The Subaru Impreza is the most reliable car on our list, with a Consumer Reports predicted reliability score of 80 out of 100 for 2026 and a starting price of $26,595. The Toyota Corolla Cross (79) and Subaru Crosstrek (78) follow.
$41,390 (2026 Carnival HEV LXS FWD, excludes $1,545 destination)
A three-row family hauler with a category-best reliability note
Pick by what you want
Best overall
Subaru Impreza
Best small SUV
Toyota Corolla Cross
Best all-wheel drive
Subaru Crosstrek
Best midsize sedan
Toyota Crown
Best luxury
Lexus NX
Best family hauler
Kia Carnival Hybrid
The ranking
1
Subaru Impreza
Answrs VerdictThe most reliable new car.
Starting MSRP: $26,595 (2026 Impreza Sport, excludes destination)Consumer Reports predicted reliability score, 2026 model year: 80 out of 100, the highest of any 2026 model on the listConsumer Reports note: Named Subaru’s most reliable model
Consumer Reports gives the 2026 Impreza a predicted reliability score of 80 out of 100, the highest on our list, and calls it Subaru’s most reliable model. It starts at $26,595.
Go ifA low-priced hatchback with the top reliability score
Skip ifYou want an SUV body
Why #1 over #2: Its score of 80 beats the Corolla Cross at 79.
2
Toyota Corolla Cross
Answrs VerdictThe reliable small SUV.
Starting MSRP: $25,335 (2026 Corolla Cross L)Consumer Reports predicted reliability score, 2026 model year: 79 out of 100, second on the listJ.D. Power brand score: Toyota: 185 problems per 100 vehicles in the 2026 Vehicle Dependability Study (industry average 204)
The 2026 Corolla Cross scores 79 out of 100 and starts at $25,335. Toyota scored 185 problems per 100 vehicles in J.D. Power’s 2026 study, better than the 204 average.
Go ifA small, affordable SUV with a near-top score
Skip ifYou want a luxury cabin
Why #2 over #3: Its score of 79 edges the Crosstrek at 78.
Starting MSRP: $26,995 (2026 Crosstrek base, excludes destination)Consumer Reports predicted reliability score, 2026 model year: 78 out of 100, tied for third on the listConsumer Reports note: Ranked the third most reliable model overallJ.D. Power segment award: Highest-ranked small SUV (J.D. Power 2026 Vehicle Dependability Study, 2023 models)
The 2026 Crosstrek scores 78 out of 100, was named the third most reliable model by Consumer Reports, and won its small SUV segment in J.D. Power’s 2026 study. It starts at $26,995.
Go ifStandard all-wheel drive with proven dependability
Skip ifYou want a bigger cargo area
Why #3 over #4: It matches the Crown at 78 and starts at $26,995, against the Crown’s $41,440.
4
Toyota Crown
Answrs VerdictThe reliable midsize leader.
Starting MSRP: $41,440 (2026 Crown XLE)Consumer Reports predicted reliability score, 2026 model year: 78 out of 100, tied for third on the listConsumer Reports note: The most reliable midsize car in its 2026 ranking, ahead of the Accord and Camry
The 2026 Crown also scores 78 out of 100 and is the most reliable midsize car in Consumer Reports’ ranking. It starts at $41,440.
Go ifA roomy hybrid sedan-crossover with a class-leading score
Skip ifYou want a low price
Why #4 over #5: Its score of 78 is higher than the Accord at 74.
5
Honda Accord
Answrs VerdictThe sedan with a strong CR score.
Starting MSRP: $28,395 (2026 Accord LX)Consumer Reports predicted reliability score, 2026 model year: 74 out of 100, tied for sixth on the listConsumer Reports note: Ties the Camry for second among midsize cars, behind the CrownJ.D. Power brand score: Honda: 211 problems per 100 vehicles, above the 204 industry average
The 2026 Accord scores 74 out of 100 and ties the Camry for second among midsize cars in Consumer Reports’ ranking. It starts at $28,395, though Honda scored 211 problems per 100 vehicles in J.D. Power’s study.
Go ifA well-rounded midsize sedan with hybrid options
Skip ifYou want the best brand-level dependability record
Why #5 over #6: Its score of 74 beats the Lexus NX at 71.
6
Lexus NX
Answrs VerdictThe luxury pick.
Starting MSRP: $47,420 (2026 NX, “From” price)Consumer Reports predicted reliability score, 2026 model year: 71 out of 100, tenth on the listJ.D. Power brand score: Lexus: 151 problems per 100 vehicles, the best of any brand for the fourth straight year
The 2026 NX scores 71 out of 100, and its maker Lexus had the fewest problems of any brand in J.D. Power’s 2026 study at 151 per 100 vehicles. The NX starts from $47,420.
Go ifA luxury compact SUV from the most dependable brand
Skip ifYou are on a tight budget
Why #6 over #7: Its score of 71 is higher than the RX at 69.
7
Lexus RX
Answrs VerdictThe roomier Lexus.
Starting MSRP: $55,450 (2027 RX 350 Premium FWD)Consumer Reports predicted reliability score, 2026 model year: 69 out of 100 (2026 RX)J.D. Power segment award: Third in the mid-size premium SUV segment (J.D. Power 2026 Vehicle Dependability Study, 2023 models)
The 2026 RX scores 69 out of 100 and placed third among mid-size premium SUVs in J.D. Power’s 2026 study. The 2027 RX starts at $55,450.
Go ifA comfortable midsize luxury SUV
Skip ifYou want a score above 70
Why #7 over #8: Its score of 69 is higher than the Tucson at 67.
8
Hyundai Tucson
Answrs VerdictThe compact-SUV reliability leader.
Starting MSRP: $29,700 (2026 Tucson, excludes freight)Consumer Reports predicted reliability score, 2026 model year: 67 out of 100 (2026 Tucson)Consumer Reports note: The gas-only Tucson is named the most reliable compact SUV
The 2026 Tucson scores 67 out of 100, and Consumer Reports names the gas-only Tucson the most reliable compact SUV. It starts at $29,700.
Go ifA compact SUV that Consumer Reports calls the most reliable in its class
Skip ifYou want a hybrid (the note covers the gas-only Tucson)
Why #8 over #9: Its score of 67 is higher than the CR-V at 65.
9
Honda CR-V
Answrs VerdictThe popular family pick.
Starting MSRP: $30,920 (2026 CR-V LX 2WD, excludes $1,395 destination)Consumer Reports predicted reliability score, 2026 model year: 65 out of 100 (2026 CR-V)
The 2026 CR-V scores 65 out of 100 and starts at $30,920 for the LX 2WD, before the $1,395 destination charge.
Go ifA best-selling family SUV with a solid score
Skip ifYou want a score above 70
Why #9 over #10: It has a published score; the Carnival Hybrid does not.
10
Kia Carnival Hybrid
Answrs VerdictThe reliable minivan.
Starting MSRP: $41,390 (2026 Carnival HEV LXS FWD, excludes $1,545 destination)Consumer Reports note: Named best for reliability in its category (no numeric score published)J.D. Power brand score: Kia: 193 problems per 100 vehicles, better than the 204 industry average
Consumer Reports names the Kia Carnival Hybrid best for reliability in its category, though it publishes no score here. The 2026 Carnival HEV LXS starts at $41,390.
Go ifA three-row family hauler with a category-best reliability note
Skip ifYou need a numeric score to compare
How we ranked these
We ranked 10 distinct current models, at most two per brand, on Consumer Reports’ 2026 predicted reliability scores, using the figure each source gives and noting J.D. Power’s 2026 Vehicle Dependability Study (2023 models) where it applies. Starting prices come from each maker’s own page and exclude destination unless noted. Other Toyota and Subaru models scored well but were left out by our two-per-brand limit. Facts are taken from each maker's own published information; check the official site before you buy.
Questions people ask
What is the most reliable car to buy?
The Subaru Impreza has the highest 2026 Consumer Reports predicted reliability score on our list, 80 out of 100, ahead of the Toyota Corolla Cross at 79.
Which brand is the most dependable?
Lexus ranked best in the J.D. Power 2026 Vehicle Dependability Study with 151 problems per 100 vehicles; Buick led mass-market brands at 160 and the industry average was 204.
What does J.D. Power measure?
The 2026 Vehicle Dependability Study covers 2023 model-year vehicles after three years of ownership, using 33,268 owner responses across 184 problem areas.
How does Consumer Reports rate reliability?
Consumer Reports asks its members about problems they had with their vehicles in the last 12 months, then predicts reliability for new models on a 100-point scale.
Consumer Reports predicted reliability score, 2026 models at a glance
Honda CR-V65 out of 100
Hyundai Tucson67 out of 100
Lexus RX69 out of 100
Lexus NX71 out of 100
Honda Accord74 out of 100
Subaru Crosstrek78 out of 100
Toyota Crown78 out of 100
Toyota Corolla Cross79 out of 100
Subaru Impreza80 out of 100
Consumer Reports predicted reliability score, 2026 models, as published by each maker. Picks without a published figure are left off.
