Japanese automakers Honda and Toyota were the big winners in Consumer Reports' most recent predicted vehicle reliability poll, even though both companies have recently issued large-scale recalls of some of their most popular models.
All of the major Asian carmakers, in fact, were found to be solid performers in the survey. Acura, Honda, Hyundai, Toyota, Infiniti, and Scion fielded no vehicles with less than an average predicted reliability rating, according to the survey results.
Despite having posted gains in recent surveys, the most recent Consumer Reports study found European automakers mostly marking time in the rankings. Some, like Porsche and Volvo, received consistently high scores from respondents, but others – including major luxury brands like Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz, had significant fractions of their models score poorly. Porsche's Boxster was the top-scoring single vehicle in the survey, while Audi's A6 3.0T tied with the Jaguar XF at the bottom.
American manufacturers, on the other hand, made solid gains, the survey found. Ford remained the most reliable U.S. maker, but General Motors' introduction of a number of new models has improved its overall reputation as a company. Some continued to struggle, however, as the publication described Jeep, Dodge, and Chrysler as being hampered by a number of outdated models with poor reliability, though Consumer Reports does note that Fiat's takeover of the latter company could prompt the introduction of new vehicles and redesigns for many older ones.
Reliability data can be critically important to a prospective car owner, experts say. Determining how much will need to be spent on maintenance over the service life of a vehicle must be as important a part of a driver's calculations as auto insurance costs, gas mileage, and safety record.