Most Reliable Sedans

The traditional car lives on, even in an automotive world teaming with SUVs. And for buyers seeking fuel efficient powertrains, a confident and smooth ride, and fun-to-drive dynamics, cars have the natural advantage over their taller, heavier SUV cousins. And, with many automakers now offering all-wheel drive and the added cargo space and utility that comes from hatchback body styles, one could argue today’s cars feature many of the same traits associated with SUVs.

Listed below are the reliability scores for multiple categories, including compact cars, midsize sedans, and luxury sedans. Shoppers looking for reliable vehicles can use these rankings to quickly identify the most reliable sedans, hatchbacks and two-door luxury coupes in a variety of sizes and price ranges.

But reliability is only a single component of a car’s worth. Buyers seeking a low purchase price and high fuel economy should consider the small car categories, with most models powered by turbo four-cylinder engines. Despite their affordable pricing they provide high-tech infotainment systems, featuring high-resolution touchscreens, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto as standard equipment. Even lower priced models can be found in the used car market, where these dependability rankings are even more important.

Shoppers with a higher budget can consider midsize and full-size new cars, many with more powerful engines, rear-wheel drive, a sporty driving experience, and comprehensive warranty coverage. Their increased weight and higher horsepower mean lower MPG specs, but they also offer increased rear seat room and the latest safety features, particularly in luxury cars. Finally, for consumers who want to completely avoid gasoline, brands like Porsche and Tesla have created electric cars with sports-car personalities. They require a different approach to driving and charging, but it’s not too early to at least learn about these vehicles, as you can expect more EVs in the coming model years.