10 Most Reliable Cars

Purchasing a car is a long-term investment, with the expectation that the car will provide dependable transportation for the long haul. But as our surveys show, not all cars can fulfill that promise.

Based on our 2016 Annual Auto Survey, these models are the 10 most reliable cars today. We predict these cars will give owners fewer problems than their competitors, based on data collected on over half a million vehicles.

Our survey takes a deep dive into the numerous things that can go wrong with a vehicle. We study 17 trouble areas, from nuisances—such as squeaky brakes and broken interior trim—to major bummers, like out-of-warranty transmission repairs or trouble with four-wheel-drive systems. We weight the severity of each type of problem to create a Predicted Reliability Score for each vehicle. That score 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.

Based on that analysis, these models are the most reliable. They are presented in rank order, with the Toyota Prius being the best. For more details on the models' reliability predictions, click through to their respective model pages.

The new Prius is longer, lower, and wider than the previous version. It relies on a new platform with an independent rear suspension that contributes to more responsive handling and a steadier ride. We got 52 mpg overall, a significant improvement over the previous generation’s 44 mpg. Colorful digital gauges dominate the dashboard and make it easier to access the infotainment features. The sensible Prius has always been about efficiency and low running costs. The car can still drive solely on electric power, up to about 25 mph usually, and the engine is now quieter when it kicks in. But the seats are rather chintzy, tire noise is noticeable, and cabin access is not as easy because of the car’s lower stance.  

See the complete Toyota Prius road test.

This small hatchback has excellent fuel economy, but its refinement isn’t up to the Lexus standard. A 2016 freshening brought styling updates and mechanical tweaks said to improve ride comfort and noise levels, two areas we found problematic in our testing. Using the same powertrain as the previous-generation Prius, the CT’s 40 mpg is 4 mpg less than the roomier Toyota's. The CT can drive solely on electric power at low speeds. Handling is responsive and secure, but the ride is stiff and choppy. The cabin is well-assembled, with quality materials. But the rear seats are tight, cargo capacity is modest, and the view out back is limited.

See the complete Lexus CT 200h road test.

The Q70 sedan is very quick, with a lively 330-hp V6 and a smooth seven-speed automatic that returned 21 mpg overall in our tests. A V8 and a V6 hybrid are also available. Handling is quite agile, with communicative steering. The ride is firm and absorbs bumps well but trails the competition in terms of plushness. The Q70 is also behind the competition in terms of cabin quietness; there is some engine noise at high revs. Very good interior quality, a roomy rear seat, and easy-to-use controls are positives, although cabin ambience is austere. Blind-spot intervention is optional. An extended-length L version with a roomier rear seat is also available. Although it’s beginning to show its age, the Q70 is still competitive and typically commands lower prices than the competition.

See the complete Infiniti Q70 road test.

A tidy, compact crossover, the Q3 competes with the BMW X1 and Mercedes-Benz GLA. Overall it manages to deliver a premium driving experience similar to the larger Audi Q5 but in a 10-inch-shorter package. The energetic 200-hp, 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder is mated to a conventional six-speed automatic and returned 22 mpg overall in our tests. This is a quiet SUV with a firm, comfortable ride and responsive handling. The cabin is a bit simplistic looking, but it gives a sense of quality. Demerits include the tight quarters and cramped driving position. Though the controls are complicated at first, they prove logical with some familiarity. Front- and all-wheel drive is available.

See the complete Audi Q3 road test.

Like its Toyota 4Runner corporate cousin, the GX 460 is among the few remaining old-school SUVs that use a body-on-frame design. It is very quiet and quick for a hulking brute, yet the GX is highly capable off-road and has a high tow rating. The 4.6-liter V8 engine and six-speed automatic make for a slick powertrain that gets 17 mpg overall. Handling is lumbering but ultimately secure. The ride is very comfortable, although the body tends to jostle when driving over uneven pavement. Inside, the cabin is plush and well-finished. The small third-row seat folds neatly into the floor when it’s not in use, but the side-swinging rear door can be inconvenient at times.

See the complete Lexus GX road test

The GS competes well, delivering a balanced combination of ride, handling, quietness, and roominess. Engaging to drive, the car’s good handling and taut yet supple ride compete well against German rivals. Its strong 3.5-liter V6 returned 21 mpg overall in our tests. Rear-drive versions get an eight-speed automatic, and AWD versions get a six-speed automatic. A hybrid with a continuously variable transmission is also available. Interior space is on par for the class, and the cabin is nicely furnished. A distracting mouselike controller works the infotainment systems. A high-performance GS F with a 467-hp V8 is available. 2016 brings a rear-drive 200t with a turbo four-cylinder. A blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert is standard.

See the complete Lexus GS road test.

Based on the current C-Class, the rounded GLC replaces the GLK. Larger dimensions improve rear-seat room, although it’s still a bit snug. Plush furnishings inside the quiet cabin prove appealing, although it also has Mercedes’ complex infotainment system. The 241-hp, 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder delivers ample power and is matched to a nine-speed automatic. Unlike other nine-speeds we’ve tried, this one usually works well. The GLC rides comfortably and handles with athleticism. Automatic emergency braking is standard, but other safety gear, such as blind-spot monitoring and cross-traffic alert, comes in confusing options packages. Towing capability is high for the class, and air suspension is optional. A turbo V6 AMG GL43 goes on sale this fall. A coupelike SUV, the GLC Coupe, is also in the works. Note alert below.

See the complete Mercedes-Benz GLC road test.

The redesigned 2016 Cruze possesses big car qualities such as a comfortable ride and a quiet interior. The standard engine is an unobtrusive 1.4-liter, four-cylinder turbo mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. A smooth start-stop feature reduces fuel use during idling; we got 30 mpg overall in our tests. A new 1.6-liter turbodiesel and a hatchback version will be available later. A new infotainment system, featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, mirrors some of your smartphone icons on the screen. The rear seat is relatively roomy for the class, but the front seats are short on lower back support. A variety of advanced active safety features are available, but only on the top-trim premier version.

See the complete Chevrolet Cruze road test.

Audi’s luxury three-row SUV is an impressive vehicle, and among the best we’ve ever tested. It employs a supercharged 3.0-liter V6 that is mated to a supersmooth eight-speed automatic. That results in effortless acceleration and fuel economy of 20 mpg overall in our tests. The Q7 is very quiet, instilling a sense of tranquility. There is an underlying firmness to the ride unless you splurge for the Prestige trim and the optional air suspension, which makes it as plush as a luxury car. Handling is responsive and confidence-inspiring. The beautifully finished interior exudes luxury, with excellent seats and a vivid, high-tech digital instrument cluster. The controls prove logical with familiarity. Advanced safety systems can keep the Q7 in its lane and brake the SUV automatically in an emergency.

See the complete Audi Q7 road test.

Tough and ready to tackle off-roading adventures, the truck-based 4Runner falls short of most modern SUVs. Its rough-sounding 4.0-liter V6 is powerful and reasonably fuel-efficient. But the ride is unsettled and handling is clumsy. The body leans while cornering, and the bobbing and bouncing ride chips away at driver confidence. Limited versions have a tighter suspension with somewhat better control, but at the expense of a stiffer ride. A high step-in and low ceiling compromise access and driving position. The SR5’s 4WD system is part-time only. A third-row seat is optional, and the power-retractable rear window is handy.

See the complete Toyota 4Runner road test.

Editor's Note Ratings for models with an asterisk (*) are based on one year of reliability data.

Alert The Mercedes-Benz GLC can be outfitted with a semi-autonomous driving package. Consumer Reports believes automakers should take stronger steps to ensure that vehicles with those systems are designed, deployed, and marketed safely. Please heed all warnings and keep your hands on the wheel.