10 of the Most Reliable Cars You Can Buy

2013 Toyota Sienna SE
2013 Toyota Sienna SE | Source: Toyota

In the past, we’ve test driven seemingly indestructible vehicles like the off-road-oriented Toyota Tundra TRD-PRO, and for as sturdy as it felt, we couldn’t help but wonder how it will hold up in the long run.

In order to get the for the article here, we found it in the annual Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) that was first utilized by J.D. Power in order to determine what cars are well-built and what wasn’t. Instead of replicating the list here, we took a few of our favorite standouts. All of the customer/driver complaints from the past 12 months pertaining to vehicles from the 2013 model year were rounded up, and then J.D. Power ascertained which vehicles were being bitched about the least for reliability.

Overall scores are based entirely upon problematic areas in eight different vehicle categories, including exterior, seats, interior, features/controls/displays, driving experience, audio/entertainment/navigation, heating, cooling, and drivetrain.

While quite a few cars received abysmal overall scores from drivers, the 19 winners from the entire 2015 fiscal year were all the usual suspects one might expect, but with one notable exception. There was the typical sprinkling of European and Japanese automobiles throughout, but only GM was able to make the cut from America.

So here are 10 of our favorites from J.D. Power’s most recent list, all of which warrant consideration if you are looking for a used vehicle.

1. 2013 Buick Encore — Small SUV

Buick Encore
Buick Encore | Source: Buick

Starting off the GM kick is a little SUV with great reliability ratings, a sharp face, and tons of practicality. The crossover craze still has yet to show signs of subsiding, and with cars like the Encore getting lots of praise from critics and consumers alike, it’s no wonder that Buick is ranked in the top ten for being one of the best brands to buy today.

2. 2013 Lexus GS — Midsize Premium Car

Lexus GS Hybrid
Lexus GS Hybrid | Source: Lexus

For as well appointed and plush as the older Lexus GS was, it was still a bit of a snoozer when compared to modern versions like the outright inflamed GS-F or the hyperactive IS 200t F-Sport we fell in love with last autumn. But there’s a lot that can be said for keeping it simple and going down the path well traveled on occasion, which gives good cause as to why this version was so reliable.

3. 2013 Toyota Sienna — Minivan

2013 Toyota Sienna SE
2013 Toyota Sienna SE | Source: Toyota

We recently got to doodle around in a Sienna for a week-long loan, and for as minivan-y and mundane as it was, we really couldn’t find anything on it that looked like it would be unreliable. Toyotas are tanks, and when it comes to a vehicle that carries kids around all day, you have to reinforce and over-engineer almost everything, which is probably why the Sienna made the reliability cut this year.

4. 2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK — Compact Premium SUV

2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK250 BlueTEC
Mercedes-Benz GLK | Source: Mercedes-Benz

Well, this was a bit of a surprise: While Consumer Reports typically ranks Mercedes-Benz quite far down the list for quality and value when compared to other European automakers, the GLK remains the odd vehicle out in regard to reliability. This little luxury SUV may have competition from virtually every other automaker out there, but the way in which this vehicle was put together in 2013 has helped it stand out from the rest of the pack when it comes to endurance.

5. 2013 Honda Fit — Small Car

Honda Fit EV
Honda Fit EV | Source: Honda

This was the first car we thought of when the topic of recreating this article came to the table, because ever since this clever pipsqueak of a Honda showed up on our shores, it has been cleaning up the reliability awards. Simple, structurally sound, and oh-so efficient, the Fit is one of those cars that is relatively indestructible, and we feel that the new generation will also stand-up to the test of time quite well.

6. 2013 Chevrolet Silverado HD — Large Heavy Duty Pickup

2013 Chevy Silverado 2500 HD
2013 Chevy Silverado 2500 HD | Source: GM

Remember when Chevy’s slogan was “Like a Rock,” and all of its commercials had these big trucks romping around in a mudpit somewhere outside of Plano, Texas? That’s basically the mentality that Chevrolet was able to successfully instill in the 2013 edition of the Silverado when in HD form, which is awesome to see considering how much abuse these things see every day on the job.

7. 2013 Nissan Murano — Midsize SUV

2013 Nissan Murano
2013 Nissan Murano | Source: Nissan

It may not look as impressive as the newest version, but the previous generation of Nissan Murano was bulletproof and J.D. Power took note, awarding it high points across the board. Sure, it may not have all the styling cues of the latest and greatest, or all the fresh tech goodies, but if you see one used for cheap, grab it up because these cars are more stout than a pint of Guinness.

8. 2013 Toyota Prius V — Compact Multi-Purpose Vehicle

2013 Toyota Prius V
2013 Toyota Prius V | Source: Toyota

The latest generation of Prius is going to kick the V’s ass in the handling, performance, tech, and styling departments, thus making it (finally) cool enough to consider as a buying option. But when it comes to overall soundness, the old V version was a real crowd pleaser, and remains more practical than even the new liftback.

9. 2013 Chevy Camaro — Midsize Sporty Car

2014 Chevrolet Camaro
Source: Chevrolet

For as polarizing as its styling may be to some, the Chevy Camaro was a pretty solid car back in 2013. It had its flaws like any other automobile, but in the grand scheme of things it held up extremely well when compared to other sports cars being created by the competition at the time.

10. 2013 Toyota Tundra — Large Light Duty Pickup

2013 Toyota Tundra
2013 Toyota Tundra | Source: Toyota

Toyotas are known for their build quality and longevity, and their trucks are a large part of that reputation. Everything from the headliner to the headlights in these trucks is well thought out and virtually invincible, thus landing this bad boy on the list as our final option for reliable vehicles.