Talking Cars 460: Consumer Reports' 2025 Automotive Report Card
With fresh data and new insights, we discuss the best and worst in car reliability, owner satisfaction, and road tests

Main theme: CR’s latest automotive survey data is in, and it shows how automakers rank in terms of reliability, owner satisfaction, and testing. Our podcast panel gives details on some surprising movement among the brands this year and provides an update on how reliability differs for hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and electric vehicles. We also highlight the latest changes to CR’s website, which will further empower shoppers.
More on Cars by Brand
• Which Car Brands Make the Best Vehicles?
• Most and Least Loved Car Brands
• Who Makes the Most Reliable New Cars?
• Which Car Brands Have the Highest Road-Test Scores?
• Which Brands Make the Best Used Cars?
• Who Owns Which Car Brands?
Audience Questions
• Is it true that the luxury counterparts to mainstream brands tend to be more reliable? If so, why?
• Are CR’s car reliability ratings useful for older vehicles?
• Do you miss any features from older vehicles that aren’t in new cars, like ashtrays or vent windows?
Photo: Consumer Reports Photo: Consumer Reports
How to Listen
“Talking Cars With Consumer Reports” episodes are available through Apple Podcasts (audio or video), audio on Spotify (log-in required), video on YouTube, and on CR’s video hub.
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Recent Episodes
• Driving the 2025 Hyundai Sonata, episode 459
• Driving the 2025 Jeep Compass, episode 458
• Driving the 2025 Mini Cooper S, episode 457
• Driving the Chevrolet Traverse, episode 456
• We Bought a Tesla Cybertruck, episode 455
Have a Question?
Send a text or video message to TalkingCars@iCloud.com. Please include your first name and where you’re from, and we might feature it in a future episode.
Talking Cars
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