Consumer Reports finds vehicle redesigns come with glitches

FILE - In this April 17, 2019 file photo, the 2019 Mazda CX-5 is shown at the New York Auto Show. In its annual auto reliability survey, Consumer Reports found that while newly redesigned models have the latest safety and fuel-economy technology, they also come with glitches that frustrate owners. Overall, Japanese brands Lexus, Mazda and Toyota led the reliability rankings, followed by Porsche and Genesis. Rounding out the top 10 were Hyundai, Subaru, Dodge, Kia and Mini. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan, File) FILE - In this April 17, 2019 file photo, the 2019 Mazda CX-5 is shown at the New York Auto Show. In its annual auto reliability survey, Consumer Reports found that while newly redesigned models have the latest safety and fuel-economy technology, they also come with glitches that frustrate owners. Overall, Japanese brands Lexus, Mazda and Toyota led the reliability rankings, followed by Porsche and Genesis. Rounding out the top 10 were Hyundai, Subaru, Dodge, Kia and Mini. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan, File)

By Associated Press November 15, 2019 4 min read

DETROIT – When it comes to buying a new car, the latest and greatest may not be the most dependable.

In its annual auto reliability survey this year, Consumer Reports found that while newly redesigned models have the latest infotainment, safety and fuel-economy technology, they also come with glitches that frustrate owners.

Problem-prone new models caused brands such as Acura, Volkswagen and Audi to fall in the annual rankings, while Dodge, Chrysler, Infiniti and Mini gained because they haven’t made many changes in their model lineups.

Overall, Japanese brands Lexus, Mazda and Toyota led the nonprofit magazine and website’s reliability rankings, followed by Porsche and Genesis, Hyundai’s luxury brand. Rounding out the top 10 were Hyundai, Subaru, Dodge, Kia and Mini.

General Motors’ Cadillac was the least reliable of 30 brands, followed by Alfa Romeo, Acura, Volkswagen and Jeep. The remaining least-reliable brands were Chevrolet, Volvo, Tesla, GMC and Mercedes-Benz.