When buying a new or used car, it’s the one thing we want to know above anything else. Will this vehicle stay on the road, or will I spend unnecessary time at the side of the highway with the hood up, covered in smoke?
There are no guarantees, but some cars always rank better in reliability tests than others, and these are obvious purchases to consider.
The vehicles on this list cover a wide range of cars from small hatchbacks to SUVs, but all are rated among the most reliable on the road.
1. Tesla Model 3
Buying an electric car is a big jump for many motorists, but there are definite advantages. The lower fuel costs are an obvious benefit, and while some vehicles are prone to common faults, the Tesla Model 3 is an exception.
Electric vehicles have fewer moving parts so there is less that can go wrong. That theory isn’t foolproof, but tests rate the Tesla Model 3 as less prone to breakdowns than other electric cars, and it’s one of the most reliable overall.
2. Toyota RAV4
Japanese cars have a reputation for reliability, and the RAV4 could be the best example. In some tests, it makes it to the top of the list for reliable used cars.
It’s durable and constructed to withstand the roughest of road and weather conditions. If something does go wrong, parts are readily available, so you shouldn’t be without your RAV4 for too long.
3. Cadillac XT5
American cars may have traditionally struggled in the reliability stakes, but manufacturers here are fighting back. The XT5 is arguably the best-performing model in the US category and it regularly appears inside the top ten across many motoring surveys.
As a downside, it’s not as luxurious as other models from this producer. Over at Cadillac, it seems you may have to choose between comfort and reliability.
4. Chevrolet Traverse
All Chevrolet models ranked well in a recent survey, while the Traverse came out on top in the Midsize SUV section. The vehicle is equipped with the latest in-car technology and is designed to stay on the road for longer.
Some consumers claim that certain years of the Chevrolet Traverse are more reliable than others. Opinion is divided on that point, but 2013, 2017, and 2019 are generally considered as the ones to aim for.
5. Toyota Yaris Mk 4
Car buyers who are reluctant to go all-electric will often see hybrid vehicles as an entry point. Self-charging cars take away a significant headache, but there is more that can go wrong.
As we’ve already seen, Toyota is a respected brand for reliability and its Yaris Mk 4 is arguably the best of the smaller hybrids. High levels of customer satisfaction are backed by a colossal ten-year warranty.
6. Volvo XC40
Swedish car producer Volvo has traditionally enjoyed a reputation for reliability. It’s carried that through to the present day, and the model with the highest levels of satisfaction is the XC40.
It’s a smaller SUV, but it is spacious on the inside and has impressive specifications. While some surveys found slightly higher instances of faults than with other vehicles on this list, Volvo tended to address them and get the cars back on the road with significantly greater speed.
7. Lexus NX
The Lexus brand enjoyed the honor of being named What Car’s most reliable manufacturer for seven years in succession up to 2024. They rarely develop problems and dealers will fix issues for free when under warranty.
At the top of the charts is the NX range, a family SUV. Readers of the magazine have attached a reliability rating of 99.8% to these cars, so while there are no guarantees, you’d be seriously unlucky if anything were to go wrong.
8. Mini Clubman
What Car? also loves the Mini range. Of all available European brands, this ranks most highly for reliability. The Mini Electric is a particular favorite of readers, and if you are looking to go green, it’s a good option.
Overall, the Mini Clubman rates the highest for reliability. Any repairs are often carried out for free at dealers and most are sorted in less than a week.
9. Jeep Grand Cherokee
While they have a reputation for making sturdy vehicles, Jeep does not always rank highly when it comes to tests of reliability. In more recent surveys, however, the Grand Cherokee has been a glowing stand-out.
A redesign in 2022 seems to have made the difference. Better fuel economy and greater luxury inside have been boosted by less time in the garage and more carefree driving.
10. Chrysler 300
It’s about time we had a luxury sedan on this list. Chrysler is another US manufacturer to have produced mixed results in previous reliability stakes. Recently, they’ve turned their reputation around and the 300 is the flagship for those who like to stay out of the garage and on the road.
Like many American cars, the Chrysler 300 ticks all the comfort and luxury boxes, but the producer has worked hard on those reliability issues and deserves to be here.
11. Kia Picanto Mk3
Smaller, city cars have been underrepresented on this list. Maybe the type of journeys that they typically carry out make them more prone to breakdowns. Within this category, the Kia Picanto is ranked as one of the most reliable cars.
The Picanto also scores well for looks and safety, while a seven-year warranty adds to motorists’ peace of mind.
12. Chevrolet Corvette C8
It may not be to everyone’s tastes and it’s unlikely to fit all budgets, but it’s comforting to know that there is a top-of-the-range sportscar out there that is also highly reliable.
In fact, the Chevrolet Corvette C8 often outlasts all other models and it has ranked at the top of certain all-car breakdown surveys. So, you can turn heads while not having to compromise on reliability.
13. Skoda Kodiaq Mk 1
While not available in the U.S, Skoda is a popular brand elsewhere. In the past, Skoda cars may have had a reputation for losing their value quickly. That issue isn’t as much of a concern in the present day, and that’s partly due to the reliability of this manufacturer.
The Kodiaq is one of the standouts from the Skoda stable. Their models tend to be more budget-friendly, and with less time spent in the garage waiting for repairs, the Kodiaq Mk 1 should offer genuine value for money.
14. Dacia Duster
Budget-friendly cars can often lead to more breakdowns, but that isn’t necessarily the case with the Dacia brand. A Romanian manufacturer who can trace its history back to 1966, its models have been on the road in Europe for many years, although not available in the U.S.
As an economical SUV, the Duster scores highly for reliability in customer surveys. A seven-year warranty on new models is another boost for the consumer’s peace of mind.
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