Lexus, Toyota Top List for Most Reliable Used Cars

by Paul Eisenstein | August 27, 2024

With the high cost of today’s new vehicles it’s likely no surprise that more buyers have turned to previously owned models. That doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice comfort, safety or fuel economy. But if you’re looking for something used you should consider which models are most reliable. And, according to a new study, Lexus and Toyota top the chart. Which other brands should you consider – or avoid? And what are the most reliable models? More from Headlight.News.

Toyota and sibling brand Lexus topped the list of most reliable brands for used car buyers.

Fully four in ten Americans who went looking for a vehicle last year focused exclusively on previously owned models last year. By comparison, only three in 10 looked for something new.

That should come as no surprise considering the high cost of today’s latest models which have settled back only slightly from the record prices we saw during the worst of the COVID pandemic.

Industry experts forecast used car sales could approach 50 million this year. And many late-model offerings are loaded up with the latest features. “Buyers shouldn’t have to sacrifice safety, reliability, or fuel economy to stay within their budget,” said Alex Knizek, associate director of auto test development for Consumer Reports. But they also should make sure that the used vehicles they look at will deliver a reliable ride that won’t result in high repair costs and downtime.

The most reliable used cars by brand

The non-profits organization has long reported on the most reliable new vehicles. Now, Consumer Reports is issuing its inaugural “10 Top Picks in Used Cars” list. And two familiar names float to the top.

Lexus was ranked number one overall, and tops in the luxury segment, according to CR. It’s sibling brand, Toyota, ranked number one among mainstream marques and second overall – with average scores of 75 and 72 respectively.

Mazda ranked third, followed by Acura and Honda. Only one domestic brand, Buick, made it into the top 10, ranked at sixth. It was followed by BMW, Subaru, Nissan and Mercedes-Benz.

“Brands like Lexus and Toyota have a history of conservative redesigns, incrementally improving their entire product line, rather than introducing many all-new systems,” said Steven Elek, Consumer Reports’ program leader for auto data analytics. “Our data consistently shows over time that new cars from those brands are reliable when new and they continue to be reliable as they age.”

The least reliable used cars by brand

At the other end of the spectrum was Chrysler, the lowest-ranked name among the 26 brands included in the new Consumer Reports study. It had a score of just 27

Dodge did only slightly better, at 28. Moving up from the bottom were EV maker Tesla, Jeep and Ram, making up the five brands with the lowest reliability.

Part of the problem is that lower-ranked brands – such as 18^th-ranked Chevrolet – have inconsistent reliability that can vary from year to year. The Chevy Equinox had above-average numbers for just two of the six years covered by the study.

“This is why it’s best to check the reliability ratings for each model year when buying a used car,” said Elek. “Making assumptions can prove both costly and inconvenient.”

More Consumer News

Best Used Cars by Model

Unfortunately for buyers, used car prices have also surged in recent years. Even though they’ve settled back a bit they still average more than $30,000.

Surprisingly, the 10 best models CR picked all came in at less than $20,000 – though the publication didn’t include any full-size SUVs and pickups and some buyers might question the choice of the 2020 Buick Envision as the top Luxury SUV.

Among the top 10 models, Toyota landed three: the 2021 Corolla Hybrid as the top Hybrid Small Sedan; the 2018 RAV4 Hybrid as the best Hybrid SUV; and the 2015 Tacoma as best Pickup Truck. Mazda landed two models on the list, Hyundai, Honda, Chevrolet and Kia rounded out the top 10.

For more information go to ConsumerReports.org/usedcars.