Consumer Reports publishes predicted reliability scores that estimate how well new cars will hold up, and the 2026 results favor Japanese and Korean brands. The ranking starts with a Subaru Impreza score of 80, and the entries that follow range from compact hatchbacks to three-row family haulers. Here are twelve new models that the organization expects to be the most dependable.
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1. Subaru Impreza: Reliability Leader
The Car Guide’s tally of Consumer Reports predicted reliability for 2026 models puts the Subaru Impreza in first place with a score of 80. That figure tops a list of ten,ahead of the Toyota models that follow it.
For a shopper, a predicted score is a forecast built from past model years rather than a guarantee about one car. Still, the compact hatchback and sedan lineup gives budget-minded owners a rare chart-topping option with standard all-wheel drive.
2. Toyota Corolla Cross: Close Second
Right behind the Impreza, the Toyota Corolla Cross earned a reliability score of 79 and the second spot in the same Consumer Reports ranking. A single point separates it from the leader.
As a small crossover, it offers more ride height and cargo flexibility than the Corolla sedan while keeping the brand’s reputation for low running problems. Buyers comparing it with the Subaru should weigh how they plan to use the space and the drive layout.
3. Subaru Crosstrek: Rugged Value
The Subaru Crosstrek posted a score of 78 in the ranking and took third place among Consumer Reports’ most reliable 2026 models. It shares the score with the Toyota Crown, which sits one place lower.
The Crosstrek is essentially a lifted compact aimed at owners who want light trail ability without moving up to a larger SUV. A strong predicted rating supports its case as a long-term family or commuter vehicle.
4. Toyota Crown: Surprise Sedan
Tied on points with the Crosstrek, the Toyota Crown claimed fourth place with a 78 in the Consumer Reports predicted reliability list. The Crown is a large, upscale model that sits above the Camry in Toyota’s lineup.
Its appearance this high shows that bigger, pricier vehicles can also score well, not just small economy cars. Shoppers who want extra room and features may find the forecast a reassuring sign for a more expensive purchase.
5. Toyota Corolla: Compact Staple
Quartz lists the Toyota Corolla as fifth most reliable in Consumer Reports’ look at new 2026 models. The compact sedan has long been a default pick for people who simply want dependable transportation.
Its placement in the top five reinforces that reputation, and a high forecast matters most for buyers planning to keep a car for many years. Sedans have lost ground to crossovers, yet this one still pairs a familiar formula with strong predicted results.
6. Honda Accord: Midsize Mainstay
The Honda Accord appears at number seven on the list of Consumer Reports’ most reliable new vehicles, according to Quartz. Quartz places it two spots behind the Corolla in the same group of leaders.
The midsize sedan competes directly with the Toyota Camry, and a place in this ranking gives it a credible argument in that long rivalry. Anyone cross-shopping the two for daily commuting should compare trims, hybrid availability and local pricing alongside the reliability forecast.
7. Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid: Three-Row Hybrid
Quartz places the Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid eighth among the most reliable new models in Consumer Reports’ assessment. Few three-row vehicles appear on lists like this, which are dominated by smaller cars.
The Grand Highlander is the roomier sibling of the regular Highlander, built for families that need real space in the third row. Pairing a hybrid system with a strong predicted reliability result addresses two worries many large-SUV buyers share: fuel costs and repairs.
8. Lexus NX: Luxury Entry
Rounding out the Quartz summary, the Lexus NX holds tenth place for reliability in the Consumer Reports forecast for new models. It is the lone luxury brand representative in the group.
The compact luxury crossover shares much of its engineering with mainstream Toyota products, which may help explain the result. Shoppers wanting a premium badge without a reputation for costly fixes can treat the placement as a point in its favor.
9. Hyundai Elantra Hybrid: Hybrid Sedan
CarEdge lists the Hyundai Elantra Hybrid among the top-ranked sedans in Consumer Reports’ latest reliability survey. The guide does not attach a specific score or position to it in the material reviewed here.
That makes it a qualitative endorsement rather than a numbered ranking. The pairing of a compact sedan body with a hybrid powertrain appeals to commuters focused on fuel savings, and the survey mention suggests the technology has not come at the expense of dependability.
10. Kia Sorento Hybrid: Family Hauler
CarEdge reports that Consumer Reports named the Kia Sorento Hybrid the most reliable three-row SUV on sale. The claim is a category title rather than an overall ranking against smaller vehicles.
Three-row buyers often face a short list of choices with mixed track records, so a class-leading designation carries weight. Families who value both seating capacity and efficiency can look at the hybrid version as a lower-risk option within a crowded segment.
11. Honda HR-V: Small SUV Pick
CarEdge notes that Consumer Reports predicts above-average reliability for the Honda HR-V. The subcompact crossover is the smallest SUV in Honda’s lineup, positioned below the CR-V.
No numeric score is given in the source, so the rating is best read as a general vote of confidence. For urban drivers who want a higher seating position and easy parking, an above-average forecast helps justify choosing it over other comparably sized rivals in the segment.
12. Toyota Camry: Moving Up
The Toyota Camry rose to above-average predicted reliability for 2026, up from average for the 2025 ninth-generation model, according to Jalopnik. The change stands out because the Camry has long been seen as a reliability benchmark.
A step up from average suggests Consumer Reports sees fewer expected problems as the redesign matures. Buyers who held back on a first-year model may take the improved forecast as a sign that early issues have been addressed.
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