You may be surprised to know that most popular luxury car brands rank very low in terms of reliability. Yes, they produce exotic cars, but those cars do not stand the test of time. Notwithstanding, there are actually premium/luxury car brands that make sturdy vehicles for their customers.
This article lists the most reliable car brands in the world; it refers to automobile brands producing vehicles (SUVs, passenger cars, sedans, crossovers, etc.) that last long.
Toyota takes the lead – it has remained the best go-to auto brand for virtually any kind of vehicle, including luxury models. Well, there are pretty other reliable brands, and they are listed below.
Most Reliable Car Brands
1. Toyota / Lexus
It has to be Toyota topping the list; the brand has produced many dependable vehicles, remarkable for going over 400k miles with regular maintenance and servicing. Toyota vehicle models such as the Rav4, 4Runner, F.J Cruiser, Corolla, Land Cruiser, and Prado are notably highly reliable vehicles.
Toyota is a Japanese multinational automobile manufacturer headquartered in Toyota City, Aichi, Japan. It is one of the world’s largest automobile manufacturers – about 10 million Toyota models are produced annually.
The brand is solidly present in many countries, including the U.S. and U.K. Toyota vehicles are relatively affordable and last for a very long time if driven carefully.
Lexus is an automobile brand under Toyota; it is Toyota’s luxury division. When you want to own a luxury car but have a tight budget, Lexus definitely has a model you can afford.
The Lexus brand manufactures and sells highly reliable luxury SUVs and sedans. Lexus vehicles remarkably last over 350,000 miles if carefully driven and maintained as should.
2. Honda / Acura
Honda is yet another solid car brand that produces some of the classiest sedans you could get from Japanese brands. The company is one of the top Japanese automobile manufacturers and has produced quite several models.
Popular Honda models such as the Passport, Pilot, Accord, and Odyssey can seamlessly go over 350k miles with proper care and maintenance.
The company, Honda Motors, was founded in 1948, with its headquarters located in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, Japan. Honda also owned a few auto brands as subsidiaries, including its luxury car diving, Acura. The Acura brand also produces some noteworthy reliable, affordable, decent-looking vehicles.
3. Mazda
Well, it is not surprising that Japanese brands are topping the list; they actually put in more effort in making vehicles that are not only affordable but durable and valuable for the price.
Mazda Corporation referred to as Mazda, is one of the biggest Japanese automobile manufacturers headquartered in Fuchu, Hiroshima, Japan.
The company makes various vehicles, ranging from sedans, and passenger cars to SUVs, crossovers, and hatchbacks. Mazda vehicles are sold in all markets across the globe, and they are packed with sophisticated technologies. ConsumerReports ranks Mazda as the second most-reliable brand in 2022.
4. Buick
Now, here comes an American brand. Buick is one of the oldest automobile manufacturers in the world – it is the oldest in America – founded in 1899, with its headquarters located in Detroit, Michigan, United States.
While Buick is currently operating as a subsidiary of America’s automobile manufacturing giant, General Motors, its vehicles rank above models from other G.M. brands.
Buick produces luxury-worthy SUVs, sedans, and quite different types of cars. The brand’s most successful and popular models include Encore, Enclave, and Envision.
5. Nissan / Infiniti
Nissan is another top name in automobile markets; the company has a strong market share in local and international markets. It was founded in 1933, with its current headquarters in Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan.
Another Japanese brand in the top five (5), yes, Nissan’s luxury division, Infiniti, makes some of the sturdiest, most affordable luxury SUVs you can buy.
Infiniti ranked number fifth in ConsumerReport’s latest report on the most reliable car brands of the moment. Nissan models also hold up strong; the Pathfinder can actually hit over 400k miles with proper maintenance.
The brand also produces reliable trucks under the Datsun brand. Nissan SUVs, sedans, and hatchbacks are among the most reliable models from Japanese auto brands.
6. GMC
GMC is the second American auto brand on this list; it is also a subsidiary of General Motors. The GMC brand focuses on producing heavy-duty vehicles, sturdy SUVs, and other types of utility vehicles. It is the one G.M. brand that produces real heavy-duty trucks and SUVs.
Over the years, GMC models have managed to score above-average in reliability ratings across platforms. According to Repair Pal’s 2022 rankings, GMC performed above the industry’s average and, as such, is recognized as one of the most reliable car brands at the moment.
7. Kia
Kia Corporation, called Kia, is a South Korean multinational automobile manufacturer based in Seoul, South Korea.
It is the second-largest automobile manufacturer in South Korea, coming right behind its parent organization, Hyundai Motor Company. The company is popular because it makes sleek SUVs and sedans with impressive technologies.
Actually, Kia ranks number one on J.D. Power’s 2022 ranking of the most reliable auto brands with fewer reports from people who drive them.
Although J.D. Power’s ranking was based on data obtained from people living in the US, Kia vehicles are built strong and can go over 300,000 miles when handled properly.
8. Genesis
Sounds familiar? Genesis is a very new automobile manufacturer; it just got established in 2015 and operates as a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Company.
Genesis has recently seen huge success in producing luxury SUVs and sedans. The brand ranks ahead of its parent company in terms of reliability. Genesis cars are practically the most reliable option in South Korea.
9. Porsche
At last, a German car brand makes a headway. Porsche is a world-famous automobile manufacturer notable for manufacturing some of the classiest, prettiest supercars and hypercars used in racing competitions.
The brand also builds street-legal models and is regarded as one of the top brands operating in Germany.
Porsche was established in 1931 in Stuttgart, Germany – founded by Ferdinand and Ferry Porsche. The brand now operates as a subsidiary of the Volkswagen Group – German’s most prominent automotive company. Porsche mainly produces sports cars (supercars), SUVs, and sedans, all considered luxury vehicles.
10. Hyundai
South Korea’s most prominent and largest automotive company, Hyundai Motor Company, was founded in 1967. The company has recorded huge success selling different vehicle models in South Korea and international markets. Hyundai currently owns Kia and Genesis – the latter being its luxury division.
Interestingly, Hyundai comes off 10th in general reliability ranking – talking of the average position based on its rankings on different platforms.
The company produces exotic sedans, SUVs, crossovers, and hatchbacks. Hyundai vehicles deliver optimal performance on and off roads and are affordable.
11. Mitsubishi
Mitsubishi is a Japanese automobile manufacturer with a high reputation in different international markets. However, the company’s reputation seems to have depreciated a bit, but it’s one of the most respected Japanese brands.
Founded in 1970 in Tokyo, Japan, Mitsubishi produces SUVs, crossovers, sedans, hatchbacks, coupes, and even convertibles. The brand secured a good spot in J.D. Power’s latest reliability rankings, thanks to the many improvements on its newer models, majorly the Outlander.
12. Ford
Ford is among the “Big Three” automotive companies based in the United States. It produces a wide range of vehicle types, which includes pickup trucks, vans, SUVs, sedans, vans, and the rest.
The Ford brand is part of Ford Motor Company, the parent company of Lincoln and Troller. Ford Motor Company was founded by the infamous Henry Ford and had an official branch in Germany known as Ford German.
What More?
Of course, many car brands are out there, but this list focuses on brands that produce highly reliable vehicle models. It’s not about the name. It’s about customer satisfaction and durability.
Sadly, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Rolls-Royce, and other high-end brands do not offer “really” reliable models.