Quality doesn’t always translate to profits in the auto industry. An automaker can spend lots of energy and resources into making a remarkable machine and fail to get the adequate recognition a car deserves. The recognition consumers give in return is in the form of money.
Car buyers can be extremely picky though. It’s understandable considering how expensive vehicles are and the enormity of the investment. With so many automobiles and brands out there, it can be a chore finding the right car.
Picking a car doesn’t always come from practical reasons though. Buyers often choose with their hearts. Many might argue that a Camaro is more fun to drive than a Camry. The only problem is it could end up costing buyers a lot more over time.
While packed with performance, a Camaro is more liable to maintenance issues over time when compared to a Camry. That’s the price owners pay for in buying a vehicle that adds up even more after the initial price tag. They’ll find they’re making several trips back to the mechanic they didn’t initially factor in the day they bought the car at a dealership.
No matter how much these cars empty out consumer’s wallets, they still buy them. On the other side of the aisle, there’re cars much more reliable that people aren’t chomping at the bit to own. Even though it makes sense from a financial perspective, to go with a reliable car that costs less to maintain, people want the exorbitantly priced ones. We’ve assembled a list of cars today that are reliable but selling low, along with ones people buy despite all the hidden bills they’ll have to pay down the line.
25 Less Reliable: Jaguar F-Pace
Jaguar is best known for their luxury sedans, less for their SUVs. According to Cheat Sheet, the F-Pace was the first SUV they came out with about two years ago. Though in a report by The Truth About Cars, the F-Pace managed to outsell—along with the XE model—the rest of Jaguar's lineups back in May 2016.
Consumer Reports, as per The Truth About Cars, didn’t look too favorably on the vehicle’s reliability though. Despite any questions surrounding the vehicle’s reliability, the F-Pace still performs in sales figures.
24 Reliable: BMW i3
The BMW i3 makes many car enthusiasts stare, point and laugh. That shouldn’t deter buyers from considering its durability over the long term. Granted, its price tag up front could scare away potential buyers, which might explain its slower sales. U.S. News reports that it notches a 3.5 out of 5 in terms of reliability, just barely above the average.
The unique handling of this smaller car also offers drivers a fun driving experience on top of it all.
23 Less Reliable: Tesla Model S
Loyal Tesla fans will take issue with this next one. As much as it pains one to dissect the latest auto world’s darling, the Tesla Model S hasn’t been unanimously beloved. The site What Car? reports that 38% of owners admitted to problems involving the bodywork and electric motors themselves.
These cars continue to sell well though in spite of the number of reports. These cars offer style, performance, and status, so it’s easy for many to accept any supposed dependability issues.
22 Reliable: Honda Ridgeline
The Honda Ridgeline deserves better than this. In a market dominated by the Ford F150 and Toyota Tacoma, Honda’s pickup entry has more going for it than sales figures suggest.
One of the things going against the Ridgeline, as U.S. News points out, is the price tag. A starting price of $29,730 stands above many other competitive offerings. Though the same source gave it a 4 out of 5 score when it comes to reliability, which makes it worthy of higher sales.
21 Less Reliable: Fiat 500
The Fiat 500 is a little car with a big problem: it’s not that reliable. At least, that’s what Consumer Reports says, according to Yahoo, which lists the Fiat 500 as one of the least reliable cars last year.
Despite this undesirable title, the car still sells and intrigues buyers for its compact design. The same source notes that Consumer Reports runs tests on over 640,000 cars, believing that the Fiat 500 would likely end up costing owners more in repair bills.
20 Reliable: Mercedes-Benz GLA
The Mercedes-Benz GLA take SUVs to a new level, but it’s one car buyers aren’t showing an interest in. Not only do these cars offer luxury, but fewer trips to the repair shop. According to U.S. News, the GLA made it near the top in its segment when it comes to predicted reliability.
The same source notes that sales dropped in 2017 though, which appears to indicate a general lack of interest. Although it costs a lot at the front end, it’ll end up saving owners maintenance costs.
19 Less Reliable: Chevrolet Camaro
As alluded to in the introduction, it was inevitable such a beloved car that also happens to be a household name would appear on this list. For many, any cons against it—including reliability issues—aren’t enough to overturn its pros.
Cheat Sheet notes that owners have reported issues with its electronics and drive system. Being integral parts of a vehicle, one can only imagine what those problems created for owners. The Camaro has too strong of a reputation for it to damage its sales figures though.
18 Reliable: Volkswagen Tiguan
The Volkswagen Tiguan is worthy of consumer's consideration when it comes to compact SUVs on the market today. U.S. News branded it with an impressive 4 out of 5 reliability score, suggesting owners can worry less about maintenance expenses. They even report that it got a makeover in 2018, making it more appealing than ever.
The starting price is only $24,595. Despite the positive marks in cost, reliability over the long-term and standing out as a great family SUV option, Tiguan sales fall short compared to the competition.
17 Less Reliable: Volvo XC90
The Volvo XC90 looks like a competent SUV from its features to its performance. CarSalesBasenotes the sales figures at 2,499 XC90 units selling in November this year, showing an interest in this vehicle. Many will find it hard to swallow though that 53% of XC90 owners, according to the site What Car?, report issues.
The same source notes they’re related to the vehicle’s electronics and software, which can become complex. While the warranty should amend these issues at first, there’s no telling what it could cost owners when the coverage is up.
16 Reliable: Kia Cadenza
The Kia Cadenza is a large-sized sedan that’s great all-around. U.S. News reports that rival offerings like the 2018 Dodge Charger continue to outsell the Cadenza, making this an overlooked money-saver. The same source gives the Cadenza an above-average score of 4 out of 5 in reliability.
While it may not have the signature styling or performance of a Charger, it’s going to offer longevity that could save owners money in the long run. It’s easier to imagine taking the family out for a drive in one of these than it is in a Charger.
15 Less Reliable: Jeep Wrangler
The Wrangler is one of Jeep’s bestselling vehicles. In a report by GoodCarBadCar, the Wrangler landed in second with 190,522 units sold for 2017 after the Cherokee. Despite the loyal fanbase though, some advise staying from one of Jeep’s most lucrative offerings.
Consumer Reports lists four recalls concerning the 2018 model that relate to its steering, electrical wiring, and automatic powertrains. Although Jeep brought some improvements to the vehicle, they note that it also continues to offer owners a rough ride.
14 Reliable: Acura RDX
Those in the market for an SUV ought to consider the Acura RDX. While it’s not the cheapest option out there, especially compared to popular vehicles like the Subaru Outback, it does offer longevity.
According to U.S. News, they made the 2017 Acura RDX model a finalist in their list of "Best Luxury Compact SUV for the money award.” This factors in the value of the car over the time of ownership, which accounts for potential repair and maintenance costs.
13 Less Reliable: Mercedes-Benz E-Class
The E-Class is a magnificent-looking car that offers luxury and performance all in one bundle. U.S. News ranked the 2018 model high up the list in luxury midsize cars. It managed to impress on the luxury side especially, with the interior boasting comfort and style.
They couldn’t say the same about its reliability though. That ended up with a 2.5 out of 5 in reliability, which might deter buyers from taking the dive. With over 5,000 units sold in November 2018 though, as CarSalesBase details, sales aren’t showing signs of letting up.
12 Reliable: Lexus ES
The Lexus ES may turn off car enthusiasts, but it’s one the general public will value for its reliability. U.S. News made it the “Best Luxury Midsize Car for the Money,” which speaks to the car’s ability to stand the test of time.
The source notes that the award factors in both the ES's quality and value. With sales falling last year, people aren’t lining up to take these off dealer’s hands, making many wonder why it’s not attracting interest.
11 Less Reliable: Jaguar XE
With Jaguars getting heat for their dependability, it’s only natural this ride ended up on the wrong side of this list. While the cars offer luxury and performance, a large constituent of owners have reported issues.
According to the site What Car?, 44% XEs had trouble with its engine, suspension, and steering. The Truth About Cars reported that in May 2016, when the entry-level XE hit the streets, it shared 58% of Jaguars’ sales for that month with the F-Pace. That shows how popular this car was despite its reliability.
10 Reliable: Mazda 6
The Mazda 6 deserves more credit than it gets. The sales aren’t abysmal, though one would expect it to perform better considering its price and what it has to offer. In addition to being cheaper than many other cars in its class, as BMW Blog reports, it’s also reliable.
That dependability has been part of Mazda’s reputation as an automaker and is often overlooked when it comes to sports cars. On top of it all, the car looks good too.
9 Less Reliable: Tesla Model X
Not one, but two Tesla models managed to make it on the wrong side of this list. It’s worth noting, however, that Tesla makes incredible cars. It just appears that the Model X is off to a bumpy start, though that’s no reflection on the entire brand or even the car itself.
According to Consumer Reports, as per Cheat Sheet, the problems owners experience seems limited to the body integrity and hardware. One can extend grace when they consider the fact that it is a beautiful car with impressive engineering.
8 Reliable: Kia Sedona
Out of all the underrated cars on this list, one could make an argument the Kia Sedona gets what it deserves. According to U.S. News, these minivans ranked low on their scores, which could explain their low sales of late.
Nevertheless, these minivans have reasonable price tags and scored an above-average reliability rating by U.S. News. They also make note of the warranty, with basic coverage up to five years or 60,000 miles and an even longer one for the powertrain.
7 Less Reliable: Honda Odyssey
The Honda Odyssey is a popular minivan today. The sales figures say it all. According to CarSalesBase, despite the number steadily falling since 2015, Honda sold over 100,000 last year. The poorer reliability hasn’t scared off buyers though.
Consumer Reports added it to their annual list of reliable cars in 2018, noting owners’ trouble with the push-button gear selector and infotainment screen. Honda tends to get a bad rap among car enthusiasts, who will feel justified seeing the Odyssey make this list.
6 Reliable: Kia Rio
The Kia Rio is an affordable sedan that car buyers aren’t interested in, at least compared to what else is out there. U.S. News reports that sales have seen an improvement lately, though it’s still falling behind compared with the top sellers in its segment.
If there’s one criticism against it, the exterior design would have to be it, especially in the front. Most remarkable of all though is its reliability, which U.S. News scored an astounding 4.5 out of 5.