Subaru was Consumer Reports’ most reliable car brand of 2024, but that is only half of the answer. J.D. Power’s 2024 dependability study ranked Lexus first overall and Toyota first among mass-market brands because it measured a different group of vehicles and a different type of problem. For shoppers, the strongest combined shortlist is Lexus, Toyota, Subaru, Honda, Acura, and Mazda—followed by exact model and model-year research.
Short answer: Subaru ranked first in Consumer Reports’ 2024 Annual Auto Reliability Survey, ahead of Lexus, Toyota, Honda, Acura, and Mazda. But Lexus ranked first in J.D. Power’s 2024 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study, while Toyota was the highest-ranking mass-market brand. Those results are not contradictory: the two studies measure different vehicles, problems, time periods, and scoring systems.
For a practical 2024 shortlist, start with Lexus, Toyota, Subaru, Honda, Acura, and Mazda. Then narrow the choice by checking the exact model, model year, engine, transmission, hybrid system, recall history, ownership costs, and—especially for a used car—maintenance records and an independent inspection.
Consumer Reports’ 2024 most reliable car brands
Consumer Reports’ 2024 ranking was based on owner-reported problems and predicted reliability estimates. Its survey represented approximately 300,000 vehicle owners. The result was notable because Subaru displaced Toyota and Lexus, which had traditionally occupied the top positions.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors| Rank | Brand | Consumer Reports reliability score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Subaru | 68/100 |
| 2 | Lexus | 65/100 |
| 3 | Toyota | 62/100 |
| 4 | Honda | 59/100 |
| 5 | Acura | 55/100 |
| 6 | Mazda | 55/100 |
| 7 | Audi | 54/100 |
| 8 | BMW | 53/100 |
| 9 | Kia | 51/100 |
| 10 | Hyundai | 50/100 |
The complete Consumer Reports brand order was:
- Subaru
- Lexus
- Toyota
- Honda
- Acura
- Mazda
- Audi
- BMW
- Kia
- Hyundai
- Buick
- Nissan
- Ford
- Genesis
- Volvo
- Chevrolet
- Tesla
- Volkswagen
- Jeep
- GMC
- Cadillac
- Rivian
Consumer Reports’ score is not a direct measurement of lifetime durability, and it should not be treated as a guarantee that every vehicle from a highly ranked brand will be trouble-free. Brand averages can conceal major differences between models. Results can also be influenced by sample size, the age and design of the vehicles surveyed, and recently introduced or redesigned models.
Why Subaru ranked first
Subaru’s first-place result reflected strong performances from models including the Forester and Impreza, as well as a relatively conservative product strategy. That does not make every Subaru equally reliable. The Solterra electric SUV was the notable below-average Subaru model in the 2024 results.
The sensible interpretation is that Subaru had the strongest overall predicted-reliability average in this particular Consumer Reports survey—not that every Subaru is a safer reliability bet than every Lexus, Toyota, Honda, or Mazda.
Why Lexus and Toyota remain excellent choices
Lexus placed second and Toyota third in the Consumer Reports ranking, and both performed strongly in J.D. Power’s separate dependability study. That consistency is important: although the studies cannot be merged into one league table, Lexus and Toyota were near the top under two different approaches.
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Toyota’s Consumer Reports average was pulled down by below-average results for vehicles including the Tundra and bZ4X. Even so, many Toyota models were rated above average. Lexus likewise showed model-to-model variation despite its strong brand result and long-standing reputation for dependable powertrains.
Honda, Acura, and Mazda: strong brands with model-specific caveats
Honda ranked fourth and Acura fifth, making the brand and its luxury division two of Consumer Reports’ strongest performers. Mazda ranked sixth, although reliability concerns involving the CX-90—particularly its hybrid version—show why a brand ranking should never replace model-level research.
Before buying, verify the exact:
- Model and model generation
- Model year
- Engine and transmission
- Hybrid or plug-in-hybrid system, if applicable
- Infotainment and driver-assistance equipment
- Recall and service-campaign history
Audi and BMW made the top 10—but reliability is not ownership cost
Audi ranked seventh and BMW eighth in Consumer Reports’ 2024 brand reliability survey. That is a useful reminder that brand stereotypes can lag behind current survey results.
However, a reliability ranking does not tell you that a vehicle will be inexpensive to own. Reliability, repair severity, scheduled maintenance, parts prices, insurance, depreciation, and warranty coverage are separate issues. A vehicle can report relatively few problems yet still be expensive to repair when something does fail. Consumer Reports’ brand ranking is primarily a reliability comparison, not a total-cost-of-ownership ranking.
What J.D. Power’s 2024 study found
J.D. Power’s 2024 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study measured problems experienced during the preceding 12 months by original owners of 2021-model-year vehicles after three years of ownership. The study surveyed 30,595 owners, with responses collected from August through November 2023.
J.D. Power reports problems per 100 vehicles (PP100). Unlike Consumer Reports’ score, a lower number is better. The study’s overall brand order was:
| Rank | Brand | Problems per 100 vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lexus | 135 |
| 2 | Toyota | 147 |
| 3 | Buick | 149 |
| 4 | Chevrolet | 174 |
| 4 | MINI | 174 |
| 6 | Porsche | 175 |
| 7 | Mazda | 185 |
| 8 | Kia | 187 |
| 9 | BMW | 190 |
| 9 | Dodge | 190 |
| 9 | Jeep | 190 |
| Industry average | 190 | |
| 13 | Cadillac | 196 |
| 14 | Hyundai | 198 |
| 14 | Subaru | 198 |
| 16 | Nissan | 199 |
| 17 | Genesis | 200 |
| 18 | Ram | 201 |
| 19 | GMC | 206 |
| 19 | Honda | 206 |
| 21 | Acura | 216 |
| 22 | Mercedes-Benz | 218 |
| 23 | Infiniti | 219 |
| 24 | Ford | 239 |
| 25 | Volvo | 245 |
| 26 | Lincoln | 251 |
| 27 | Tesla | 252 |
| 28 | Volkswagen | 267 |
| 29 | Land Rover | 268 |
| 30 | Audi | 275 |
| 31 | Chrysler | 310 |
Toyota Motor Corporation also received the most model-level segment awards, with nine awards across Toyota and Lexus. Recognized models included the Lexus ES, IS, NX, and RX, along with the Toyota 4Runner, Camry, Corolla, Tacoma, and Tundra.
Why Subaru can rank first in one study while Lexus ranks first in another
Subaru’s first-place Consumer Reports result and Lexus’ first-place J.D. Power result are measuring different things:
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| Consumer Reports | J.D. Power | |
|---|---|---|
| Primary measure | Predicted reliability based on owner-reported problems | Problems experienced during the previous 12 months |
| Vehicle population | Survey data used to estimate reliability for current vehicles and models | Owners of 2021-model-year vehicles after three years |
| Score | 0–100; higher is better | Problems per 100 vehicles; lower is better |
| What it helps answer | How a brand and its current models may perform relative to competitors | How many problems owners reported at a defined three-year ownership point |
Neither study is a complete measurement of lifetime durability. Both depend on which owners, models, problems, and vehicle ages are represented. The defensible synthesis is that Lexus and Toyota showed exceptional consistency across the two 2024 studies, while Subaru led Consumer Reports’ newer-vehicle reliability survey and Mazda, Honda, and Acura performed strongly in at least one major measure.
Electrified vehicles produced a cautionary result in J.D. Power’s study
J.D. Power reported more problems for battery-electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids than for gasoline vehicles and conventional hybrids in this study period:
| Powertrain | Problems per 100 vehicles |
|---|---|
| Battery-electric vehicle | 256 |
| Plug-in hybrid | 216 |
| Conventional hybrid | 191 |
| Gasoline vehicle | 187 |
This should be treated as a finding for the vehicles and ownership period covered by the 2024 study—not as a permanent verdict on every electric vehicle or hybrid. New technology, software, charging systems, and unfamiliar interfaces can affect reported problems, and future model generations may perform differently.
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Brand reliability is not model reliability
The badge on the hood is only a starting point. Consumer Reports has noted that even large, highly ranked brands can contain substantially better and worse models. It also recommended every tested model from BMW, Porsche, Honda, MINI, Kia, Mazda, and Acura—but “every tested model” does not mean every vehicle sold by those brands is equally dependable.
Use a brand ranking to create a shortlist, then research the vehicle you are actually considering. Pay particular attention to new engines, transmissions, hybrid systems, platforms, and major redesigns. Early production years can carry more uncertainty because long-term owner data is limited.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to choose a reliable car in practice
- Start with several brands, not one winner. Use Subaru, Lexus, Toyota, Honda, Acura, and Mazda as a reasonable 2024 starting group, while considering the specific vehicle type and budget.
- Compare the exact model and model year. A reliable brand may sell a model with below-average results, and a lower-ranked brand may have one particularly strong vehicle.
- Identify major powertrain changes. Check whether the year you want introduced a new engine, transmission, hybrid system, battery configuration, or platform.
- Check recalls using the vehicle identification number. The official NHTSA recall tool can be used to search for unrepaired safety recalls by VIN or license plate. A recall search does not reveal every possible mechanical issue.
- Review ownership costs separately. Compare maintenance schedules, repair costs, insurance, fuel or charging costs, tires, parts, and warranty coverage. Reliability data alone does not predict the full cost of ownership.
- For a used car, inspect the individual vehicle. Obtain a vehicle history report, verify service records, and arrange an independent pre-purchase inspection. A clean history report is useful but does not replace a mechanic’s inspection.
- Keep records after buying. Document oil changes, services, repairs, recalls, tires, and fluids. A car maintenance log book can make that record easier to maintain and may help demonstrate how the vehicle was cared for when you sell it.
What changes when you are buying used?
A 2024 new-car or predicted-reliability ranking cannot automatically rank every used vehicle from the same brand. Model generations, mileage, maintenance, accidents, modifications, climate, previous use, and unresolved recalls may matter more than the brand name.
Consumer Reports separately found Lexus and Toyota at the top of its used-car brand reliability analysis, with Mazda third and Acura and Honda also near the top. That analysis covers a different vehicle-age range and should not be combined with the 2024 new-car survey.
Used-car minimum checklist
- Run a vehicle-history report.
- Search the VIN or license plate for unrepaired safety recalls.
- Compare the service records with the manufacturer’s maintenance schedule.
- Look for accident damage, flood damage, title problems, excessive wear, and inconsistent mileage.
- Pay for an independent inspection before purchase.
- Budget for repairs even if the model has a strong reliability reputation.
Final verdict: which brands were strongest in 2024?
There was no single universal “most reliable car brand” in 2024 because the answer depends on the study. Subaru was Consumer Reports’ top brand for predicted reliability. Lexus was J.D. Power’s overall dependability leader, and Toyota led J.D. Power’s mass-market brands. Lexus and Toyota were the most consistent across both major studies, while Honda, Acura, and Mazda also deserve serious consideration.
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The best buying decision is not to select a badge from a list and stop researching. Choose a proven model and model year, confirm its recalls and ownership costs, and—if it is used—verify the condition of that specific vehicle with records, a history report, and an independent inspection.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the most reliable car brand in 2024?
Subaru ranked first in Consumer Reports’ 2024 Annual Auto Reliability Survey. The ranking was based on owner-reported problems and predicted reliability estimates, not a guarantee of lifetime durability for every Subaru model.
Why did Lexus rank first in J.D. Power but Subaru rank first in Consumer Reports?
Lexus ranked first overall in J.D. Power’s 2024 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study at 135 problems per 100 vehicles. Toyota ranked first among mass-market brands at 147 PP100.
Does a reliable brand guarantee a reliable car?
No. A brand ranking is an average and can hide significant differences between models, engines, transmissions, powertrains, and model years.
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How can I check whether a used car is reliable?
For a used car, obtain a vehicle-history report, check for unrepaired recalls, verify maintenance records, and pay for an independent pre-purchase inspection. A history report or basic diagnostic scan should not replace that inspection.
The Bottom Line
Bottom line: Subaru led Consumer Reports’ 2024 predicted-reliability ranking, while Lexus led J.D. Power’s three-year dependability study and Toyota was its top mass-market brand. Treat Lexus, Toyota, Subaru, Honda, Acura, and Mazda as a shortlist—not a guarantee—and research the exact model, model year, powertrain, recalls, costs, and condition.
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