Buying a used car can be nerve-racking and confusing, even for the most experienced gearhead. If you’re parting with a serious amount of money, you’ll want to do some research first.
To help make your next car purchase easier, we’ve started the research to find out which are the most reliable vehicles on the used car market today. We’ve dug through JD Power’s vast database of automotive reliability ratings and picked some of the most highly rated models to ensure your next car won’t be a lemon.
No matter what car you’re buying, you should always check if it’s been in an accident, that previous owners stayed on top of its maintenance, and if there are any recalls. Here are 24 of the most reliable cars on the used car market today.
2011 Cadillac DTS — JD Power Reliability Score: 93/100
If you’re looking for space and comfort, you could do much worse than the Cadillac DTS. The entire family can travel comfortably, and the large trunk swallows plenty of cargo.
The V8 engine produces 275 horsepower unless you opt for the Platinum trim, which has 292 horses. It’s connected to a four-speed automatic, which isn’t very exciting, but it gets the job done. Of course, being an older car, you won’t find all the modern tech and gadgets here.
2020 Chevrolet Sonic — JD Power Reliability Score: 93/100
Chevrolet axed the Sonic from the US market after the 2020 model year, but the good news is that they had ironed out any issues by then.
Buying a four-year-old car means you’ll get most of the modern amenities for much less than you’d pay for a brand-new model. With its sub-140 horsepower, the Chevrolet Sonic isn’t the most exciting used car, but its excellent reliability score makes it a solid choice.
2021 Nissan Maxima — JD Power Reliability Score: 93/100
If you’re in the market for a mildly exciting sedan, the 2021 Nissan Maxima is worth considering. Again, being an almost-new car, it offers all the creature comforts and modern tech. It also boasts an excellent 93/100 reliability score on JD Power.
Interior-wise, the front seats offer excellent support and are comfortable for long periods of time, and thanks to a 300-horsepower V6 engine, the Maxima is more than capable of long trips. If there’s one drawback, the rear seats are a bit cramped for the average-sized adult.
2021 Chrysler 300 — JD Power Reliability Score: 92/100
The 2021 Chrysler 300 looks mean, packs plenty of power, and it’s very reliable. What more could we possibly ask for? Chrysler’s splendid Uconnect infotainment system is easy to use, too, which reduces the risk of getting distracted.
Under the hood, there’s a V8 engine that sends 363 horsepower to the rear wheels. Floor the throttle and hear it roar as it pushes into the seat.
2021 Genesis G90 — JD Power Reliability Score: 91/100
The Genesis G90 is another vehicle with plenty of power—between 365 and 420 horses, to be exact. Unfortunately, these horses are also very thirsty, so fuel economy suffers. Even the most “frugal” version only manages 24 mpg on the highway.
The good news is that the G90 offers excellent ride quality and driving dynamics. The interior has lots of room and is a comfortable place to spend time.
2013 Buick Verano — JD Power Reliability Score: 91/100
Buying an 11-year-old car can be risky, but as long as previous owners took proper care of it, the 2013 Buick Verano should be a safe bet. It’s a compact sedan, but it still manages to swallow a lot of stuff thanks to its 14.3 cu-ft of cargo space.
Compared to others on this list, the Verano may seem a little underpowered, but both four-cylinder engine options offer some excitement, thanks to 180 horsepower or 250 turbocharged horses. It should be noted that the car’s driving dynamics are tuned more for comfort than fun.
2008 Lincoln MKZ — JD Power Reliability Score: 91/100
Buying a 16-year-old car will never be 100% trouble-free, but the unassuming Lincoln MKZ does offer exceptional reliability. Make sure you check if the recalls have been dealt with and that it has a solid maintenance record.
If you want a solid, V6-powered, midsize luxury sedan but are on a strict budget, the 2008 Lincoln MKZ could be what you’re looking for. However, there’s absolutely nothing exciting about it, so you’ll want to look elsewhere if you want a car that’ll get your heart racing.
2020 Nissan Armada — JD Power Reliability Score: 91/100
If you want luxury and are not on a budget, Nissan’s flagship SUV is one of the most impressive vehicles in its class. It has a very luxurious and spacious cabin, and even the passengers in the rear seat rows won’t complain about being cramped.
With a 390-horsepower V8 engine, the Nissan Armada offers plenty of oomph for a large SUV as well. The downside is that its weight combined with a powerful engine means the fuel economy suffers.
2008 Acura RL — JD Power Reliability Score: 90/100
Back in 2008, the Acura RL was the biggest sedan offered by Honda’s luxury division. For the time, it was technologically advanced and regarded as a very safe vehicle, but automotive tech and safety have come a long way since then.
That being said, the Acura RL is still a reliable vehicle, and thanks to its V6 engine producing 290 horsepower, it also offers some excitement. Ensure it’s maintained properly and that all airbag-related recalls are handled.
2020 BMW X6 — JD Power Reliability Score: 90/100
BMW’s reputation for making solid cars has suffered in recent years. However, when correctly cared for, the Bavarian machines will provide years of service, as the 2020 BMW X6 proves.
This model has earned a great reliability score, and thanks to the generous standard equipment level and powerful engine options, it’s also a fun and exciting SUV.
2020 Kia Forte — JD Power Reliability Score: 90/100
If you need a powerful vehicle, we’ll inform you upfront that the Kia Forte will leave you disappointed. Only two engine options are available, producing 147 or 201 horsepower. If you opt for the more powerful version, you can choose between a six-speed manual or a seven-speed automatic.
The Kia Forte’s real forte is its solid reputation for reliability, along with its spacious interior. All things considered, it’s the perfect choice if you just want a no-frills daily driver that delivers no-nonsense dependability.
2021 Hyundai Accent — JD Power Reliability Score: 90/100
The Hyundai Accent has been around forever, and it’s never been an exciting car to own or drive. That hasn’t changed for the 2021-year model. However, no one would buy a Hyundai Accent if they wanted a sports car; they buy it because it offers years of trouble-free motoring.
Low fuel consumption, excellent reliability, and a spacious interior make this the perfect daily driver. To sweeten the deal even further, you can find it on the used market for as little as $12-15,000, which makes it a bargain.
2019 Nissan Titan — JD Power Reliability Score: 89/100
The 2019 Nissan Titan is the first vehicle on this list with a reliability score that dips into the eighties. However, it’s still much more reliable than the average vehicle. Americans often overlook the Titan in favor of domestic brands, but the Nissan has proven itself to be just as good in many ways.
Reliability-wise, the 2019 Titan scores better than most trucks in its segment, and thanks to its various trim levels, you can find them specced with plenty of tech and luxuries. As spacious and comfortable as the Titan may be, it does leave a bit to be desired compared to its American rivals.
2010 Audi A6 — JD Power Reliability Score: 89/100
2010 Audi A6
The 2010 Audi A6 offers European luxury for under $10,000, and it’s surprisingly reliable as well. You’ll get everything European sports sedans are known for: excellent handling, safety equipment, a premium interior, and plenty of power. The downside is that repairs and maintenance tend to be more expensive than Japanese and American cars.
With 255 to 265 horsepower, depending on the year, the Audi A6 is a very capable car, even more so if it has the Quattro AWD system.
2021 Nissan Murano — JD Power Reliability Score: 89/100
The Nissan Murano has soldiered on for quite some time, and by 2021, it was getting a bit long in the tooth. However, Nissan sorted that out by adding some safety features and interior updates. Just like that, the Murano had discovered the fountain of youth and remained among its segment’s top sellers.
As you’d expect from a vehicle that’s only three years old, it has lots of modern tech and gadgetry. If there’s anything to point a finger at, it’s the cargo capacity, which doesn’t live up to the standard set by the competition.
2020 Cadillac CT5 — JD Power Reliability Score: 89/100
The Cadillac CT5 first saw the light of day in 2019 as a 2020 model-year car. It was another hit for the American luxury brand, largely thanks to its great reliability score and the smooth ride quality Cadillac has become known for.
It offers plenty of features and creature comforts, but it’s not perfect. Compared to its European rivals, the interior does leave something to be desired, and the cargo capacity is sub-par.
2020 Chevrolet Malibu — JD Power Reliability Score: 89/100
The first Malibu arrived in 1964, and it’s still around today after Chevy brought the nameplate back in 1997 after a hiatus since the early 1980s. It’s a much-loved model thanks to its excellent reliability ratings, and buying a four-year-old car means you can enjoy years of trouble-free car ownership.
Like most reliable cars, it’s not the most exciting model money can buy, but depending on the trim, it’ll deliver between 163 and 250 all-American stallions. Inside, base models are, as expected, very basic, and higher trims offer more luxuries and gadgets.
2020 Kia Soul — JD Power Reliability Score: 89/100
What’s not to love about the 2020 Kia Soul? It’s one of the most reliable models on the used market, and it looks cute yet a little aggressive. Sure, it’s not fast, as it’s only available with two four-cylinder engines: one that produces 147 horses, and a turbocharged version with 201 horsepower.
Other than its fun exterior, the Kia Soul offers more comfort than most vehicles in its segment. It has plenty of tech and safety features, and thanks to its large glass areas, outward visibility is far better than that of the competition.
2021 Chevrolet Corvette — JD Power Reliability Score: 89/100
Who says sports cars aren’t reliable? The C8 Chevy Corvette is as reliable as any other American-made car, and thanks to a 490+ horsepower mid-mounted engine, it packs performance that’ll rival a supercar.
Inside, it doesn’t quite rival Europe’s finest, but everything is hyper-modern and as luxurious as one would expect from an American sports car in this price class.
2021 Dodge Charger — JD Power Reliability Score: 89/100
If you want American V8 performance but need something practical, the Dodge Charger is one of the best options. This is proper American muscle with more heritage than you can shake a stick at.
As an added bonus, it also looks mean and intimidating, so even if you don’t go for one of the powerful V8s, it’ll still draw some attention. Thanks to the Charger’s long lifespan, Dodge has had plenty of time to iron out any issues.
2021 BMW X4 — JD Power Reliability Score: 89/100
In 2021, BMW added more tech and safety features to the standard BMW X4. With its solid reputation for reliability, luxurious interior, and driving dynamics on par with what we expect from Bavaria’s finest, the X4 is a very attractive option.
Power-wise, the 2021 BMW X4 delivers between 248 and 503 thoroughbred horses, depending on spec. There are some drawbacks, however. It’s not as spacious as other models in its segments, and tall adults won’t be comfortable in the rear seat.
2015 Infiniti Q40 — JD Power Reliability Score: 89/100
You don’t come across an Infiniti Q40 very often, and that’s because it was only made in 2015. Infiniti renamed its G37 sedan Q40 for its final production year, so it’s possible to find earlier cars for even less money as long as you know about the name change.
It’s built on the same platform as the Nissan 370Z, which means it’s an exciting car to drive, even if it’s getting a bit old now. It has a 328-horsepower V6 engine, and all that power is sent to the rear wheels through a seven-speed automatic transmission.
2020 Toyota Tundra — JD Power Reliability Score: 88/100
Knowing that Toyota makes some of the world’s most reliable vehicles, we’re as surprised as you to discover that they’re not at the top of this list. Still, the Toyota Tundra has always offered legendary reliability, which also goes for the 2020 model year.
The V8 engine produces 381 horsepower, and it’s practically bulletproof. However, it should be noted that it’s a heavy drinker. The 2020 Tundra is also a bit dated, and it’s not as refined or comfortable as some of the competitors.
2012 Mercedes-Benz E-Class — JD Power Reliability Score: 88/100
We’ve already had some BMWs and Audis on here, and Mercedes just managed to squeeze onto the list as well. The E-Class is pretty much the definition of a midsize German luxury sedan, and even a 12-year-old model will draw some stares.
Its design has aged well, it offers some very decent and potent engines, and the interior is spacious and luxurious. Tech and safety feature-wise, it’s outdated compared to a brand-new model, but on the other hand, you’ll save thousands compared to buying a new car. Regarding reliability, there’s a reason why Mercedes-Benz is the preferred brand among European taxi drivers.
