Most Reliable Used Cars That Last Thousands of Miles and Years

When it is time to buy a used car, reliability is an essential factor to consider. Why? Well, you can live with a vehicle with a low fuel economy, less uncomfortable seats, or an unattractive cabin, but you cannot live with one that breaks down often and accumulates frequent and heavy repair bills every month. Right? So, the next logical question is how to find reliable used cars.

Well, you leave it upon us as we bring you the most reliable used cars as per owner surveys and recommendations from J.D. Power, U.S. News, and Consumer Reports. So, without further ado, let’s get started.

What are the Most Reliable Used Cars

Are you looking for the most reliable used cars that can last for years without giving you any trouble on the road? This blog lists the most dependable vehicles, according to recommendations from J.D. Power, U.S. News, and Consumer Reports.

2017 Lexus ES

J.D. Power Predicted Reliability Score: 96

With the highest J.D. Power predicted reliability rating on this list, the 2017 Lexus ES is the most reliable used car the money can buy. Besides, it has also garnered the top place on the U.S. News 2017 luxury midsize car rating as well as earned the U.S. News 2017 Best Luxury Midsize Car for the Money honor.

The five-seat luxury midsize car is powered by a 268-horsepower V6, mated to a six-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive. On the other hand, the hybrid model is a little slower (generates 200 horsepower) but compensates for the power for excellent fuel economy of 40 mpg in the city and 39 mpg on the highway.

The cabin is luxurious with standard synthetic or optional leather upholstery, offering space for five individuals. Other highlights are 10-way power-adjustable front seats, an 8-inch infotainment system, and a wide range of innovative safety and driver assistance technologies. These encompass automatic high-beam headlights, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, and automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection.

When you get behind the wheels of this one of the most reliable used cars, you feel safe thanks to the 2017 IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award (the highest rating from the IIHS).

2019 Kia Sportage

J.D. Power Predicted Reliability Score: 91

The 2019 Kia Sportage is the most reliable SUV you can buy in 2022, with a J.D. Power predicted reliability rating of 91 (4.5 stars out of 5) and an 8.5 out of 10 in the U.S. News overall rating. The affordable compact SUV was also the contender for the 2019 Best Compact SUV for the Money honor. So, what makes it one of the best reliable used cars available on the market?

Well, its five-seat spacious and upscale interior, user-friendly 7- or 8-inch touch-screen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility, and balanced ride along with a five-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the highest rating of Good in all six crashworthiness tests from the IIHS, contribute to give it a sure spot on any list.

Kia offers two engine choices – a 181-horsepower four-cylinder and a 240-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder, both connected to a six-speed automatic transmission and front- or all-wheel drive.

2020 BMW X6

J.D. Power Predicted Reliability Score: 90

At the third place on the list of our most reliable used cars is a luxury midsize SUV from BMW for its ability to last longer (which means fewer repairs) than its peers.

While this coupe-like SUV doesn’t rank high on the U.S. News list, its powerful engine options, posh and roomy cabin, and a long list of standard amenities gather many accolades for consumers.

Fully redesigned for the 2020 model year, what makes it exciting to own include BMW’s iDrive infotainment system, a 12.3-inch touch screen, a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, navigation, Apple CarPlay, dual-zone automatic climate control, a power liftgate, Vernasca leather upholstery, heated and 16-way power-adjustable front seats, a panoramic moonroof, and an adaptive suspension.

BMW ensures its safety standards through a pre-collision warning and braking system, pedestrian detection, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, front and rear parking sensors, a rearview camera, automatic high-beam headlights, and adaptive headlights.

2015 Toyota Camry

J.D. Power Predicted Reliability Score: 90

The 2015 Toyota Camry is on this list for good reasons, and we would like to mention each of them below for your reassurance.

• J.D Power: Five out of Five Stars
• U.S. News Overall Rating: 9.0 out of 10
• Consumer Reports Rating: Five out of Five
• Winner in U.S. News 2017 Best Used Cars for Teens
• Winner in U.S. News 2018 Best Used Cars for Teens
• Finalist in the U.S. News 2015 Best Midsize Car for the Money

So, let’s get back to what makes it a well-rounded affordable midsize car. Apart from the quiet & stylish cabin and user-friendly infotainment system, Toyota retuned the Camry’s suspension for the 2015 model year and added various advanced safety features such as a pre-collision system, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and rear cross-traffic alert.

Under the hood, you can have a 178-horsepower four-cylinder or a 268-horsepower V6, both of which mate to a six-speed automatic transmission.

The salient features include a 6.1-inch or a bigger 7.0-inch touch-screen infotainment system, six speakers or a 10-speaker JBL audio system, a USB port, voice recognition, dual-zone automatic climate control, a moonroof, smartphone app integration, satellite radio, and wireless phone charging.

Thanks to the changes made to the 2015 Camry, it received a 2015 Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS and an overall rating of five stars from NHSTA.

2017 Nissan Leaf

J.D. Power Predicted Reliability Score: 90

The fact that it is the final model year of the first generation that came with a 30kWh standard battery makes it an excellent bargain among the most reliable used cars. Besides, how can we forget it is one of the best-selling electric vehicles worldwide, with plenty of passenger and cargo space to run daily errands?

The 2017 Leaf delivers 107 miles of drive range between charges, which is paltry considering the new EVs, but it is more than enough for daily city jobs. However, while purchasing, make sure the used EV attains its claimed range. Some owners reported a cut in drive range with time.

If advanced driver assistance systems are something you fancy in an EV, you have to upgrade to the 2018 Leaf that comes with optional ProPilot Assist and standard e-Pedal.

2020 Hyundai Accent

J.D. Power Predicted Reliability Score: 90

When the 2020 Accent came, it was among America’s most affordable subcompact cars. Seeing its reliability rating, you can imagine it is still one of the most reliable used cars on the market.

The four-door sedan is available with just one engine option, i.e., a 120-horsepower four-cylinder that channels power to the front wheels via either a six-speed manual or a continuously variable automatic transmission. It is not an enthusiastic engine, but it does an excellent job in the fuel efficiency department with an EPA-estimated range of 41 mpg.

While the interior might not impress you much, the IIHS’s highest rating of ‘Good’ in five crash safety tests and overall safety rating of four out of five stars from NHSTA add to its merits.

The flagship Limited trim is the best of all, offering forward collision warning, forward automatic emergency braking, automatic climate control, a sunroof, a hands-free liftgate, and heated front seats.

The good news is, if you buy it today, you may have peace of mind with its five-year/60,000-mile basic warranty.

2020 Nissan Armada

J.D. Power Predicted Reliability Score: 91

The 2020 Armada is a large SUV that can easily carry up to eight passengers thanks to the 390-horsepower 5.6-liter V8. Due to its heavy build, it may not be the most fuel-efficient SUV, but it is definitely one of the most reliable in its segment.

Besides its dependability, it garners accolades for its up to 8,500 pounds towing capacity, navigation, a 13-speaker audio system, standard cloth upholstery on lower variants or leather on high-level trims, and safety facilities. The standard safety systems include adaptive cruise control, front and rear parking sensors, a rearview camera, a pre-collision warning, a braking system, and alloy wheels.

2019 Hyundai Tucson

J.D. Power Predicted Reliability Score: 90

Go for the 2019 Tucson if you prefer the J.D. Power rating, or buy the 2018 Tucson if you value the U.S. News rating more. The latter gave it the 2018 Best Cars for Teens award and chose it for the 2018 Best Compact SUV for the Money accolade.

Regardless of the Tucson model year you choose, it delivers a comfortable, quiet, and & balanced ride and plenty of user-friendly standard technologies.

The affordable compact SUV can seat five, and upper-level trims feel much more luxurious, courtesy of leather upholstery, power-adjustable heated and ventilated seats, and a heated steering wheel. For updated interior styling and extra standard amenities like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and forward collision warning, you should pick the 2019 Tucson.

The 2018 model offers either a 164-horsepower four-cylinder or a turbo-four generating 175 horsepower. The 2019 Tucson replaced the Turbo with a 2.4-liter non-turbo for a meager 6-hp boost.

2017 BMW 3 Series

J.D. Power Predicted Reliability Score: 90

The BMW 3 Series is undoubtedly a stylish, luxurious, spacious, and powerful sports sedan. And when you purchase the right model year, you may get one of the most reliable used cars in the segment.

The 2017 3-Series is an excellent example of dependability with a predicted rating of 90 out of 100, thanks to its agile handling, beefy engine choices, roomy cabin, and splendid driving dynamics.

Available engine choices include a 180-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder, 248-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder, a 180-horsepower turbodiesel four-cylinder, and a 248-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder mating to an electric motor. Rear-wheel drive is standard with an option of all-wheel, and you can have it in either manual or automatic.

Our best recommendation is the 330i with a robust turbo engine, leatherette upholstery, dual-zone automatic climate control, a push-button ignition, rain-sensing windshield wipers, an iDrive infotainment system with a 6.5-inch display screen, a nine-speaker audio system, and power-adjustable front seats.

Besides, it has received a Top Safety Pick+ award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), even though it lacks standard safety facilities in the base variant. However, you can always opt for the available rearview camera, front and rear parking sensors, blind spot monitoring, automatic high beams, a head-up display, a surround-view parking camera, lane departure warning, forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, city collision mitigation, etc.

2018 Genesis G90

J.D. Power Predicted Reliability Score: 90

The 2018 G90 is one of the most reliable used cars you can buy right now, thanks to its refined performance, elegant and roomy interior, superb safety ratings, and a long list of standard driver assistance features.

The G90 is undoubtedly one of the finest creations of Genesis, and you feel it the instant you enter the posh interior. The five-seat luxury car boasts Nappa leather upholstery, tri-zone automatic climate control, multi-way power-adjustable heated and ventilated front seats, a 12.3-inch touch-screen infotainment system, and a 17-speaker surround-sound stereo.

The two engine choices – a 365-horsepower twin-turbo V6 and a 420-horsepower V8 are as good as its 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. Both rear- and all-wheel drivetrains are available.

Do not forget the 2018 G90 gets a 10 out of 10 safety rating from the U.S. News and a 2018 IIHS Top Safety Pick+ honor, as well.

2011 Toyota Prius

J.D. Power Predicted Reliability Score: 86

Those who fancy buying a hybrid to offset the rising fuel prices should opt for the 2011 Toyota Prius. Well, not just for improved fuel economy but also for its stellar reliability. With a five out of five stars/ predicted reliability score of 86 from J.D. Power and winner of the 2011 Best Hybrid Car for the Money and the Best Hybrid Car for Families from the U.S. News, you better not miss this compact car.

You may not like its 98-horsepower hybrid powertrain, but you will definitely love the 51/48 mpg city/highway fuel economy rating.
Other niceties include seven airbags, anti-lock brakes, electronic stability control, traction control, automatic headlights, push-button start, cruise control, a six-speaker stereo, heated front seats, and leather upholstery.

Furthermore, the five-seat hatchback offers a spacious boot space and a ‘Good’ safety rating in four crash tests from the IIHS.

FAQs

Final Words

Put reliability at the top of your consideration while buying a used car, and we bet you will not regret it. A car could be your second highest investment after your home, so you should make sure to get one that can last thousands of miles and years.