How does one define a reliable car? Let's start with the opposite actually, unreliability is defined as a consistent number of unplanned malfunctions, a fancy way of saying the car doesn't break down when you need it. Like a guard dog that's always watching the door, keeping you safe no matter the hour, a reliable car can be trusted no matter the location or time and a few car brands have built this bond over generations.
There are several lists out there that list the most reliable car brands, but the variance in data is astounding. Here we try to gather the most reasonable ones, and it's no surprise that the list is dominated by the Japanese, but it's not always that straightforward and there are many unreliable Japanese cars you should stay away from. There are a few surprises here and there, but a good brand is consistent across cars and the confidence in the name is what imparts us, the consumer, with trust.
10 Audi
As far as German brands go, Audi is one that is reliable, but you won't find many in this list. When it comes to reliability, it's best to have a simple car with few components, and this is where the base models of the A4 and A5 come in. And if you're looking for something a bit bigger, you can have a look at the most reliable Audi SUVs on the market.
The Audi A4 was named the UK's most reliable car in 2019, and it's good to see it's holding its own up to this day. Don't think that this is a stripped out car though, it still has a spacious interior, anti-lock brakes, and all the diagnostic software to make sure you don't break down on your next road trip.
9 Subaru
Think of all the rally driving pedigree Subaru has, and you'd be correct in guessing they make a very reliable car that crosses the finish line no matter what. The Japanese brand dominates the 4x4 and SUV space with the reliable Subaru CrossTrek but falls short when it comes to the Subaru Ascent, which is one of the least reliable cars out there, according to Forbes.
Odd to see that sort of variation in one brand, but sometimes the design is just faulty and there's not much to do. Overall, the brand is solid when it comes to build quality, and the Subaru Crosstrek is ready for your next off-road adventure. We also think that the Subaru Crosstrek is great value for money at only $24,995 making it one of the cheapest off-roaders out there.
8 Buick
It's a pleasant surprise to see an American brand on this list, and that too Buick. The brand speaks for itself with 159 problems per 100 cars, rivaling Kia, according to JD Power's 2023 vehicle dependability study. This confidence in this figure iincreases when we hear that Buick offers a generous 3 year/36,000-mile warranty and is up to 5 year/60,000 mile for the powertrain.
Buick has been good in the reliability space for a while now, with older Buicks known to last forever. Currently, the Buick Encore is their most reliable vehicle topping several top 10 lists, and it does not sacrifice any functionality, the Buick Encore GX is an excellent SUV for anyone looking to get an inexpensive car starting at only $27,795.
7 Suzuki
The Suzuki Swift is a nice compact vehicle with a good balance of power and practicality, it is also a very dependable vehicle, and we dearly wish the Suzuki Swift Sport was available in the States. Regardless, if you can get your hands on a second hand Suzuki Vitara then it won't cost much to buy or insure.
Suzuki's are known for being small and durable. Even their SUVs are mini, like the Suzuki Jimny, but exciting all the same. Just like all reliable brands though, there needs to be uniformity among all models, that's what the brand name stands for and Suzuki demonstrates that with its Suzuki Equator's reliability as well.
6 Mazda
The Mazda MX5 Miata is a great sports car specially for new buyers, besides its popular looks and lightweight body, it is a reliable car without question. This makes the car a great second hand pick and with many Mazda MX-5 models to consider. When you think of reliability, fun usually goes out the window, but Mazda keeps this balance alive.
Mazda's CX-5 has been a brand favorite, outselling every other model in 2021 combined, and now the 2023 Mazda CX-5 is in its 7th year of production. The Mazda MX-30 is also a solid EV offering but falls short due to its range, but the company does give a good warranty on most models so at least that's not a problem.
5 Kia
According to JD Power's 2023 vehicle dependability study, Kia ranks in the top 3 with fewer than 152 problems per 100 vehicles. For context, the industry average problems per 100 vehicles is about 186 and Land Rover comes in with 273, one of the worst ratings.
Kia achieves this score not only for one car, but multiple cars in different segments, the Kia Forte takes the compact segment, while the Kia Sportage takes the SUV segment. It is rated as the most reliable mass market brand for cars and has several electric options like the 2023 Kia EV6, the best performance electric car on the market. Just goes to show that reliability is not synonymous with simple and boring.
4 Hyundai
When it comes to JD Power, Hyundai vehicles have 170 problems per 100 vehicles, a figure below average but if we factor in some of the brand's new variants then it gives better support for the brand. Hyundai's IONIQ 5 was the World Car of the Year for 2022.
Now the IONIQ 6 has won the World Car of the Year, World Electric Vehicle of the Year, and World Car Design of the Year for 2023. Surely it is hard to be reliable while still making such strides in the design and powertrain departments, but the Japanese carmaker almost makes it look easy.
3 Lexus
It can be hard to believe that reliability goes with luxury, but if you're paying a lot of money for your car, you'd want it to last long, wouldn't you? Lexus is the brand with the least problems, topping the list with only 133 problems per 100 cars, hence Lexus is the most reliable car brand of 2022.
Lexus is what happens when you give Japanese engineers plentiful resources and money, the results are engineering perfection. Dominating the SUV segments with the 2023 Lexus GX and Lexus NX (for more premium buyers) this is the car of choice if you could only buy one car for everything, and these Lexus models would last forever.
2 Honda
The Honda Civic, everyone has owned, driven, or seen one. They seem to be everywhere, and they just don't break down. The Civic has an impressive overall rating of 82/100 from JD Power and is a favorite across the globe. The Civic is also one of the longest running car series out there, currently on its 11th iteration, so much so that it has its own most reliable Honda Civic generation.
Honda also has a reputation for being inexpensive and easy to maintain, falling well below average costs. A car brand can't be a good one with just one reliable car, so the Honda Insight and the Honda Fit prove that the brand is at the top, and we have previously written about the real reason why Honda makes the most reliable cars.
1 Toyota
There aren't many surprises as to who tops our list for the most reliable car brand out there. Even if you asked a caveman he would come up with the same answer, the Toyota Corolla is the best-selling car of 2022 with over 1 million units sold. It seems everyone is in on the secret.
Car magazines are often in contention regarding their reliability lists, but Toyota tops them all. It has been in production for over 50 years, and its reliability rating is 1st out of 36 in the compact cars list for Repair Pal. This makes the Toyota Corolla the longest lasting car out there, making it the benchmark for every other car when it comes to reliability.