Toyota & Lexus DOMINATE Consumer Reports Reliability Ratings
We review the results of the 2023 Consumer Reports reliability study, showing where Lexus and Toyota placed as brands, plus the most reliable models.
Intro
The Consumer Reports (CR) vehicle reliability report for 2023 was recently released and Lexus and Toyota completely owned the list. As a brand, Lexus took the top spot as the overall most reliable manufacturer and Toyota took second place. Of the top ten most reliable individual models, seven of them are Toyota products. No other automaker had more than a single model in the top ten.
In order to create the reliability ratings CR reaches out to members and asks them about problems they have had with their vehicle in the past year. The 2023 report includes data on over 330,000 vehicles from the 2000 to 2023 model years. CR studies twenty individual problem areas that run the gamut from the mundane like loose interior trim pieces to the severe such as engine or transmission failures. They weigh the severity of the reported problem and give a predicted reliability score for each vehicle on a scale from 1 to 100. 100 being a perfect score. This is then combined with the data CR collects from performing their own testing as well as owner satisfaction survey results to arrive at a final overall score.
We reviewed the 2023 results and provide a summary of how the Lexus and Toyota brands fared as well as count down the most reliable individual vehicles. Next to each vehicle name we provide the CR predicted reliability score.
Lexus and Toyota
With an overall predicted reliability score of 79 Lexus came out as the most reliable brand in the survey. Toyota took second place with a predicted reliability score of 76. Lexus rivals BMW and Mercedes-Benz came in 9th and 29th place respectively. BMW scored 64 and Mercedes-Benz scored a dismal 23, only Chrysler scored worse. Every Lexus model scored above-average or better for predicted reliability except for the Lexus NX which earned an average predicted reliability rating. Most Toyota models have above- or well-above-average predicted reliability ratings. However, the Tundra was one of the least reliable vehicles in the survey and that brought down the overall Toyota score a bit.
Toyota Highlander Hybrid – Predicted Reliability Score (75)
With a predicted reliability score of 75 the Toyota Highlander Hybrid landed at number 10 on the CR most reliable cars list. The three-row crossover can seat up to eight passengers and has a combined fuel economy rating of 35 mpg. Toyota has been building hybrid vehicles for a long time and they have clearly learned how to make them reliable.
Toyota Corolla – Predicted Reliability Score (77)
The Toyota Corolla is the best-selling vehicle of all-time. Over 50 million of them have been sold, and Toyota knows how to make them. In the CR survey the Corolla landed in the number 9 spot on the most reliable cars list. The standard Corolla comes in LE, SE, and XSE trims. The hybrid and hot GR models are rated separately. Even the top XSE can be had for well under $30K. Thrown in excellent fuel economy and solid reliability it is no wonder that Toyota has managed to sell so many of these.
Toyota RAV4 – Predicted Reliability Score (80)
A non-Toyota makes the list! The Acura RDX took the number 8 spot but the Toyota RAV4 lands at number 7 with a predicted reliability score of 80. If you like everything that the Corolla offers but you want it in a compact SUV, then the RAV4 is your ticket. With a 2.5L 4-cylinder engine making 203 horsepower the RAV4 isn’t the most exciting vehicle in the world, but it is practical, economical and will give you many years of trouble-free motoring.
Toyota RAV4 Prime – Predicted Reliability Score (84)
The Subaru Forester took the number 6 spot and the BMW X5 took the number five spot but the RAV4 Prime marks the return of Toyota models to the list landing at number four. In fact, Toyota models lock out the top four spots. The RAV4 Prime is an all-wheel drive RAV4 with a plug-in hybrid powertrain. It is more expensive than a regular RAV4 but also comes with about 100 more horsepower that allows it to hit 60 mph in about 5.5 seconds. While still delivering exceptional fuel economy and even better predicted reliability.
Toyota Camry – Predicted Reliability Score (86)
Landing on the podium in the number three spot with a predicted reliability score of 86 is the venerable Toyota Camry. Need a mid-size sedan with plenty of room and bullet proof reliability? The answer is the Toyota Camry. It may be mundane, but it will get your family everywhere you need to safely and economically.
Toyota Camry Hybrid – Predicted Reliability Score (87)
Love the Camry but want even better mpg? Grab a Camry Hybrid. Combined EPA rating is 52 mpg. It is the second most reliable car in the study. There is a reason why you see so many of these things on the road. They are not very expensive to buy, and they just never break. A major redesign is coming to the 2025 Camry. But knowing Toyota that new model will be just as reliable as the current model.
Toyota 4Runner – Predicted Reliability Score (87)
This makes me happy. I personally just bought a new 2023 4Runner TRD Off Road Premium about two weeks ago. And it is the most reliable vehicle you can buy according to the CR predicted reliability study. Of course, I didn’t need a CR study to tell me that. The current 4Runner has been around since the 2010 model year. In vehicle terms, the thing is ancient. Gas mileage is nothing to brag about thanks to the old school 5-speed automatic and 4.0L V6. But the main advantage of all this old technology is that it has been proven and perfected over the years. A 4Runner will be eroded by the wind sooner than it will suffer a mechanical breakdown.
Images: Toyota; Lexus