Toyota Loses Its Throne! Who's Number One?

Issue #143

Is satisfaction directly related to reliability?

At first, we might think so, but that's not necessarily the case. Today, we discuss how satisfaction and reliability interact and why it’s important for you!

Market News

• A massive theft ring in Indiana forced kids to take online classes. Here’s why.

• Nissan will revive this car and offer a manual transmission. It’s a great idea.

• This car company is officially sold out until 2029!

• Stellantis can now breathe easy after a copycat company from India stopped mimicking the Jeep. Here’s more on the story. 

• Here’s how Amazon plans to sell used Hertz cars. 

• The US and the EU come to terms regarding tariffs on cars (and a lot of other stuff). Here’s more on this complex situation.

• Lamborghini’s CEO doesn’t regret reviving this legendary nameplate, BUT he won’t do it again.

• The Government won’t enforce car efficiency rules. This article explains how this decision could cost you money. 

• Toyota announces a new $30,000 truck, and we love the idea. Here’s more on it!

• Is Cadillac becoming a serious contender in the luxury EV market?This vehicle could make the case.

Safety and Recalls

• Is it any surprise? Ford issues yet another recall. This time, it’s for more than 300,000 vehicles for this issue.

• Jeep recalls 78,000 Wranglers. Here’s why.

• Nissan recalls more than 13,000 Frontiers because of this issue.

Car Culture

• This Subaru dealership’s ad raised some suspicions. Blink twice if you need help.

• Check out this Corvette with only 637 miles after restoration. It’s definitely a must-have. 

• The 2025 Woodward Dream Cruise sure produced some crazy cars. Here’s a sample!

• These are the best luxury cars and SUVs that you can get under $40,000.

• There are some surprising benefits to a side exhaust. Here they are. 

• What’s the deal with using fake badges in your car? Here’s a bit of history on this old trick of the trade.

• This San Francisco street used to be car-free. Now, this will change. Here’s how.

• Here are some of the best cars for first-time buyers. Do you agree?

• A great name sometimes can’t save a bad car. Here are some of the worst revived nameplates in car history.

• The Nissan Xterra and Pathfinder are back. They’re bringing with them this essential feature. 

Video Of The Week

YouTuber car fails are always entertaining. Even more so with mechanics providing commentary.

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In The Know

Toyota Dethroned! Who's Number One In Satisfaction?!

Let's face it: you hate breaking down. But, does having a reliable car translate to your satisfaction? 

The latest ACSI study is out, and it has some surprises. So, what does it tell us about the automotive industry? A lot, beginning with a crucial premise: some brands are simply consistent, and times are changing (sort of).

In short, the ACSI (American Customer Satisfaction Index) highlights who is happy and who isn't. It uses a 0-100 scale, although you rarely get brands with fewer than 60 points. 

Among mainstream brands, Subaru tops the list with an impressive score of 85, but that's not the most surprising result. After all, Subaru also topped Consumer Reports' list for the most reliable brands in 2024.

The surprising result is that Toyota is no longer number one. The past three years haven't been kind to the company (and to the entire automotive industry, in reality), as this article explains. 

However, Toyota did face major challenges at the end of 2024, as recalls and quality issues accumulated. The situation was so noticeable that it sparked a debate as to whether the company was losing its way, as this text remembers. 

Personally, I think Toyota just hit a rough spot, as can any other company. 

The result is, unsurprisingly, that the Japanese giant lost the number one spot and is now in the second spot, tied with Mazda. By the way, Mazda has been quietly making a name for itself, especially with this iconic model. 

On the luxury side, Lexus soars ahead at 87, leaving Mercedes-Benz (82) and Tesla (81) in the dust. Mercedes-Benz is a brand that has also lost its way. 

Paying a lot for a car that's bound to have problems is never a good thing. As this article highlights, it turns out German brands all suffer from this.

ACSI's study includes new metrics as well. Expected resale value and driving range are two factors that impact Mercedes-Benz directly, as well as other luxury brands. 

Not surprisingly, hybrids score better than both gas and EVs—but high expectations in these areas mean brands must deliver or risk customer trust slipping. We covered why hybrids are so popular in this issue.

What about the bottom feeders? Unfortunately, the basement is littered with American brands. Ram, Chrysler, Jeep, and Dodge (all owned by Stellantis) occupy the bottom ranks, with Ram and Chrysler even tied at a disappointing 69.

Here's where satisfaction and reliability take different paths. The Ram 3500 ranks number one in this reliability rating.

Meanwhile, the Ram 1500 ranks 7th out of 10 full-size trucks, so it is also valuable to analyze specific models as well. 

When it comes to raw reliability, Consumer Reports still ranks Subaru, Lexus, and Toyota as top-tier. But what about the specific models from each brand?

Not every model shines—Toyota's Tacoma, Tundra, and bZ4X EV drew criticism for dragging the brand down, as you can read here.

The same applies on the other side, and not only in Consumer Reports. Small SUVs are extremely popular, and this survey showcases that brands such as Toyota, Mazda, and Subaru take the top spots. 

However, the sixth-best small SUV is a brand that might surprise you.

Over at J.D. Power, Lexus dominates dependability with the best PP100 score for the third year running—while Buick, Mazda, and Toyota also score well among mass-market brands.

And yes—EVs remain a concern. Consumer Reports confirms hybrids are more reliable, with EVs and plug-ins experiencing significantly more issues—even though their reliability is improving.

Speaking of EVs, they have sort of a cult following. Despite being rated among the least reliable brands, both enjoy strong owner loyalty—86% of Rivian owners and 72% of Tesla owners say they'd buy again.

It's proof that excitement and brand loyalty can outweigh nagging reliability concerns—for now.

Tell us: is reliability important for you?