ROAD REPORTThe Most—and Least— Reliable Cars You Can BuyWHEN YOU BUY a new car, the last thing Want to stay out of the repair shop? We got 1 million responses to our survey—and found out which brands you can rely on … and which are time and budget drainers. model before taking the plunge. The fastest growing number of com-plaints by far involve infotainment systems: audio, navigation, and in-car communications. Results from previous surveys showed that problem areas most often included unresponsive touch screens or poorly functioning multifunction con-trollers, inability to sync smart phones with Blue-tooth or the docking port, and trouble in getting the voice-command system to recognize verbal commands. The worst infotainment oender was the new Infiniti Q50 sedan’s InTouch system, with more than one in ve own-ers reporting a problem. Updates and changes to Ford and Lincoln’s notorious MyTouch systems have made them much less troublesome each year. Honda seems to have xed a glitch with its HondaLink. And Chrysler has ironed out reliability wrinkles with updates to its easy-to-use Uconnect system. However, Cadillac’s Cue system remains a problem. Scion xBLuxury Isn’t What It Used to Be. (It’s Better)The saying went that high-end lux-ury cars were reliably unreliable. If we look back at our surveys from a decade ago, the bottom of the pool was littered with European auto-makers: BMW, Jaguar, Lincoln, and Mercedes, while Audi, Cadillac, and Volvo were midpack or worse. Conventional wisdom dictated that because high-end cars have more gadgets, they have more things that can go wrong. Though that maxim was mostly true, the concept was contradicted by Lexus, which had ironclad reliability.The picture today is quite dier-ent. More gadgets don’t necessarily equate to more problems, at least when the car is new. Tesla launched its high-tech Model S with average reliability and has remained reliable. And European makers have made great strides to improve their reliability. In fact, Audi has emerged as one of the top brands. Moreover, in ad-dition to every Lexus and Acura, all Audis, Porsches, and Volvos are apt to have average or better reliability. BMW now has only one model that we predict will be subpar. Not that every luxury brand has escalated: Infiniti fell sharply this year, for the same reason that plagued the European luxury brands—too many gadgets with faulty components.Meanwhile, the car market itself has evolved, with luxury marques adding more small cars and invading the compact SUV market. However, as luxury high-tech equipment—such as heated seats, rear-view cameras, and complex infotainment systems—has trickled down to mainstream brands, the overall reliability of those vehicles hasn’t necessarily suered. Reliable brands tend to stay that way, despite the addition of all of the toys. One note: Avoiding gadgets doesn’t avoid problems. Many “cheap and cheerful” budget cars performed poorly in the survey.you want is an unscheduled trip back to the dealership to x some problem the automaker or dealer should have caught before the car was sold. But every year, the Consumer Reports auto-reliability survey tells us that some owners will return over and over again. Our annual survey collects responses on more than 1 million vehicles from Con-sumer Reports subscribers, generating enough exclusive data to let us predict which new cars, trucks, and SUVs are likely to be reliable and which are troublesome. It also can spot major problem trends among certain carmakers and component areas.Who’s on Top, Who’s Not:• Most of the top 10 brands were Asian, with Lexus and Toyota leading the league by a comfortable margin. One of the rea-sons Toyota achieves this level of reliabil-ity, we believe, is because it introduces new technologies slowly and on proven platforms. By contrast, manufacturers such as Ford will sometimes launch a top-to-bottom redesign with new technoloy in many areas of the car; it then takes years to work the bugs out. • The top European brand was Audi, which continued its reliability renais-sance after its third-from-bottom show-ing in our 2011 survey. Buick was the only domestic brand to break the top 10. • Though some all-new cars beat the odds with high marks right out of the box, such as the BMW 4 series and Kia Ca-denza, many do not. Perhaps the most important new vehicle with a lousy rst year was the big-selling Chevrolet Silverado/ GMC Sierra 1500 series pickup truck lines. The problems were spread over several areas. Our standing advice: Wait a year or two after the introduction of a new 60DECEMBER 2014 BEST CarsScion xBLexus CT 200hLexus ES 300h HybridSUVsMitsubishi Outlander SportToyota Highlander (V6)Lexus RXWORSTCarsFiat 500LFord FiestaMercedes-Benz CLA 250SUVsJeep Cherokee (4-cyl.)Nissan PathfinderJeep Grand Cherokee (diesel)ROAD REPORTLexus CT 200hFiat 500LMost Improved Cars … and Biggest LosersBRANDS THAT GAINED THE MOST:Reliability: How the Brands Stack UpThis table shows how the brands rank based on the average of their models’ predicted-reliability scores. A measure of the brand’s consistency can be seen in the span of their scores, cross-referenced by how many dierent models they produce. The bars illustrate a brand’s consistency by showing the reliability range between its most and least reliable models. The numerals indicate the number of models included.To score a brand, we need suicient data on at least two models. That led us to exclude Jaguar, Land Rover, Mini, Mitsubishi and Tesla.• Lincoln• Hyundai• KiaThis year, Lincoln moved up 12 spots, finishing in 15th place, with four models scoring average and only two below average. Hyundai moved up eight places, finishing 13th. Kia moved up to 10th place, with all models having average or better scores.BRANDS THAT FELL THE MOST:Lexus and Toyota lead for second year. TOP NOTCHOlder Nissans are reliable; newer ones are troubleprone.MIXED BAGLEADING DOMESTICAll Buicks are average or better.• Infiniti• Mercedes-Benz• GMCInfiniti dropped 14 steps this year to 20th, clobbered by poor showings for its QX60 SUV and Q50 sedan. Mercedes dropped 11 places, dragged down by a dreadful CLA debut. GMC dropped 10 places, finishing 19th, largely because of the Sierra 1500 pickup. MODELS THAT GAINED THE MOST:BELOW PARMercedes was dragged down by the new CLA and S-Class.Range for the brandMean% Above averageAverage range% Below average• Honda Accord Coupe (V6)• Cadillac ATS (V6)• Ford Taurus (V6)• Ford Explorer (V6, EcoBoost)• Honda Accord Coupe (4-cyl)• Lincoln MKXThe Cadillac ATS V6 graduated from below average to above average, while the others all improved from much worse than average to average or better. A big reason was revisions to the infotainment systems.MODELS THAT FELL THE MOST:-200-160-120-80-40040801,078,3Number of vehicles in our survey• Jeep Compass• Ram 2500 and 3500 diesel• Nissan Sentra• Infiniti QX60• Cadillac ATS (turbo)• Mercedes-Benz GL-ClassAll of these vehicles fell from average or better last year to much worse than average this year. The Compass rating went south for a number of little problems. The Cadillac ATS (turbo) did not share the success of its sibling. CONSUMER REPORTS 61ROAD REPORT: RELIABILITYToyota YarisAudi A5Lexus IS 350Subcompact CarsMAKE & MODEL% WORSEAVG.% BETTERCoupes and ConvertiblesMAKE & MODEL% WORSEAVG.% BETTERLuxury Compact CarsMAKE & MODEL% WORSEAVG.% BETTERToyota Yaris* Kia Rio*Hyundai AccentNissan Versa Sedan*Nissan Versa Note*Hyundai VelosterChevrolet SonicFiat 500Ford Fiesta (-162%)-80 -45 -20 0 20 45 80Audi A5Honda Accord Coupe (V6)BMW 4 Series*Honda Accord Coupe (4-cyl.)Volkswagen EosMercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe and ConvertibleInfiniti Q60Audi S5*-80 -45 -20 0 20 45 80Lexus IS 350 Sedan*Acura ILXBuick VeranoInfiniti Q40 (G sedan, RWD)Buick RegalCadillac ATS (V6)*Volvo S60 (5- & 6-cyl.)Audi A4BMW 328d (diesel)* Lexus IS 250 Sedan*BMW 320i, 328i (AWD)Lexus CT 200hBMW 335iBMW 320i, 328i (RWD)Volkswagen PassatHybrid/Electric CarsMidsized CarsMAKE & MODEL% WORSEAVG.% BETTERMAKE & MODEL% WORSEAVG.% BETTERVolkswagen CCCadillac ATS (turbo)* (-85%)Infiniti Q50* (-127%)Mercedes-Benz CLA 250* (-145%)-80 -45 -20 0 20 45 80Lexus CT 200hLexus ES 300h HybridToyota Prius CToyota Camry HybridToyota PriusToyota Prius VToyota Prius Plug-in HybridToyota Avalon HybridHonda Accord Hybrid*Honda Civic HybridNissan LeafHyundai Sonata HybridFord Fusion Energi*Ford Fusion HybridTesla Model SLincoln MKZ HybridChevrolet VoltKia Optima Hybrid*Ford C-MAX Energi*Ford C-MAX Hybrid (-81%)Volkswagen Passat (1.8T)*Mazda6*Toyota Camry (4-cyl.)Honda Accord Sedan (4-cyl.)Toyota Camry (V6)Ford Fusion (1.5L EcoBoost)*Honda Accord Sedan (V6)Kia Optima (4-cyl.)Chevrolet MalibuKia Optima (turbo)Ford Fusion (2.0L EcoBoost)Ford Fusion (2.5L)Volkswagen Passat TDINissan Altima (4-cyl.)Nissan Altima (V6)*-80 -45 -20 0 20 45 80Kia CadenzaLarge CarsMAKE & MODEL% WORSEAVG.% BETTERKia Cadenza*Nissan MaximaHyundai AzeraBuick LaCrosse (4-cyl.)Chevrolet Impala (V6)*Ford Taurus (V6, FWD)Toyota AvalonBuick LaCrosse (V6)Ford Taurus (AWD)*Chrysler 300-80 -45 -20 0 20 45 80Dodge ChargerChevrolet Impala (4-cyl.)* (-81%)How to Use the Charts-80 -45 -20 0 20 45 80The predicted-reliability scores on these pages are derived from the results of an annual Consumer Reports survey of our magazine and online subscribers, who tell us about problems they’ve experienced with their own cars in the previous 12 months. This reliability survey is the largest of its kind, spanning nearly 1.1 million ve-hicles and identifying 17 trouble areas covering a car’s components and systems. Respondents identify problems they consider serious, by reason of safety, failure, cost, or time out of service. Even a minor issue counts as serious if it means an unscheduled visit to the dealership. The reliability Ratings of more than 200 new cars show whether a vehicle is expected to have a trouble rate better or worse than average. The predictions are based on the frequency of problems for the past three model years, provided the vehicle hasn’t changed significantly. Predictions based on a single year’s data are marked with an asterisk (*).The charts’ vertical line at zero represents the average for all cars. An “average” Rating goes to cars scoring within 20 percentage points of that line. A bar with a break indicates a score that fell outside the range of the chart.One caveat: Our reliability Ratings and the road-test scores you see elsewhere in Consumer Reports are not related. Road-test Ratings come from cars we have purchased and tested. Reliability information comes solely from our subscribers. Those scores, along with crash-test results, determine which cars we recommend.So though the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport has excellent reliability, it wasn’t recom-mended in our road tests. Conversely, the Chevrolet Silverado and Mercedes S-Class tested well but showed subpar reliability in our survey.62DECEMBER 2014 ROAD REPORT: RELIABILITYHonda Civic SiLexus LSMitsubishi Outlander SportSporty CarsMAKE & MODEL% WORSEAVG.% BETTERLuxury Midsized/Large CarsMAKE & MODEL% WORSEAVG.% BETTERSmall SUVsMAKE & MODEL% WORSEAVG.% BETTERHonda Civic SiMazda MX-5 MiataPorsche Cayman*Audi S4*Porsche Boxster*Chevrolet CamaroPorsche 911*Dodge ChallengerChevrolet Corvette Stingray*Hyundai Genesis Coupe*Ford Focus ST*Scion FR-S*Subaru BRZ*-80 -45 -20 0 20 45 80Lexus LSLexus ES (V6)Audi A6 (4-cyl.)Lexus GSHyundai Equus*Cadillac CTS (V6)*Infiniti Q70Mercedes-Benz E-Class Sedan (V6)BMW 528i Lincoln MKZ (V6)*Audi A6 (V6)BMW 535iAudi A6 (diesel)*Audi A7 (diesel)*Audi A7 (nondiesel)Scion xBMitsubishi Outlander Sport*Subaru Forester (nonturbo)*Subaru XV CrosstrekMazda CX-5 (2.5L)*Toyota RAV4Mazda CX-5 (2.0L)Honda CR-VSubaru Forester (turbo)*Kia SportageHyundai TucsonNissan Rogue*Nissan JukeVolkswagen TiguanJeep PatriotFord Escape (2.0L EcoBoost)Mini CountrymanFord Escape (4-cyl., nonturbo)Jeep Compass*Jeep Cherokee (V6)* (-96%)Ford Escape (1.6L EcoBoost) (-121%)Jeep Cherokee (4-cyl.)* (-176%)-80 -45 -20 0 20 45 80Lincoln MKZ (4-cyl., EcoBoost)*Acura RLX*BMW 7 Series*Lincoln MKS*Compact CarsMAKE & MODEL% WORSEAVG.% BETTERCadillac XTSMercedes-Benz S-Class* (-127%)-80 -45 -20 0 20 45 80Scion xB (81%)Honda Civic CoupeHonda Civic SedanMazda3 (2.0L)*Subaru ImprezaHyundai Elantra SedanKia Soul*Toyota Corolla*Hyundai Elantra GT*Mazda3 (2.5L)*Kia Forte*Dodge Dart (2.0L)*Volkswagen Jetta TDIChevrolet Cruze (1.8L)Volkswagen Beetle TDI*Volkswagen Jetta (1.8T)*Nissan Sentra* (-87%)Ford Focus (-95%)Dodge Dart (1.4T)* (-140%)Chevrolet Cruze (1.4T) (-143%)Fiat 500L* (-219%)-80 -45 -20 0 20 45 80Audi Q5Luxury Compact SUVsMAKE & MODEL% WORSEAVG.% BETTERAudi Q5 (V6)Audi Q5 (diesel)*Mercedes-Benz GLK (diesel)*Mercedes-Benz GLK (V6)Buick EncoreAudi Q5 (4-cyl.)BMW X3 (28i)BMW X1Acura RDXBMW X3 (35i)Cadillac SRXVolvo XC60 (6-cyl.)IF AT FIRST YOU DON’T SUCCEED ...10%Complaint rate for 2011 28%3%Ford Explorer infotainment system when newPeak complaint rate for 2011 Ford Explorer since vehicle launchComplaint rate for 2014 Ford Explorer’s revised system80-80 -45 -20 0 20 45 CONSUMER REPORTS 63ROAD REPORT: RELIABILITYToyota HighlanderChevrolet TraverseToyota TundraMidsized SUVsMAKE & MODEL% WORSEAVG.% BETTERLarge SUVsMAKE & MODEL% WORSEAVG.% BETTERFull-Sized PickupsMAKE & MODEL% WORSEAVG.% BETTERToyota Highlander (V6)*Toyota 4RunnerChevrolet Equinox (4-cyl.)GMC Terrain (4-cyl.)Chevrolet Equinox (V6)GMC Terrain (V6)Mazda CX-9Nissan XterraHonda PilotFord Explorer (V6, EcoBoost)*Kia Sorento (V6)*Kia Sorento (4-cyl.)*Hyundai Santa Fe (V6)Ford Edge (V6)Hyundai Santa Fe Sport (4-cyl.)Ford Explorer (V6)Hyundai Santa Fe Sport (turbo)Dodge JourneyFord Edge (4-cyl.)Jeep Wrangler (2-door)Jeep Grand Cherokee (V6)*Jeep Wrangler (4-door)Jeep Grand Cherokee (V8)*Jeep Grand Cherokee (diesel)* (-134%)Nissan Pathfinder (-1%)-80 -45 -20 0 20 45 80Chevrolet TraverseToyota SequoiaChevrolet Tahoe*GMC Yukon*Ford Flex (V6)Dodge Durango*GMC AcadiaFord Flex EcoBoost*-80 -45 -20 0 20 45 80Toyota Tundra (V8, 2WD)Toyota Tundra (V8, 4WD)Ford F-250 & F-350 Ford F-250 & F-350 (diesel)Ram 1500 (V8, 4WD)Ram 1500 (V8, 2WD)Ram 1500 (V6)Chevrolet Silverado 1500 (V8, 2WD)*GMC Sierra 1500 (V8, 2WD)*Chevrolet Silverado 1500 (V6)*GMC Sierra 1500 (V6)*Chevrolet Silverado 1500 (V8, 4WD)* (-97%)GMC Sierra 1500 (V8, 4WD)* (-97%)Ram 2500 & 3500 (diesel) (-152%)-80 -45 -20 0 20 45 80Lexus RXLuxury Midsized/Large SUVsMAKE & MODEL% WORSEAVG.% BETTERLexus RXLexus RX HybridLexus GXInfiniti QX80*Porsche CayenneBuick EnclaveAudi Q7Acura MDX*Lincoln MKXBMW X5 (35i)*Volkswagen TouaregMercedes-Benz M-Class (nondiesel)Mercedes-Benz M-Class (diesel)*Lincoln MKT EcoBoost*Mercedes-Benz GL-Class (-102%)Infiniti QX60 (-113%)-80 -45 -20 0 20 45 80Audi AllroadWagonsMAKE & MODEL% WORSEAVG.% BETTERAudi Allroad*Toyota Venza (V6)Toyota Venza (4-cyl.)Mazda5Volvo XC70Honda Crosstour*-80 -45 -20 0 20 45 80TOP AND BOTTOM248Number of models in the RatingsNumber of best-scoring modelsToyota SiennaToyota Tacoma38 MinivansCompact PickupsMAKE & MODEL% WORSEAVG.% BETTERMAKE & MODEL% WORSEAVG.% BETTERToyota Sienna (FWD)Toyota Sienna (AWD)Nissan QuestHonda OdysseyChrysler Town & CountryDodge Grand CaravanNumber of worst-scoring models47 Toyota Tacoma (V6, 2WD)Toyota Tacoma (4-cyl.)Toyota Tacoma (V6, 4WD)Nissan Frontier-80 -45 -20 0 20 45 80-80 -45 -20 0 20 45 80DECEMBER 2014
