Insanely Reliable Cars You Can Drive Through The Decades
Of all the things you want to have in a car, reliability is one of the key traits. No matter how fast, comfortable, or capable a car is, it is not good if it gets you stranded on the side of a road. If you want to buy a car that you can trust your life with, this list has sedans, hatchbacks, SUVs, and even sports cars that are extremely reliable.
There are a lot of things that make a car reliable. Commonly, the car models that have been in production for a long time tend to be more reliable as the automakers have perfected the production process over many years. So, let's check out some insanely reliable cars that you can drive your entire life!
Toyota Land Cruiser - The Most Reliable Car Ever
There's no way a list of the most reliable cars can start with anything other than the Land Cruiser. This is the longest-running nameplate of Toyota and has proven its worth over and over again. If you want to go on a world tour on a four-wheeler, this is the car you need.
The impeccable reliability of this car boils down to two things: simplicity and over-engineering. Toyota uses a big old V8 to power this car, an engine that has the least number of parts that can break or otherwise go wrong. On top of that, Toyota purposefully overengineers all the components of this full-size SUV from the suspension to the crankshaft to minimize the chances of anything giving up.
Dodge Challenger - Performance Baked in Dependability
If you want a car that is American and fun to drive yet totally reliable, the Challenger is the one you want to get. The great thing about the Challenger is that there's one for everyone. You can get this car with engines from 300 to 840 horsepower.
Not a lot needs to be said about this car. Dodge is a company committed to performance and excellence, and this is just another product of that dedication. The benefit you get by choosing this car over the other reliable ones is that you can use it as a family hauler Monday to Friday and shred the tarmac on weekends.
Toyota Prius - Good for you, Good for the Planet
If you want a car that doesn't give up, is economical to drive, and is less harmful to the environment, this is the one you want. The Prius was the first car that brought hybrid driving to the masses. There were many other competitors, too, but what made this car a massive success for Toyota was its reliability.
The way Toyota has put together the intricate system of three motors and a combustion engine in this car is a really good example of engineering excellence. Toyota gives a 400,000 kilometers warranty on the electric part of the powertrain of the Prius, so you'll have no issue owning this car for a decade.
Mercedes A45 - The Reliable Hot Hatch
Who says reliable cars need o to be boring? If you want to have fun driving around in the city and need a car that has a next to zero chance of dying on you, the A45 is the best option.
It will cost you a bit more than other hatches on the market, but the thing is, this car is comfortable, fun to drive, and highly reliable. All you need to do is keep it in a good state of tune and change the engine oil regularly, and this car will be with you for a good time and for a long time.
Toyota Yaris - Bare-Bones Reliability
Yes, you'll see many Japanese cars on this list, and for a good reason. The Japanese have an obsession with perfection, which is why they make some of the most reliable cars money can buy. The Yaris is just another example of that.
The small 1.5L 4 banger under the cute little hood of this car puts out just over 100hp. I never said this car is fun to drive; it is not. What is it? It is the most reliable car that you can buy for 20 grand. The interior is not particularly luxurious, but it won't cause problems for city driving.
Honda Civic - Made for Humans
Honda makes the Civic for a very specific subset of the market: Humans. This car has everything an average person needs to travel. All the seats have enough room for people over 6 feet in height, the trunk is large enough to fit all your luggage, and it is reasonably comfortable to drive.
On the reliability side of things, there are two factors contributing to the reliability of this car. Firstly, Honda follows strict QC standards to make sure no faulty unit makes it out of the assembly plant, and secondly, they have been making this car for a long time and have just perfected every single detail of it.
Toyota Camry - Toyota's Accord With Excellence
If you want Toyota reliability in an executive sedan instead of an SUV or a hatchback, the Camry is the one you want to buy. With up to a V6 engine under the hood and available hybrid powertrains, the Camry is a pretty capable car.
Inside you'll find all the little amenities and features that you need in a car for daily use. The fuel economy is excellent, and most importantly, this is one of the most reliable cars on the market.
Toyota Tundra - A Truck You Can Live Out Of
Reliable cars and SUVs are not the only things we need; we need trucks too. In the realm of full-size pickup trucks, the Tundra enjoys a respectable position. It is not as comfortable as some of the American ones because trucks are the domain of the Americans, and they know how to make them even better than the Japanese.
What's great about this truck is that it has a V8 (same as the one in the LC200) under the hood, and there are examples of people getting a million miles out of this engine without a remake. It also has a huge 10,200lbs towing capacity. All in all, if you want a reliable workhorse, this is a good option.
Honda Accord - The Best Honda Ever
If you want something a bit more powerful and upscale than the Civic, Honda has the Accord for you. It is one of the best-selling cars in the North American market and for a good reason. For one, the Accord offers all the quirks and features you want from a daily driver. Secondly, Honda has a reputation for making some of the most reliable cars.
However, you cannot expect the magic carpet ride from this car like a Bentley or an S-Class. What this vehicle does promise is that you'll come back home seven days a week without needing a tow truck.
Honda Ridgeline - In a Category of its Own
First things first, this is a confusing vehicle. It looks like a pickup truck, but the inside is more like a minivan, with lots of head and legroom and comfortable seats. It has an AWD system, but it is not the best one. We can agree on calling it a minivan with a truck bed.
In terms of reliability, it is in the same league as the Accord and Civic. It has a consumer reports reliability score of 4 out of 5, which is considered a fairly good one.
Toyota Corolla - Best-Selling Car of all time
If a car is named the best-selling car in the world, it better be reliable, and the Corolla is. Toyota is averaging a Corolla sale every 15 seconds, and people are buying it because it gets the job done and doesn't have you stranded on the road.
There's nothing fun about owning or driving a Corolla. It is a pretty boring car with the top-of-the-line model having under 200 horsepower. However, the car is sufficiently comfortable to drive and travel in and has a reasonable boot.
Mercedes G63 AMG - A Lot of Presence
They made this vehicle back in 1979 for the military, and it is still in the same shape. People love this SUV for its ridiculously powerful engines and immense off-road capabilities, though most owners almost never take it to the trail.
A lot of people think that the G-Wagon is not very reliable, and I agree. That is the case with the V12 models. If you want a reliable German SUV, the G-Wagon is the most viable option. It is definitely not as reliable as the Land Cruiser, but it will not disappoint you if you take good care of it.
Lexus LFA - The Best Supercar
It would not be an overstatement to say that the LFA is one of the best supercars ever. It is the car that told the world Lexus means business. Apart from sick looks and insane performance, it has a Yamaha tuned exhaust that channels the engine sound into the driver's ears and that sound is reminiscent of F1, the best sound for any gearhead.
Considering Toyota designed and built this car as the halo car for Lexus, they spared no expense in making this car reliable in addition to being all the good things it is. However, the trouble is, only 500 were ever made so you'll have a hard time getting one.
Mazda Miata - Small, Cute, Capable
If you want a fun little sports car that won't break the bank, the Mazda MX5, aka Miata, is the best option. It might look small, but the Miata has all of the qualities that make for a good car. The 4 cylinder motor under its hood puts out 181 hp. That might not look like a lot but combine that with the 2,400lb curb weight and 50/50 weight distribution, and you have a pretty capable car.
Talking of its reliability, the Miata has had a 5 out of 5 reliability score from consumer reports since 2018. You cannot buy a sports car under $30,000 with that kind of reliability, period.
BMW Z4 - The Car Under the Skin of the New Supra
If you want pure German sports car performance with impeccable reliability, the Z4 is a good proposition. I'll not bore you with the specs and stats. Just know this: Toyota chose this car to base the new Supra on. If Toyota can believe in the reliability of this car, you can too.
J.D Power gave this car a reliability score of 75/100, which is classified as above average. Other than being reliable, this car has some serious looks and amazing driving characteristics.
Nissan 370Z - Descendant of the Fairlady
If the GT-R's $180,000 price tag is a bit too much for you to spend on a car, Nissan has another option for you. The 370Z is the latest offering in Nissan's Legendary Z lineup. With a V6 putting out 332 horsepower and all other bells and whistles, the 370Z is a fun-to-drive car.
The Z lineup has been in production in 1969, the days of every tuner's sweetheart Fairlady Z. Nissan has perfected the art of making Zs, and that is reflected in the reliability of this car. The brand is not very reliable overall, but the Zs perform well in that space.
Bugatti Chiron - More Than Just Reliable
Bugattis do not participate in reliability score surveys, but how often do you see this asphalt assassin waiting for a tow truck on the side of a freeway? That reliability, however, comes at a price. Other than the $3.4 million sticker price, you have to spend $25,000 a year to maintain this car.
A set of tires for this thing will cost you more than $50,000. All that money pays off when you put the pedal to the metal in this beast of a 1500hp car. It is faster than a Formula 1 car, what else do you need?
Kia Rio - Minimalist and Reliable
If you don't mind driving a clumsy vehicle that is reliable, the Rio is for you. This particular model has not participated in any reliability, but the brand Kia finished at 7th place in a reliability ranking of 31 automakers.
What's even better is that if the Rio does break down, it comes with an industry-leading seven years or 100,000 miles warranty, so you won't be paying for the repairs most of the time.
Buick Regal - From America's Oldest Automaker
Buick is one of the oldest American automakers and is one of the companies that started General Motors. Buicks are known for never demanding any major repair and being reliable and dependable.
The Regal stands at the 7th position out of the 24 mid-size sedans ranked for reliability by Repair Pal. The 4/5 reliability rating of this car is considered to be above average. The car is also fun to drive with the 310hp engine and athletic handling.
Hyundai Elantra - South Korean Perfection
The second good thing to come from South Korea after Samsung is Hyundai. Though not one of the main automakers in the world, this automaker is known for making cars that last a good long time.
The Elantra is a compact sedan from this Korean manufacturer that scores 4.5/5 in reliability from Repair Pal. It got the 8th position out of the 36 compact sedans tested by Repair Pal. The car is adequately capable, too, with a 147hp engine under the hood.
BMW 750i - Luxury and Reliability
One of the things that you have to sacrifice when you opt for a car with luxury and performance is reliability. Don't expect the cars of this class to be as reliable as the economy cars from Toyota and Honda.
In the class where the 750i belongs, it is a pretty reliable one with a 3.5/5 reliability rating. The good news is, BMW offers 50,000 miles or 4 years warranty on this car. If you are buying this thing, you'll most probably change it in 4 years, so even if it does break, it's on BMW and not you.
BMW X3 - The Underrated BMW
Mid-size SUVs are the most desired vehicles right now as they offer the comfort of a sedan and the capability of an SUV in a single package. All major automakers are making these things. BMW's X3 is one of the most reliable options in this segment.
This car is offered with a choice of different gas and diesel engines. With a reliability score of 79/100 from J.D Power, this car is the one you can take off-road and won't have to worry about getting back.
Lexus LX570 - A Luxurious Land Cruiser
For those who need a capable SUV that is luxurious and reliable, the choices are limited. There are capable SUVs, there are luxurious ones, and there are reliable ones but finding all three qualities in one vehicle is difficult.
That's where the LX570 can help you. It is basically a Land Cruiser with a slightly bigger engine and a lot more comfort and luxury. It has a 4.5/5 reliability rating from US News. Since there are rumors about Toyota discontinuing the Land Cruiser, this Lexus might just be the most reliable luxury SUV on the market in the coming years.
Ford Ranger Raptor - Don't Buy Older Models
I know the Raptor got 1/5 in reliability from consumer reports but have you read the rating for 2020? Well, I have! This truck was given a 4/5 reliability rating which is a slot above average.
Other than being reasonably reliable, the Raptor is a capable on and off-road machine that you can use for daily driving or weekend fun. You cannot expect the comfort and capability of the big boys like the Silverado or Sierra here, but it is good enough for what it costs.
Kia Forte - It Wants to be a Stinger
Like the majority of reliable cars, the Forte is a boring vehicle. Looking at it, you can see that this vehicle is trying too hard to be a Stinger, but that tiny 1.4L 4 cylinder and everyone's hated CVT don't help.
However, if you want a car that won't break down on the highway and can transport you from point A to point B with no problems, the Forte is a good option. It has a 90/100 reliability from JD Power which is classified as excellent reliability.
Nissan GT-R - The Epitome of Japanese Automaking
While the whole world was going crazy making lightweight and sleek supercars, Nissan took the opposite approach. They made a heavy, boxy car that outperformed the competition. It is the most 'analog' a supercar can get.
Powered by a twin-turbo V6 that is hand-made by one of the only four Takumi artisans, this car is as reliable as a supercar can get. Nissan has kept it simple and straightforward, and that is the factor that contributes to this car being so dependable.
Mazda CX5 - The Daily Driver Nissan
Another compact crossover SUV on today's list is this cute little vehicle from Mazda. The CX5 has an engine that produces 187hp, and that is more than enough for a car of this size. The interior is pretty standard, and you can't expect anything extraordinary.
Talking of reliability, Car Buyers UK ranked this car 7th in the list of the 75 most reliable cars on the market. It also comes with 60,000 miles or a 5-year warranty on the powertrain so that even if things go wrong, you'll not have to set dollar bills on fire.
Dodge Ram 1500 - America's Favorite Pickup
One of the most American pickup trucks on this list is the Ram 1500. This vehicle is designed to be a workhorse, and it most definitely is. With a 4/5 customer satisfaction rating, an iron block V6 beefy suspension, this vehicle can handle a lot of abuse.
If you want to get the most performance out of this truck, you can upgrade to the 5.7L Hemi V8 that can tow up to 12,700lbs. That powertrain also comes with a 5 year or 60,000-mile warranty, so the major repairs will be covered.
Acura RDX - A Luxurious Honda
Introduced in 2007, the RDX was the first compact crossover offered by Honda's luxury cars subsidiary, Acura. Besides being extremely comfortable driving and traveling in, the RDX follows Honda's strict quality check.
The result is a car with a 71/100 reliability score. Other than being reliable and having a 272 hp engine, the RDX is a good-looking car too. If you are looking for a family hauler that is fun to drive and capable of, this car might be a good option for you.
BMW M4 - The Performance Sedan From Germany
For the ones who are looking for a German car that is practical, reliable, and fun to drive, the M4 is a good option. With a twin-turbocharged I6 under the hood making 473hp and comfortable accommodation for four passengers, the M4 is a fun car that you can drive daily.
Unlike many German performance cars, however, the M4 is a reliable option. If you take good care of the car and keep it maintained, it will not take you to the mechanic's shop ever, and the possibility of this thing breaking down on the road is very slim.
Chevrolet Silverado - Fairly Reliable
With a reliability score of 3.5/5 from Repair Pal, the Silverado is on the fifth number on the list of the 17 most reliable pickup trucks in the American market. The vehicle is not known for any major problematic issues.
The base engine option in the Silverado is a 4.3L inline-6, but you can also get a turbo V6 in this truck. With the most powerful engine option, the Silverado is capable of towing 9,600lb, making it practical and capable in addition to being reliable.
Kia Soul - Another Korean Car
With a J.D. Power reliability score of 89/100, the Soul is one of the most reliable vehicles available on the market. This compact crossover SUV is not particularly luxurious or fun to drive ride, but you can have the confidence that it won't die on you.
It comes with a 4 cylinder engine that produces 147 horsepower. The interior is reasonable and roomy, and the trunk is of a decent size. Kia has also given this car a good look, and it does have substantial curb appeal.
GMC Sierra - Haul Anything in Luxury
The Sierra is one of the most esteemed pickups in the US, and it has earned that spot by providing quality and reliability consistently. It has been in the top five on the list of the most reliable cars, according to consumer reports.
Other than a guarantee that it will not end up on a tow truck, this monster of a pickup truck can tow 9,200lbs and is one of the most comfortable trucks. If you are looking for real luxury, the Denali trim offers that.
Ford Expedition - The Full-Size Ford SUV
For the ones who are in the market for a full-size SUV, the Expedition is a reliable choice. This car has a customer reliability rating of 5/5 for the 2019 model. The 2020 model also did well, but the 2021 model scored 1/5 in reliability.
Technically, the 2019 model is not an old one, and you can also save money buying the 2019 model instead of going for the new one. With up to 400 horsepower at your disposal and a sophisticated AWD system, this SUV will take you places.
Chevrolet Corvette - The Icon of American Sports Cars
The latest Corvette, the C8, is a marvel of automotive engineering beyond any reasonable doubt. However, the most reliable option happens to be the C7. There have not been any reliability surveys of this car, but there are examples that have covered 200,000 miles and are still running okay.
If you want a sports car that has raw American power and impeccable reliability, grab a C6 or C7 corvette. The market for these cars is going up so now is the time to buy one.
Chevrolet Tahoe - Everyone's Aunt Has One
Everyone has a friend whose mother carries them around in a Tahoe. It is the staple family SUV of the average American family. It has attained that by two things. It is huge, and it is immensely reliable.
However, if you want this truck, go for an older version. There have been reported issues with the drivetrain in the latest models (2020 and 2021), driving the reliability score down to 2/5. The older models have 4/5 reliability scores.
Ford Escape - Reliable and Capable
Another compact crossover SUV on this list is this little car from Ford. It has a reliability rating of 4/5 from Repair Pal, making it a fairly reliable car. The interior is not the nicest one out there, but it sure is at par with the price.
The car is motivated by a 3-cylinder 1.4L turbocharged engine that produces a little above 180 horsepower. Given the small size of the car, the small engine gives it considerable agility and handling.
Porsche 911 996 - The Most Reliable Sports Car
Porsche has been making the 911 for the last 57 years and has established a trustworthy brand around this car. The 911 is often quoted as the most reliable car of all time. Consumer Reports also ranked Porcshe the best automaker in 2020.
If you want some really serious performance, track-level performance from a car, and want it to be dependable and reliable, the 911 is the way to go.
Audi TT - The Mini R8
A love child between the R8 and the A5 Sportback, the TT is a good-looking car. It also packs a serious punch in the form of a 2.0L turbocharged engine producing 228 hp. Audis are notorious for being unreliable, but this car is an exception.
While 20% of the Audi owners say that they had to visit the workshop for a major problem once a year, that number is 5% for the TT.
Ford Mustang - Ford's Longest Running Model
The Mustang is one of Ford's oldest nameplates, and the car has proven its worth over and over again. With the base model starting at $27,000 and the top-of-the-line variant costing $70,000, you can find one that matches your needs.
The reliability score for this car is 88/100 from J.D. Power, making it one of the most reliable cars on the market. There are not a lot of cars that offer such performance and reliability in a single package.
