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Home , Acura, Buick Verano, Hyundai Equus, Hyundai Genesis, Infiniti, Subaru Legacy

cars Most reliable new cars tops our list, but electronic problems plague popular models

Subaru Forester

he Japanese dominance in overall. Lexus, , and captured that pool of data to compile reliability his- auto reliability is showing cracks. the top three spots, with all Lexus and tories and predict how well new cars that In the past decade, from Acura models scoring above average. And are currently on sale hold up. (See Japan typically locked in the top all Japanese makes rank among the first “Predicted-Reliability­ Scores,” on page 63.) Tslots in our predicted-reliability rank- 11 except for , which sank to 22nd ings, rarely letting another carmaker slip among the 28 brands in our rankings. All 1Highs and lows in higher than seventh or eighth place. , , and Toyota models scored •The top predicted-reliability score went In our latest subscriber survey, however, average or better. to the redesigned 2014 Forester , Volvo, and GMC secured places in At the other extreme, new and rede- SUV, which hadn’t been on the market for the top 10. signed models from Ford and its upscale very long when we conducted the survey. Audi, which has shown steady improve- Lincoln continue to show teething The Ford C-Max Energi plug-in hybrid got ment in recent years, moved up four places pains, putting those nameplates near the the worst score, and the regular C-Max from last year, to fourth overall. Volvo bottom of the list, higher than only the Hybrid wasn’t much better. jumped 13 places, to seventh. And GMC niche brand Mini. •Hybrids and electric cars continue to emerged as the top domestic brand, finish- Those findings are from our 2013 Annual do well. The Toyota Prius, Lexus ES 300h, ing ninth, three places higher than last Auto Survey, which was conducted by the , and CR-Z hybrids, year. Moreover, every model from Audi, National Research Cen- as well as the , were GMC, and Volvo scored average or better. ter. They’re based on subscribers’ experi- among the top models. Ford’s C-Max and That said, Japanese cars still fare better ences with 1.1 million vehicles. We use Fusion hybrids were the only exceptions.

Tesla earns our recommendation

In addition to getting our top overall test score, system but mostly on things like wind noise, the groundbreaking Tesla Model S electric squeaks and rattles, and body hardware car has had fairly encouraging reliability. We (including the sunroof, doors, and locks). gathered data on more than 600 2012 and 2013 Perhaps there were few electronic problems models. Owners of the 2012 model reported because of Tesla’s ability to download software very few problems, although 2013 owners fixes directly to the car. No one reported reported quite a few more. When combined, problems with the electric drivetrain. the Model S gets an average overall reliability But the growing pains haven’t dampened score, which lets us recommend it. enthusiasm. The Model S also got a near- Surprisingly, the problems don’t center on perfect score in our latest owner-satisfaction the car’s exotic, iPadlike touch-screen control survey. Look for the full report next month.

60 consumer reports DECEMber 2013 -2 -2 -2 -1 00 -1 80 -1 40 -1 60 -1 20 100 -80 -40 -60 -2 00 80 40 40 60 20 20 0 0

•Mazda slipped from fourth to fifth; still very good. The redesigned debuted with above-average reliability. Subaru and , which also typically rank well in reliability, were torpedoed by their twin sports cars, the Subaru BRZ and the Scion FR-S, which scored below average. This dropped Subaru to 10th place, from last year’s fifth. Scion, for which we had only two models with sufficient data, sank from first place to 11th this time. •The redesigned 2013 V6 scored below average, which means that we can no longer recommend it. The four- cylinder Accord, which earned an average score, is still recommended. Audi A7 •The redesigned 2013 also had a lousy debut, with the four-cylinder How the brands compare and V6 models finishing well below aver- This graph shows how the brands rank based on the average of their models’ predicted- age and last in their category. The Altima’s reliability scores. That score is calculated as a percentage better or worse than the average problems stem mostly from the transmis- of all cars. Each bar shows the range between a brand’s best and worst model. The rank sion, wind noise, and squeaks and rattles. change shows how many spots a brand moved up or down compared with last year’s survey. Nissan’s troubles also include the Armada To include a brand here we needed sufficient data on at least two of that brand’s models. and Pathfinder SUVs, and the Titan pickup The lack of such data meant that we couldn’t include Fiat, Jaguar, Land Rover, , truck, which scored well below average. and Tesla in this year’s rankings. Of 31 Fords in our survey, only one, the • % Better or worse than average (0) Range for the brand -2 -2 -2 -1 00 -1 80 -1 40 -1 60 -1 20 100 -80 -40 -60

Brand (number Rank change -2 00 80 40 40 60 20 F-150 pickup with the 3.7-liter V6, was above 20 of models) from last year 0 0 average. Seven achieved an average score. Lexus (8) +2 Mean -2 -2 -2 -1 00 -1 80 -1 40 -1 60 -1 20 100 -80 -40 Toyota (26) -60 — -2 00 80 40 40 60 1What’s going wrong? 20 20 0 0 As always, the more gadgets a car has, the Acura (4) +4 greater the chance for things to go wrong. Audi (10) +4 So it’s not surprising that one of the key Mazda (6) -1 problem areas in our survey results cen- Infiniti (8) +3 tered on in-car electronics, including the Volvo (3) +13 proliferating suite of audio, navigation, Honda (16) -2 communication, and connected systems in GMC (7) +3 newer cars. Of the 17 problem areas we ask Subaru (10) -5 about, the category including in-car elec- Scion (2) -10 tronics generated more beefs from owners (6) of 2013 models than for any other category. +9 In many cases, the touch-screen infotain- Mercedes-Benz (9) +1 ment systems have been buggy, with frus- (3) NA trating screen freezes, touch-control lag, or BMW (12) +1 a reluctance to recognize a cell-phone, an (7) -6 MP3 device, or a voice command. (15) -2 That’s an area that has plagued Ford and (4) +5 Lincoln models equipped with the My- Ram (2) +6 Touch systems, which have been unusu- Volkswagen (14) -2 ally troublesome since they arrived in 2011. Hyundai (18) -4 Yes, Ford has issued numerous fixes and Nissan (15) -9 software updates, and the survey respon- (5) dents’ complaint rates for new models have -4 fallen by half. But the problem rate is still (8) — high, even as Ford has been putting the (5) -14 systemsRange f orinto the br andmore of its vehicles. Ford (31) +1 Another car with notable audio-system Lincoln (3) -1 problemsMean is the otherwise excellent 2013 Mini (3) -6 -2 -2 -2 -1 00 -1 80 -1 40 -1 60 Honda Accord. Because the problem rates -1 20 100 -80 -40 -60 -2 00 80 40 40 60 20 20 are higher in V6 sedans and , the 0 0

DECEMber 2013 ConsumerReports.org 61 cars reliability

trouble seems to involve the up-level touch- least average. Cadillac dropped 14 places, BMW and Mercedes-Benz remained screen infotainment systems in those cars. largely because of problems with the new around midpack among all brands. Most Cadillac’s CUE infotainment system also XTS ’s CUE infotainment system. models from those German marques are drew a lot of complaints about the inte- Chrysler is still below par overall, but a average or better, with each company hav- grated controls and navigation system. bright spot is the very nice Chrysler 300 C, ing a few problem children: the BMW 335i Cadillac, Ford, and Honda, however, issued which now scores above average; last year and turbocharged six-cylinder X3, and the software updates after our survey was it was the company’s most troublesome diesel-powered Mercedes M-Class. completed, which may have addressed Volkswagen, which turned in a middling some of the problems. performance, was especially hampered by Some General the trouble-prone Beetle, GTI, and Touareg. 1Big Three’s mixed results Motors brands rose All three Minis in our survey made a very Ford’s problems don’t end with the My- poor showing. Touch systems. Several models with its in our rankings. EcoBoost turbocharged V6 engines have 1Asia scores—mostly landed on the bottom reliability rung as vehicle. Unfortunately, some of Chrysler’s As a group, the nine Japanese brands in well. The problems may have more to do most reliable models, such as the Jeep Com- the survey produce a remarkable number with components that go with the en- pass and Patriot SUVs, didn’t score well in of reliable cars. Of the almost 100 models, gine, such as the fuel pump or the rough- our testing, while the better performing 90 percent were average or better and al- shifting , than the engine 2014 V6 Jeep Grand Cherokee has fallen most a third of them received top marks. itself. Regardless, almost two-thirds of the well below average in reliability. Ten of those highest scorers were . 34 Fords and Lincolns in our survey got Of the eight Lexus models in our survey, scores that were much worse than average. 1Europe on the rise six got top marks. fared much better. As European automakers have made big In recent years, the South Korean auto- mentioned, GMC is the top domestic strides in the past few years. Audi, whose makers Hyundai and Kia were beginning brand, and Buick climbed nine slots to vehicles tend to score well in our road tests, to challenge the Japanese at the top of our 12th place over last year. All except was the top European brand. The three reliability rankings. In 2011, they scored the V6 LaCrosse were average or better. Volvo models in our survey were average well ahead of Detroit and most European The only dark spots for Chevrolet are the or better, although not having sufficient companies. But they slipped a bit in the Camaro and Cruze, which are below aver- data on the historically problematic XC90 2013 survey, with Kia ranking midpack and age; all other Chevys in our survey rated at could have helped Volvo’s score. Hyundai sliding to 21st place.

What’s up, what’s down Along with our test scores and independent We also listed models for which we have just data and can be somewhat tentative. Many safety tests, reliability predictions play a key acquired enough data to make a judgment problems don’t emerge right away, while role in whether or not we recommend a car. one way or the other. others are addressed by the carmaker during Here we show how our recommendations Models that have changed status are those production. That uncertainty is one reason have changed based on our latest reliability that turned out better or worse than we we advise people not to buy a car during results. We listed models that are newly thought they would at this time last year. its first year in the production run. Models recommended or no longer recommended, That happens largely because some marked with an asterisk ( *) indicate that based on improved or declining reliability. predictions are based only on a single year’s our data was based on one model year only.

Newly recommended Not recommended Models with improved Models that now have Models with declining Models that now have sufficient reliability sufficient data reliability data but are below average Buick LaCrosse (4-cyl., eAssist) BMW X1 (2.0 turbo) Chevrolet Camaro (V8) Cadillac XTS* Buick Verano BMW X3 (2.0 turbo) (1.4 turbo) Ford C-Max Hybrid* Chevrolet Silverado 2500 (diesel) Cadillac ATS (2.0T) Chevrolet Cruze (1.8) Ford Escape (1.6L EcoBoost)* Chrysler 300 C Chevrolet Malibu* Dodge Durango (V6) Ford Escape (2.0L EcoBoost)* Ford Mustang (V8) Ford Fusion (2.0L EcoBoost, FWD)* Ford F-150 (3.5L EcoBoost) Ford Focus ST* GMC Sierra 2500 (diesel) Hyundai Azera Honda Accord (V6)* Ford Fusion (1.6L EcoBoost)* Mercedes-Benz M-Class (V6) (V6)* * Porsche Cayenne Hyundai Santa Fe Sport (4-cyl.)* Jeep Grand Cherokee (V6)* * Kia Sorento (V6)* Kia Optima (2.0 turbo) Porsche Boxster* Kia Sedona Tesla Model S Mini Cooper Nissan Altima (4-cyl.)* Nissan Altima (V6)* Scion FR-S* Chrysler 300 C Subaru BRZ* Volkswagen CC Ford Escape

62 consumer reports DECEMber 2013 Predicted-reliability scores Every spring Consumer Reports sends out a comprehensive three model years, provided that there were no major changes in questionnaire asking subscribers about any serious problems they’ve that time. Then for each of those three model years we compare the had with their vehicles in the preceding 12 months. These scores are vehicle’s overall reliability score with the average for all models of based on the data we received from that survey. the same age. Yearly differences are combined to give the predicted The following charts show our predicted-reliability scores for 2014 reliability as a percentage better or worse than the average. models by vehicle type. Each bar represents a percentage better or In these charts, the zero line is the overall average for all cars, and an worse than the average for all surveyed cars. Our latest survey gathered “average” rating includes scores within 20 points on either side of that information on about 260 models, in some cases including multiple line. A bar with a break in it indicates that the score was outside the variants of the same model, such as a four-cylinder, V6, or hybrid. Our range of the chart. If a model was new or redesigned in the past year, minimum sample size is about 100, although we often get many more. or if we lacked sufficient data for some years, we might derive a score To rate each model we calculate an overall score for each of the latest using only one year’s data. Those models are marked with an asterisk (*).

Toyota Avalon

Large/upscale cars Make & model % Worse Avg. % Better -80 -45 -20 0 20 45 80 Subaru Legacy Lexus ES (V6)* Midsized cars Coupes/ Acura TL Make & model % Worse Avg. % Better Make & model % Worse Avg. % Better (V6)* -80 -45 -20 0 20 45 80 -80 -45 -20 0 20 45 80 Chrysler 300 (V8) Subaru Legacy (4-cyl.) Mercedes-Benz E-Class * Hyundai Azera (4-cyl.) Infiniti G (V6) Mazda6* Volkswagen Passat Audi A5/S5 Chrysler 300 (V6) (5-cyl.) Volkswagen Eos* Hyundai Genesis (V8) Toyota Camry (V6) Honda Accord Coupe Dodge Charger Kia Optima (4-cyl.) (4-cyl.)* Buick LaCrosse (V6) Honda Accord Coupe Honda Accord (4-cyl.)* (V6)* Ford Taurus (V6)* (4-cyl.) Ford Taurus (turbo)* PREDICTED RELIABILITY &B &V &C &X &Z Chrysler 200 (-120%) Chevrolet Malibu PREDICTED RELIABILITY &B &V &C &X &Z (4-cyl.)* Subaru Legacy (6-cyl.) Luxury cars Ford Fusion (2.5L)* Make & model % Worse Avg. % Better Volkswagen Passat TDI Ford Fusion -80 -45 -20 0 20 45 80 (2.0L EcoBoost, FWD)* Audi A6 (4-cyl.)* Honda Accord (V6)* Lexus LS Hyundai Sonata (turbo) Subcompact cars Audi A7 Kia Optima (turbo) Make & model % Worse Avg. % Better Lexus GS* Ford Fusion (1.6L EcoBoost)* -80 -45 -20 0 20 45 80 BMW 5 Series (4-cyl.) Nissan Altima (4-cyl.)* Honda Fit Mercedes-Benz E-Class Nissan Altima (V6)* (V6, RWD) (-103%) (V6) * PREDICTED RELIABILITY &B &V &C &X &Z Audi A6 (V6) Kia Rio* Mercedes-Benz E-Class (V6, AWD) Audi A6 Sedan Chevrolet Sonic BMW 535i (RWD) Mini Cooper BMW 535i (AWD) Hyundai Veloster BMW 7 Series* (non-turbo) * Ford Fiesta BMW 5 Series (V8)* Fiat 500 Hyundai Veloster Lincoln MKS* (turbo)* (-90%) Cadillac XTS* (-124%) PREDICTED RELIABILITY &B &V &C &X &Z PREDICTED RELIABILITY &B &V &C &X &Z

DECEMber 2013 ConsumerReports.org 63 cars reliability Scion xB

Compact cars Make & model % Worse Avg. % Better -80 -45 -20 0 20 45 80 Scion xB Porsche Boxster Dodge Dart (2.0L)* Sports cars Full-sized pickups Sedan Subaru Impreza Make & model % Worse Avg. % Better Make & model % Worse Avg. % Better -80 -45 -20 0 20 45 80 -80 -45 -20 0 20 45 80 Sedan Porsche Boxster* (V8, 2WD) Volkswagen Golf BMW M3* Toyota Tundra Honda Civic Coupe* (V8, 4WD) Coupe* BMW 1 Series Ford F-150 (V6) Hyundai Elantra Sedan Audi S4 Chevrolet Silverado Mazda MX-5 Miata 2500 & 3500 (gas) * GMC Sierra 2500 Volkswagen Golf TDI Ford Mustang (V8) & 3500 (gas) Volkswagen (4-cyl.) * Chevrolet Silverado Ford Mustang (V6) 2500 & 3500 (diesel) Hyundai Elantra GT* GMC Sierra 2500 Volkswagen Jetta TDI Subaru Impreza WRX/STi & 3500 (diesel) Dodge Dart (1.4T)* Chevrolet Camaro (V6) Ram 1500 (V8, 4WD)* Chevrolet Cruze (1.4T) Scion FR-S* Ford F-150 (V8, 2WD) Chevrolet Cruze (1.8) Porsche 911* Ford F-150 (V8, 4WD) Dodge Challenger Ram 2500 & 3500 Ford Focus Sedan (-89%) Ford Focus Hatchback Chevrolet Camaro (V8) (diesel) Ford F-250 & F-350 (-91%) Ford Focus ST* Volkswagen Beetle (diesel) (-127%) Volkswagen GTI Ford F-150 (3.5L EcoBoost) PREDICTED RELIABILITY &B &V &C &X &Z Mini Cooper S Ford F-250 & F-350 Subaru BRZ* (-108%) (gas) Hyundai Genesis * (-90%) Mitsubishi Coupe* (-122%) PREDICTED RELIABILITY &B &V &C &X &Z Outlander PREDICTED RELIABILITY &B &V &C &X &Z Sport

Luxury compact SUVs Acura TSX Make & model % Worse Avg. % Better -80 -45 -20 0 20 45 80 BMW X1 (4-cyl)* Small SUVs Infiniti EX* Make & model % Worse Avg. % Better Luxury compact cars Audi Q5 (V6)* -80 -45 -20 0 20 45 80 Make & model % Worse Avg. % Better Acura RDX* (non-turbo)* -80 -45 -20 0 20 45 80 * Mitsubishi Outlander Infiniti G37 (AWD) Mercedes-Benz GLK Sport Infiniti G37 (RWD) Volvo XC60 Toyota RAV4* Acura TSX (4-cyl.) Audi Q5 (4-cyl.) Honda CR-V Buick Verano BMW X3 (4-cyl.)* Audi A4 (2.0T) Cadillac SRX Jeep Patriot Acura ILX* BMW X3 (6-cyl., turbo) Mazda CX-5 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Mini Cooper Jeep Compass Countryman (-209%) (1.8T) Volvo S60 PREDICTED RELIABILITY &B &V &C &X &Z Subaru XV Crosstrek* Mercedes-Benz C-Class (V6) Kia Sportage Cadillac ATS (2.0T)* Volkswagen Tiguan BMW 328i Ford Escape (2.5L)* Volkswagen CC Ford Escape (2.0L Cadillac ATS (V6)* EcoBoost)* (-104%) Ford Escape (1.6L BMW 335i * EcoBoost)* (-223%) BMW X1 PREDICTED RELIABILITY &B &V &C &X &Z PREDICTED RELIABILITY &B &V &C &X &Z

64 consumer reports DECEMber 2013 Toyota Prius

Luxury SUVs Midsized SUVs Make & model % Worse Avg. % Better Make & model % Worse Avg. % Better -80 -45 -20 0 20 45 80 Hybrids/electric cars -80 -45 -20 0 20 45 80 Lexus RX Make & model % Worse Avg. % Better Lexus RX Hybrid (V6) -80 -45 -20 0 20 45 80 * Toyota Highlander (4-cyl.) Lexus GX Toyota Prius Toyota Highlander Lexus ES 300h Hybrid* Hybrid Infiniti QX56 Toyota Prius C Nissan Leaf Porsche Cayenne Mazda CX-9 Honda CR-Z* Infiniti FX (V6) Toyota FJ Cruiser* Lexus CT 200h Cadillac Escalade* Chevrolet Equinox (V6) Mercedes-Benz Toyota Camry Hybrid GMC Terrain (V6) GL-Class* * Mercedes-Benz Chevrolet Equinox (4-cyl.) M-Class (V6) GMC Terrain (4-cyl.) Infiniti JX* * Kia Sorento (V6)* Toyota Avalon Hybrid* Volkswagen Touareg Hyundai Santa Fe Lincoln MKX Kia Optima Hybrid* Sport (turbo)* Mercedes-Benz M-Class Tesla Model S (diesel)* (-108%) Toyota Prius Plug-in Hyundai Santa Fe Lincoln MKT (EcoBoost) Hybrid Sport (4-cyl.)* (-120%) Hyundai Santa Fe (V6)* PREDICTED RELIABILITY &B &V &C &X &Z Chevrolet Malibu Eco Jeep Wrangler (2-door) (eAssist)* Jeep Wrangler (4-door) Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Dodge Journey Honda Buick LaCrosse Odyssey (4-cyl., eAssist)* Ford Edge (V6) Ford Fusion Hybrid* Ford Explorer (V6, 2WD) Ford C-Max Hybrid* Ford Edge (-144%) (2.0L EcoBoost) Ford C-Max Energi Jeep Grand Cherokee (Plug-in Hybrid)* (-226%) (V6)* (-90%) PREDICTED RELIABILITY &B &V &C &X &Z Ford Explorer (3.5L EcoBoost)* (-91%) Ford Explorer Large SUVs (V6, 4WD) (-123%) Make & model % Worse Avg. % Better Nissan Pathfinder* Make & model % Worse Avg. % Better (-131%) -80 -45 -20 0 20 45 80 -80 -45 -20 0 20 45 80 PREDICTED RELIABILITY &B &V &C &X &Z (FWD) * Chevrolet Tahoe Toyota Sienna (AWD) GMC Yukon Compact pickups Honda Odyssey Chevrolet Suburban Make & model % Worse Avg. % Better Kia Sedona GMC Yukon XL -80 -45 -20 0 20 45 80 Chrysler Town & Chevrolet Traverse Country Ford Expedition Dodge Grand Caravan Nissan Frontier GMC Acadia PREDICTED RELIABILITY &B &V &C &X &Z Ford Flex (4-cyl., 2WD) Dodge Durango (V8) Toyota Tacoma Wagons (V6, 4WD) Dodge Durango (V6) Toyota Tacoma Make & model % Worse Avg. % Better * (V6, 2WD) Ford Flex (3.5L Toyota Tacoma -80 -45 -20 0 20 45 80 EcoBoost) (-120%) (4-cyl., 4WD) Mazda5 PREDICTED RELIABILITY &B &V &C &X &Z PREDICTED RELIABILITY &B &V &C &X &Z (4-cyl.) Audi Allroad* Chevrolet Tahoe (4-cyl.) Toyota Venza (V6) Volvo XC70 Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen* * Subaru Outback (6-cyl.) Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen TDI PREDICTED RELIABILITY &B &V &C &X &Z

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