Reliability is one of the most crucial factors to consider when purchasing a vehicle. Broadly, car reliability advice is simple: buy Japanese. Toyota and Honda-affiliated brands took the top six spots in Consumer Reports’ brand reliability rankings. However, the story can become even more granular. Certain models tend to be more reliable than others. And certain model years within those model lineages are more robust than others. We asked our readers to share their most reliable vehicles and received some expected and unexpected results.
Subaru
- Founded
-
15 July 1953
- Founder
-
Chikuhei Nakajima
- Headquarters
-
Ebisu, Shibuya, Japan
- Owned By
-
Subaru Corporation
- Current CEO
-
Atsushi Osaki
Vehicles for this list were chosen from a selection of CarBuzz reader responses. Data used in the piece was obtained from manufacturer websites, Kelley Blue Book, and Car and Driver databases. Fuel economy numbers were sourced from the EPA’s website.
10
2012 Cadillac Escalade
Reader Reported Mileage: 150,000 mi
|
Engine |
6.2-liter V8 |
|---|---|
|
Horsepower |
403 hp |
|
Torque |
417 lb-ft |
|
Fuel Economy |
13 MPG city, 18 MPG highway |
GM trucks are renowned for their robustness and longevity. And Cadillac’s full-size Escalade is no exception. At its heart, it’s really just a fancier Suburban. CarBuzz reader Corvette Guru has driven a third-generation model past 150,000 miles without an issue: “Our current daily is a 2012 Escalade, and it has been excellent so far. 150k miles and never been towed!!! I do need to do a tune-up, though.”
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9
2011 Hyundai Sonata
Reader Reported Mileage: 275,000 mi
|
Engine |
2.4-liter Inline-4 |
|---|---|
|
Horsepower |
198 hp |
|
Torque |
184 lb-ft |
|
Fuel Economy |
22 MPG city, 34 MPG highway |
Hyundai has revolutionized its image with standout models like the Palisade and Ioniq 5 EV. About the last trait one would ascribe to the brand’s earlier efforts was “reliability.” But CarBuzz reader Bailjumper reports owning a 2011 Sonata with 275,000 miles. “Even Hyundai dealers are impressed.” Maintaining the car with regular 5,000-miles oil changes, the only issue it has had is with freezing brake caliper, and even that has “been better lately.”
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8
2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser
Reader Reported Mileage: 360,000 mi
|
Engine |
4.0-liter V6 |
|---|---|
|
Horsepower |
239 hp |
|
Torque |
278 lb-ft |
|
Fuel Economy |
15 MPG city, 19 MPG highway |
Toyota off-roaders, especially those built in Japan, are revered for their exceptional reliability. And the FJ Cruiser, a one-off nostalgic nod to the old FJ40 Land Cruiser from the 2000s, is no exception. CarBuzz reader Dan just reported having his first major repair issue with his 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser at 360,000 miles: “Trans just gave out (still original fluid). Hell, the Panasonic battery lasted just over 10 years. Never had any major work done. Not sure what the transmission is gonna cost yet, but it’ll be worth it.”
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7
2007 Honda Ridgeline
Reader Reported Mileage: 355,000 mi
|
Engine |
3.5-liter V6 |
|---|---|
|
Horsepower |
247 hp |
|
Torque |
245 lb-ft |
|
Fuel Economy |
15 MPG city, 20 MPG highway |
The Honda Ridgeline is a bit of an anomaly in the truck world, being built on a unibody crossover platform rather than a body-on-frame setup like its midsize rivals. But the Ridgeline matches those trucks for reliability. And it’s hard to find more reliable vehicles than 2000s Honda crossovers. CarBuzz reader Jeff drove his 2007 Ridgeline to 355,000 miles when a head gasket blew after 12 years of ownership. “Couldn’t justify the cost. So, I reluctantly let her go.”
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6
2001 GMC Sierra 4.8-Liter V8
Reader Reported Mileage: 275,000 mi
|
Engine |
4.8-liter V8 |
|---|---|
|
Horsepower |
270 hp |
|
Torque |
285 lb-ft |
|
Fuel Economy |
13 MPG city, 16 MPG highway |
GM revamped its truck lineup with new Silverado and Sierra nameplates in the late 1990s. The first-gen GMT800 versions are well-regarded for their durability. CarBuzz reader Biff drove a 2001 GMC Sierra with a 4.8-liter V8 to 275,000 miles and “only lost fuel pump and starter” along the way.
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5
1994 Honda Prelude
Reader Reported Mileage: 175,000 mi
|
Engine |
2.2-liter Inline-4 |
|---|---|
|
Horsepower |
135 hp |
|
Torque |
142 lb-ft |
|
EPA Fuel Economy |
20 MPG city, 26 MPG highway |
Enthusiasts regard the 1980s and 1990s as a golden age for Honda. The Prelude, a soon-to-be-revived sports coupe, was known for performance with its 2.2-liter VTEC engine. But CarBuzz reader CorvetteGuru reports driving a 1994 model to 175,000 miles with “no mechanical issues beyond basic maintenance.”
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4
1992 Mazda Protege
Reader Reported Mileage: 130,000-plus
|
Engine |
1.8-liter Inline-4 |
|---|---|
|
Horsepower |
125 hp |
|
Torque |
114 lb-ft |
|
Fuel Economy |
22 MPG city, 28 MPG highway |
Mazda sold a compact sedan in North America for decades under several names before finally settling on Protegé. It’s not the vehicle that earned Mazda its “Zoom Zoom” reputation. But it was affordable and efficient. CarBuzz reader Ron reports driving a 1992 model for more than a decade without incident. “When I bought that car, I told the dealer if it got as much as a flat, it was gone. Well, 11 years later and 130,000 miles, that car never let me down, not even a flat.”
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3
1991 Chevy Lumina APV
Reader Reported Mileage: 202,000 mi
|
Engine |
3.1-liter V6 |
|---|---|
|
Horsepower |
120 hp |
|
Torque |
175 lb-ft |
|
Fuel Economy |
16 MPG city, 21 MPG highway |
Chrysler through down a gauntlet in the 1980s with a new family car: the Dodge Caravan. GM responded with the Chevy Lumina APV, best remembered for looking like a dustbuster. CarBuzz reader Clint reported driving a Lumina APV 202,000 miles over 10 years, with the only serious repairs being a water pump at 115,000 miles and a front wheel bearing at 155,000 miles. “I never added a quart of oil, changed the valve cover gaskets or changed a light bulb in it! It still is the cheapest new vehicle I have ever bought (adjusted to 1991 dollars) and least troublesome ever, faithfully delivering 25 MPG highway its entire life.”
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2
1990 Jeep Cherokee
Reader Reported Mileage: 300,000-plus mi
|
Engine |
4.0-liter V6 |
|---|---|
|
Horsepower |
169 hp |
|
Torque |
217 lb-ft |
|
Fuel Economy |
15 MPG city, 20 MPG highway |
The Jeep XJ Cherokee is one of the most well-regarded and influential SUVs ever built. It remained in the lineup for 18 years in the US, expertly balancing off-road capability with family convenience. CarBuzz reader W.R. reported putting more than 300,000 miles on a 1990 model after purchasing it new. “I put well over 300 thousand miles on that car. I replaced the power steering pump, the radiator, and the clutch once. I did my own brake jobs and replaced the valve cover gasket once.”
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1
1989 Honda Accord DX
Reader Reported Mileage: 350,000 mi
|
Engine |
2.0-liter Inline-4 |
|---|---|
|
Horsepower |
100 hp |
|
Torque |
109 lb-ft |
|
Fuel Economy |
22 MPG city, 28 MPG highway |
The Honda Accord is an automotive legend, with reliability among its foremost strengths. The third-generation Accord is regarded as the most reliable of a largely reliable group. The Accord DX model is the base model, and CarBuzz reader Gulf reported driving one to the 350,000 mark: “Crank windows. Bought it with 100k miles. Put another 250k miles on it and sold it for more than I paid for it.”
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Sources: Fueleconomy.gov, Kelly Blue Book, Car and Driver
