There's no doubt that Italy has been a giant in the automotive industry for decades. From Ferrari, Lamborghini, and Maserati to Alfa Romeo and Fiat, Italy has produced some of the most iconic cars ever made. However, because the '70s generation of cars from these brands got stereotyped as unreliable, many people believe that there weren't many reliable cars from Italy.
The truth is, there are plenty of reliable Italian cars that are in production today, and tons of good ones from the past that are reliable, and available at prices that are more accessible than ever before. This list is about those cars, the mistaken Italian beauties that deserve recognition for their performance and dependability.
9 Maserati Merak SS
Maserati produced this classic supercar between 1972 and 1983, and it's famous for its strong engine and beautiful body style. There are many reviews from owners saying that the durability of this car surprised them and that besides keeping to regular maintenance, there were no serious issues.
Many people love this car because it's so beautiful, but what truly makes it a great choice is its use. It's easy to drive, great to look at, and has plenty of room for both passengers and more cargo space than a modern supercar. Even though it's a supercar, it is one of the most reliable old-school supercars ever made.
8 Fiat 500
The Fiat 500 is another popular Italian car that many people used for their daily commute or weekend drives. This model was first introduced in 1957 as an economical vehicle for city dwellers who needed something compact.
When Fiat created this car, they showed the world how to build a reliable car. They used a simple recipe for making this car, and that's why it is so reliable, even by today's standards. Many of them are still going even today, and we love how unique and special this car is.
7 Fiat 124 Spider
The Fiat 124 Spider is a classic Italian sports car, and it's also the most reliable Italian car ever made. Fiat first manufactured it from 1966 to 1984, and they have used it in many racing series.
The best part is that these cars are plentiful, so parts are everywhere, and they are cheap. If something breaks down on your car (and let's face it, something will break down), then it will be easy for your mechanic (or yourself) to find replacement parts at any auto shop near your house or workplace without having to order them online first.
6 Fiat X1/9
If you're looking for something more exclusive and exotic, the Fiat X1/9 is another great option that won't disappoint.
The car has a sleek design that makes it stand out from other cars on the road, but it also has the same simple engineering as the 124 making it easy to fix and reliable.
5 Lancia Delta Integrale
It might come as a surprise to some, but the Lancia Delta Integrale is one of the most reliable Italian cars ever made. How so? Because Lancia designed it to be a rally car, which meant it had to be strong and rugged enough to handle a lot of abuse, so they created it with strong internals and durable parts.
This rally bred beast is an example of refined performance and reliability that has evolved out of racing divisions.
4 Fiat Panda
The Fiat Panda has been around since 1980, but it's still going strong. It's even called "the most reliable car in the world" by some people.
Fiat has sold the Panda all over Europe, as well as parts of Africa, Asia, and South America, but originally not to the States. You can now find them on U.S. soil because many people have imported them.
3 Alfa Romeo Spider
The Alfa Romeo Spider is one of the most reliable Italian cars ever made, which might shock some because Alfa has a big reputation for making unreliable cars.
However, this is not the case with the Spider, as this car has given happy owners tons of reliable miles. Some of these cars have taken part in modern-day rallies and are being kept by proud owners who say it's the best car they ever owned.
2 Fiat Uno
Fiat started building the Uno from 1983, and it is still in production in some parts of the world today, which proves just how much this recipe for simplicity works. It has a 1.2-liter engine that can produce up to 63 horsepower, which is enough power for most drivers' needs at the time, and it has a manual transmission.
It's still popular today because it has a basic design, and it's easy to maintain.
1 Alfa Romeo Brera
The Brera is a beautiful, reliable Italian car made by Alfa Romeo. This car is available in a sedan body style, which got built from 2005 to 2010.
This car is reliable because it already has a long lifespan and doesn't need much maintenance, as mentioned by the owners of this beauty. It's easy to repair when something goes wrong, and replacement parts are cheap. The engine is strong, so you can expect this car to run smoothly for many years.