100 vehicles, with separate premium and mass-market categories |
A problem can also be counted differently from one study to another. A software issue, warning light, infotainment fault, rattling trim piece, or serious mechanical failure may not carry the same significance in every survey. Different model-year populations and response groups further separate the results.
That is why a brand can lead Consumer Reports while another leads J.D. Power without either organization necessarily being wrong. The studies answer related but different questions. Consumer Reports’ 2025 result supports the statement that Subaru had the strongest average predicted reliability in that particular ranking. It does not establish an absolute engineering truth about every vehicle from the three brands.
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Brand averages can hide weak and excellent models
Buying a vehicle solely because its manufacturer appears near the top of a reliability chart is risky. Consumer Reports itself warns that even highly ranked companies may have low-scoring models.
The practical unit of research is the specific vehicle:
- Model: A Subaru Forester, Toyota Camry, Lexus UX, and Toyota Tundra should not be treated as interchangeable reliability bets.
- Model year: Reliability can change when a manufacturer modifies an engine, transmission, electrical system, or safety technology.
- Powertrain: A hybrid, turbocharged engine, battery-electric system, and conventional gasoline drivetrain may have very different risk profiles.
- Redesign generation: The first years after a major redesign can carry more uncertainty than a mature version of the same model.
- Recall and service history: A vehicle with completed recall work and documented maintenance is a different proposition from one with missing records.
The Toyota bZ4X and Subaru Solterra are useful examples. Their relationship means a buyer should investigate the shared platform and model-specific history rather than assume that a Subaru badge or Toyota badge alone determines the outcome. Likewise, the Tacoma, Tundra, and bZ4X affected Toyota’s Consumer Reports result, but their scores do not describe every Toyota product.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What matters more when buying a used Subaru, Toyota, or Lexus?
For a used vehicle, the condition of the particular car can matter more than the average reliability of its badge. Before buying, check:
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- Accident and title history: Verify whether the vehicle has a salvage, rebuilt, flood, or other problematic title status. A clean-looking repair can still conceal structural or electrical damage.
- Mileage and prior use: Highway miles, short-trip use, towing, commercial service, rental use, and long periods of neglect can affect the vehicle differently.
- Open recalls and technical campaigns: Ask a dealer or manufacturer service department to check the vehicle identification number and confirm that applicable work was completed.
- Independent inspection: Have a qualified mechanic inspect the engine, transmission, suspension, brakes, tires, underbody, leaks, electronics, and signs of crash repair before purchase.
- Actual operating costs: Compare insurance, tires, scheduled maintenance, fuel or charging needs, and likely repair costs—not just the reliability ranking.
A diagnostic tool such as an OBD2 scanner can help identify stored trouble codes during a preliminary check, but it is only a screening aid. Codes may be erased, some problems may not trigger a code, and a scanner cannot replace a hands-on inspection or a road test.
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A used car buying guide can also help organize comparisons among new, certified-pre-owned, and used vehicles. Treat it as decision-making reference material, not as proof that one brand will be trouble-free.
A simple way to use reliability rankings
Use the rankings as a filter rather than a final answer:
- Start with several brands and models. Subaru, Toyota, and Lexus all deserve consideration, but so may models from other manufacturers.
- Check the exact model year and powertrain. Do not apply a brand-level result to a newly redesigned vehicle without examining model-specific information.
- Compare multiple sources. Look for agreement between predicted-reliability data, dependability studies, recall records, owner complaints, and long-term tests.
- Price the ownership risks. A highly reliable luxury vehicle may still cost more to insure, service, or repair than a mass-market alternative.
- Inspect the actual used car. Vehicle history, title status, maintenance documentation, and an independent inspection should decide whether a particular example is worth buying.
The accurate verdict on Subaru, Toyota, and Lexus
Subaru did take first place in Consumer Reports’ 2025 predicted-reliability survey—the first time the publication said Subaru had reached the top. That is a legitimate and newsworthy shift.
But the headline becomes misleading when it implies that Toyota and Lexus have fallen out of the reliability elite. Lexus finished second and Toyota third in that same Consumer Reports ranking. Consumer Reports’ next cited ranking again placed Lexus, Subaru, and Toyota among the leaders. J.D. Power’s 2025 and 2026 studies also continued to give Lexus the top premium-brand position and recognized numerous Toyota and Lexus models.
Subaru was the survey-specific winner, not the permanent replacement for Toyota and Lexus. For a purchase decision, the model, year, powertrain, maintenance history, and condition of the individual vehicle matter more than a single badge—or a single ranking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Subaru really become the most reliable car brand?
Subaru ranked first in Consumer Reports’ 2025 predicted-reliability survey, published December 5, 2024. It was the first time Consumer Reports said Subaru had taken the top position in its Annual Auto Reliability Survey.
Are Toyota and Lexus no longer reliable?
No. Lexus ranked second and Toyota third in the same Consumer Reports survey. Consumer Reports’ later ranking, updated December 4, 2025, again placed Lexus, Subaru, and Toyota among the leaders. J.D. Power also ranked Lexus highest among premium brands in both its cited 2025 and 2026 studies.
What should I check instead of relying on a brand reliability ranking?
Research the exact model, model year, powertrain, and redesign generation. For a used vehicle, also verify maintenance and title history, check recalls, and arrange an independent pre-purchase inspection.
The Bottom Line
Bottom line: Subaru briefly ranked first in Consumer Reports’ 2025 reliability survey, but Toyota and Lexus remained among the strongest reliability brands. Use rankings to narrow your choices, then verify the exact model year, powertrain, history, and condition of the vehicle you may buy.
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