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Consumer Reports names the best and worst cars by brand

While car brand reputation can be a strong influence on purchase decisions, such perceptions can be misleading. The reality is, every brand offers models that perform across a spectrum, with some are clearly better than others.

As we see in our annual Car Brand Perception survey, how consumers view brands can often be a trailing indicator and not reflect the current reality. To further illustrate this point, we have compiled a list chronicling the best and worst models by brand based on our overall test scores.

The test performance variation differs from brand to brand, with some brands' worst model being still doing rather well, while others span a wide range making any generalities quite misleading. Take Acura, for example. Even its worst model, the ILX, scores a 77 (out of 100) and meets our performance standards, safety, and reliability criteria to be Recommended. Meanwhile, the best Jeep is the Grand Cherokee Laredo V6. It earns 71 points in our tests, six points less than the worst Acura. However, the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited marks the low point in our current ratings, scoring only a 20.
The gap between best and worst can be even broader. Chevrolet, for instance, spans from the Corvette Z06 (92) to the Spark (34).


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The list below includes all brands for which Consumer Reports has tested at least three different models recently, thereby excluding Fiat, Jaguar, Land Rover, and Smart.

Best

Worst

Acura

MDX

ILX (2.0L)

Audi

A6 3.0 Premium Plus Quattro

A5 Premium Plus (2.0T)*

BMW

135i

X5 35i Premium

Buick

Regal CXL (turbo)

Verano Leather (2.4)

Cadillac

CTS Premium (3.6)

Escalade (base)

Chevrolet

Corvette Z06

Spark 1LT

Chrysler

300 Limited (V6)

200 Limited (V6)

Dodge

Charger SXT Plus (V6)

Avenger SXT (4-cyl.)

Ford

Fusion SE Hybrid

Fiesta SE (sedan)

GMC

Acadia SLT2

Yukon Hybrid

Honda

Accord EX-L(V6)/LX (4-cyl.)

Insight EX

Hyundai

Genesis 3.8

Accent GLS (sedan)

Infiniti

G37 Journey (sedan)

QX 56

Jeep

Grand Cherokee Laredo (V6)

Wrangler Unlimited Sahara

Kia

Optima SX (2.0T)

Rio EX

Lexus

LS 460L

GX 460

Lincoln

Navigator Ultimate

MKS (base, 3.7)

Mazda

MX-5 Miata Grand Touring

2 Touring

Mercedes-Benz

E350 BlueTec

ML350

Mini

Cooper (base, hatchback)

Cooper Clubman

Mitsubishi

Lancer Evolution GSR

Galant ES (4-cyl.)

Nissan

370Z Coupe Touring

Versa SV (sedan)

Porsche

Boxster 2.7

Cayenne (base V6)

Scion

FR-S

iQ

Subaru

Impreza WRX STi

Tribeca Limited

Toyota

Camry Hybrid XLE

FJ Cruiser

Volkswagen

Golf TDI (manual)

Beetle 2.5L/Jetta SE (2.5)

Volvo

S60 T5

XC90 3.2

Even if you have models in mind when you're shopping, it is wise to look at their Ratings. You just might be steered to a better car than you would have otherwise considered, and as we often find, the smart choices often are not necessarily the most expensive.

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For detailed ratings and road test on any model featured here, just click on the name to visit the appropriate model page.



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