Reliability Rankings Put Mazda Over Mercedes
Households shopping for a used SUV or crossover can use reliability data to weigh brand prestige against long-term ownership cost.
Updated on Nov. 1, 2026 in Car Types
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Abby Anderson, a self-professed Mercedes G-Wagon enthusiast, was surprised by her husband with a luxor black Mazda CX-90 instead of the G-Wagon she had wanted, and she recorded the reveal on video. The story arrives as a lighthearted car-buying illustration rather than a new model launch.
Why it matters
The swap highlights how brand reputation and reliability can shift a buyer's preference. A 2025 Consumer Reports used-car reliability ranking of models aged five to 10 years across 26 brands placed Mazda near the top, a useful reference for households weighing a used SUV or crossover.
Consumer Reports ranked Lexus, Toyota and Mazda first through third for used-car reliability in its 2025 report, which covered models five to 10 years old across 26 brands. Mercedes-Benz placed 11th and BMW sixth in the same ranking.
The players
Consumer Reports
An independent consumer-testing organization whose reliability rankings are widely used by households comparing used vehicles.
Mazda
A Japanese automaker known for the CX-5 and CX-90 crossovers and a partnership with Toyota.
Car and Driver
An automotive publication that named the Mazda CX-5 its most recommended crossover in its segment four years running.
The details
The reveal was staged by Anderson's husband, who chose the vehicle without telling her which car it would be and then parked the Mazda behind her while she filmed. Mazda has described its move into alternative luxury territory, and it has a business partnership with Toyota, which ranked second in the reliability ranking. Car and Driver has named the Mazda CX-5 the most recommended crossover in its segment four years in a row.
Timeline
Consumer Reports published its used car reliability ranking in 2025.
Mazda described its pivot into alternative luxury territory to Motor1 in 2022.
The surprise car reveal video and article were dated November 1, 2026.
The Home Front
Consumer Reports' 2025 used-car reliability ranking placed Lexus, Toyota and Mazda at the top while Tesla finished last across 26 brands. The Anderson reveal shows how that kind of ranking can pull a buyer away from a prestige badge toward a more dependable crossover.
If you are shopping for a used SUV or crossover, check a reliability ranking such as Consumer Reports before weighing badge prestige against long-term ownership cost. Ask any seller for maintenance records and have a licensed mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection.
The takeaway
Reliability data can matter more than brand prestige when choosing a used vehicle for household use. Before you buy, pull the latest Consumer Reports rankings and request the service history from the seller.
Further reading
For more on how different vehicle styles compare for daily use, browse our Car Types coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Motor1.
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Do you think a pricier luxury car is usually worth it over a mainstream brand?
