According to recent U.S. consumer statistics, more owners prefer holding on to their vehicles longer, meaning long-term dependability is more critical now than ever. Regarding sports car dependability, some automakers are performing better than others at preventing exterior, interior, mechanical, and electrical problems from occurring. Interestingly, findings from a 2022 J.D. Power U.S. Initial Quality Study suggests that owners of mass market sports cars tend to experience fewer problems, while infotainment systems have proven the most problematic area.
On the other hand, luxury automotive brands that stuff a lot of budding technology in their sports cars rank toward the bottom of the 2022 Consumer Reports Auto Reliability Report. We gathered and analyzed the data from both Consumer Reports and J.D. Power to determine which brands made it into the leaders' pack. If you're in the market for a new sports car, here is a list of the most reliable models to buy in 2022.
10 Toyota GR Supra
The GR Supra is Toyota's halo sports car, built with the same platform, engine, running gear, gearbox, and interior components as the contemporary BMW Z4. The entry-level 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder offers 255hp and 295lb-ft of torque, but most gearheads would adore the ferocious 3.0-liter BMW straight-six that delivers 382hp and 367lb-ft of torque.
The BMW influence gets illustrated in J.D. Power's fair score of 61 out of 100 for quality and reliability, but Consumer Reports still expects the 2022 Supra GR to have about average reliability. Nonetheless, the Toyota brand has consistently delivered reliable cars in recent years, evidenced by its high ranking in the Consumer Reports reliability report (3rd) and J.D. Power's dependability study (4th).
9 Subaru BRZ
Besides affordability, the BRZ's small size, low seating position, impressive agility, and vivid steering feedback make it a compelling competitor to the long-standing MX-5 Miata. The BRZ houses an eager 2.4-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder that produces 228hp and 184lb-ft of torque.
Consumer Reports expects the Subaru BRZ's reliability to be about average compared to other new cars, which coincides with J.D. Power's average quality and reliability rating of 78 out of 100. However, Consumer Reports ranks the Subaru brand 7th overall for reliability, a sharp contrast with J.D. Power's study, which ranks the brand outside the top 20.
8 Ford Mustang
Available with unique high-performance options, numerous appearance packages, and coupe or convertible body styles, the Ford Mustang delivers pony car thrills for almost every personality and lifestyle. Mustang engine options include a 310-330hp turbocharged four-cylinder or a beefy V-8 with 460-480hp, depending on the model.
Although Consumer Reports expects the 2022 Mustang to be less reliable than the average new car based on 2019 and 2020 data, J.D. Power awarded the 2020 Mustang a great quality and reliability score of 88 out of 100. Interestingly, the Blue Oval brand features 16th in J.D. Power's 2022 vehicle dependability study and 18th in Consumer Report's 2022 reliability rankings.
7 Chevrolet Camaro
Regardless of the few shortcomings, the Camaro is undoubtedly one of the highest performing and best handling muscle cars on the market. Chevrolet offers the Camaro with four engine options; 275hp 2.0-liter turbo-four, 335hp 3.6-liter V-6, 455hp 6.2-liter V-8, and a 650hp 6.2-liter supercharged V-8.
While Consumer Reports advises that the 2022 Camaro will be less reliable than other new cars based on Chevrolet's brand history, J.D. Power awards it a great score of 85 out of 100 for quality and reliability. The Chevrolet brand occupied the 10th slot in J.D. Power's dependability study and 14th in Consumer Report's reliability rankings.
6 Dodge Challenger
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You'll be hard-pressed to find a modern sports car on par with the Challenger, thanks to its impressive acceleration, family-friendly accommodations, world-class infotainment tech, and spacious trunk. The base Challenger houses a potent 303hp V-6, but Dodge offers several V-8 options ranging from 375hp to 807hp.
Regarding its reliability, Consumer Reports expects the 2022 Challenger to have about average reliability based on data collected on previous models and the impressive history of the Dodge brand. Additionally, the 2022 Dodge Challenger received an impressive J.D. Power score of 88 out of 100 for quality and dependability.
5 Hyundai Veloster N
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The Veloster N is still relatively fresh in the hot-hatch scene, three years since its debut, offering an exceedingly dynamic driving experience to match the youthful styling. Under the hood sits a delightful 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that pairs to a standard six-speed manual or optional eight-speed dual-clutch automatic to generate 275hp and 260lb-ft of torque.
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According to J.D. Power, the Hyundai Veloster N ranked third for dependability in the compact sporty car segment, while Consumer Reports expects about average reliability. As a brand, Consumer Reports ranks Hyundai 11th overall in reliability among major automotive brands. In contrast, J.D. Power's dependability study generously ranks Hyundai as the third most reliable brand after Kia and Buick.
4 Lexus RC F
For the majority, the RC F is not a class-leading sports coupe since performance and handling fail to measure up to rivals such as the BMW M4, Audi RS5, and Mercedes-AMG C63 S. However, the RC F's monstrous 5.0-liter V-8 still pulls on enthusiasts' heartstrings. Lexus coupled the engine to an eight-speed automatic transmission to churn out a respectable 472hp and 395lb-ft of torque.
J.D. Power awarded the 2022 RC range a great quality and reliability score of 88 out of 100, with Consumer Reports expecting the models to have about average reliability compared to other new cars. The Lexus brand performed relatively well in the Consumer Reports reliability ranking and the J.D. Power dependability study, ranking 1st and 6th, respectively.
3 Lexus LC
The LC series is arguably one of the boldest, most stunning models in the Lexus lineup, continuing to turn heads and look just as fresh as when it debuted. Lexus offers the LC with a sonorous 5.0-liter V-8, paired with a smooth 10-speed automatic transmission to belt out 471hp and 398lb-ft of torque. The hybrid variant features a 3.5-liter V-6 which combines with a pair of electric motors and a 1.1 kWh lithium-ion battery to deliver 354hp.
Consumer Reports expects the 2022 LC to have about average reliability, but J.D. Powers offers a clearer direction with a great quality and reliability score of 86 out of 100. Although J.D. Power's dependability study ranked the Lexus brand 6th overall for reliability, data from Consumer Reports auto reliability rankings suggest that Lexus is the most reliable brand to own in 2022.
2 Porsche 911
For almost six decades, the legendary 911 has continuously set the bar for performance and handling to become one of the best sports cars on the market. The 911 boasts a rear-mounted 3.0-liter twin-turbo flat-six-cylinder engine that generates between 379hp and 473 hp, depending on the model choice.
Surprisingly, J.D. Power rated the Porsche 911 as the most dependable model in its 2022 vehicle dependability study, highlighted by the great quality and reliability score of 85 out of 100. Based on previous models and Porsche's brand history, Consumer Reports maintains that the 2022 911 will have about average reliability. J.D. Power ranked the Porsche brand 7th in its dependability study, while Consumer Reports listed the German brand 13th overall.
1 Mazda MX-5 Miata
The MX-5 Miata stays true to its original formula, delivering remarkable driving thrills and drop-top fun at one of the most affordable price points. The M-5 Miata features a spunky naturally aspirated 2.0-liter inline-four paired to a satisfying six-speed manual to generate 181hp and 151lb-ft of torque.
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According to J.D. Power's 2022 dependability study, the MX-5 Miata was the highest-ranked compact sporty car. On the other hand, Consumer Reports ranked the MX-5 Miata 6th overall for reliability across all segments with a perfect 5 out of 5 predicted reliability score. Despite barely missing out on J.D. Power's top 10 dependability rankings, the Mazda brand moved up the Consumer Reports auto reliability rankings to claim the second spot overall.