The 2015 Lexus GS was ranked the most reliable midsize premium car.
These Are the 19 Most Reliable Used Vehicles in 2018
If you’re considering buying a used vehicle in the coming months, the recently released 2018 J.D. Power US Vehicle Dependability Study may help. This year’s annual survey ranks the most reliable used cars based on 2015 model years in 19 categories.
J.D. Power analyzed data from nearly 40,000 respondents to rank the most reliable used cars. The rankings in each category are determined by the number of problems experienced per 100 vehicles. The more reliable the car, the lower the score it received.
In keeping with their reputation, Toyota Motors won six of the 19 categories. That’s the most of all the automakers. GM vehicles won five categories, coming in second.
For the seventh year in a row, Lexus ranked the highest in overall dependability among all brands. Porsche ranked second. In terms of mass market brands, Buick ranked the highest in overall dependability.
Fiat was the most-improved brand, with 116 fewer problems per 100 vehicles. It still ranked near the bottom compared to other brands though. Infiniti had the largest improvement in rank, moving from 29th most dependable brand to fourth.
Here’s how the 2018 brand rankings unfolded:
- Lexus
- Porsche
- Buick
- Infiniti
- Kia
- Chevrolet
- Hyundai
- BMW
- Toyota
- Lincoln
- Nissan
- Honda
- Audi
- Mazda
- Mercedes-Benz
- Ford
- MINI
- GMC
- Volkswagen
- Acura
- Jaguar
- Volvo
- Dodge
- Ram
- Subaru
- Mitsubishi
- Cadillac
- Jeep
- Fiat
- Land Rover
- Chrysler
Individual Car Category Winners
These were the most reliable used cars for each category, as well the models that followed.
Small Car: 2015 Kia Rio
The Chevrolet Sonic and Nissan Versa followed the Kia Rio.
Small Premium Car: 2015 Lexus CT
The BMW 2 Series followed the Lexus CT.
Compact Car: 2015 Toyota Prius
The Buick Verano and Nissan LEAF followed the Toyota Prius, which is a good showing for electrified cars.
Compact Premium Car: 2015 Lexus ES
The Infiniti Q40 and BMW 4 Series followed the Lexus ES.
Midsize Car: 2015 Chevrolet Malibu
The Toyota Camry and Buick Regal followed the Chevrolet Malibu.
Midsize Sporty Car: 2015 Dodge Challenger
The Chevrolet Camaro followed the Dodge Challenger.
Midsize Premium Car: 2015 Lexus GS
The BMW 5 Series followed the Lexus GS.
Large Car: 2015 Buick LaCrosse
The Chevrolet Impala and Ford Taurus followed the Buick LaCrosse.
Individual SUV, Van and Pickup Category Winners
These were the vehicles that ranked highest within their category, as well the models that followed.
Small SUV: 2015 Hyundai Tucson
The Chevrolet Trax and Volkwagen Tiguan followed the Tucson.
Small Premium SUV: 2015 Audi Q3
The BMW X1 and Mercedes-Benz GLA followed the Audi Q3.
Compact SUV: 2015 Chevrolet Equinox
The GMC Terrain and Ford Escape followed the Chevrolet Equinox.
Compact Premium SUV: 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class
The Porsche Macan and Lexus NX followed the GLK-Class.
Midsize SUV: 2015 Chevrolet Traverse
There was a three-way tie for most reliable midsize SUV following the Traverse between the Buick Enclave, Hyundai Santa Fe and Toyota Venza.
Midsize Premium SUV: 2015 Lexus RX
The Lincoln MKX and Lexus GX followed the Lexus RX.
Large SUV: 2015 Ford Expedition
The Chevrolet Tahoe followed the Ford Expedition.
Minivan: 2015 Honda Odyssey
The Chrysler Town & Country came after the Odyssey.
Midsize Pickup: 2015 Toyota Tacoma
The Nissan Frontier followed the Toyota Tacoma.
Large Light-Duty Pickup: 2015 Chevrolet Silverado
The Ford F-150 followed the Chevrolet Silverado.
Large Heavy-Duty Pickup: 2015 Ford Super Duty
The Chevrolet Silverado HD and the GMC Sierra HD followed the Ford Super Duty.
