Reliability might sound boring, but it’s anything but that. A reliable car is even more important than a fast or powerful one, making our lives much easier.
Knowing that the car you buy is reliable can ease a lot of stress, as it is one of the most important decisions of our lives. Fortunately, all vehicles, whether SUVs, sedans, coupes, or saloons, are reliable.
This list contains 13 of them and what makes them so reliable. Reliability is the main reason they are on this list, but other factors, such as their value for money, are also considered.
Porsche 718
A great way to find the most reliable car is to look at the J.D. Power reliability studies. For 2024, the most dependable car on its list is the current Porsche 718. The 718 refers to the Cayman, Boxster, and Spyder, and the current generation was introduced at the 201 Gevena Motor Show.
They come with various powertrains, from the 2.0-liter turbocharged flat-four to the 4.0-liter MDG naturally-aspirated flat-six. Porsche chose the 718 names deliberately to evoke its past racing success and how some of its lighter cars could outmaneuver those with more powerful but heavier engines.
Toyota Corolla
It isn’t the most exciting car in the world, but the Toyota Corolla is one of the best for a dependable daily driver. Its starting price of just $22,050 makes it even better, as does the fact that the Corolla now comes with hybrid power, which firmly propels the sedan into the 2020s.
The base version of the Corolla comes with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder producing 169 hp and a 138 hp 1.8-liter four-cylinder. If you want the hybrid Corolla, the starting MSRP is $23,500, and with that, the 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine comes with added hybrid power and efficiency.
Toyota Camry
Toyota is well known for its strong reliability, and the Camry is another car you can’t go wrong with. The beauty is its simplicity, with a transverse-mounted four — or six-cylinder engine under the hood and front-wheel drive as standard, but all-wheel drive is available.
The Camry is also quite a stylish sedan, and the addition of hybrid power makes it an even more compelling choice. The starting price is $28,400, and in a more expensive world, a high-end sedan costing less than $30,000 is excellent.
Honda Civic
Honda is another Japanese manufacturer famed for its reliability, and the Civic is one of its best. The Civic has been around for generations and has evolved massively. It was initially a small hatchback and then became an excellent sedan with the bonus of a Type R model.
The current starting price is $24,250, which puts it firmly in the ballpark of the Toyota Corolla and Corolla hybrid. The Civic also has a hybrid powertrain available, and the 200-hp unit is available as standard on the Sport Hybrid and the Sport Touring hybrid.
Chevrolet Suburban
Like them or hate them, the market is currently dominated by SUVs, but thankfully, most of them are incredibly reliable for consumers. The Chevrolet Suburban is one of those, but it doesn’t represent as good value for money as the cars above, with a starting MSRP of $59,200.
The Suburban is a highly regarded SUV, winning the US News & World Report “Best Car For Families” award in 2024. It has extensive interior space and plenty of power, particularly with the 6.2-liter EcoTec3 V8 engine under the hood.
Citroen 2CV
Now for something completely different. The little Citroen 2CV was designed to get French farmers and those in rural communities back on the road after World War II, but what Citroen created was one of the most successful automobiles of all time.
The French manufacturer produced the 2CV until 1990, and it provided a cheap, practical, and reliable motor car for everyone, making it a true “car of the people.” The low overall cost of ownership made the 2CV even more appealing, as did its range of simple but reliable air-cooled H2 engines with up to 602 cc.
Chevrolet Malibu
It isn’t an exciting vehicle, it’s not the best design, and it’s not the cheapest family car on the market. But as a reliable daily driver, you can’t go wrong with the Chevrolet Malibu, a car that is now a staple member of the Chevy range.
The Malibu is still incredibly affordable, starting at just $25,100. It has excellent fuel economy, with 28 MPG in the city and 36 MPG on the highway. It’s practical and spacious, offering the perfect no-frills choice for families. The Malibu proves that just because a car is exciting doesn’t mean it is reliable. It is a sensible, solid choice for daily driving.
Hyundai Sonata
For a while, Hyundai was not taken seriously and was viewed by many as a smaller Korean car brand with drab and average models. But now, Hyundai is on the up, and the Sonata mid-size sedan is the vehicle to showcase just how good Hyundai has become.
The Sonata’s starting price of $27,500 puts it firmly in the ballpark of competition, such as the Toyota Camry. A hybrid version of the Sonata is also available at a slightly higher $30,800. The regular Sonata’s fuel economy is good at 36 MPG on the highway, and it’s undoubtedly one of the best-looking sedans currently on the market.
Chevrolet Corvette
Yes, the Chevrolet Corvette is one of the most reliable vehicles that money can buy right now. J.D. Power has the Corvette ranked second in their “2024 Most Dependable Premium Sporty Car” category. Only the Porsche 718 joins the Corvette, as the survey states, “no other model in this segment performs at or above the segment average.”
We know how good the current C8 Corvette is. The first mid-engine Corvette took the world by storm when launched in 2020, with the LT2 V8 engine producing 495 hp with an incredible 0-60 mph time of just 2.9 seconds. Not only is it fast, but it turns out the Corvette is also very reliable.
Toyota Prius
Once the subject of many jokes, the new Toyota Prius has evolved into one of the best hybrids on the market, with the updated design one of the biggest reasons for this. The Prius is now sharp, fresh, and bold in its design, and it ranks third in J.D. Power’s “2024 Top 3 Most Dependable Compact Cars” category.
The Prius’s starting MSRP of $27,950 makes it a very attractive offering. The 2.0-liter four-cylinder hybrid, with up to 196 hp, is one of the most efficient on the planet. Its city/highway MPG of 57 shows how economical it is.
Lexus IS
While reliability often seems dull, it also has some premium qualities. Lexus, the luxury branch of Toyota, proves that perfectly, with the IS being one of its most reliable and stylish models.
The starting price of $41,235 represents excellent value for money for a luxury sedan. A wide range of exterior colors is available, while the IS range can expand with models such as the 241 hp IS 300 F Sport, which has a turbocharged inline-four. Fast, stylish, and reliable, the Lexus IS range is one of the best in the business.
Ford Bronco Sport
Ford’s reintroduction of the Bronco in 2021 was a big story and certainly lived up to the hype, especially with performance, looks, and reliability. Ford also launched the Bronco Sport alongside the standard model, adding a bit of extra performance to the SUV. It also scored 87/100 for J.D. Power in their reliability rankings.
The standard powertrain is a turbocharged three-cylinder engine, with the option of a four-cylinder available for extra power. An eight-speed automatic transmission comes as standard, and, arguably, the Bronco Sport is the highlight of the SUV’s main range.
Ford Maverick Hybrid
The Ford Maverick is one of the best pickup trucks on the market, and it gets even better with the Maverick Hybrid. A starting price of $23,920 makes it one of the most affordable pickups on the market, and as it is slightly smaller than the Ford F-150, it is also a bit more practical.
The Maverick can carry a total of 1,500 lbs payload and has MPG ratings of 23 for the city and 30 for the highway. In addition to the 2.5-liter hybrid powertrain, Ford also offers a standard 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine for those who don’t want or need hybrid power and want to save a bit of money.
