It can be tricky to know which car to buy when there are so many options available. However, not all brands are comparable in their reliability and longevity. Data collected from over half a million vehicles makes it possible to gauge which cars have fewer problems than their competitors.
Based on a 2016 annual auto survey conducted by Consumer Reports, the ten most reliable car models (in descending order) are:
- Toyota Prius
- Lexus CT 200h
- Infiniti Q70
- Audi Q3
- Lexus GX
- Lexus GS
- Mercedes-Benz GLC
- Chevrolet Cruze
- Audi Q7
- Toyota 4Runner
Reliability trends reveal that Buick has evolved to be one of the top three car brands, although none of its car models reached the top ten. The brand achieved its higher ranking by taking care of past engine problems and exterior design flaws. Conversely, the Fiat 500L has been named the least reliable automobile in Consumer Reports’ most recent survey.
Factors that change a maker’s reliability are updated technology and design features, vehicle recalls, and the introduction of model variations. While luxury vehicles can often achieve praise for their latest developments and improved aesthetics, it doesn’t always mean the car is reliable. Recalls can negatively affect the score of the vehicle, regardless if it was listed as a top manufacturer in the previous year. And, when it comes to model variation, a particular model can vary in the maker’s overall reliability score.
Learn how vehicles are scored when it comes to reliability and how evolving vehicle trends may cause a previous highly ranked vehicle to fall into a lower spot in back-to-back years through the infographic below from CARSURE. Plus, take a look to see if your car makes the list for most (or least) reliable vehicles of last year.
