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Consumer Reports recently released data from its 2022 reliability survey, and like prior years, this survey gathered reliability data from thousands of car owners. The survey asked car owners about how reliable their cars were, but also which parts of their cars were or weren’t reliable, such as the car’s infotainment or performance features. Toyota is a Japanese automaker that’s well-known for making reliable cars, but surprisingly, only one 2022 Toyota model improved on its reliability rating compared to last year.

The Toyota Corolla Hatchback and Honda Civic Hatchback are some of the safest cheap hatchbacks of 2022.
Toyota Corolla Hatchback | Toyota

A look at Consumer Reports’ 2022 reliability survey

Consumer Reports reliability survey received data on over 300,000 cars. A lot of the results aren’t too surprising, but there are some new insights. F

or example, unsurprisingly, sedans are still the most reliable segment. On the other hand, while many drivers are switching from a small car to an SUV or truck, this isn’t a great idea as far as reliability goes. SUVs generally have a worse reliability rating than sedans do, and trucks are even worse.

As far as cleaner vehicles go, traditional hybrids seem to be the most reliable option of them all. Plug-in hybrids as well as full-fledged EVs have more reliability issues than traditional hybrids do. Some of those issues are minor, while others are unique to them.

For instance, many owners are reporting problems with their car’s battery pack or charging systems. Others are reporting problems with their EV’s infotainment system.

The Toyota Corolla Hatchback is the only 2022 Toyota model that improved its reliability rating

On top of those findings, since Consumer Reports uses that data to create its reliability rating, this year’s survey showed how some cars got worse and how some cars got better. Toyota has one of each.

The Toyota Tundra, which is the Japanese automaker’s full-size pickup truck, saw a decline in its reliability rating. On the other hand, the Corolla Hatchback is the only Toyota model that saw an improvement in its reliability rating. 

The Corolla Hatchback is simply the hatchback version of the popular Corolla compact sedan. It starts at about $23,000 MSRP, which makes it about $1,500 more expensive than the regular Corolla.

It starts with the same engine that the Corolla starts with, and it’s a 2.0-liter four-cylinder that gets 169 hp. There are some differences in how the Corolla Hatchback drives, however, and it handles better than the regular version does. 

That engine is paired to a CVT, and front-wheel drive is the only option. This setup allows the Corolla Hatchback to get an estimated 31 mpg in the city and 40 mpg on highways, for 36 mpg combined. Additionally, it comes with an 8-inch touchscreen, long list of smart safety features, and it has a max cargo capacity of about 23 cu. ft. 

A lot of other cars improved their reliability ratings though

In addition to the Corolla Hatchback, a lot of other cars saw an improvement in their reliability ratings, and most of them were SUVs. The Ford Escape Hybrid improved its reliability rating significantly thanks to the fact that owners reported few issues with the car. As a result, this Ford hybrid SUV is now recommended by Consumer Reports.

The Audi Q3, the Buick Enclave, the Genesis GV70, the Lincoln Corsair, and the Lincoln Nautilus are all luxury SUVs that improved their reliability scores. A lot of cars that car shoppers may think are reliable also improved their reliability scores. That includes the Hyundai Santa Fe, the Kia Soul, the Nissan Rogue, and the Subaru Ascent. Additionally, luxury sedans such as the Genesis G80, the Volvo S60, and the Chevy Corvette saw reliability improvements. 

When shopping for a new car its important to look for a car that is trending in the right direction in terms of reliability. So make sure to keep an eye on the latest reliability reports.

RELATED: 3 SUVs Lost Consumer Reports’ Recommendation Due to Reliability Issues