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Today we are going to talk about the most reliable vehicles and brands in 2021. Our expert team collected data from over thirty car models and selected the best, considering their reliability, overall rating, specifications, and price range.
Probably one of the most significant demands for all car buyers is the vehicle’s reliability ratings. So what are the most reliable cars? Continue reading to find out more!
Our team of professionals selects the top 10 best reliable cars, and we tried to make it as easy and concise as possible for you. We included only good reliable vehicles with very low dependency, especially the first five years of warranty.
Here is the list of top reliable cars:
We will start with the last position in our rating — the Lexus NX model, number ten in our car reliability rankings.
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Lexus NX
Overall Score
The reliable car Lexus NX is ranking #10 in our overall score within the reliability rating. This data is based on our evaluation of over 30 reliable vehicles using various resources and data elements.
The predicted reliability for this car is 80 out of 100, which is considered an excellent reliability score. Overall performance and critics rating is 67 out of 100, the interior is 61, and the safety rating is one of the best — 100 out of 100!
Specs
| Specifications | ||
| Cargo (Std/Max):18/55 cu.ft. | Horsepower235@4,800 | Engine: 4-Cyl Turbo 2.0 Liter |
| Fuel Economy:22 / 28 mpg | Basic Warranty 4 yr./ 50000 mi. | Total Seating 5/5 |
| Transmission 6-speed shiftable automatic | Displacement (litres/cubic inches)2.0 L/122 | Drive Type Front-wheel drive |
| Fuel Capacity15.9 | Torque258@1,650 | Towing Capacity1,000/2,000 |
Cost
$37,510 – $45,360 MSRP
Finally, the reliable auto Lexus NX cost is above average, with the base price starting at $37,510. The NX 300 F Sport starts at $39,610, and Lexus NX 300 Luxury is the most expensive model, starting at $45,360.With average repair costs, this car is not for everyone.
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Kia Forte
Overall Score
The overall rating for the Kia Forte is 85 out of 100, with a car reliability rating of 90 out of 100. It is a compact car with no competition among rivals. Build quality, Kia Forte is the best reliable car to buy for the money.
Specs
| Specifications | ||
| Fuel Economy:27 / 37 mpg | Horsepower:147@6,200 | Engine: 4-Cyl 2.0 Liter Nu 2.0 GDI |
| Basic Warranty 5 yr./ 60000 mi. | Seating5/5 | Transmission, Sportmatic 6 Speed Manual |
| Maximum Torque @ RPM258 @ 1650 | Drive Type Front-wheel drive | Maximum Horsepower @ RPM235 @ 4800 |
| Cargo Capacity15.3 | Engine TypeGas | Fuel Capacity14.0 |
Cost
$17,890 – $23,290 MSRP
The cost for Kia Forte varies depending on the trim level you choose. You can find more information on their official website.
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Hyundai Elantra
Overall Score
The average rating for the Hyundai Elantra is 81 out of 100, with a reliability ranking of 87 out of 100. It is one of the best cheap cars with very low dependability during the first five years of warranty usage.
Specs
| Specifications | ||
| Fuel Economy:33 / 43 mpg | Engine: 4-Cyl 2.0 Liter | Basic Warranty 5 yr./ 60000 mi. |
| Horsepower147@6,200 | Zero to 60:8.4 seconds | Total Seating 5/5 |
| Fuel Capacity12.4 | DrivetrainFWD | Smart Stream IVT Continuously Variable Automatic |
| Cargo Capacity14.2 | Torque132@4,500 | Engine TypeGas |
Cost
$19,650 – $25,450 MSRP
The starting trim for Hyundai Elantra starts at $19,650 and goes up to $24,100 for the sporty Elantra N Line Limited trim starts at $25,450. The top-of-the-line, Limited trim starts at $25,450.
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Toyota Tundra
Overall Score
Overall ranking for Toyota Tundra is 66 out of 100 with one of the highest reliability ratings, scoring 88 out of 100. This full-sized truck rates as one of the best on the market by consumer reports.
Specs
| Specifications | ||
| Fuel Economy:13 / 18 mpg | Engine: V8 5.7 Liter | Seating6/6 |
| Towing (Max):10200 lbs. | Torque 401 lb-ft @ 3600 rpm | Transmission 6-speed shiftable automatic |
| EPA Mileage Est. (Cty/Hwy) 13/17 mpg | Basic Warranty 3 yr./ 36000 mi. | Engine Type Gas |
| Horsepower 381 hp @ 5600 rpm | Fuel Tank Capacity 26.4 gal. | Range In Miles (Cty/Hwy) 343.2/448.8 mi. |
Cost
$33,675 – $53,050 MSRP
Toyota Tundra’s cost starts at $33,675, which is an above-average price for a full-sized pickup. The Tundra Platinum and 1794 Limited edition start at $53,050.
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Toyota Prius C
Overall Score
The highest-rated Toyota Prius c placed 6th position in our rating with an overall score of 74 out of 100. Toyota Prius c 80 out of 100 reliability and safety ratings and one of the highest-rated costs to own 90 out of 100.
Specs
| Specifications | ||
| Engine: 4-Cyl 1.5 Liter | Horsepower99@4,800 | Drivetrain FWD |
| Fuel Economy City – 4.9 L/100 kmHwy – 5.3 L/100 km | Standard MPG48/43 | Engine options 1.5L I4 with electric motor (99 net hp) |
| Fuel Capacity9.5 | Seating capacity 5/5 | Transmission options CVT |
| Engine TypeGas/Electric | Torque82@4,000 | Cargo Capacity17.1 |
Cost
$21,823 – $22,524 MSRP
The cost of Toyota Prius c starts at $21,823 and goes up to $22,524 depending on the conditions and setup you choose.
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Chevrolet Cruze
Overall Score
Chevrolet Cruze is one of the best compact cars with an excellent reliability score of 90 out of 100 that doesn’t require significant repair many years from the warranty. Unfortunately, the overall score for the Chevrolet Cruze is 85 out of 100, placing it at 5th position in our list.
Specs
| Specifications | ||
| Maximum Horsepower @ RPM153 @ 5600 | DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive | Displacement (liters/cubic inches)1.4L/85 |
| Transmission DescriptionAutomatic | Engine Type and Required FuelTurbocharged Gas I4 | Maximum Torque @ RPM177 @ 2000-4000 |
| EPA Fuel Economy, combined/city/highway (mpg)31 / 28 / 37 | Number of Transmission Speeds6 | Range, city/highway (miles)383.60 / 506.90 |
| Wheelbase (inches)106.3 | CO2 Emissions, 15K mi/year (tons)5.7 | Passenger / Seating Capacity5/5 |
Cost
$17,608 – $24,013 MSRP
The starting price point starts at $17,608 and can go up to $24,013. In addition, it has one of the best long-term reliability ratings, which makes it a significant investment.
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Nissan Versa
Overall Score
The subcompact Nissan Versa is one of the best cars for the money with excellent addition, performance, and reliability, with an overall score of 80. In addition, Nissan Versa ranks 82 out of 100 for reliability which is one of the best scores of all time.
Specs
| Specifications | ||
| Seating5/5 | Standard MPG27/35 | DrivetrainFWD |
| Engine: 4-Cyl 1.6 Liter | Fuel Economy:27 / 35 mpg | Horsepower:122@6,300 |
| Fuel Capacity10.8 | Wheelbase103.1 | Torque114@4,000 |
| Cargo Capacity14.7 | Curb Weight2,599 | Engine TypeGas |
Cost
$14,930 – $18,340 MSRP
The starting cost for Nissan Versa is $14,930 and can go up to $18,340, depending on the trim models you choose. More information you can find here.
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Buick LaCrosse
Overall Score
The Buick LaCrosse is a fast and reliable car with one of the best reliability scores of 80 out of 100 with low repair cost and maintenance. In addition, the Buick LaCrosse provides significant power with an available V6 engine.
Specs
| Specifications | ||
| Engine: 4-Cyl 2.5 Liter | Fuel Economy:25 / 35 mpg | Safety (NHTSA):5 Stars |
| Standard MPG25/35 | Seating5/5 | Torque187@4,400 |
| Fuel Capacity15.8 | ClassPremium Passenger Car | Transmission, Hydra-Matic 6 Speed Automatic Mode Select with Manual Mode (6T40) |
| Width73.5 | Wheelbase114.4 | Cargo Capacity15.0 |
Cost
$26,960 – $37,407 MSRP
The cost for Buick LaCrosse starts at $26,960 and can go up to $37,407, depending on the trim level you choose.
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Mini Cooper Clubman
Overall Score
The Mini Cooper Clubman is placing the second position in our rating with an 80 out of 100 critics overall score. It has a slightly higher than average repair maintenance cost but compensates with excellent quality, modern infotainment system, design, and safety features.
Specs
| Specifications | ||
| Engine: 4-Cyl Turbo 2.0 Liter | Horsepower:189@5,000 | Fuel Economy:26 / 34 mpg |
| Torque207@1,350 | Transmission, 6 Speed Manual | Seating5/5 |
| Wheelbase105.1 | Curb Weight4,343 | Cargo Capacity17.5/47.9 |
| Rear Legroom34.3 | Fuel Capacity13.2 | Front Legroom41.4 |
Cost
$29,900 – $39,500 MSRP
The starting trim for Mini Cooper Clubman cost starts at $29,900 and goes up to $39,500 for the all-wheel-drive and the John Cooper Works Classic.
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Toyota Corolla
Overall Score
The top reliable vehicle, Toyota Corolla, with an overall score of 85, places the first position. It is the most reliable model with 97 safety ratings and low maintenance costs.
Specs
| Specifications | ||
| Engine: 4-Cyl 1.8 Liter | Horsepower:139@6,100 | Fuel Economy:30 / 38 mpg |
| Seating5/5 | DrivetrainFWD | Dynamic Shift Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) |
| Engine TypeGas | Torque126@3,900 | Length182.3 |
| Fuel Capacity13.2 | Engine Size1.8 | Curb Weight2,910 |
Cost
$19,825 – 25,725 MSRP
The starting price for Toyota Corolla starts at $19,825 and goes up to $25,725, depending on the trim level you choose. For more information about the costs, visit Toyota’s official website.
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What is the Most Reliable Car Brand?
The most reliable car brand is Toyota, which ranked in the first position of our rating. Toyota has one of the best overall vehicle scores, including dependability, quality and price range, interior, safety, performance, and critiques rating.
The premium Japanese brand’s cars cost the least for fixing and maintenance and have the highest reliability scores. For instance, the total annual cost of a Toyota car is $250 per year, which is also the best on the market.
Here is a complete list of the most reliable car brands starting from the first position to the last:
- Toyota
- Mini Cooper
- Buick
- Nissan
- Chevrolet
- Hyundai
- Kia
- Lexus
Our rating is based on consumer reports and expert reviews of how the car performs early and the manufacturer’s track records. Dependability data and the number of complaints per car were validated and confirmed by our expert team. In addition, there is a strong correlation between the early quality and the long-term ownership costs, which was also considered for reliability score determination.
