Consumer Reports’ best and worst car brands in 2016
Updated December 7, two thousand sixteen 7:49 PM
The Consumer Reports two thousand sixteen Car Brand Report Cards ranks automakers across the world by reliability, road test spectacle and other factors. Audi topped the list, followed by Subaru, Lexus, Porsche and BMW. At the bottom of the list was Fiat, Jeep, Mitsubishi, Land Rover and Chrysler.
1. Audi
With an overall score of 80, road test score of eighty three and better than average reliability rating, Audi was ranked No. 1. Consumer Reports said the “luxury brand is known for technology and style as much as its spectacle, luxurious interiors, and Quattro all-wheel-drive system.”
Two. Subaru
With an overall score of 78, road test score of eighty and better than average reliability rating, Subaru was ranked No. Two. Consumer Reports said the brand “has been synonymous with unpretentious, practical, and affordable all-wheel-drive cars.”
Trio. Lexus
With an overall score of 76, road test score of seventy four and best reliability rating, Audi was ranked No. Three. Consumer Reports said the brand is “known for making quiet, plush, and very reliable vehicles.”
Four. Porsche
With an overall score of 76, road test score of eighty four and average reliability rating, Porsche was ranked No. Four. Consumer Reports said “the Porsche DNA is still baked into every model with certain high-performance treating, a managed rail, superb braking spectacle, a thrilling harass note, and beautifully crafted interiors.”
Five. BMW
With an overall score of 76, road test score of eighty five and average reliability rating, BMW was ranked No. Five. Consumer Reports said “most current BMW models aren’t fairly the ultimate driving machines of the past. Instead, they concentrate more on technology, convenience, refinement, and fuel efficiency.”
6. Mazda
With an overall score of 74, road test score of seventy four and better than average reliability rating, Mazda was ranked No. 6. Consumer Reports said Mazda “is most known for the plucky Miata roadster, but that fun-to-drive element pervades the lineup.”
7. Buick
With an overall score of 74, road test score of seventy six and better than average reliability rating, Buick was ranked No. 7. Consumer Reports said “Buick is attempting to shed its stodgy picture with a competitive product line that’s placed in inbetween mainstream and luxury brands.”
8. Toyota
With an overall score of 72, road test score of sixty nine and best reliability rating, Toyota was ranked No. 8. Consumer Reports said “Toyota builds solid, efficient, and reliable vehicles that do everything well — albeit in a pleasant, unexciting package.”
9. Kia
With an overall score of 72, road test score of seventy five and better than average reliability rating, Kia was ranked No. 9. Consumer Reports said “Kia produces stylish and competent cars often sold for less than the competition.”
Ten. Honda
With an overall score of 71, road test score of seventy three and average rating, Honda was ranked No. Ten. Consumer Reports said “reliability, which used to be very good, has declined lately. The driving practice is usually sound, however not very sporty or titillating.”
11. Hyundai
With an overall score of 70, road test score of seventy six and average reliability rating, Hyundai was ranked No. 11. Consumer Reports said “Hyundai has left its cheap-and-cheerful picture well in the rear-view mirror. The styling and fit and finish of most models are on the rise, and spectacle is on par with Toyota and Honda.”
12. Volvo
With an overall score of Sixty-nine, road test score of seventy seven and average reliability rating, Volvo was ranked No. 12. Consumer Reports said “traditionally known for safety, Volvos are typically quiet, have comfy seats, and provide secure however uninspiring treating.”
13. Mini
With an overall score of 68, road test score of seventy one and average reliability rating, Mini was ranked No. 13. Consumer Reports said “Mini embodies the classic charm of the British runabout.”
14. Mercedes Benz
With an overall score of 67, road test score of eighty and worse than average reliability rating, Mercedes-Benz was ranked No. 14. Consumer Reports said of Mercedes, “these luxury vehicles typically suggest a plush rail, quietness, an impeccable interior, advanced safety systems, and crisp treating.”
15. Volkswagen
With an overall score of 67, road test score of seventy six and average reliability rating, Volkswagen was ranked No. 15. Consumer Reports said “VWs are mostly solid, responsive, and fun-to-drive cars, with a more premium feel than their competitors. They typically have agile treating, a rigid and comfy rail, supportive seats, and good fit and finish.”
16. Ford
With an overall score of 66, road test score of seventy four and average reliability rating, Ford was ranked No. 16. Consumer Reports said “Ford’s more latest car designs drive like European sports sedans, with crisp treating, an absorbent rail, and a solid feel.”
17. Lincoln
With an overall score of 65, road test score of seventy three and average reliability rating, Lincoln was ranked No. 17. Consumer Reports said “Ford’s luxury brand offers models that are plusher and better tooled than their basic brethren. Most latest models wield competent rail and treating.”
Legal. Scion
With an overall score of 65, road test score of sixty two and better than average reliability rating, Scion was ranked No. Eighteen. Consumer Reports said that “albeit Scion recently received an influx of fresh product lines, parent company Toyota has determined to kill its youth-focused brand.”
Nineteen. Acura
With an overall score of 64, road test score of seventy three and worse than average reliability rating, Acura was ranked No. Nineteen. Consumer Reports said of Acura, “Honda’s premium brand makes cars and SUVs placed above the mainstream but below Lexus and the European luxury competitors.”
20. Chevrolet
With an overall score of 64, road test score of seventy five and worse than average reliability rating, Chevrolet was ranked No. 20. Consumer Reports said of Chevrolet, “The down-home American brand sells a total lineup, from subcompacts and family sedans to large SUVs and pickups. For the most part, sedans such as the fresh Malibu and Impala are compellingly quiet and convenient.”
21. Nissan
With an overall score of 63, road test score of seventy one and average reliability rating, Nissan was ranked No. 21. Consumer Reports said “of the major Japanese brands, Nissan has had the most inconsistent product line. The better models produce strong spectacle along with epic fuel economy, through widespread use of continuously variable transmissions.”
22. Infiniti
With an overall score of 63, road test score of seventy six and worse than average reliability rating, Infiniti was ranked No. 22. Consumer Reports said “the premium Infiniti division comprises some unique models and some dressed-up Nissan derivatives. Fit and finish is usually very good, and the powertrains are strong. But recently, Infinitis haven’t struck us overall.”
23. GMC
With an overall score of 60, road test score of seventy one and worse than average reliability rating, GMC was ranked No. 23. Consumer Reports said “GMC’s models are rebadged, upscale twins to Chevrolet’s SUVs and trucks. They all suggest an even higher-end, more luxury-laden Denali trim level. In most cases, that means the similar Chevrolet truck can be a better bargain.”
24. Cadillac
With an overall score of 58, road test score of seventy six and worst reliability rating, Cadillac was ranked No. 24. Consumer Reports said “GM’s flagship brand builds cars and SUVs with edgy styling and impressively finished interiors. Latest models have had a concentrate on diminished weight and improvements in treating.”
25. Dodge
With an overall score of 58, road test score of seventy three and worse than average reliability rating, Dodge was ranked No. 25. Consumer Reports said “Part of the Chrysler family under Fiat’s ownership, Dodge has been cast as a spectacle brand, exemplified by the Viper sports car, Charger sedan, and Challenger coupe.”
26. Chrysler
With an overall score of 58, road test score of seventy three and worse than average reliability rating, Chrysler was ranked No. 26. Consumer Reports said of Chrysler that “reliability has been a major weakness of every FCA brand of late.
27. Land Rover
With an overall score of 55, road test score of seventy one and worst reliability rating, Land Rover was ranked No. 27. Consumer Reports said that “while they evoke an photo of conquering undeveloped grounds, in reality Land Rovers are more likely to be seen wandering country-club parking lots.”
28. Mitsubishi
With an overall score of 51, road test score of forty six and an average reliability rating, Mitsubishi was ranked No. 28. Consumer Reports said of Mitsubishi that “every one of its models is an also-ran in our road tests, scoring near the bottom of their respective categories.”
29. Jeep
With an overall score of 43, road test score of fifty five and worst reliability rating, Jeep was ranked No. 29. Consumer Reports said “the very essence of rugged, go-anywhere vehicles, Jeeps have a long history of customer loyalty despite lagging in reliability, fuel economy, convenience, and interior fit and finish.
30. Fiat
With an overall score of 38, road test score of fifty two and worst reliability rating, Fiat was ranked No. 30. Consumer Reports said of Fiat, “despite attractive looks and a joy driving practice, various crudities limit its appeal. Reliability has been dismal.”
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