There is a lot to consider when choosing a car that suits you, and the list of criteria varies from person to person. Not everyone wants the same size, look or features when it comes to a car. But one thing that seems to stay an important factor for most is reliability.

After extensive research, we found that Toyota and Lexus were found to have the most reliable yet affordable cars. But there are other makes that have created reliable cars too, so don’t worry if Toyota or Lexus isn’t your cup of tea.

Below is the list of our top picks for the most reliable cars from the past decade:

Toyota 

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Toyota 4Runner

The Toyota 4Runner is a reliable and popular SUV in its 5^th generation. In terms of design, the 4Runner has maintained its old-school SUV look but has still had a facelift and a few added features to help adapt and modernise it.

The 4Runner isn’t typically known for its road use, but it has had high-reliability scores for 13 years running (Consumer Reports) mainly due to its durability, making it a solid choice for those interested in an off-road vehicle.

Toyota Prius

The Toyota Prius is a popular hybrid car, and the newer generations have an improved driving position (making stability control better), better crash protection, good fuel economy and low running costs, as well as a wider range of amenities.

Like the Toyota 4Runner, the Prius has also had high-reliability scores from Consumer Reports for many years running, putting previous worries about hybrid car batteries to rest and making it a great, sensible choice for a reliable car.

Toyota Camry

The Toyota Camry may be a surprising car for the list, considering it has been absent from the Irish market for 14 years. However, it is back on the market (set to replace the Toyota Avensis), and has a lot to offer.

The Toyota Camry has consistently remained one of the world’s best-selling saloon car, most commonly being praised for its reliability and spacious interior. According to the Consumer report, the Toyota Camry scored the top reliability rating every year between 2002-2017. Owners report very few major mechanical or electrical issues, making it ideal for everyday use.

Lexus

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Lexus IS

The Lexus IS is an executive saloon known for its stylish looks, comfort, good build quality and of course reliability. The IS model stands out from competition as Lexus has not copied the competition, instead, they have focused on their own concepts and conclusions to build a uniquely excellent car.

Owners of the car don’t seem to have many complaints about the car, as services are not often needed. Moreover, the ride quality is smooth and the cabin almost noiseless.

Lexus CT 200h

If you are looking for a hatchback with good reliability, the Lexus CT 200h might be the right fit. This Lexus model is more upmarket than the usual hatchback, as Lexus is renowned for their stylish looks, but it’s still a practical car for everyday use; it’s spacious, has a high safety rating and as a hybrid, it keeps running costs low and doesn’t need to be plugged in to charge.

The CT 200h shares many of the same parts as the Toyota Prius which is also on this list as one of the most reliable cars. So, it comes as no surprise that this Lexus model has also landed the top reliability ratings since 2011.

Other Makes

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Mazda 3 

The Mazda 3 is a large hatchback family car that scores well in terms of reliability. Mazda has always had a strong reputation for building durable and reliable cars, and the Mazda 3 has been no exception with a near perfect score in reliability for the entire decade.

The Mazda 3’s main functions including the engine, transmission, and brake system have all passed extensive tests to prove its dependability, and it also boasts top crash scores making it safe as well as reliable. But besides the reliability and safety advantages, the Mazda 3 is also sporty, stylish and has high-end features that are unique to this class of cars which makes it a top contender in the market.

Honda Accord

The Honda Accord is a large family car and is one of the more popular Honda cars due to its longevity. This Honda model has gone from strength to strength over the years with a focus on build quality and reliability.

It’s clear that the Accord has put a focal point on reliability after scoring the highest possible reliability ratings for years in a row on Consumer Reports. And in terms of the quality of the car, it has plenty of pros, including turbo engines that are powerful and fuel-efficient, sporty handling making it fun to drive, safety and driver assisted technology as standard, and a lot of nifty technology features available (such as an improved touchscreen system).

Nissan Leaf

The Nissan Leaf was introduced to the world in 2010 as one of the first all-electric vehicles and has had great feedback ever since. As well as becoming a top-selling vehicle in Europe, it has been recognised for its innovative features, landing itself a Technology Award at the Auto Express 2018 Awards.

But not only is the Nissan Leaf innovative in technology, since being on the market it has scored the top Consumer Reports rating for reliability from 2011-2016, making it stand above average against its peers.

Choose a reliable car that suits you…

We hope this article has provided you with more knowledge on which cars are known, and have been known, to be reliable for many years. You can trust that these cars are less likely to let you down, so you won’t need to be thinking about a new car for a long time.

To compare quotes for a new or used reliable vehicle, click here.