Toyota and its luxury brand Lexus emerged as the top choices of used-vehicle shoppers who prioritize reliability, according to Consumer Reports’ first-ever used-vehicle-by-brand survey.
Honda and Acura also ranked near the top of the list.
“Our data consistently shows over time that cars from these brands are reliable when new and continue to be reliable as they age,” Steven Elek, Consumer Reports’ automotive data analytics program leader, said in a statement.
Consumer Reports, the nearly 90-year-old organization that tests and researches market products, ranked 26 car brands based on a survey of more than 150,000 vehicles. The survey focused on problems reported in the past 12 months for cars from the 2014 to 2019 model years, examining 20 potential problem areas, including brakes, engines, transmissions and EV batteries. That data was used to calculate an overall score, which averaged reliability over six model years based on owner-reported problems.
“Brands like Lexus and Toyota have a history of conservative redesigns, incrementally improving their entire product line rather than introducing lots of entirely new systems,” Elek said.
High new vehicle costs, exacerbated by post-COVID supply chain disruptions and inflation, are driving a shift in consumer behavior. As Americans tighten their purse strings, they’re turning to used cars as more affordable alternatives — 40% of Americans in the market for a vehicle last year considered only used cars, according to a June 2024 Consumer Reports survey.
At the bottom of Consumer Reports’ ranking were Tesla, Dodge and Chrysler.
“For Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, a lot of these brands under the Stellantis umbrella, we see more problems reported by our members, more major problems, more minor problems, all together,” Alex Knizek, associate director of automotive testing development at Consumer Reports, told Automotive News.
Reliability can vary across model lines and change, especially as automakers shift portfolios from sedans and hatchbacks to SUVs and trucks, according to Consumer Reports.
Tesla was placed in the lower tiers because it initially focused on the Model S with unproven technology, but now primarily sells the Model 3 and Model Y. These newer electric vehicles benefit from improvements in manufacturing and engineering.
Reliability can also vary by model, and each used car has its own usage and service history, so Consumer Reports created a list of the 10 best used vehicles, all priced under $20,000.
“While prices have fallen from their pandemic highs, the average cost of a used car is nearly $30,000. That’s why we placed a big emphasis on value when selecting these 10 vehicles,” Knizek said.
As vehicle owners keep their vehicles for longer, they want a model that is practical and hassle-free, without the need for constant repairs.
“You may not have the latest or greatest, or the flashiest style or technology, but you’re getting something that will last,” he said.