“Most Reliable Used Cars”

There are a lot of things to consider when shopping for a used vehicle, and reliability is one of the most important for most shoppers. But since reliability can’t be found on a vehicle spec sheet, we need to go to the experts who compile reliability data on the millions of vehicles on the road. J.D. Power does just this, and the following is the list of our picks for the most reliable vehicles, based on 2024 reliability data.

Buick Envision

The Envision manages to stand out in the highly competitive field of compact SUVs by offering a luxury vehicle experience at a much more mainstream price. This stylish vehicle comes with standard all-wheel drive and a turbocharged engine that delivers a punchy 228 horsepower. Older models have the option of front-wheel drive and/or a bigger non-turbo engine, which can come with a real price advantage. The interior offers a step up in luxury from mainstream offerings in this segment, including touches like leather-trimmed upholstery and heated and cooled front seats. Buick has embraced Android Auto and Apple CarPlay for longer than a lot of competing brands, so used shoppers won’t have to compromise on infotainment versatility. This is a huge advantage when shopping used, since it gives you the option for navigation that is otherwise unavailable in a lot of used vehicles.

Hyundai Santa Fe

The Santa Fe is very popular with buyers picking them up new, but they also come with some added advantages for used buyers. The Santa Fe is currently offered exclusively with three rows of seats, but that hasn’t always been the case. For a time, just a few years ago, there was a two-row version known as the Santa Fe Sport as well. Then, the Sport was dropped, and the Santa Fe was a two-row, with the three-row becoming the Santa Fe XL. This is important to know when shopping, since you need to double-check the number of seats. But it’s also great news, because the Santa Fe has great reliability, and the different configurations just mean that you can enjoy this advantage whether you need 5 seats or 7. Front-wheel drive comes standard, and there is the option of all-wheel drive. You get a few different options of drivetrains too, with a four-cylinder turbocharged engine coming standard, and an optional hybrid drivetrain on newer models. Previous generations were also sold with a V6.

Chevrolet Tahoe

While SUVs now dominate the automotive market, very few have the toughness and capability that come with body-on-frame construction, the Chevrolet Tahoe is a rare exception to that rule. Powerful, tough, and incredibly spacious, the Tahoe is useful in ways that competing SUVs can only aspire to. You can even get a Tahoe with a diesel engine, an option that remains unheard of from any competitors. With this toughness comes great reliability, just one more way that the Tahoe makes for an excellent used purchase. With a standard V8 and the aforementioned available diesel engine, the Tahoe also makes for an unbeatable towing SUV. Because, while a Silverado might have a higher towing capacity, the Tahoe can fill all but the most demanding towing needs while simultaneously seating up to 8, which isn’t an option in any pickup. It should also be noted that the Suburban is mechanically identical to the Tahoe, it just offers even more cargo space, so that same reliability is available for two models.

Lexus NX

Luxury vehicles aren’t generally known for reliability. The people who buy luxury vehicles when they’re new don’t tend to hang onto them for as long as those who buy mainstream vehicles, so it simply isn’t important to a lot of manufacturers, especially European manufacturers. But reliability has been important to Lexus since its inception, and today the brand’s most reliable model also competes in the hugely popular compact SUV segment. The NX also features styling and safety tech so cutting edge that even last-generation models will still be ahead of most of the segment. The NX is also ahead of its competitors when it comes to standard equipment, which means you won’t have to worry about coming across a stripped-down version while shopping. Front-wheel drive is standard, with all-wheel drive optional, and you have a choice of a conventional gasoline drivetrain, a conventional hybrid, or even a plug-in hybrid.

Chevrolet Equinox

The Chevrolet Equinox is one of the most popular Chevrolet models, thanks to the excellent value for money that it represents. This popularity combined with excellent reliability means that the Equinox is probably the smartest used vehicle purchase you can make. It offers impressive fuel economy, even without the extra cost of a hybrid drivetrain. Unsurprising for a Chevy, it also comes with very generous interior space, noticeably more than competing SUVs. An optional engine has been offered on some model years, so if you’re looking for more power, that’s something to watch for. Front-wheel drive is standard with either engine, and all-wheel drive is also available for both. The Equinox is an attractive vehicle, and Chevrolet has offered special edition appearance packages in various forms over the years, letting you opt for a version that stands out a bit more.