20 Most Reliable Cars of 2021

In this article, we will take a look at the 20 most reliable cars of 2021. You can skip our detailed analysis of these cars, and go directly to the 5 Most Reliable Cars of 2021.

Buying a new car can often seem to be a daunting task, especially if you are focusing on more than just the look and feel of the car. One of the most desirable qualities that a car can have is reliability. Even though every car these days is equipped with the latest technology and offers pretty much the same features as other cars, some models live up to their reputation of being the most reliable. In this article, we are going to share with you a list of the 20 most reliable cars of 2021, so you can make an informed decision when going out to get a new set of wheels.

When you invest in a car, you expect it to provide you reliable commute over the years you own and maintain it. A car that starts up flawlessly, as it did when you first sat in it, is a reliable car. A car that does not give you the trouble of getting it towed on a routine basis is reliable. If your car costs you more in maintenance in the long run than the actual price you paid for it, we are sorry to inform you but you invested in an unreliable vehicle.

Taking a look at J.D. Power’s 2021 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study, we see that among the top brands that have a lesser number of problems reported per 100 vehicles are Toyota Motor Corporation (NYSE: TM), General Motors Company (NYSE: GM)’s Buick and Chevrolet, Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F), Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (NYSE: HMC), and Lexus, the luxury vehicle division of Toyota Motor Corporation (NYSE: TM). We want to give you tried and tested options with the 20 most reliable cars of 2021 so that you can get the most out of the next car you purchase.

Mazda, Lexus, and Toyota have come out at the top of Consumer Reports’ reliability rankings once again. This year they are accompanied by Buick and Honda in the top 5. Buick, a division of General Motors Company (NYSE: GM), jumped up on the list because of the improvements it made on its Buick Encore, which earned a score of 91 on the Consumer Reports’ reliability rankings.

The Honda HR-V, manufactured by Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (NYSE: HMC), attained a score of 90 on the Consumer Reports’ reliability rankings. The Toyota Prius, manufactured by Toyota Motor Corporation (NYSE: TM), was ranked at number 1 on the 10 Most Reliable Cars. The Lexus NX manufactured by the luxury division of Toyota Motor Corporation (NYSE: TM), Lexus, came in second. This is the ninth time in 10 years that Lexus ranked the highest in overall vehicle dependability in J.D. Power’s 2021 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study, having reported a score of 81 PP100. This means that Lexus reported 0.81 problems per vehicle. Lexus was joined by Porsche, Kia, Toyota, and Buick in the top, their scores were 86 PP100, 97 PP100, 98 PP100, and 100 PP100 respectively.

Cars are machines and it is inevitable for a machine to require maintenance as a consequence of wear and tear. Would you rather own a car that gets fixed up for $100, but requires you to drive it to the mechanic 3 times a month, or a car that costs $500 in maintenance, and requires it quarterly. A reliable car would offer you something in the middle, reasonable maintenance costs, and lesser trips to the garage.

Our Methodology

For the 20 most reliable cars of 2021, we took a look at studies and reports by reliable automobile data providers such as Consumer Reports and J.D Power. We scoured the internet and took into account what actual car owners had to say about their cars. We relied on owner reviews from websites like Reddit and Quora. Our search did not stop here. We then took a look at lists and reviews posted on websites that specialize in cars, such as, Auto Express, Digital Trends, and Car And Driver.

Finally, we went with the cars that appeared at the top of every search we carried out. Car specifications such as engine power, mileage, and the warranty they come with were sourced from official company websites. To rank the cars, we sourced their predicted reliability scores from J.D. Power and ranked them based on those scores. J.D. Power is a global leader in consumer insights, advisory services, and data and analytics. They have been delivering industry intelligence on customer interactions with brands and products for more than 50 years.

J.D. Power Quality and Reliability ratings are a combination of quality and dependability scores. Quality scores are based on initial feedback on the car whereas Dependability scores are based on ownership experiences of 3 years. Quality and Reliability scores measure the level of defects, malfunctions, and design flaws experienced by vehicle owners. They cover the entire vehicle from its engine to its infotainment system. The closer the score is to 100, the fewer problems the vehicle in question is reported to have. There are four categories for a J.D. Power Score namely Best (91-100), Great (81-90), Average (70-80), and Fair (0-69).

Where two or more cars scored the same in J.D. Power’s evaluations, we gave the higher ranking to the car that had more power under the hood, offered better mileage, or a longer warranty. We will now start the countdown on the 20 most reliable cars of 2021.

Most Reliable Cars of 2021

20. Toyota Prius, Owned by Toyota Motor Corporation (NYSE: TM)

Predicted Reliability Score: 64/100

Toyota Motor Corporation (NYSE: TM) gave us the Prius over 2 decades ago, and the car has been a success since then. The 2021 eco model offers 58 mpg in the city and 53 mpg on the highway, coming out at a combined 56 mpg. In addition to its remarkable fuel efficiency, Toyota Motor Corporation (NYSE: TM) gave us roomy seats, abundant cargo space, and a user-friendly infotainment system in the 2021 Prius. It comes with a continuously variable-speed automatic transmission with front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive support. J.D. Power gave the 2021 Prius a predicted reliability score of 64 out of 100. Toyota Motor Corporation (NYSE: TM) backs up the 2021 Prius with a three-year or 36,000-mile basic warranty, a five-year or 60,000-mile powertrain warranty, and an eight-year or 100,000-mile warranty for most hybrid components. The battery has a 10-year or 150,000-mile warranty. On top of this, the Toyota Prius was ranked as the most reliable car by Consumer Reports and was a runner-up for Compact Cars in J.D. Power’s 2021 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study.

Like General Motors Company (NYSE: GM), Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F), and Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (NYSE: HMC), Toyota Motor Corporation (NYSE: TM) is a reliable car manufacturer.

19. Mazda CX-5, Owned by Mazda Motor Corporation (TYO: 7261.T)

Predicted Reliability Score: 76/100

Mazda Motor Corporation (TYO: 7261.T) is known for making cars that are fun to drive, and they lived up to this when making the CX-5. If you are looking for a small SUV and do not care much for the trunk space, the CX-5 is the car for you. Mazda Motor Corporation (TYO: 7261.T) gave the CX-5 a 187-HP engine for starters. People who feel like the 187-HP is less power can opt for the turbo-four engine capable of pumping out a power of 250 horses. J.D. Power gave the 2021 CX-5 a predicted reliability score of 76 out of 100. Mazda Motor Corporation (TYO: 7261.T) backs up the CX-5 with a three-year or 36,000-mile basic warranty and a five-year or 60,000-mile powertrain warranty. It is also one of Consumer Reports’ 10 Most Reliable Cars.

Like General Motors Company (NYSE: GM), Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F), Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (NYSE: HMC), and Toyota Motor Corporation (NYSE: TM), Mazda Motor Corporation (TYO: 7261.T) is a reliable car manufacturer.

18. Honda Civic, Owned by Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (NYSE: HMC)

Predicted Reliability Score: 76/100

Available as a sedan and a hatchback, the Honda Civic is a decent compact car that offers great fuel efficiency, good performance, and an overall comfortable ride. Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (NYSE: HMC) gave the 2021 Civic collision mitigation braking, automatic high-beam headlights, lane assistants, blind-spot monitoring among others as standard safety features.

The 2021 Civic Sedan comes with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that generates 158-HP and gives a remarkable fuel economy of 32 mpg in the city and 42 mpg on the highway. For people who like swift rides, Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (NYSE: HMC) took the liberty of making the Civic Type R hatchback. Under the hood of the Type R, we have a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine producing 306-HP. J.D. Power gave the 2021 Civic a predicted reliability score of 76 out of 100. Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (NYSE: HMC) covers the 2021 Civic with a three-year or 36,000-mile basic warranty and a five-year or 60,000-mile powertrain warranty.

Like General Motors Company (NYSE: GM), Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F), and Toyota Motor Corporation (NYSE: TM), Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (NYSE: HMC) is a reliable car manufacturer.

17. Lexus ES, Owned by Toyota Motor Corporation (NYSE: TM)

Predicted Reliability Score: 79/100

Lexus is the luxury vehicle division of Toyota Motor Corporation (NYSE: TM). The Lexus ES is a comfortable and eye-catching luxury car. The interior is complemented with top-of-the-line materials that provide excellent noise cancellation. Under the hood of the standard variant, we have a 2.5-liter engine capable of producing 203-HP. For people who want to own a faster car, Toyota Motor Corporation (NYSE: TM) gave us the option to opt for an ES 350. The ES 350 runs a 3.5-liter V6 engine that produces 302-HP and can go from 0-60 mph in 6.6 seconds. The base model, ES 250, offers a mileage of 25 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway.

For the more powerful V6 engine, these numbers drop to 22 mpg in the city and 32 mpg on the highway. J.D. Power gave the 2021 Lexus ES a predicted reliability score of 79 out of 100. Toyota Motor Corporation (NYSE: TM) backs up the ES with a four-year or 50,000-mile limited warranty and a six-year or 70,000-mile powertrain warranty. The Lexus ES was also the highest-ranked Compact Premium Car in J.D. Power’s 2021 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study and is one of the 20 most reliable cars of 2021.

Like General Motors Company (NYSE: GM), Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F), and Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (NYSE: HMC), Toyota Motor Corporation (NYSE: TM) is a reliable car manufacturer.

16. Toyota Corolla, Owned by Toyota Motor Corporation (NYSE: TM)

Predicted Reliability Score: 80/100

Toyota Motor Corporation (NYSE: TM) did not focus on making the 2021 Corolla the sportiest looking car to own and drive, rather the focused on making it one of the most reliable cars. The 2021 Corolla may be a little underpowered for its class, producing 139 HP if you go for the 1.8-liter variant and 169 HP if you go for the 2.0-liter, but it certainly handles better. Toyota Motor Corporation (NYSE: TM) offered some developments in the 2021 Corolla that included a better suspension system than the previous models, making the car turn sharp corners and drive over rough patches rather smoothly.

The 1.8-liter comes with a CVT automatic transmission; while the 2.0-L offers both CVT and a smooth 6-speed manual. J.D. Power gave the 2021 Corolla a predicted reliability score of 80 out of 100. Toyota Motor Corporation (NYSE: TM) backs the Corolla with a three-year or 36,000-mile basic warranty and a five-year or 60,000-mile powertrain warranty. The Toyota Corolla was a runner-up for Compact Cars in J.D. Power’s 2021 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study.

15. Hyundai Sonata, Owned by Hyundai Motor Company (KSE: 005380.KS)

Predicted Reliability Score: 80/100

Hyundai Motor Company (KSE: 005380.KS) made sure to give the Sonata a balance of elegance and comfort. The family sedan features spacious seats, an airy interior, user-friendly infotainment features, and a relatively longer warranty than most of its rivals. The 2021 Sonata is powered by a 191-HP engine that gets 27 mpg in the city and 37 mpg on the highway. J.D. Power gave the 2021 Hyundai Sonata a predicted reliability score of 80 out of 100. Hyundai Motor Company (KSE: 005380.KS) backs the Sonata with a five-year or 60,000-mile basic warranty and a 10-year or 100,000-mile powertrain warranty. The 2021 Sonata was a runner-up for Midsize Cars in J.D. Power’s 2021 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study and is one of the 20 most reliable cars of 2021.

Like General Motors Company (NYSE: GM), Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F), Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (NYSE: HMC), and Toyota Motor Corporation (NYSE: TM), Hyundai Motor Company (KSE: 005380.KS) is a reliable car manufacturer.

14. Hyundai Kona, Owned by Hyundai Motor Company (KSE: 005380.KS)

Predicted Reliability Score: 81/100

If you are looking for a small SUV, the Hyundai Kona is an excellent choice. Hyundai Motor Company (KSE: 005380.KS) gave us a user-friendly infotainment system, a decent mileage of 28 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway, and a 1.6-liter turbocharged variant that generates 175 HP. The Kona offers roomy and comfortable front seats; however, people at the back may need to squeeze a little to fit in and would wish for more legroom. On top of this, Hyundai Motor Company (KSE: 005380.KS) offered us a multitude of safety features such as forward collision warning, lane keep assist, driver drowsiness monitoring, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control among others. J.D. Power gave the 2021 model a predicted reliability score of 81 out of 100, making it one of the 20 most reliable cars of 2021. Hyundai Motor Company (KSE: 005380.KS) backs the Kona with a five-year or 60,000-mile limited warranty and a 10-year or 100,000-mile powertrain warranty. These are longer warranties than you get with most subcompact SUVs. The Hyundai Kona was also among Consumer Reports’ 10 Most Reliable Cars.

Like General Motors Company (NYSE: GM), Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F), Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (NYSE: HMC), and Toyota Motor Corporation (NYSE: TM), Hyundai Motor Company (KSE: 005380.KS) is a reliable car manufacturer.

13. Chevrolet Impala, Owned by General Motors Company (NYSE: GM)

Predicted Reliability Score: 82/100

Among the top 15 of the 20 most reliable cars of 2021, we have the Chevrolet Impala. Chevrolet is a division of General Motors Company (NYSE: GM). The Impala offers more passenger and trunk space than most other large cars. The Chevrolet Division of General Motors Company (NYSE: GM) equipped the 2020 Impala with a 3.6-liter V6 engine that pumps out 305 horsepower. The powerful V6 makes the Impala a gas-guzzler. The mileage for the 2020 model is rated at 19 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway.  Some have said that the steering on the Impala is “oversensitive” causing it to sway, while others have found the vehicle to handle well around tight corners and spaces. J.D. Power gave the Impala a predicted reliability score of 82 out of 100, which is above average. On top of this, the Chevrolet Division of General Motors Company (NYSE: GM) backs the 2021 impala up with a three-year or 36,000-mile limited warranty and a five-year or 60,000-mile powertrain warranty. The Chevrolet Impala was a runner-up for Large Cars in J.D. Power’s 2021 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study.

Like Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F), Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (NYSE: HMC), and Toyota Motor Corporation (NYSE: TM), the Chevrolet Division of General Motors Company (NYSE: GM) is a reliable car manufacturer.

12. Honda Accord, Owned by Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (NYSE: HMC)

Predicted Reliability Score: 82/100

Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (NYSE: HMC) gave the 2021 Accord a premium quality interior that does not compromise on comfort, more than needed cargo space, and a user-friendly infotainment system. The 2021 base model comes with a 192-HP 1.5-liter turbocharged engine that gives a remarkable mileage of 30 mpg in the city, and 38 mpg on the highway. Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (NYSE: HMC) took the liberty of giving us a faster version of the car, the 2021 Accord Sport. The mileage for the sport-variant drops down to 22 mpg in the city and 32 mpg on the highway, but you get a more powerful 2.0-liter turbo-four engine that generates 252-HP. J.D. Power gave the 2021 Honda Accord a predicted reliability score of 82 out of 100. The 2021 Accord is backed up by Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (NYSE: HMC) with a three-year or 36,000-mile basic warranty and a five-year or 60,000-mile powertrain warranty. The 2021 Honda Accord is one of the 20 most reliable cars of 2021.

Like General Motors Company (NYSE: GM), Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F), and Toyota Motor Corporation (NYSE: TM), Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (NYSE: HMC) is a reliable car manufacturer.

11. Toyota Camry, Owned by Toyota Motor Corporation (NYSE: TM)

Predicted Reliability Score: 82/100

Toyota Motor Corporation (NYSE: TM) gave their 2021 Camry a high-quality interior, a simple yet intuitive infotainment system, remarkable mileage, and an optional V6 engine. The Camry does 28 mpg in the city and up to 39 mpg on the highway. Toyota Motor Corporation (NYSE: TM) gave us the option for a 3.5-liter V6 that generates 301-HP and is for people who enjoy a swift and sporty ride. The base model comes with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that generates up to 206-HP and is equally good for in-city and highway commute. J.D. Power gave the 2021 Toyota Camry a predicted reliability score of 82 out of 100. Toyota Motor Corporation (NYSE: TM) backs the Camry with a three-year or 36,000-mile basic warranty and a five-year or 60,000-mile powertrain warranty.

Like General Motors Company (NYSE: GM), Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F), and Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (NYSE: HMC), Toyota Motor Corporation (NYSE: TM) is a reliable car manufacturer.

10. Kia Optima, Owned by Kia Corporation (KSE: 000270.KS)

Predicted Reliability Score: 83/100

The Kia Optima deserves a spot among your top picks. The car boasts an attractive and spacious interior, simple user-friendly infotainment, and a relatively smooth ride. Kia Corporation (KSE: 000270.KS) equipped the base variant of the Optima with a 2.4-liter engine, capable of producing 185-HP. If you want a faster Optima, Kia Corporation (KSE: 000270.KS) gave us the SX trim that comes standard with a 245-HP 2.0-liter engine. The Optima lacks the agility that the Honda Accord or the Toyota Camry share, but it still manages to handle pretty well in most situations. J.D. Power gave the 2020 Optima a predicted reliability score of 83 out of 100. Kia Corporation (KSE: 000270.KS) offers an unparalleled warranty and backs up the Optima with a basic warranty lasting five years or 60,000 miles and a powertrain warranty lasting 10 years or 100,000 miles. On top of this, the Kia Optima was the highest-ranked Midsize Car in J.D. Power’s 2021 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study.

Like General Motors Company (NYSE: GM), Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F), Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (NYSE: HMC), Toyota Motor Corporation (NYSE: TM), and Hyundai Motor Company (KSE: 005380.KS), Kia Corporation (KSE: 000270.KS) is a reliable car manufacturer.

9. Toyota Avalon, Owned by Toyota Motor Corporation (NYSE: TM)

Predicted Reliability Score: 84/100

Another car from Toyota Motor Corporation (NYSE: TM) made it to our list of the 20 most reliable cars of 2021, the Toyota Avalon. In the base variant, the 2021 Avalon comes with a 3.5-liter V6 engine that produces up to 301-HP. The interior on the Avalon is elegant; Toyota Motor Corporation (NYSE: TM) made use of premium materials. You can opt for a wood or aluminum trim, and can also get leather seats in the front instead of having synthetic leather ones. The mileage however is not that impressive, rated at 22 mpg in the city and 32 mpg on the highway for the base variant. J.D. Power gave the 2021 Avalon a predicted reliability score of 84 out of 100. The Avalon is backed up by Toyota Motor Corporation (NYSE: TM) with a three-year or 36,000-mile limited warranty and a five-year or 60,000-mile powertrain warranty. The Avalon was also the highest-ranked Large Car in J.D. Power’s 2021 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study.

8. Buick Encore, Owned by General Motors Company (NYSE: GM)

Predicted Reliability Score: 85/100

Buick is a division of the American automobile manufacturer, General Motors Company (NYSE: GM). The 2021 Buick Encore is a great option if you are considering buying a subcompact SUV. Its size and turning radius make it handle pretty well around sharp turns and squeeze into tight parking spaces.

The 2021 Encore provides plenty of room in the back and can seat up to 5 people comfortably. The 2021 Encore suffers a little from the performance point of view, as the 138-HP 1.4-liter engine is a little underpowered for its class of cars. J.D. Power gave the General Motors Company (NYSE: GM) owned 2021 Buick Encore a predicted reliability score of 85 out of 100. The General Motors Company (NYSE: GM) owned Buick supports the 2021 Encore with a three-year or 36,000-mile basic warranty and a five-year or 60,000-mile powertrain warranty. On top of this, the Buick Encore is among the top 3 of Consumer Reports’ 10 Most Reliable Cars.

7. Kia Rio, Owned by Kia Corporation (KSE: 000270.KS)

Predicted Reliability Score: 87/100

The 2021 Kia Rio comes as both a sedan and a hatchback. It offers decent handling for a subcompact car and a remarkable fuel economy as well. The 2021 Rio does 33 mpg in the city and on the highway, you can get up to 41 mpg. Under the hood, Kia Corporation (KSE: 000270.KS) gave us a four-cylinder engine that generates up to 120-HP. The Rio may get loud when climbing hills or at high RPMs. Kia Corporation (KSE: 000270.KS) may have not equipped the 2021 Rio with the most powerful engine they could, but they made it reliable. The 2021 Rio boasts a J.D. Power predicted reliability score of 87 out of 100, making it one of the most reliable cars to own in 2021. The Rio comes with a five-year or 60,000-mile basic warranty and a 10-year or 100,000-mile powertrain warranty, compliments of the unparalleled warranty offerings of Kia Corporation (KSE: 000270.KS).

Like General Motors Company (NYSE: GM), Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F), Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (NYSE: HMC), Toyota Motor Corporation (NYSE: TM), and Hyundai Motor Company (KSE: 005380.KS), Kia Corporation (KSE: 000270.KS) is a reliable car manufacturer.

6. Hyundai Elantra, Owned by Hyundai Motor Company (KSE: 005380.KS)

Predicted Reliability Score: 87/100

The Hyundai Elantra is an excellent choice for a compact car that offers value for money. Hyundai Motor Company (KSE: 005380.KS) gave us a 147-HP 2.0-liter engine in the base model, but you can amp up the performance by opting for The N Line 201-HP 1.6-liter turbocharged engine or the even faster 2.0-liter engine that produces 275-HP.

The Elantra can accommodate up to five people, and it can do so comfortably. Hyundai Motor Company (KSE: 005380.KS) discontinued its hatchback version of the Elantra, and it now comes as a 4-door sedan only. The standard variant boasts a remarkable fuel efficiency of 33 mpg in the city and 43 mpg on the highway. J.D. Power gave the 2021 Elantra a predicted reliability score of 87 out of 100, which makes it one of the 20 most reliable cars of 2021. Hyundai Motor Company (KSE: 005380.KS) backs the Elantra up with a five-year or 60,000-mile basic warranty and a 10-year or 100,000-mile powertrain warranty.

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Disclosure: None. 20 Most Reliable Cars of 2021 is originally published on Insider Monkey.