9 Most Reliable Cars That Rarely Need a Mechanic
Updated: Jan. 26, 2023
If you’re looking for good, reliable cars, you might want to consider the following winners.
Reliable Cars That Rarely Need a Mechanic
When you’re searching for the most dependable cars, one of the best places to start is with J.D. Power and Associates. For almost 30 years, J.D. Power has put together its U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) to rate vehicles.
The 2020 study surveyed more than 80,000 verified owners of three-year-old vehicles. These dependability ratings and awards measure reliability, and the rating focuses on the type and number of problems owners experienced during the preceding 12 months. The fewer problems reported by car owners, the higher the score.
The following nine cars received high marks in overall dependability. Check out these maintenance tips that will extend the life of your car.
Ford Mustang (top-rated midsize sporty car)
Ranked highest among midsize sporty cars, the spirited 2017 Ford Mustang earned top marks in driving experience. Owners liked the vehicle’s rear visibility, interior storage spaces and ability to handle curves. The car comes in four-, six- and eight-cylinder options, and will give you 21 to 30 miles per gallon on the highway. Combine that with the sleek, stylish handling, and you have a car made for performance but user-friendly enough for the casual driver.
Plus: These are the 15 things you should never, ever do to your car.
Buick Encore (top-rated small SUV)
The Buick Encore is next on our list. Drivers gave the small SUV top marks in quality and reliability, along with driving experience. Owners also liked the quietness of the vehicle’s interior, transmission smoothness and the styling of the gauges and instruments. The Buick Encore is expected to get 24 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway. You should never, ever leave these things in your car.
Honda Fit (top-rated small car)
The Honda Fit is one of the most reliable small cars for multiple reasons. Start with its EPA-estimated mileage of 29 mpg city and 36 mpg highway. Owners of the popular hatchback liked the trunk/hatch space and the ease at which seats folded down or adjusted. The Fit comes in manual and automatic transmissions. Check out the cleaning secrets only car detailers know.
Lexus ES (top-rated compact premium car)
Drivers of the Lexus ES loved its second-row seat comfort and rear visibility. This top-ranked compact premium car has a 3.5L V6 engine that will get you 21 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway. Check out these weird car features you didn’t know you might have.
Buick Regal (top-rated midsize car)
Some car connoisseurs have asked us, “Are Buicks good cars?” To answer that question, we introduce the 2017 Buick Regal, the top-rated midsize. Owners gave top marks to the Regal’s acceleration, navigation system and interior quietness. With an automatic transmission, you’ll get 19 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway.
Genesis G80 (top-rated midsize premium car)
With an all-wheel drive option, the Genesis G80 handles better than most midsize cars on the open road. That means less wear and tear and a smoother ride — the keys to dependability. Plus: This is the best way to get sand out of your car.
BMW 2 Series (top-rated small premium car)
The BMW 2 Series is the only BMW in our roundup of reliable cars. Drivers liked the car’s navigation system and handling of curves. With manual and automatic transmission options, expect to get great gas mileage in the city (up to 24 mpg) and the highway (up to 35 mpg).
Nissan LEAF (top-rated compact car)
Owners of the electric-powered 2017 Nissan LEAF tout it as an efficient and dependable compact car. Drivers liked the smooth ride, along with ease of getting in and out of the vehicle — a bonus for a compact car! The LEAF is also great for when you need to save on gas, as it gets 124 miles in the city!
Toyota Avalon (top-rated large car)
Rounding out our list, the Toyota Avalon is reliability made manifest. Besides earning five stars for safety from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the 2017 Toyota Avalon sports a 3.5-liter V-6 engine, giving you plenty of power when you need it.
Now comes the fun part: Choosing which of these nine cars to buy. Use this auto loan calculator to help determine which vehicle will work with your budget. Next, read about these signs that your car is about to die.
Plus: Did you know you can do these 105 car repairs and maintenance tasks yourself?
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