Most Reliable Car Brands: Top Companies Selling Cars in the U.S.

We all have different buying triggers when plunking down money on a new ride. Wow factors vary. Sometimes it’s muscle, sometimes styling. Safety technology is a big seller, or maybe it’s a color you just have to have. People also want to consider the most reliable car brands in their decision to buy a brand new vehicle, or even a used one.In fact, brand reliability may be the factor that seals the deal. It’s a sweet ride, it handles great, priced right and it’s a (fill in most reliable brand name here). Reliability means that your new dream car is going to start every time, run without breaking down, and inconvenience you as little as possible.Because brand reliability ranks so high in the buying decision, manufacturers work hard to promote that quality for their products. Because manufacturers “promote” reliability, consumer watchdogs like J.D. Power and others regularly fact check reliability claims against reality.What we have listed here are the 10 most reliable car brands based on data pulled from a number of respected sources. Each brand is rated on a five point scale. Is your car or truck brand listed?Honda: 3.58 out of 5.0In post WW II Japan, Soichiro Honda started building motorized bicycles using small motors salvaged from Army generators. Today Honda is a powerhouse in the automotive industry. It’s a powerhouse but it suffers a bit from “one bad apple” syndrome when it comes to reliability scoring.Honda has a great reputation for reliability with many models including Accord and CRV scoring 4 out of five, according to J.D Power. Their leading product is the Honda Ridgeline that pulled a 4.5 out of 5. But the Honda Odyssey minivan pulled a sub-par 2.5 dropping Honda to the bottom of this list.BMW: 3.60Consistency is the best way to explain BMW’s rating. According to J. D. Power the BMW line routinely rates average to above average with no outstanding models and no dogs.It is a bit disappointing however, to see a brand that features pricey vehicles rank as low on the list as it does. BMW is the exception that proves the rule. Just because something is expensive does not mean it exceeds at reliability.Hyundai: 3.61Edging out BMW is the Korean line from Hyundai. Like Honda, Hyundai has a stable of winners and one less-than-stellar entry that drags the line down.The Hyundai Elantra scores 4.5 and the Santa Fe 4.0, but the Veloster busts the average with a sub-par 2.5.GMC: 3.70An American brand holds down the number 7 slot. GMC doesn’t have a model that rated less than 3 in predictable reliability.On the top end, the Sierra 1500 scored a 4.0 and is rated as the most reliable full-size pickup. Topping that is the GMC Terrain with a 4.5 making it the most reliable compact SUV in the field.Lincoln: 3.77In terms of most reliable car brands, Lincoln is one of the most consistent. Half of its models rated 3.0 and the other half earned 4.0. The best sellers, Navigator and Continental both scored 4, but still lag behind the competition in popularity.A score of 4.0 is average for large luxury sedans and luxury SUVs and many vehicles of the same size outrank Lincoln in other important categories.Toyota: 3.82A reputation for unquestioned reliability has been one of the most important factors in Toyota’s phenomenal success over the years. Seriously, can you kill a Camry? How many of those things are still cruising the roads 20 years after coming off the line? Nothing is going to change either.The new Camry and Camry Hybrid both were awarded 5.0 ratings for reliability. The lone low score for Toyota is the Sienna minivan with a 3.0, but even that is high for the minivan class.Buick: 3.95The Buick LaCrosse is rated as the most reliable large car on the market earning a perfect 5.0 rating. Only the Enclave and Regal rate as low as 3.5, with the rest of the lineup scoring 4.0s.Buick is back and building a reputation as one of the most reliable car brands in the industry.Mercedes-Benz: 4.04“The best or nothing.” Mercedes lives up to its tagline and is the most consistent brand when it comes to reliability. Literally every 2017 model earned a 4.0 score from J. D. Power except one.That exception is the luxury midsize E Class sedan which achieved a 4.5. Summing it up, sometimes you do get what you pay for.Porsche: 4.23Porsche is another brand that places a premium on reliability. No vehicle in the Porsche lineup of cars and SUVs scored less than 4.0 or 4.5.Is there any wonder why KBB named Porsche one of the two best resale values for 2017?Lexus: 4.36The best of the best. J. D. Power calls Lexus the most reliable car brand selling vehicles in the United States. There are seven vehicles overall that scored a perfect 5.0 and Lexus makes three of them. The LS, GS and GS Hybrid were the top rating winners.The only slip in the Lexus lineup for 2017 is the Lexus IS luxury small car which received a 3.0.It’s good to know which brands have earned reputations for predictable reliability. It’s also very interesting to note which brands didn’t make the top 10 list.The American icons Chevrolet and Ford are not present, nor is the former American icon Chrysler. Volkswagen, one of the largest automotive manufacturers is also absent, along with luxury brands like Jaguar Land Rover and Volvo.We mention these brands only to point out the competition and how significant making the list really is.

Hyundai: 3.61

GMC: 3.70

Lincoln: 3.77

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Hyundai: 3.61

GMC: 3.70

Lincoln: 3.77

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