Hybrid vehicle reliability is strong while that of electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) is improving, according to a new report from Consumer Reports (CR).

“Buying a new car is a big expense and one that requires a lot of research to arrive at the best choice,” said Jake Fisher, senior director of Consumer Reports’ Auto Test Center, in a press release. “Our new experience at CR.org makes that research easier by presenting exclusive unbiased data and insights on everything from reliability to cost of ownership in a streamlined way that’s simple to navigate.”

On average, hybrids have the same rate of problems today as internal combustion engine (ICE) cars, which is remarkable given their added complexity, Consumer Reports said.

CR noted that, according to the U.S. Department of Energy, Americans bought more hybrids in 2023 than ever before, with sales increasing by 53% compared to 2022.

Problem rates for EVs and PHEVs relative to ICE vehicles have dropped roughly in half since CR’s last survey.

EVs now have 42% more problems than ICE, on average, down from last year’s 79%. PHEVs have 70% more problems than ICE, on average, down from last year’s 146%.

ICE vehicles and hybrids remain the most reliable vehicle types overall.

“Today’s hybrids deliver reliability that is similar to conventional gas cars despite their added complexity,” Fisher said in the release. “CR’s tests have shown that they’re also often quieter, quicker, and more pleasant to drive than their gasoline-only counterparts.”

CR found the best hybrid brands to be Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Lexus, and Toyota; all of which earned top reliability scores across several categories.

Some EVs and PHEVs have been slow to improve while others are getting better, according to CR. The reliability of the Rivian R1S and R1T as well as the Ford F-150 Lightning, for example, remains “well below” and “below average,” respectively. However, the Volvo XC60 PHEV has improved reliability and is recommended by CR this year.

CR ranked Subaru the No. 1 brand in its latest Annual Auto Reliability Survey for the first time, besting Lexus and Toyota, which have traded the two top spots for many years, according to the release.

CR’s experts attribute Subaru’s improvement to the brand’s conservative approach to vehicle redesigns and the sharing of reliable components across its model lineup. The lone Subaru with a below-average score for predicted reliability is the Solterra electric SUV.

This is the first time since 2020 that neither Lexus (second place) nor Toyota (third place) are atop CR’s brand reliability rankings. However, dominance by Asian automakers endures with Honda (fourth place), Acura (fifth place), Mazda (sixth place), Kia (ninth place), and Hyundai (10th place) all in the top 10.

The full report and brand reliability rankings can be found here.

Every year, CR asks its members about potential trouble areas they’ve had with their vehicles in the previous 12 months. This year’s survey covers 20 problem areas including engine, electric motors, transmission, in-car electronics, and more.

CR uses the feedback to predict reliability ratings for new cars from every major mainstream model. This year, CR gathered data on about 300,000 vehicles from model years 2000-2024 and a few newly introduced 2025 models.

“While brand rankings can guide you to the showroom, it is critical to look at reliability for specific models before making a purchase decision,” Fisher said in the release. “Even within high-ranking companies, there can be significant variation in reliability.”

The reliability predictions for 2025 models are based on each model’s overall reliability for the past three years, provided that the model hasn’t been redesigned during that time. If there is insufficient data on a model in any given model year, CR said it uses the brand reliability score to supplement that model’s new car prediction.

Due to the changes in this year’s survey questions and methodology, direct comparisons to previous years’ brand reliability data cannot be made, CR said.

Subaru is also the top brand in CR’s 2025 Auto Brand Report Card Rankings for the first time since 2022, reclaiming the top spot from BMW by a narrow one-point margin.

The rankings are based on the average overall score — a combination of CR’s road-test scores, predicted reliability and owner satisfaction data, and safety for all of the models from each automaker.

Behind Subaru and BMW in the top 10 are Lexus, Porsche, Honda, Audi, Kia, Hyundai, Toyota, and Infiniti. Five of the top 10 overall brands are mainstream brands, meaning car shoppers don’t have to pay a luxury car price to get a high-quality vehicle, CR said.

CR’s “Which Brands Make the Best Cars?” report can be found here.

Rivian leads all brands in CR’s owner satisfaction survey, and its average road test score lands it in the middle of the pack. However, well-below-average predicted reliability continues to plague the EV maker, landing it in second to last place in the overall brand rankings.

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