Recently, Consumer Reports announced its best cars list for 2021. But in a move that’s handy for those of us who may not be wowed by any of the models on that list, the company has also just released its automaker brand report card for 2021, showing which brands are building the best cars based on a score built around four factors: road-test score, predicted reliability, owner satisfaction and safety.
Admittedly, consume this data with some caution: not all lineups are alike. Toyota earned the same score as Chrysler, even though the former had 19 vehicles tested and 15 earning a CR recommendation and the latter had just two models tested, with only one earning a high score. Reliability scoring will benefit manufacturers who aren’t rolling out new products or the latest tech, and yearly volatility may suggest an issue with the methodology.
That said: Honda made the biggest jump for 2021, climbing 10 places into the top five. Lincoln (-15), Genesis (-13) and Kia (-10) experienced the biggest declines. Indeed, Lincoln, Jeep, Mitsubishi, Land Rover and Alfa Romeo rounded about the bottom five. And Tesla fell five places to 16th.
Check out the top 10 brands here.
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Hyundai
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Mazda
Buick Enclave Avenir Gear Patrol 7
Buick
Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid
Average MSRP: $50,620Average Sale Price: $49,661Percent Difference: -1.9%This plug-in hybrid is less powerful than the gas engine at 260 horsepower and only comes in front-wheel-drive. But it does give you 32 miles of EV range for all of those school runs.
Chrysler
7. Toyota
Overall Score: 74
Road Test Score: 73
Lexus LC 500
The Lexus halo car is one of those rare vehicles that feels like a bargain even at its $100,000 pricetag. It’s quick, supremely elegant, meticulously made, and looks every bit as fresh and exotic as a concept car even now, several years after it arrived. (That’s true for both coupe and convertible versions, too.) And if that’s still a bit much for you, hey, they’re an even better deal on the pre-owned market.
Lexus
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honda
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Courtesy
Subaru Outback – 31.2% kept by original owners
Subaru
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BMW
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Mazda