Import Brands Prevail in CR Reliability Ratings

Domestic U.S. brand cars all finished below average in this year’s Consumer Reports auto reliability survey.

Lexus and Toyota again rate first and second with scores of 78 and 76, respectively. They are followed by Mazda (69), Subaru (65) and Kia (61). Mazda is this year’s most-improved brand, rising to third from 12th in 2017.

The bottom five brands this year are GMC (37), Ram (34), Tesla (32), Cadillac (32) and Volvo (22). Results were announced earlier today at an Automotive Press Assn. event in Detroit.

CR, which assessed 29 brands this year, calculates its ratings by reviewing road tests, crash tests, owner satisfaction surveys and the level of safety systems offered. The magazine attributes sliding rates to a rash of significant powertrain, mechanical and/or software changes for many 2018 models.

This year’s highest-ranking domestic brand is Ford in 18th, down three positions from 2017. CR notes that the brand’s Mustang sport coupe and Explorer SUV earned “worse-than-average” ratings this year. Buick, which ranked 8th last year, skidded to 19th, dragged down by a “much worse than average” rating for its Enclave large crossover vehicle.

GM’s worst-performing brand for the second consecutive year is Cadillac, which dropped one place to 28th this year. Tesla fell from 21st in 2017 to 27th, dragged down by ratings of “below average” for its Model S sedan and “much worse than average” for the Model X crossover.

There is some good news for domestic manufacturers. Several of their models were elevated this year to “recommended” status. The group includes the Cadillac XTS large luxury sedan, Chevrolet Cruze compact sedan, Chevy Suburban SUV, Chrysler 300 sedan, Dodge Charger sport sedan and Lincoln Continental large luxury sedan.