There are a few things in life that are subjective. Your choice of a car may be one of them, but a vehicle's reliability is not. So what makes a car reliable? As simple as it may seem, this question has no easy answers.
Updated June 2022: As cars age, their true colors start to show. We've updated this list with some more recent models that will last you at least 10 years as well as a few you shouldn't count on.
Cars can fall apart for several reasons. Features that seem positive may actually prove to be a car's downfall. For example, cutting-edge technology may be advertised as a bonus for a new vehicle. What the dealer won't tell you is that generally, new technology has had very few opportunities for testing.
There are various resources for information about whether a car is reliable or not. Consumer Reports publishes lists every year compiling both the most and least reliable vehicles in the game. You can also check the JD Power study for further insight into a car's chances of breaking down on you. We've made use of both websites to compile today's list.
As always, the most accurate litmus test is consumer appearance. Even if a manufacturer claims a car will last, drivers may be dumping them in droves. If statistics show that people are avoiding a particular model, there's definitely more than meets the eye.
20 Built To Last: Honda Odyssey
The Honda Odyssey is the undisputed king when it comes to minivans. The car is in its fifth generation and has been in production since 1994, mainly for the North American market. The idea was born in Japan when the country was going through an economic meltdown and a lot of car manufacturers were affected.
People don't just buy the Odyssey for family purposes but also to have a vehicle that they can own for years. Older models can remain in good condition for a long time with very little maintenance involved. A new Honda Odyssey has a base price of $38,635. It comes with a 3.5-liter V6 engine which can produce up to 280 hp. It also has Wi-Fi connectivity to keep the family entertained while on the road.
19 Built To Last: Subaru Forester
The Subaru Forester refuses to go away and is one of the most reliable vehicles on the planet. The same attention to detail can still be found in newer models.
You should be able to drive a Subaru Forester for at least ten years without worrying too much about maintenance costs. To further prove our point, it's said that about a quarter of all Subaru owners kept them for more than ten years. The older models may not have featured the latest technology, but their owners seem to have stuck with them anyway. A New Subaru Forester starts at $27,070, which is extremely affordable given its reputation, all-wheel-drive system, and 2.5-liter flat-four engine which can produce 182 hp.
18 Built To Last: Toyota RAV4
The Toyota RAV4 has undergone a couple of changes over the years, but it remains consistently reliable. The car was first launched in North America in 1995 because Toyota wanted an SUV that could still have the fuel economy and reliability of a compact car.
Almost 25% of Toyota RAV4 owners hang on to them for more than a decade, so this is a car that can easily be passed down to the generation if it is well taken care of. The starting price for the latest model is $28,190, but if you were to go for the top-of-the-range RAV4 Prime, expect to pay way above sticker. Its base 2.5-liter engine produces 203 hp and can allow the RAV to go from 0 to 60 in 8 seconds dead.
17 Built To Last: Honda CR-V
The Honda CR-V is another vehicle that is known for its reliability and is popular in the North American market. Since its launch in 1995, there have been over 6 million units sold, even if you were to buy a first-generation CR-V in good condition - which isn't expensive by the way - it won't look too outdated thanks to its timeless styling.
Just like the previous cars on our list, approximately 25% of CR-V buyers kept theirs for more than 10 years. The car has a base price of $28,045. It has a 1.5-liter 4-cylinder engine that produces 190 hp and can manage the 0 to 60 race in 8.6 seconds.
16 Built To Last: Toyota Sienna
Here we have another Toyota vehicle. The Sienna was first launched in 1998 to take over the minivan segment. There has been fierce competition with the Honda Odyssey for the American market and is among the best performers in its class.
A reported 28.7% of owners have held on to it for over a decade, which is almost twice that of an average vehicle. The Toyota Sienna has all the luxury you would need in a family minivan. Prices start at $36,500 for a base model, ad it has a 2.5-liter hybrid-four-cylinder engine that produces 245 hp.
15 Built To Last: Ford Expedition
In a pleasant twist, Ford has a win with the Expedition. This car was first launched in 1997 and was meant to replace the Ford Bronco, it was also the first-ever SUV sold by Ford to come with a 4-door body construction.
The construction and mechanical components of the expedition heavily borrow from the F-150 which is one of the most reliable trucks ever made. This could be the reason why the Expedition generally lasts for over ten years without any major problems. The price might not be for everyone but the car is worth every dollar. A new model has a starting price of $54,315, with that you get a twin-turbo V6 engine with 380 horses, so it's rather rapid with a 0-60 time of 5.7 seconds.
14 Built To Last: Toyota Prius
The Toyota Prius was first introduced to the world in 1997 and was the first mass-produced hybrid vehicle in the world, but it's far from being the most beloved. From a purely objective point of view, the Prius is a sound car with more than 60% of first-generation Toyota Priuses still roadworthy today.
32% of owners have held on to their Prius for more than a decade, and they are unlikely to let go since the car is still as reliable as a new one. You are not likely to find another passenger car as reliable as the Toyota Prius. A 2022 base model Prius has a starting price of $26,100 and can manage up to 46 MPG at 75 mph.
13 Built To Last: Lexus RX Hybrid
A brand-spanking-new Lexus RX has just been revealed, and it keeps the same reputation as all its predecessors that were on the assembly line in 1998. The first-generation model had a 3.6-liter V6 engine, and thus far, there have been a couple of different iterations over the years with significant changes happening mainly to the exterior of the vehicle, but the most reliable version thereof has been those will mild-hybrid technology.
And at no surprise, almost 25% of RX buyers hold onto this SUV for more than ten years. The fact that it is an SUV and a reliable hybrid is a big selling point. The price starts at $49,795 which might be a little steep for some people, but it is worth it. Between its V6 engine and electric motor, the RX 450h can produce 308 hp, with equally as impressive acceleration for just a big SUV.
12 Built To Last: Honda Pilot (Will Last)
The Honda Pilot was first introduced to the market in 2002, and since then more than 27% of owners hold on to the Honda for at least ten years. Not only is it rather bulletproof, but is relatively affordable with a sticker price of $39,395 considering it comes fitted with the latest technological innovations by Honda, as well as a 3.5-liter V6 engine that produces 280 hp.
This is a car that won't cost you a fortune and will take you places for the next ten years. The pilot is the largest SUV from the car producer and is primarily aimed at the North American market with its 3-row offering. The Pilot's engine structure is similar to the one found in the Acura MDX and the Honda Odyssey, so in other words, there are 2 Honda vehicles on the list and they share many traits which contribute to the overall reliability.
11 Built To Last: Toyota Highlander Hybrid (Will Last)
The Toyota Highlander is also known as the Kluger and has been in production since 2001. The Kluger name came about when the company couldn't sell in Japan and Australia because of a trademark issue.
And for the first time on our list, we have a staggering 32% of original owners who held onto the Toyota Highlander for more than ten years, and looking at some statistics, it's easy to see why. It can get up to 30 MPG which is a remarkable achievement for an SUV of its size, and since it has a 3.5-liter direct-injected V6 engine that produces up to 295 hp, it's no such either. The 3-row utility space sets it apart from other SUVs in its segment, and with a starting price of $37,070, it's a bargain for what you will be getting.
10 Won't Last: Bentley Continental GT
A used Bentley Continental GT seems like a very tempting purchase, and for the most part, we'd have to agree with you, but underneath its gorgeous styling and potent V8 or W12 engine, is a plethora of problems and issues. The most common problems with the Continental all relate to the Bentley's electrical systems, fuel system, and worst of all, its engine. Now, please do keep in mind that a 2022 Continental GT costs anything from $346,000, so we'd say it's "less than optimal" to have these enormous issues with such an expensive car, and of course, these issues aren't cheap to resolve either.
9 Won't Last: Maserati Quattroporte
Ah, if you've ever wondered why Maseratis are selling for such low prices, especially the Quattroporte, look no further than this list. A new Quattroporte costs about $100,000, and in return, you'll receive an exquisitely styled Italian sedan powered by a Ferrari V8, but there's much more to it, unfortunately. According to getjerry.com, some of the most common issues found with the 2006 Quattroporte, in particular, were all rather catastrophic; these related to its brake system, electronics, and transmission. Once again, we have to put some emphasis on the fact that even back in 2006, a new Quattroporte cost north of $100,000, and these problems have yet to be addressed in the latest generation too.
8 Won't Last: Volvo XC90
We love the Volvo XC90; it's luxurious, gargantuan and if equipped with the hybrid technology, rather brisk on its feet too, but all can not be good, unfortunately. The 2016 model year of the XC90 has been the most problematic with issues arising like the automatic safety brakes activating on random occasions sometimes causing you to unsuspectingly brake check other drivers, other owners' infotainment screens would randomly either freeze or turn completely black, it was also reported that only one side of the car's ABS worked at times imitating the car swerving off in one direction. So, in other words, Volvo might be leading the world with its revolutionary safety technology, but that technology isn't always as precise as they'd hope.
7 Won't Last: Chrysler 200
The Chrysler 200 was first introduced to the mass market in 2011 and was a rebrand of the Chrysler Sebring which was also a controversial vehicle in its era. The base model 200 came with a 184-hp 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, but a 2.4-Liter V6 engine that produced 295 hp. The Chrysler 200 faced a short life span and was discontinued in 2017.
The car failed almost every tier of the JD Power's Study, no wonder it was discontinued after just 6 years of being on the market. Its only redeeming features seem to be its accessories. In 2017, it was given the lowest grade possible for predicted reliability, making it one of the worst cars of that year, yet this may not be enough to convince you that the vehicle will last more than ten years, but it is a sign of what to expect.
6 Won't Last: Fiat 500
Now, this one gets a bit tricky, so hold on. Initially, the Fiat 500 was just a gasoline-powered little hatchback with an optional electric variant called the 500e, but nowadays, the only 500 available is an electric one. So to clarify, we'll be talking about the previous generation of Fiat 500s. So, let's start with a little story. According to one consumer, the car served him well for the first four years without any major issues. The problem started in the fifth year when the car suddenly started making weird noise from underneath the hood. Mechanics couldn't diagnose the problem immediately but later found out it was a fault with the gasket. The owner had only traveled 39,000 miles with the Fiat 500.
You shouldn't necessarily expect any warning signs from this car either. Consumer Reports has cited power equipment, in-car electronics, brakes, and the engine as some of the common problems associated with the Fiat 500 - which are rather big issues if you ask us
5 Won't Last: Ford Focus
The Ford Focus used to be a very popular vehicle in North America. The car first hit the assembly line in 1998 and mainly targeted the European market, but once the third generation rolled around, it saw a sportier shift in design.
Ford has always had an issue with reliability and the Focus magnifies that weakness. A lot of users have complained about the fact that they have to replace the clutch from time to time, but not just that, there is also the issue of lag when shifting the gears which can become cumbersome in the long run, and then the cherry on the cake is that numerous Focus owners have also complained about display errors on the infotainment system.
4 Won't Last: Ford Fiesta
The Fiesta is the second Ford car on the list and its reliability issues are very similar to the Ford Focus. This car was first introduced to the public in 1976 and has been on the assembly line ever since, and there's used to be a large demand for the Fiesta in the UK because of its affordability as a base model for a price, but the newer generation has become vastly expensive overnight.
The previous generation Fiesta also has good fuel economy and can get you 27 MPG in the city and 37 MPG on the highway, however, Consumer Reports has cited transmission failure as one of the biggest complaints about the Ford Fiesta, and of course, just like the Ford Focus, there are also issues with the clutch.
3 Won't Last: Any Modern Land Rover
The Land Rover has been around for decades, which would make it seem like they produce reliable vehicles, and to be frank, they really used to back in the day. Their new products have slick designs and beautiful interiors which make it easy to ignore its glaring shortcomings. It is a perfect car for the person who would spend over $500 on designer jeans.
One of the major problems with Land Rover is that they consistently use new, largely untested technology. You are likely to experience leaks after only a couple of years of driving it, the window gears are also likely to fail in the long run, so you should be prepared for that as well, and the electrical systems' failure is another major problem that a lot of owners have reported. But like we said, old Land Products were near indestructible, and there's just one new Land Rover product that we have a feeling that might not implode after 10 years, that's the new Defender, but we'll have to wait and see.
2 Won't Last: Chrysler Town & Country
This minivan was in production from 1996 right up until 2016, a solid 20-year run. It has been ranked as one of the best-selling minivans of the last decade, but it was also featured on Consumer Reports' list of the least reliable vehicles for a couple of years with a two-star reliability rating.
The latest model had a 3.6-liter V6 engine that produced up to 282 hp and could average 25 MPG which is decent for a minivan. One of the main problems reported with the Chrysler Town & Country is an electrical system failure where the side doors tend to open and close themselves which can be extremely dangerous, and even worse was a problem with the body integrity of the car, with rattles and squeaks reported after only a couple of years of ownership.
1 Won't Last: Cadillac ATS
The Cadillac ATS is fairly a new vehicle on the market but has already gained a bad reputation when it comes to reliability. The car was first launched in 2013 and came with a 2.0-liter as the base engine and was eventually replaced in 2017 with a 3.6-liter V6 engine that produced 335 hp.
Cadillac has had reliability issues with their car models over the years and the ATS is no exception. The ATS has a transmission issue that the Cadillac Escalade also used to suffer from. It also reportedly suffers from major power equipment failures like the climate control feature malfunctioning. Correcting such varied problems is costly and makes this a hard car to own for more than ten years.