The 12 Most Reliable Cars Of All Time
Photo by Raul De Los Santos on Unsplash
Reliability is a major buzzword in the car world, with everyone from J.D. Power to Consumer Reports to RepairPal touting what it believes to be the most dependable vehicles. And that doesn’t even take into account the marketing hype from automakers. And through all this chatter and noise stand a handful of vehicles with rock-solid reputations for trouble-free ownership. Let’s explore these most reliable cars of all time.
We’ve compiled a dozen legendary examples. Most left production years ago, but some are still available in dealer showrooms.
Ford Crown Victoria
Starting off our list of the most reliable cars of all time is the indomitable Ford Crown Victoria. The “Crown Vic” makes up for what it lacks in style with dependability. No wonder it was the mainstay of so many police and taxi fleets for two decades (1992-2012).
At the heart of this Ford is the rugged 4.6-liter modular V8 engine, which also saw duty in many other Ford products from the same era. Rear-wheel drive was also part of the Crown Victoria’s simple but winning formula.
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Honda Accord
Few cars define Honda automobiles better than the trustworthy Accord. Launched in 1976, the Accord started as a diminutive three-door hatchback when American motorists were becoming more sensitive to fuel economy.
Over the decades, Honda has offered the Accord also as a stylish coupe and family-friendly station wagon. But today, the Accord is strictly a four-door sedan. And it’s grown in size, becoming a “large” car by EPA standards.
Honda Civic
While not the first Honda to land on U.S. shores (that honor belongs to the tiny N600), the Civic helped contribute to Honda’s success in the country. Debuting in 1972 as Americans clamored for fuel-sipping cars, the Civic couldn’t have had better timing.
The original Civics kept a simple recipe of just enough power to get the job done and front-wheel drive. And over the decades and generations, the automaker has steadily refined the approach.
Jeep Cherokee XJ
While the Cherokee name has legendary status among Jeep lovers, the Cherokee XJ, built from 1984 to 1996, ranks among the most reliable cars of all time. This capable utility helped usher in the SUV craze. At the same time, its innovative construction reduced weight while still maintaining Jeep standards for durability.
Buyers could choose from an efficient four-cylinder engine, but the 4.0-liter six-cylinder proved almost unkillable. Jeep Cherokee XJs are still in high demand, with pristine examples commanding new-car prices.
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Lexus LS 400
Today’s Lexus LS sedans are high-tech wonder machines with the potential for painful repair bills. But the first two generations of Lexus’ flagship sedan built from 1989 to 2000 promise near-bulletproof reliability even today. It all stems from overbuilding (for the better) the early Lexus models to take on their more finicky German rivals.
Wisely, Lexus stuck with proven, less trouble-prone technology: rear-wheel drive and a V8 engine. All-wheel drive was unavailable on the LS until the fourth generation in 2007.
Mazda MX-5 Miata
While modeled after tiny British roadsters, the Mazda Miata proved that reliability and fun can work hand in hand. Miatas have a devoted following that appreciates dependability and how Mazda engineered the car for easy repairs when something goes wrong.
Over four generations (starting in 1990), the Miata has used four cylinders and rear-wheel drive to keep things focused on the basics. As a result, it’s not unusual to come across first-generation Miatas (the ones with pop-up headlights) still zooming along streets and highways.
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Mercedes-Benz E-Class (W124)
Today’s Mercedes aren’t known as pillars of reliability, which starkly contrasts with the midsized E-Class models built from 1986 to 1996. The W124 (the company’s internal model designation) effectively combines engineering sophistication and dependability. That’s something that’s missing from most modern luxury car brand.
Buyers could choose from gas or Diesel engines, but the Diesel versions earned a particularly robust reputation for longevity. Mercedes built almost 2.5 million examples (as sedans, coupes, and convertibles) of the W124, an impressive number for a pricey ride.
Toyota 4Runner
The intrepid 4Runner marks the first of several Toyota-branded vehicles on our list of the most reliable cars of all time. This rugged SUV began 40 years ago as a modified Toyota pickup truck with a second row of seats and a removable fiberglass roof. In the decades since, the 4Runner has become more refined while still offering go-anywhere capabilities.
Its truck-like body-on-frame construction may not offer the smoothest ride, but this keep-it-simple philosophy has helped deliver trouble-free driving for countless 4Runner owners.
Toyota Camry
Rightfully, the iconic Toyota Camry has earned a place among the most dependable vehicles. And like others on this list (we’re looking at you, Honda Accord), the Camry started out as a basic people mover that has grown in size and refinement over the years. It’s also the car that helped cement Toyota’s status as a significant automaker globally.
Toyota never overreached with the Camry by sticking with tried-and-true engineering like front-wheel drive and solid four- and six-cylinder engines.
Toyota Corolla
Need proof that the Toyota Corolla is reliable? Over 50 million examples have left Toyota’s factories since 1966, making it the most popular vehicle ever. Toyota waited for the somewhat larger second-generation Corolla to be completed before unleashing this sales juggernaut in America.
Like its larger stablemate, the Camry, the Corolla has been more about getting the job done than turning heads with style. The result is a car that will practically run till the wheels fall off.
Volkswagen Beetle
While Volkswagen has produced three generations of Beetles, we’re talking about the original Beetle with dubious beginnings in Nazi Germany and a remarkable 65-year history ending in 2002. The original Beetle’s reliability centers on an air-cooled engine that seemingly could run forever.
Plus, the simplicity of the engine’s design turned many VW owners into DIY mechanics, helping keep these Beetles on the road even longer.
Volvo 700
Several Volvo series, like the 200 and 900, have storied reputations for dependability, but we’ll call out the Volvo 700 line for special recognition. Built from 1982 to 1992, the 700 brought together the company’s proven front-engine/rear-wheel drive architecture on a modern platform.
With almost 1.5 million sedans, wagons, and coupes produced, it’s not uncommon to see a Volvo 700 series cruising the roads with a happy driver behind the wheel.
Honorable Mentions
- Buick Encore: The Encore boasts Buick’s renowned quality control in a compact yet sturdy SUV design, ensuring minimal wear and tear and ownership costs.
- Acura MDX: As Honda’s luxury division, the MDX benefits from Honda’s reliability legacy, combined with Acura’s cutting-edge technology and timely upgrades. This combination of Honda’s engineering prowess and Acura’s luxury innovations makes the MDX a paragon of durability and reliability.
- Toyota Prius: A hybrid technology pioneer, the Prius leverages Toyota’s legendary reputation for durability, ensuring both longevity and exceptional fuel efficiency. Toyota has done a great job of refining the Prius over the years, turning it into a benchmark for fuel efficiency and reliability.
- Hyundai Kona: Hyundai’s confidence in the Kona’s reliability is evident in their industry-leading warranty. The Kona, with its modern engineering, is built to last. It’s versatile enough to handle various terrains, further enhancing its ruggedness and making it a favorite among diverse drivers.
- Subaru Impreza: The standard symmetrical AWD system is hard to beat. Its distinct boxer engine not only delivers a seamless drive but also enhances the car’s longevity. Additionally, Subaru’s dedication to safety has earned the Impreza top safety accolades.
What Makes a Vehicle Reliable
Most vehicles listed above have met specific criteria that made them excel in reliability. Several factors contribute to a vehicle’s reliability, including:
- Simple, proven engineering: Vehicles with straightforward designs and well-tested components are more dependable.
- Quality manufacturing: Attention to detail during production and strict quality control measures lead to fewer defects and issues.
- Robust powertrains: Engines and overbuilt or conservatively tuned transmissions often last longer and require less maintenance.
- Consistent design evolution: Cars that undergo gradual improvements rather than radical redesigns benefit from refined engineering over time.
- Durable materials: High-quality materials in critical components contribute to longevity and reliability.
- Ease of maintenance: Vehicles designed with serviceability in mind are more likely to receive proper care, enhancing their reliability.
- Brand reputation: Manufacturers known for reliability often maintain high standards across their product lines.
- Feedback integration: Brands that actively incorporate customer and dealer feedback into their design process can address issues quickly.
- Rigorous testing: Extensive pre-production testing helps identify and resolve potential problems before vehicles reach consumers.
- Conservative feature adoption: Automakers that carefully introduce new technologies tend to have more reliable vehicles than those rushing to market with untested features.
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