American cars are some of the best-selling in the world. Across the globe, these machines are known to pack the biggest engines and some of the highest outputs in the industry at a very affordable price. But one thing most people don’t talk about is how reliable they are.
Since Ford started vehicle mass production as we know of it today, the goal has always been to deliver marques that exceed in not just power delivery and driving experience but also build quality and reliability. And that is something these 10 cars have done exceptionally well.
These 10 American marques stand at the pinnacle of reliability. They can go for well over 200,000 miles before you start noticing any cracks. That’s the reason why you shouldn’t mind spending your hard-earned cash on them.
10 Ford Crown Victoria
The Ford Crown Victoria is a car most people are familiar with. This tough vehicle serves as a police car or taxi, faithfully putting in the massive hours needed in these lines of work. That should tell you just how reliable they are.
Yes, the Ford Crown Victoria looks rather boring. However, people still look for retired makes which still run and drive like they’re brand new. That’s despite clocking not less than 200,000 miles on the odometer. Even in this state, they still have plenty of life to do more miles and service.
9 Chevy Silverado HD
This is the one pickup truck you can’t be ashamed of parading in the countryside or your neighborhood. The Chevy Silverado HD is a very sturdy American pickup truck that can comfortably do over 200,000 miles and still have the stamina to do a couple of thousands more.
Yes, the Silverado HD is not the fastest moving pickup truck on the planet. Its top speed is rated at 98 mph with the truck taking 6.2 seconds to go from 0-60 mph. That is not bad for such a massive vehicle. The power output is at a ridiculous 445 hp with the maximum towing capacity being rated at 18,100 lbs.
8 GMC Yukon
American drivers have been immensely impressed by the GMC Yukon. This SUV has proven that it can tolerate thousands of miles before starting to sound and drive feebly. The only downside is, it is not the most economical car to drive around.
The GMC Yukon’s fuel efficiency is rated at 14mpg city and 22mpg highway. However, that consumption can be forgiven by the alluring comfort and style the Yukon confers. The SUV’s performance is also great. The Yukon can get from 0-60mph in 5.8 seconds with the engine churning out 420 hp.
7 Ford Escape Hybrid
The production of the Ford Escape started in 2001. However, it took until 2005 for Ford to release a hybrid. This was necessitated by the drive for manufacturers to produce more environment-friendly cars.
At the time of its launch, Ford had no reputation with electric powertrains. However, the Escape’s durability was proven to be strong given how well they ran as New York City taxis. Within the first one and a half years of traversing New York City roads, the first eighteen Ford Escape Hybrids ever made had already covered over 175,000 miles.
6 Chevrolet Avalanche
If you’re looking for a US-made pickup truck that is highly reliable, then the Chevrolet Avalanche might just be what you’re looking for. This car was built as a cross between a pickup truck and a full-size SUV. That allows drivers to enjoy the best of both worlds.
Yes, the production of the Avalanche was halted in 2013. But that doesn’t mean the car is a slacker. Under the hood, it packs a peppy V8 engine that is not only powerful but also highly reliable. The Avalanche is also highly utilitarian with the four-door pickup being capable of carrying up to eight-foot-long objects.
5 Ford F-150
There’s nothing much you can say about the Ford F-150 that enthusiasts don’t know. Year after year, this incredible pickup truck keeps solidifying its reputation in the pickup truck market. For years, it has been the best-selling vehicle in America. On top of that, the F-150 is praised for its exceptional off-road capability, heavy hauling capacity, and vast space in the cabin.
Interestingly, despite being a very good off-roader, the F-150 is also very smooth on the tarmac. The only downside is that it attracts the wrong crowd to you. Reports state that it is one of the most stolen vehicles in the US.
4 Chevrolet Impala
The new Chevy Impala model comes packed with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that develops 197 hp. You can optionally go for the 3.6-liter V6 engine with a remote start. The power unit is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission that sends power to the front wheels. All Impalas come with front-wheel-drive as standard.
The fuel economy is respectable. The Chevy Impala gets 22 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway. The design is handsome with the cabin being quite roomy. Above all, the ride comfort is quite comfortable with the car packing nice gizmos such as a WiFi hotspot and an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system.
3 Ford Expedition
Ford has enjoyed tremendous success with the F-Series. As far as the Ford Expedition goes, the company has managed to recreate their winning formula this time for a reliable American SUV.
The Ford Expedition has been in the market since 1996. Before the 2009 model year, this massive marque has been capable of sitting up to nine passengers. However, for the 2009 model year onwards, the Ford Expedition dons bucket seats in the front row and now sits eight passengers. The V8 engine packed under the hood is the same one used in the Lincoln Navigator.
2 Chevrolet Suburban
The Chevrolet Suburban is a very hardy vehicle. Don’t be surprised if it still runs perfectly even after 300,000 miles. But that shouldn’t come as a surprise given the Suburban nameplate is the longest surviving nameplate in automotive history. It has been in use since 1935.
This marque is probably the only GM SUV to ever make it past the 300,000-mile mark. Many owners have confirmed doing over 200,000 miles in their Suburban with those who take very good care of their SUV clocking 300,000 miles. Apart from being highly reliable, the car also looks very stunning.
1 Lincoln Navigator
The Lincoln Navigator is a very reliable SUV that packs a ton of style. It packs one of the most elegant interiors you can ever get from an SUV. Under the hood, the Lincoln Navigator packs a 450-hp twin-turbo V6 engine. That power unit is mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission which then sends power to either a rear-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive system.
The Navigator is built out of aluminum. Three-row seating is offered for either the regular or extended forms. As a standard, the SUV comes with heated seats, a genuine wood interior, a digitized dashboard, and 20-inch wheels.