Reliability is one of the biggest concerns for many used car buyers, aside from the selling price and available features. To help customers easily find a durable and low-maintenance used car, Consumer Reports has published a list of the most reliable cars after three years of ownership.
Segment | Most Reliable Cars After 3 Years |
Small Cars | Honda Civic, Mazda3, Toyota Corolla/Corolla Hybrid, Toyota Prius/Prius Prime |
Midsize and Large Cars | Hyundai Sonata, Toyota Avalon, Toyota Camry |
Luxury Cars | Acura TLX, BMW 5 Series, Lexus ES |
Sports Cars | Mazda MX-5 |
Small and Compact SUVs | Acura RDX, BMW X3, Honda CR-V, Honda HR-V, Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage, Lexus NX, Lexus UX, Mazda CX-5, Subaru Crosstrek, Subaru Forester, Toyota RAV4, Volvo XC40 |
Midsize and Large SUVs | GMC Acadia, Honda Passport, Honda Pilot, Lexus RX, Lincoln Nautilus, Toyota 4Runner, Toyota Highlander, Toyota Venza |
Pickup Trucks | Ford Ranger, Honda Ridgeline, Toyota Tacoma, Toyota Tundra |
List of the most reliable cars after three years of ownership in each segment, according to Consumer Reports.
According to Consumer Reports, buying a 2021 model year car at this time seems like a wise choice. Not only are they much cheaper than the 2024 models, but they also don’t lack many modern convenience and safety features. Moreover, most of these used cars are still in good condition and have not deteriorated significantly.
Based on the reliability study conducted by Consumer Reports, Toyota and Lexus stand out as the brands with the most reliable cars after three years of ownership. Out of the 36 cars mentioned, 16 are from Toyota and Lexus. Among them, the latest generation Toyota Corolla is praised as “one of the best values in used cars,” while the Toyota Camry is considered a “smart choice” among pre-owned vehicles.
Older generation Toyota Camry
Similarly, Honda also has a strong showing on the list, with eight models from the Honda and Acura brands making the cut.
Mazda, Hyundai, and Kia each contribute three models, while Subaru has two models on the list. In total, 32 out of the 36 cars mentioned are from Asian brands, showcasing their dominance in terms of reliability.
Additionally, there are three European cars on the list, including two BMWs and one Volvo. American brands also have a presence with three models, one each from Ford, Lincoln, and GMC.