Back to GuidesMost car buyers want a reliable vehicle when they finally make the decision to purchase a new or used car. In fact, reliability and dependability are often favored over good fuel economy, a comprehensive features list, and even sometimes cost. Fortunately, even with all of the technologically advanced choices out there, there are still plenty of reliable vehicles from which to choose.
Despite the size advantage offered by minivans, the working capability that pickup trucks offer, and the wild popularity of crossover SUVs in the current market, new cars still offer several different advantages over other types of vehicles. They are often more manageable around town, offer better fuel economy potential, cost a little less to buy, and can serve as either a family vehicle or a fun extra set of wheels.
To build our list of the most reliable cars for 2023, we compared both Consumer Reports and J.D. Power data to find the ten best options for you if reliability scores are your top priority.
1. 2023 Toyota Corolla
2. 2023 Mazda MX-5 Miata
3. 2023 BMW 4-Series
4. 2023 Genesis G80
5. 2023 Toyota Camry
6. 2023 Kia K5
7. 2023 Lexus IS
8. 2023 Lexus ES
9. 2023 Nissan Altima
10. 2023 Honda Accord/Accord Hybrid
1. 2023 Toyota Corolla
The Toyota Corolla has a reputation for consistently being one of the most reliable cars of all time. Consumer Reports and J.D. Power have backed up that claim year-over-year with the 2023 model year being no exception. The former gives the Corolla a perfect predicted reliability score, and the latter gives it an equally high score of 85 out of 100.
In a packed compact car segment that includes competition like the Honda Civic, Kia Forte, Volkswagen Jetta, and Mazda Mazda3, the Corolla is far from an exciting choice, but its reputation for getting the job done and always being there is what has earned it its following. Its sub-$22,000 base MSRP undercuts about half of its competitors and its popularity ensures that there are plenty on the used car market if you cannot afford a new one.
Despite its lack of driving pizzazz, the Corolla is fuel-efficient, safe, and comes with most of what car buyers would need to make them happy on a daily commute. An 8-inch touchscreen comes standard, along with wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and a 169-horsepower four-cylinder engine.
If you are looking for even more efficiency, the Toyota Corolla Hybrid also earns the highest predicted reliability score from Consumer Reports, beating out the Toyota Prius for the 2023 model year. The Prius still earns a better-than-average reliability rating from CR, but J.D. Power rates it much lower, giving it an average 75-out-of-100 rating.
Browse 2023 Toyota Corolla listings here.
2. 2023 Mazda MX-5 Miata
Any car has the potential to be reliable, but sports cars do not typically come to mind when considering reliability scores. The 2023 Mazda MX-5 Miata has consistently been the exception to that notion and continues to be for the 2023 model year. It has a relatively tame powertrain that only produces 181 horsepower from its naturally aspirated four-cylinder, but its lightweight, standard six-speed manual transmission and rear-wheel-drive layout create phenomenal balance.
Do not let its tiny dimensions fool you into thinking that it is a one-trick pony. In addition to its high fun factor, the MX-5 Miata has a beautiful interior with plenty of technology to go with it. It features smartphone connectivity and a 7-inch touchscreen as standard. You can even expect up to 35 miles per gallon on the highway.
With a perfect five-out-of-five reliability score from Consumer Reports, it handily beats higher horsepower competitors like the Chevrolet Camaro, Ford Mustang, Subaru BRZ, and even the Toyota Supra. J.D. Power’s 79 overall rating balances it out a bit, but that is still only one point away from being considered above average.
Browse 2023 Mazda MX-5 Miata listings here.
3. 2023 BMW 4-Series
German automakers are known for manufacturing the best luxury cars available with an unparalleled feel and impressive technology. Unfortunately, all of that overengineering often leads to poor resale values as a result of generally poor reliability scores and high maintenance costs. The 2023 BMW 4-Series bucks that trend with a better-than-average reliability score from Consumer Reports and a high 84-out-of-100 quality score from J.D. Power.
Oddly enough, the BMW 4-Series is BMW’s two-door variant of their compact car whereas the BMW 3-Series, another reliable choice with only a slightly lower J.D. Power score of 81-out-of-100, is their four-door compact car. The 4-Series is available as a coupe or a convertible and either a rear-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive layout.
Its base turbocharged engine produces 255 horsepower and comes with EPA estimates of 26 MPG in the city and 34 MPG on the highway. You can opt for a more powerful 382-horsepower turbocharged inline-six engine that comes with a 48-volt mild hybrid system before you reach the most powerful M4 models.
Naturally, the 4-Series’ interior feels every bit as luxurious as you would expect, although its two-door body style cuts down on the extra space that the 3-Series offers. Standard features include wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 10-25-inch touchscreen, and a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster.
Browse 2023 BMW 4-Series listings here.
4. 2023 Genesis G80
For as much as German automakers have a hold on the luxury car market, Genesis has come along and put the likes of Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz on high alert. None of their cars have truly kicked any of the Germans from their perch, but they are on the brink of doing so. The Genesis G80, in particular, offers a high level of luxury with a reasonable price tag, a phenomenal 10-year/100,000-mile warranty, and higher-than-average reliability scores.
Consumer Reports awards the G80 with a four-out-of-five score while its J.D. Power score is even more impressive at an 87-out-of-100. Each 2023 G80 comes standard with a 300-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine, rear-wheel-drive, 14.5-inch touchscreen, 8-inch digital gauge cluster, dual-zone automatic climate control, and adaptive cruise control.
If you want more out of your G80, you can upgrade your powertrain to a twin-turbocharged 375-horsepower V6 unit with all-wheel-drive. Throw in a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, a 21-speaker Lexicon audio system, and Nappa leather, and you have the makings of an impressive, stylish, and reliable midsize luxury car for around $75,000.
Browse 2023 Genesis G80 listings here.
5. 2023 Toyota Camry
Like its smaller sibling, the Corolla, the Toyota Camry is known as the midsize sedan that sets the reliability bar for the segment. Often neck-and-neck with its primary Japanese competitor, the Honda Accord, the Camry takes a more mundane approach to family sedans, offering everyone enough of what they need and nothing they do not.
Consumer Reports rates the Camry better-than-average, and J.D. Power follows closely behind with a better-than-average 84 reliability score of their own. Each 2023 base Camry comes with a 7-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and dual-zone climate control with even more goodies available on higher trim levels.
A relatively mundane 203-horsepower engine and eight-speed automatic transmission make forward progress easy and smooth, and fuel efficiency is equally as average for the class. The more powerful 301-horsepower V6 adds some pep, but the Camry remains tuned primarily for comfort over cornering. Front-wheel-drive comes standard on the Camry, but all-wheel-drive is optional, a nice feature that not every midsize sedan offers.
As an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award-winner, the Camry is equally as safe as it is reliable, yet another reason it has won the hearts of so many car buyers looking for reliable transportation with few other frills to go with it. A Camry Hybrid model is also available if the standard Camry’s fuel efficiency is just not good enough. Consumer Reports also gives it a better-than-average rating for 2023.
Browse 2023 Toyota Camry listings here.
6. 2023 Kia K5
With so many Japanese automakers dominating our rankings, it is refreshing to see an underdog emerge from the midsize sedan segment. The Kia K5 is one of the most handsome, affordable, and overlooked offerings in the segment, and it has a best-in-class warranty to boot. Naturally, it also has a stellar reliability score as it makes its way into our top ten.
Consumer Reports rates it better than average with a four-out-of-five score, just as high as the Camry. J.D. Power follows that up with an 84-out-of-100, again, matching the Camry for the 2023 model year. You can expect to pay a hair under $26,500 for a base model after the destination fee is added, and unlike the Camry, both blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert come standard.
The similarities to the Camry continue as buyers can opt for all-wheel-drive instead of front-wheel-drive, and the K5 has also earned itself a Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS. Both of its available engines are turbocharged. The smaller base engine is a 1.6-liter unit that produces 180 horsepower while the larger 2.5-liter powerplant produces 290 horsepower.
Browse 2023 Kia K5 listings here.
7. 2023 Lexus IS
Even though Consumer Reports rates some models on this list higher than the Lexus IS, it is, perhaps, the most reliable car here as a whole. Consumer Reports gives it four out of five possible points for reliability, and J.D. Power gives it a stellar 92-out-of-100 rating. It tags along with other reliable models from the Japanese automaker such as the Lexus GX, Lexus RX, and Lexus ES to help Lexus earn the J.D. Power most reliable car brand award for 2023.
It occupies the compact luxury car segment and edges toward sports sedan territory, featuring rear-wheel-drive as standard, aggressive styling, and even a V8 engine option for the right amount of money. Most regular models delicately balance comfort and a bit of driving pleasure with a standard 241-horsepower turbocharged engine and plenty of technology goodies.
A V6 powerplant and all-wheel-drive are both available for those who want more grunt without exceeding the $50,000 mark. Its rear seat is a bit tight, trunk space is merely adequate, and its combined 25 MPG fuel economy is the best you get with the base four-cylinder engine, but you will likely be smiling as you pass the mechanic’s shop at which your neighbor’s Volvo, Mercedes-Benz, or BMW has to stop from time to time.
Browse 2023 Lexus IS listings here.
8. 2023 Lexus ES
Yet another Lexus makes our list. The 2023 Lexus ES is essentially Lexus’ version of the Toyota Camry. It is jazzed up a bit from its mild-mannered non-luxury counterpart, but it shares many of the same features, the same powertrains, and the same general feel. The ES does have a few more high-end features its corporate cousin lacks, and base models pick up nicely where a high-end Camry would leave off.
Its base powerplant, like in the Camry, is a 203 horsepower four-cylinder. A V6 engine is optional as well as all-wheel-drive. Base models feature an 8-inch touchscreen, wireless Android Auto, wireless Apple CarPlay, and a Wi-Fi hotspot, but the most well-equipped models are fitted with a 12.3-inch touchscreen, wireless device charging, a 17-speaker Mark Levinson sound system, and wood interior trim.
All of this is backed by an IIHS Top Safety Pick Award, a better-than-average Consumer Reports reliability score and a stellar J.D. Power quality score of 87-out-of-100. Unlike its smaller, sportier Lexus IS sibling, the ES will not provide you with too many driving thrills, even if you opt for one of the F Sport models. It will, however, provide you with reliable transportation and a touch more class than the faithful Camry.
Browse 2023 Lexus ES listings here.
9. 2023 Nissan Altima
The midsize Nissan Altima is largely overshadowed by other midsize Japanese giants like the Camry and Accord, but it has proven to be one of the more sneakily reliable cars in the segment. It earns a better-than-average reliability score from Consumer Reports and a lofty 84-out-of-100 from J.D. Power.
Its best features include modern styling, an easy-to-use infotainment system, and a host of standard safety features, including blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and driver drowsiness monitoring. Buyers can choose between the 188-horsepower base 2.5-liter engine and the peppier 248-horsepower turbocharged unit, both of which are mated to a CVT transmission.
Another high mark for the Altima is its 27 MPG city and 39 MPG highway fuel economy ratings with the base powertrain. Its standard front-wheel-drive can be replaced by all-wheel-drive, but naturally, this will bring down its fuel efficiency. Like many of its competitors, the back seats are a fine place to be for most passengers, but its older sibling, the Nissan Maxima, will provide a bit more space with the same solid Consumer Reports reliability rating.
Browse 2023 Nissan Altima listings here.
10. 2023 Honda Accord/Accord Hybrid
You might be tired of hearing about midsize cars, but the Honda Accord quite possibly shines the brightest among the group. With a Consumer Reports reliability rating of better-than-average and a J.D. Power score of 83-out-of-100, it is not the most reliable car on our list according to the numbers, but it does just about everything well with few exceptions.
It is the largest car in the segment, featuring more rear-seat legroom and cargo capacity than any of its rivals. It features handsome styling and even has a healthy pinch of fun-to-drive spirit. Helping it achieve that is its 192-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine. It is the only powerplant available across the entire lineup, but unlike other competitors, it only comes with front-wheel-drive.
Standard features include a 7-inch touchscreen, a 10.2-inch digital gauge cluster, a Wi-Fi hotspot, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. In addition to its tech features, each Accord also comes with adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and pedestrian detection.
The major downside to all the Accord has to offer is its price. It has the highest starting MSRP in the midsize sedan segment. Fortunately, the Accord was completely redesigned for the 2023 model year, helping it stay fresh in a hot segment and market without sacrificing its reputation for reliability.
Browse 2023 Honda Accord/Accord Hybrid listings here.
Honorable Mentions
There are always a few cars that come close to making a list like this. We know that there are so many different makes and models from which to choose that a list of ten just might not cut it. Here are some of our honorable mentions if nothing above quite strikes your fancy.
The 2023 Audi A5, the 2023 Kia EV6, and the 2023 Mini Cooper all earn the highest possible reliability score awarded by Consumer Reports, but their J.D. Power scores all show only average marks. In the case of the Mini Cooper, the only subcompact offering on this list, J.D. Power data was unavailable for the 2023 model year.
Acura’s newly revived Integra and Toyota’s new-to-the-U.S. Crown both earn better-than-average scores from Consumer Reports but lack J.D. Power data, most likely because both models are still fresh to the market.
Both the 2023 Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger are the sole American offerings on our list, beating out both cars and even most other vehicles from Ford, Lincoln, Buick, Jeep, Tesla, Chevrolet, and GMC. They earn better-than-average reliability ratings from Consumer reports, and even though 2023 data was missing for both models from J.D. Power their 2022 ratings were sky-high at 92 and 89-out-of-100 respectively. Little has changed with either vehicle from 2022 to 2023.
Rounding out our list of honorable mentions are the 2023 Honda Civic, the 2023 Hyundai Sonata, and the 2023 Infiniti Q50. All of these models earn better-than-average reliability scores from both Consumer Reports and J.D. Power. The Infiniti was the closest to making our top ten with an 83 rating from J.D. Power.
More About Reliability Ratings:
Consumer Reports and J.D. Power are the premier measuring sticks by which car buyers gauge vehicle reliability. Both outlets get feedback from consumers, they both process the data they receive, and they both use that data to produce their findings.
Consumer Reports uses data from their subscribers. They lean heavily on the fact that they are completely independent and unbiased, purchasing their own vehicles for various tests they perform. From that feedback and independent testing, they are able to produce reports of what is both good and bad from real-world experiences and even provide predicted reliability scores based on technologies that are either being kept or removed from future models.
J.D. Power’s reliability rankings are based on a combination of its dependability study and initial quality ratings. They too receive feedback from real-world consumers concerning issues they have had with their own vehicles. Initial quality scores are based on problems encountered within the first ninety days of ownership, and dependability is based on a three-year ownership period.
