Best Cars for Reliability

Reliability is important when you’re selecting a vehicle. Even if you don’t plan on keeping your car until you can’t drive it anymore, it’s comforting to know that your vehicle could outlast other cars on the road. After all, the cars with the best long-term reliability remain on the road because their drivers can depend on them and don’t want to give them up.

Whether you want an efficient compact car or a hard-working truck, there are a number of vehicles to choose from with varying degrees of reliability. So how can car buyers find a reliable vehicle they can depend on? Automotive research firm iSeeCars analyzed over 14.9 million used vehicles to determine the reliable cars with the best long-term staying power based on their ability to reach 200,000 miles. Of the longest-lasting cars, we have the reliability champions by segment to help you find the right car to suit your needs.

Most Reliable Car Brands

If you’re looking for a reliable car, a good place to begin is by choosing a reliable brand. Here are the top 3 most reliable car brands:

1. Toyota

Toyota vehicles are known for their dependability and reliability, and they are proven to remain on the road longer than any other brand. From the compact Toyota Corolla to the Toyota Tacoma pickup to the Toyota Sienna minivan, there’s a reliable Toyota to suit any driver.

2. Honda

Another Japanese brand, Honda, earns the second spot on the list of most reliable automakers. From SUVs like the compact Honda CR-V and the midsize Honda Pilot, to traditional cars like the Accord and Civic sedans, Honda vehicles are proven to go the distance for their drivers. Honda vehicles also offer practicality, provide a suite of safety features, and have above-average fuel economy.

3. GMC

GMC ranks third. GMC ’s high ranking on the list can be attributed to the longevity of the GMC Yukon full-size SUV, its larger variant the GMC Yukon XL , and the GMC Sierra 1500 pickup truck. GMC also ranks above-average for value retention and provides refinement as the upscale variant of Chevrolet.

View our Most Reliable Car Brands article for the complete list.

Most Reliable Cars

Whether you want an efficient small car or a large SUV, we’ve compiled a list of vehicles with the highest reliability ratings by segment. Here are the most reliable passenger cars across all size categories.

Most Reliable Small Cars

1. Honda Civic

[honda civic coupe reliability]

The Honda Civic is the most reliable small car. The Civic has more passenger and cargo space than what’s typical for its class, and it provides a comfortable ride with brisk acceleration and sporty handling.   

The versatile vehicle is available as a hatchback, as its formerly-available coupe body style was discontinued for the 2021 model year. Civics come with a suite of safety features such as forward collision warning, lane keep assist, lane departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights.

2. Toyota Corolla

[toyota corolla reliability]

The Toyota Corolla is the runner-up in the Best Reliable Small Car category. Known for its reliability and longevity, it also maintains more of its value than its competition. The Corolla boasts excellent fuel economy, making the compact car a practical option as a daily driver, and is also among the top of its class for safety scores.

3. Subaru Impreza

[subaru impreza reliability]

The Subaru Impreza offers standard all-wheel drive, impressive interior and cargo space, and a fun ride. The Impreza achieves Subaru’s characteristic high safety score and includes standard safety features such as adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, forward collision warning, and automatic emergency braking. 

Check out our Most Reliable Sedans guide for the complete list.

Most Reliable Midsize Cars 

1. Honda Accord

iSeeCars Reliability Score: 9.0

Average New Car Price: $31,435

Average 3-Year-Old Used Car Price: $28,671

The Honda Accord is fun-to-drive and its spacious cabin provides more passenger room than most of its competitors. The Accord also has an upscale interior that has the feel of a luxury car. It has multiple engine options, including its base 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that produces 192 horsepower. The Accord’s base engine gets 30 mpg in the city and 38 mpg on the highway, which is above-average for its class.

2. Toyota Camry

[toyota camry reliability]

The Toyota Camry midsize sedan almost ties the Honda Accord as the most reliable midsize sedan. The Camry offers a comfortable ride and comes with plenty of legroom and headroom. The Camry’s base engine is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder with 202 horsepower, with a more powerful 3.5-liter V6 offered on higher trims. It also comes with a suite of safety features.

3. Mazda Mazda6

[mazda mazda6 reliability]

The Mazda6 is praised for its driving dynamics and has an upscale interior that rivals a luxury vehicle. Its base engine is a powerful 187-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder that offers swift acceleration. A turbocharged four-cylinder that produces up to 250 horsepower is available on higher trims. The Mazda6 includes plenty of standard safety features like automatic high-beam headlights, lane keep assist, pedestrian detection, and rain-sensing windshield wipers. The Mazda6 was discontinued for the 2022 model year.

Most Reliable Large Cars

1. Toyota Avalon

[toyota avalon reliability]

The Toyota Avalon is the most reliable full-size sedan. It has ample passenger and cargo space, and has an interior that feels like a luxury car. It comes with a suite of standard safety features such as blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, and LED automatic high-beam headlights to name a few. The Avalon also takes top honors on the Consumer Reports list of Best Sedans.

2. Dodge Charger

[dodge charger reliability]

The runner-up for the Best Used Large Car is the Dodge Charger. The Dodge Charger is a versatile and spacious large sedan with many powerful engine choices ranging from a standard V6 to a potent supercharged V8. It is the perfect choice for drivers wanting the utility of a roomy sedan with a little bit of muscle.

3. Nissan Maxima

[nissan maxima reliability]

The Nissan Maxima full-size sedan ranks third. A JD Power award winner in initial quality, the Maxima has a powerful 300-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 engine to appeal to drivers who want a powerful sedan with the characteristics of a sports car. It comes standard with a touch screen infotainment system, AppleCarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth connectivity. The Maxima’s standard safety features include automatic high-beam headlights, rear cross traffic alert, pedestrian detection, traffic sign recognition, and rear door alert.

Most Reliable Luxury Cars

Most Reliable Small Luxury Cars

1. Lexus IS 350

[lexus is 350 reliability]

The most reliable compact luxury car is the Lexus IS. The IS is known for its premium materials and comfortable ride. It also has a perfect 5-star safety rating and comes standard with the Lexus Safety System+ suite of features, including lane departure warning, lane keep assist, pre-collision system, automatic high-beam headlights, and pedestrian detection. A new Lexus IS costs between $36,748 and $47,859, and a three-year-old used Lexus IS costs between $24,931 and $33,997.

2. Volvo S60

iSeeCars Reliability Score: 8.7