Top 10 Most Reliable Affordable Car Makes

When you're shopping for a car, reliability is often at the top of the list of must-haves - especially when you're working within a budget. You want something that not only gets you from point A to point B but also does so without leaving you stranded on the side of the road. Fortunately, there are several car brands that have built a reputation for being dependable without breaking the bank.
The Top Ten
1 Honda Honda Motor Co., Ltd. is a Japanese public multinational conglomerate corporation primarily known as a manufacturer of automobiles, aircraft, motorcycles, and power equipment.

Honda was innovating when the Big 3 American automakers were complaining to Congress that they couldn't meet the EPA deadline back in the '70s. Honda took the unique approach of redesigning the engine, while the Americans kept adding more components to meet the standards. The lack of original thinking in the Big 3 sealed their fate. Honda continues to make reliable cars.

One note: Ford is quickly catching up to the Japanese auto market. They were the first to set their hubris aside and took no money from the U.S. government.

2 Toyota Toyota is a Japanese car manufacturer, located in Toyota, Japan. Some of their most notable cars include the Prius, Corolla, and Highlander.

This car is one of the most reliable ever. Nice price for the quality. Many Toyota models are better than Honda's. They even look and perform better. For example, which one looks better - the 2013 Sienna from Toyota or the 2013 Odyssey?

Toyota, especially the older Priuses, is spacious, reliable, and offers good fuel economy. Even if something fails, Toyota compacts, including the Prius, are some of the easiest cars to work on, so you can save money by doing repairs yourself.

Where I live, Toyota cars still maintain their reputation as the most reliable. Many people here drive Toyota cars, including me.

3 Nissan Nissan is a Japanese multinational automobile manufacturer headquartered in Yokohama, Japan. Founded in 1933, the company produces a range of vehicles including sedans, SUVs, and electric cars. Nissan focuses on innovation and sustainability, investing heavily in research and development. The company... read more

Sporty, reliable, and I feel it's an all-in-one package. You get both the luxury of a BMW and the versatility of a Land Rover. Luxury and sport for a cheap price.

4 Mazda Mazda Motor Corporation, commonly referred to as simply Mazda, is a Japanese multinational automaker based in Fuchū, Aki District, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan.

Reliable and sporty, but not the best overall.

5 Ford The Ford Motor Company is an American multinational automaker headquartered in Dearborn, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit.
6 Cadillac Cadillac is a division of the American automobile manufacturer General Motors that designs and builds luxury vehicles.
7 Mercedes-Benz
8 Chevrolet
9 Lincoln
10 Saturn The Saturn Corporation, also known as Saturn LLC, was an American automobile manufacturer, a registered trademark established on January 7, 1985, as a subsidiary of General Motors.

Very reliable and still running strong after 18 years!

The Contenders
11 Fiat Fiat is an Italian automaker that was founded in 1899. Now a part of Stellantis, the company is known for producing a wide range of vehicles, from small city cars to commercial vehicles. Fiat focuses on delivering affordable, efficient, and stylish cars that cater to a broad market. The brand aims to... read more
12 Lexus
13 Lancia
14 Hyundai

The finest car for Christmas! Excellent entertainment system, prompt response, and only a small drawback in terms of fun-to-drive. Awesome!

15 Vauxhall Vauxhall is a British automotive brand that primarily focuses on the production of passenger cars and light commercial vehicles. Founded in 1857 as a pump and marine engine manufacturer, the company entered the automotive industry in 1903. Headquartered in Luton, England, Vauxhall is a subsidiary of... read more
16 Audi Audi AG is a German automobile manufacturer that designs, engineers, produces, markets and distributes luxury vehicles
17 Alfa Romeo Alfa Romeo Automobiles S.p.A. is an Italian luxury car manufacturer, founded by Frenchman Alexandre Darracq as A.L.F.A.
18 Acura
19 Volvo Volvo Cars, stylized as VOLVO in the logo, is a Swedish luxury vehicle manufacturer established in 1927. It is headquartered on Torslanda in Gothenburg and is a subsidiary of Chinese automotive company Geely.
20 Volkswagen Volkswagen is a German automotive manufacturer founded in 1937. Headquartered in Wolfsburg, Germany, the company produces a wide range of vehicles, from sedans and hatchbacks to SUVs and commercial trucks. Volkswagen is one of the world's largest car manufacturers and focuses on creating cars for the... read more
21 Kia Kia is a South Korean automotive manufacturer, founded in 1944. Now a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Company, Kia produces a wide range of vehicles including sedans, SUVs, and electric cars. The company focuses on creating vehicles that offer value for money, combining quality and affordability. Kia aims... read more
22 Skoda
23 Mitsubishi

Cars made in Japan.

24 BMW
25 Esemka
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