3 Most Reliable Car Brands for the Michigan Buyer

We love a deal! And our proud state has (or maybe once had) pride in building cars that you can depend on, full stop! The experts have their opinions about the most reliable cars and we site some of that here, buuuuuut… if you want a real expert, seek out the humble and the ones with lots of experience.

Here are three “experts” who have a lot of data backing up their picks for the best car brands.

Data is important for buying a used car. Which car brand is still going after 15 years and 190,000 miles? That’s the car brand for me, am I right?! 👏

We have just a ton of car brands at Pontiac Auto Auctions. But which car brands are the best and most reliable?

The flashy cars, like the Tesla Model 3, are not always the best for you, especially when you’re on a budget and need a solid set of wheels for your driving needs and habits. 

Insights from: 🏆

1. J.D. Power's 2023 Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS)
2. U.S. News & World Report's Best Vehicle Brand Awards, and 
3. Consumer Reports' Car Reliability and Owner Satisfaction data.

J.D. Power's 2023 Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS)

J.D. Power's 2023 Vehicle Dependability Study is like a reliability report card for car brand manufacturers, and it surveys owners of three-year-old cars to see how they've held up over time. 

Now, we should say that a 3-year-old car is not that old, at all, but, as you’ll see, some of these brands also make the cars that still run after ten, twenty, and thirty years.

1. Lexus

• Lexus, a favorite among luxury car owners, ranks highest in overall vehicle dependability. It's part of the Toyota family and has consistently topped the charts for long-term reliability. In fact, the Toyota C-HR and Lexus RX were the highest ranked models in the study!
• Toyota as a parent company had six models receiving awards. This is no surprise to us as Toyota, along with Honda, frequently roll through our Pontiac auction lot, with 100, 200, even 300,000 miles on the odometer. 💪
• Another premium brand, Genesis, also ranked high.

2. Kia

• Ranking the highest in the mass market segment, Kia has been here for three years running. The Optima tends to be a more reliable model.
• Pro Tip: Kia’s tend to be reliable for the first few years, but there are plenty of owners who can’t depend on their Kia after 5 or 10 years. It depends on the model.

3. Buick/Chevrolet

• A couple American brands here flexing their muscles. These take third and fourth respectively. There is a focus on quality, but again, not all models are created equal. The Buick Encore and Chevy Silverado are among the best offerings from these manufacturers.

Looking to understand the big picture when it comes to the best used cars? Click here for the best used cars. 🚗

Plus, here are the worst used cars to avoid like the plague. 🦟

U.S. News & World Report's Best Vehicle Brand Awards

This is like a beauty pageant for car manufacturers, where reliability and performance are as important as good looks.

The Crowning Moments:

• Honda:

Surprise! Honda takes home the Best Vehicle Brand award. This means they not only build reliable cars but also cars that excel in safety and performance while looking good doing it. We love Honda’s at the auction lot. They run for years and years, if you care for them. Check out our selection of Honda's!

• Hyundai:

Hyundai takes the prize for the Best SUV Brand. U.S. News, in particular, celebrates the Tucson. You’re in luck too, Pontiac Auto Auction usually has a selection of Hyundai’s on the lot for great prices! Look for the SUVs.

• Ram:

Ram takes home the Best Truck Brand bragging rights. The Ram 1500 is at the heart of the celebrated lineup of trucks.

Check out our overview of the best used trucks in Michigan under $10,000.

Consumer Reports' Car Reliability and Owner Satisfaction Data

Consumer Reports has been described as the trusted friend who always has the inside scoop on which cars are worth the investment. (a valuable friend, let me tell you) 💰

The Reliability A-Team:

• Toyota and Lexus:

These two are like the rock stars of reliability. They consistently score high in Consumer Reports' surveys. Many of these cars won’t quit!

• Honda:

Honda is another Japanese car brand known for making vehicles that just won't quit. Owners love their Honda's because they last and last.

• Mazda:

Mazda is the dark horse in the reliability race. It's been steadily gaining ground and earning praise from both experts and owners.

What's the verdict?

So, what’s the most reliable car brand for us Wolverines?

According to the experts, you can put your faith in a Toyota, Lexus, Buick, Honda, Kia, Chevrolet, Hyundai, or Mazda.

Ask your neighbors too! Anyone with an old used car can, and will, attest to the reliability of the engine under their feet. Browse our blog too, we have lots of articles reviewing reliability as well as budget, like the best used for under $5000, and the factors that define reliability.

Pontiac Auto Auctions has the car brands and the prices to save you money when you buy reliability. We’ll see you at the auction.