Talking Cars 487: Consumer Reports' 2026 Automotive Report Card

The team talks through this year’s survey, which includes data on 380,000 new and used cars. We also discuss what reliability means to different people in terms of safety and sustainability.  

Updates include where Tesla now ranks as a brand and which automakers strike the sweet spot between reliability and owner satisfaction—and those that don’t. The team also touches on the reliability and cost of ownership for electrified vehicles of all types. 

The team also discusses other changes in vehicle scoring and presentation, including upgraded views for both online and mobile platforms, improved ‘sortability’ and comparisons, and new methods for scoring cargo volume.  

See our guide to car reliability and owner satisfaction. 

More on Cars by Brand
• Which Car Brands Make the Best Vehicles?
• Owner Satisfaction Ratings: Best and Worst 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
• Why are gas filler caps on different sides of the vehicle?
• Which maintenance items are best suited for DIY mechanics? 
• And we get great follow-up advice from an audience member on how to get the best winter traction from an electric vehicle.