Updated versions of the Tesla Model Y are displayed outside a Tesla store in San Diego, California, United States, October 21, 2025.
Mike Blake | Reuters
DETROIT — Leader in electric vehicle sales in the United States Tesla made notable strides in Consumer Reports’ annual ranking of influential auto brands, ranking in the top 10 overall for the United States
The electric vehicle maker fell from 18th place on last year’s list of more than 30 auto brands to 10th place in Consumer Reports’ 2026 Brand Report, released Thursday.
“They’re definitely struggling, but by continuing to refine and not making huge changes to their models, they’re able to make more reliable vehicles, and they’ve moved up in our rankings,” Jake Fisher, senior director of automotive testing for Consumer Reports, told CNBC.
The auto brand’s annual report is based on Consumer Reports testing as well as reliability, safety and overall customer satisfaction based on owner surveys.
The surveys do not reflect broader consumer sentiment toward CR-rated auto models or manufacturers outside of customer satisfaction. Tesla has faced consumer backlash against CEO Elon Musk in response to his work with the Trump administration and support from far-right politicians and figures around the world, including Germany’s anti-immigration extremist party AfD.
Fisher said Tesla’s gain has occurred as its vehicles have become more reliable over time, especially since the company has not made significant changes to the design of many of its vehicles as traditional automakers tend to do.
Tesla instead relies on remote or over-the-air updates to overhaul many vehicle features. Its powertrain reliability remains outstanding among electric vehicles, according to Consumer Reports.
The only Tesla model to score below average is the Cybertruck, its latest model which incorporates a host of new technologies such as a 48-volt architecture system and “steer by wire”.
A Tesla Cybertruck in front of a graffiti mural on August 28, 2024 in Detroit.
Michael Wayland/CNBC
“They’re definitely getting better at retaining things and refining them, but if you look at their 5- to 10-year-old models that are out there, in terms of reliability, they’re last out of all the brands,” Fisher said. “They are capable of improving reliability if they don’t make major changes.”
On the other end of the bulletin, Rivian Automobile climbed five places to 26th but remains at the bottom of the rankings. Fisher said Rivian models are the least reliable.
Despite Rivian’s reliability issues, it’s the brand with the highest owner satisfaction, according to Consumer Reports. Fisher, during an Automotive Press Association webinar Thursday, said its owners are largely early adopters and willing to deal with some growing pains, probably more than traditional consumers would.
Brands with good reliability tend to perform well in the overall rankings. Reliability for new 2026 models is predicted based on each model’s overall reliability over the past three years, provided the model has not been redesigned during that time.
Subaru leads the overall list of brands for 2026, followed by BMW, Porsche, Honda and Toyota to round out the top five brands. At the bottom of the rankings were Jeep, Land Rover, GMC, Dodge and Alfa Romeo.
Ford engine Lincoln, the top-ranked national brand, made the biggest jump in this year’s rankings, climbing 17 positions to No. 7 thanks to its reliability scores. Audi fell the most from last year, falling 10 places to 16th.
Traditional American automakers, especially Stellantis brands, have struggled compared to their Asian competitors in Consumer Reports’ annual brand reliability rankings.
It is worth noting that the Ford brand ranked 18th in the report card, but saw an improvement in reliability. The automaker, grappling with quality issues and recalls, placed its Ford brand 11th in reliability. — its best position in 15 years.
GM’s top-ranked brand was Cadillac at 17th, followed by Buick at 20th, Chevrolet at 24th and GMC at 29th.
Consumer Reports said hybrid vehicles, which are growing in popularity, continue to outperform other “electrified” vehicles, as well as traditional vehicles with internal combustion engines.
Of about 30 hybrids analyzed by Consumer Reports, only the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid, Lincoln Nautilus Hybrid and Mazda CX-50 Hybrid have below-average predicted reliability scores.