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Reliability Over Price
While the price of a vehicle is an important consideration when shopping for a new car that fits your budget, there is a lot to be said for the maxim “You get what you pay for.” Which is why many car shoppers are willing to go at least a little above their budget to ensure that the price of a new car will provide the benefit of long, trouble-free service for the first few years of ownership.
However, it is an unfortunate fact that this does not always prove true. In fact, many models of cars are predicted to wind up in a garage for repair within the first 12 months of ownership. And worse yet, many models also wind up with chronic problems that defeat the purpose of investing more toward a new car that should have performed admirably.
Related article: Popular Small SUVs to Avoid and What to Buy Instead Advises Consumer Reports
Help for Car Shoppers
Reliability is the number one factor car owners want and expect with the purchase of a new vehicle. However, many models do not meet this expectation. To help consumers find cars that do meet this expectation, analysts have dug into the data and determined that these are the 10 most reliable cars you can buy today.
How Consumer Reports Scores Reliability
Consumer Reports’ customer surveys query car owners about this past year’s problems they have had with their vehicles (models ranging from the 2000-2023 including some early-introduced 2024 model survey results) that amounted to over 330,000 vehicles which were then tabulated, categorized, and rated with reliability as the primary focus.
Specific problems were identified that ranged from nuisances such as squeaky brakes and broken interior trim to major (meaning expensive) repairs that include out-of-warranty engine, transmission, EV battery, and EV charging problems.
“We weigh the severity of each type of problem to create a predicted reliability score for each vehicle, from 1 to 100. We use that information to give reliability ratings for every major mainstream vehicle. The reliability rating is then combined with data collected from our track testing, as well as our owner satisfaction survey results and safety data, to calculate each test vehicle’s Overall Score,” stated CR analysts in their recent newsletter listing each vehicle’s reliability score.
Related article: The Most Reliable Car That You Can Abuse
For a more detailed breakdown of each vehicle’s features, please visit the Consumer Reports website. Note that while access to some information requires a CR membership, the potential savings make it negligible in comparison when looking for the latest information to aid your car buying research.
10 Most Reliable 2024 Models
1. 2024 Toyota 4Runner (Predicted Reliability Score: 87)
Price Range: $40,455 - $54,920
CR MPG: Overall 17 / City 12 / Hwy 24 mpg
#8 of 16 Midsized SUVs
Predicted owner satisfaction: 4/5
2. 20204 Toyota Camry Hybrid (Predicted Reliability Score: 87)
Price Range: $26,420 - $36,845
CR MPG: Overall 47 / City 39 / Hwy 53 mpg
#1 of 11 Midsized cars
Predicted owner satisfaction: 4/5
3. 2024 Toyota Camry (Predicted Reliability Score: 86)
Price Range: $26,420 - $36,845
CR MPG: Overall 32 / City 20 / Hwy 49 mpg
#3 of 11 Midsized cars
Predicted owner satisfaction: 3/5
4. 2024 Toyota RAV4 Prime (Predicted Reliability Score: 84)
Price Range: $43,440 - $47,310
CR MPGE: Overall 72 / City 74 / Hwy 71 mpge
#2 of 27 Compact SUVs
Predicted owner satisfaction: 4/5
5. 2024 BMW X5 (Predicted Reliability Score: 82)
Price Range: $65,200 - $122,300
CR MPG: Overall 23 / City 15 / Hwy 33 mpg
#1 of 16 Luxury midsized SUVs
Predicted owner satisfaction: 5/5
6. 2024 Subaru Forester (Predicted Reliability Score: 82)
Price Range: $27,095 - $37,395
CR MPG: Overall 28 / City 20 / Hwy 38 mpg
#1 of 27 Compact SUVs
Predicted owner satisfaction: 4/5
7. 2024 Toyota RAV4 (Predicted Reliability Score: 80)
Price Range: $28,475 - $39,780
CR MPG: Overall 27 / City 19 / Hwy 38 mpg
#12 of 27 Compact SUVs
Predicted owner satisfaction: 2/5
8. 2024 Acura RDX (Predicted Reliability Score: 80)
Price Range: $44,050 - $53,850
CR MPG: Overall 22 / City 15 / Hwy 30 mpg
#3 of 24 Luxury compact SUVs
Predicted owner satisfaction: 3/5
9. 2024 Toyota Corolla (Predicted Reliability Score: 77)
Price Range: $21,900 - $28,140
CR MPG: Overall 36 / City 24 / Hwy 51 mpg
#5 of 16 Compact cars
Predicted owner satisfaction: 3/5
10. 2024 Toyota Highlander Hybrid (Predicted Reliability Score: 75)
Price Range: $36,620 - $53,025
CR MPG: Overall 35 / City 27 / Hwy 41 mpg
#1 of 20 Midsized SUVs 3-row
Predicted owner satisfaction: 4/5
For additional articles related to new and used car shopping, here are three for your consideration:
- Reliable New Cars and SUVs Under $30,000 Recommended by Consumer Reports
- The Most Reliable Car on the Road Made by Ford
- Consumer Reports Best Used SUVs, Sedans, Small Cars, and Trucks Guide for Shoppers
Timothy Boyer is an automotive reporter based in Cincinnati. Experienced with early car restorations, he regularly restores older vehicles with engine modifications for improved performance. Follow Tim on “Zen and the Art of DIY Car Repair” website, the Zen Mechanic blog and on Twitter at @TimBoyerWrites and Facebook for daily news and topics related to new and used cars and trucks.
COMING UP NEXT: Car Owner Fails Mechanics See Everyday
Image source: Deposit Photos
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