When shopping for a family car, the four main factors that come into play are usually price, interior space, reliability, and safety ratings. Those who have owned an older car before will also say that reliability is equally important. After all, a car is the second most expensive purchase people make in their lives, so they mustn't end up stuck with one that won't start in the morning or, even worse, a car that will leave you stranded on the side of the road.
Thankfully, manufacturers are making cars with better reliability ratings than ever before. These cars are designed to maintain high-performance levels for years with minimal trips to the repair shop, apart from routine maintenance trips. The following are ten of the most reliable family cars of the year.
10 Subaru Outback
When it comes to reliability, there's a lot going for the Subaru Outback. For one, it's made by Subaru, which is known for producing some of the most reliable vehicles in the world. The Outback platform is also a tested and proven success; in fact, Subaru reports that 98 percent of all Outbacks sold in the last decade are still on the road today.
Some of the potential trouble categories where the Outback's reliability scores have excelled include transmission problems, major and minor engine issues, drive and fuel systems, climate system, electric system, engine cooling, brakes, and exhaust system.
9 Lexus RX Hybrid
If there's one thing that Lexus does exceptionally well, it's building reliable vehicles. The 2020 RX Hybrid is an excellent example of why a growing number of Americans love the Japanese automaker, with its U.S. News predicted reliability rating of five out of five. Save for a few electrical issues that are quick and easy to fix, the RX Hybrid boasts excellent build quality and will provide reliable service for many years.
The car also features an updated infotainment interface, an upscale interior, spacious seating space, and excellent gas mileage, making it one of the best performing family vehicle.
8 BMW X3
One of the worst things about owning German cars has always been high maintenance costs. Many German luxury brands are known for producing complicated vehicles prone to costly breakdowns. However, that's not always the case, as the BMW X3 proves.
The 2020 X3 quashes this stereotype by having one of the highest reliability ratings in the luxury compact SUV class. Every component is built to last and works in harmony with others to give the owner excellent service for years. Beyond that, the X3 has a spacious cabin adorned with luxury materials, tons of cargo space, and the latest automotive safety technologies.
7 Toyota Prius
The Toyota Prius has enjoyed a reputation for outstanding reliability since its introduction two decades ago. Though the Prius is one of the cheapest vehicles on this list, that doesn't stop it from being one of the most reliable. It is easy to drive, elegant, and offers a comfortable and quiet cabin.
However, as with any car, there are bound to be problems. Some Prius owners complain about headlights turning off on their own, burning excessive oil, and the windshield cracking more easily than it should. But for the most part, the Toyota Prius is a reliable car.
6 Chevrolet Equinox
Unlike the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox that was known to have major engine issues before hitting 100,000 miles on the odometer, the 2020 Equinox has received widespread praise for its excellent build quality and unmatched reliability. According to J.D. Power, the 2020 Equinox has the lowest rate of defects, malfunctions, and design flaws reported by owners in its class.
People shopping for a family car will also like that the 2020 Equinox has excellent crash test ratings, a user-friendly infotainment system, and a long list of standard safety technologies like lane keep assist and pre-collision braking.
5 Cadillac XT5
The XT5 is one of Cadillac's best-selling compact SUVs, and it's easy to see why. This car checks all the boxes of what a family car should have, including pleasing seats, a comfortable ride, plenty of passenger and cargo space, and excellent fuel economy.
Another standout trait of the XT5 is its excellent predicted reliability. Thanks to its steady handling, smooth ride, and suspension system that handles corners and winding roads well, the XT5 can provide years of excellent service free from wallet-draining repairs.
4 Toyota C-HR
The bold-looking 2020 Toyota C-HR may be all-new on the surface, but deep down, it uses the tried and tested platform that has made it one of the most reliable cars of the last decade. It is designed to be light and robust, which helps sharpen the ride and handling while providing a tough cage in a collision.
When building the C-HR, Toyota used the highest-quality parts they could squeeze in for the price, many of which were lifted from other top-performing models in its lineup. For example, the engine and gearbox used in the C-HR come from the Prius and have the same technology and mechanics that make it one of the best hybrid engines in existence.
3 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
The latest Toyota Highlander Hybrid does many things well, but one thing best; reliably getting families where they need to go. With a U.S. News predicted reliability rating of 4.5 out of five, the 2020 Highlander Hybrid has the highest reliability ratings in the hybrid and electric SUVs class and better than most vehicles in general.
On top of that, the Highlander Hybrid has comfortable seating, a compliant ride quality, and excellent fuel economy that does not come at the expense of acceleration. Toyota also offers an all-wheel-drive version of the Highlander Hybrid, which is perfect for families that drive in hazardous weather or love off-roading.
2 Toyota Corolla
Traditionally, one of the main reasons to buy any Toyota has always been reliability. The Corolla has a lot to do with this, as it has been the best-selling Toyota car in the US for decades. Consumer Reports gives the latest Corolla a five out of five ratings in predicted reliability, indicating a low likelihood of unexpected repair issues.
Unlike past versions of the Corolla that had reliability issues due to excessive oil usage, the 2020 Corolla has fantastic gas mileage and comes equipped with tons of driver assistance features.
1 Hyundai Santa Fe
There's a lot to love about the Hyundai Santa Fe when shopping for a family car; it's spacious, fuel-efficient, fair-priced, and with an outstanding U.S. News reliability rating of 4.5 out of 5, it's highly unlikely to break down when needed most. This crossover SUV will go for tens of thousands of miles without needing trips to a repair shop except for routine tasks like oil changes, tires brakes, and scheduled tune-ups.
The Santa Fe also has a swath of family-friendly attributes such as a well-built interior, comfortable ride quality, and various advanced driver assistance systems.