Subaru ranked first in Consumer Reports’ 2025 Auto Brand Report Card, beating out heavyweights like Toyota, Honda, Porsche – and BMW. On the surface, it looks like a simple surprise: a mainstream brand taking the crown ahead of luxury manufacturers. But there’s a second story in the data, and BMW is right in the middle of it.
While Subaru took first place overall for the second year in a row, BMW took second place overall and first among luxury brands. Consumer Reports combines driving test results, reliability predictions, owner satisfaction and safety data. BMW excelled in almost every measurable category, held back primarily by reliability scores that still lag behind those of Toyota and Subaru – although not as much as in the past.
Jake Fisher, head of auto testing at Consumer Reports, put it this way: “BMW has been producing highly desirable models for years, and their reliability far exceeds all European competitors.”
For a premium automaker known for integrating high-end technologies, complex powertrains and electronics-packed cabins, finishing ahead of Porsche, Mercedes-Benz, Lexus and Audi is a major achievement. This suggests that BMW has managed to add technology without having to accept the reliability sacrifices that often come with it.
Reliability values reveal the division
Toyota topped the reliability rankings this year, followed by Subaru, Lexus, Honda and then BMW. Porsche finished behind BMW in the overall standings, Mercedes failed to make it into the top ten and Audi fell ten places to 16th.
This year’s results were based on 380,000 vehicles from 25 model years. Some brands stood out:
- Lincoln rose 17 places to become the top-ranked U.S. manufacturer.
- Tesla reached the top ten for the first time due to the improved reliability of Model 3 and Model Y.
- Rivian ranked last in reliability but first in owner satisfaction – 85% of owners said they would buy one again.
- BMW recorded a 71% repurchase rate, second only to Rivian among major manufacturers with complete data.
At the bottom of the reliability list were Dodge, GMC, Land Rover, Rivian and Jeep.
