Consumer Reports has released its list of the most reliable car brands for 2024 to help you with your next investment. Getting a vehicle from these top companies ensures that you will get a stalwart workhorse for those daily commutes or family road trips. Breakdowns and poor part availability will throw a wrench on those drives, so going with reliable car brands is essential in 2024.
Other aspects also rely on what the reliable car brands offer. Fewer trips to the mechanics or part replacements mean lower ownership costs and fewer downtimes. Sure, some companies offer remedies to these issues, but we all know how annoying it is to drive a loaner or rental instead of the car you pay for.
The final piece of the puzzle is resale value, which can help you. It may be when you need to sell the car, want to trade in for an upgrade, or just the overall satisfaction of having a high-value asset. Brand reliability and the cult following that’s involved means that your car will be desirable for both buyers and dealers, even when it is older.
Why Trust Consumer Reports
Consumer Reports has formulated an objective round of tests to extract results that are fair and accurate. They gather a ton of information from owners, members, and surveys to find out how a car performs, how reliable it is, and how long it lasts. These tests also reveal what kind of issues arise from specific vehicles, giving CR a window to predict its reliability over the course of ownership.
These results are then aggregated to create scores which make it easier to comprehend how good a car will be. The more reliable models are available from a brand, the higher its rating will be in Consumer Report’s arsenal of recommendations. Some experiences may differ from their publication, but it gives us a general consensus that will smoothen decision-making for many.
The Most Reliable Car Brands of 2024
Lexus
Lexus is Toyota’s luxury-name brand, which produces upgraded and plush variants of its parent company’s popular models amongst its unique designs. High-end vehicles are usually excluded when it comes to reliability since many of them are finicky and very expensive to maintain. Lexus changes that by offering the same legendary characteristics Toyota offers with its products.
Lexus’ bread and butter are its crossovers like the UX and sedans like the ES and ES hybrid. These models have daily-driver form factors, but they are upscale versions of them. You will get a fantastic experience with them from their reliable power trains with soft as-butter rides and zero-tolerance fit and finish that’s essential for a luxury vehicle.
Toyota
It’s not surprising that Toyota is right next to Lexus at number 2 since it’s practically the same legendary brand, but with a larger pool of users and vehicles around the US. Many of its models, like the 4Runner or the Landcruiser, are cult classics due to their outstanding lifespans and fantastic long-term performance. The brand has variants for daily commutes all the way to luxurious nomad lifestyles, making it one of the most popular brands in America today.
Toyota’s score should be lower due to the sheer amount of vehicles from its stable on the road and in garages everywhere. However, a big chunk of its customers are highly satisfied with its offerings, even if some platforms are already dated. Toyota doesn’t fix or change its offerings if there are no issues, but that lasting staying power is also complemented by perfecting and honing out the kinks to make them extra reliable.
Mini
Mini surprises us this year as the only Euro brand to come into the top five. It has the smallest sample size in the lot, but its models, like the Cooper, are icons of the motoring world. Mini has had some reliability issues in the past years, but its current models have drastically improved to pivot it into the most reliable group.
Mini doesn’t have a lot of offerings, but its Cooper and upsized Cooper Countryman are quite popular for their classic looks and punchy performance. There aren’t a lot of these compact yet spirited cars out there, but customers and overall feedback dictate that they are fully satisfied with their purchases. Minis are often kept as collector’s items, and it looks like the modern iterations will earn a following in the years to come as well.
Acura
Acura is Honda’s equivalent to Lexus as its luxury-brand branch that offers upscale vehicles. It also upgrades the parent company’s already fantastic offerings and turns them into variants that are fit for CEOs and meticulous moms alike. Some designs drop the sportier look of common Honda models in favor of Euro-like styling, but the athletic appeal is still there.
Its most reliable offering is the RDX which is a more powerful variant of Honda’s most beloved CR-V. It’s followed by the TLX and MDX, which are basically the Accord and Pilot in wolf’s clothing. They are pricier, but the improvements in engine power, ride quality, and interior finish are incomparable.
Honda
Honda’s case with Acura is directly comparable with Lexus and Toyota since the companies share identical strategies. It’s a tier lower than its luxury arm, but that’s because there are more Hondas out there compared to Acura vehicles. Hondas are often sportier than their counterparts, but some models have also satisfied the requirements of families and soccer moms.
Honda’s HR-V is currently in the lead, followed by the CR-V and the Accord Hybrid. This triumvirate is their bread and butter since commuters who want sportier performance typically buy them over the competition. Civics are arguably their most popular vehicle, but the recent models have lower scores in Consumer Report’s testing.
Subaru
Another Japanese brand called Subaru takes the number 6 spot thanks to its rugged models, which satisfy both commuters and adventurers. The brand is widely known for its snappy boxer engines, which offer excellent power and weight characteristics, versus its competitors. Most “Subie” models are also full-time AWD, making them automatically more capable on anything other than pavement.
Subaru’s most iconic model is the WRX, but the Forester and Crosstrek are above it in this year’s rankings. The two crossover models have fantastic price points and are capable enough to be taken on overlanding adventures thanks to their combination of AWD power, ride height, and reliability.
Mazda
Mazda has been relentless in the past few years and has finally caught up with its fellow Japanese automakers. The brand is popular now due to its extensive lineup of crossovers and SUVs, which have excellent powertrains and arguably better designs. The newer models are more efficient and powerful, but they did not sacrifice overall reliability like other brands did.
Mazda’s crossovers are currently some of the best-sellers, but it’s actually their tiny roadster called the MX-5 Miata that’s the star of the show. It is not powerful, but it’s a lot of fun to drive thanks to its balanced design and chic styling. It’s closely followed by the 3, which is currently one of the most reliable sedans in the market.
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