Best used cars? Toyota, Lexus top Consumer Reports’ list

• Lexus and Toyota makes the most reliable used cars out of 26 brands
• Mazda, Acura, and Honda took the next three top spots
• Consumer Reports’ Top 10 used car picks include crossovers, sedans, and hybrids, valued at less than $20,000

Assessing the reliability of used cars can be confusing and unreliable enough to lead shoppers to new cars. Consumer Reports addresses the reams of misinformation online with its first-ever used car ranking system introduced on Wednesday. 

“With the historically high price of new autos these days, more and more people are naturally looking to the pre-owned market in search of a better value,” Alex Knizek, associate director of auto test development for Consumer Reports, said in a statement. “But buyers shouldn’t have to sacrifice safety, reliability, or fuel economy to stay within their budget.”

Lexus and Toyota topped the charts out of 26 brands, with a considerable edge over Mazda as the third-place automaker. Acura and Honda filled out the top five, lending credence to the top five brands’ reputations for building long-lasting vehicles. The least reliable used car makers are represented by similarly usual suspects on low initial quality surveys: Tesla, Dodge, and Chrysler at the bottom. 

“Our data consistently shows over time that new cars from those brands (Toyota and Lexus) are reliable when new and they continue to be reliable as they age,” Steven Elek, Consumer Reports’ program leader for auto data analytics, explained in a statement.

The ranking for used cars assessed the reliability of 5-to-10-year-old cars based on a survey sample of problems reported in the past 12 months from the 2014-2019 model years. The dataset included more than 150,000 vehicles and included survey analysis on 20 areas, from brakes to transmissions. The data from each model reported was then used across the brand’s lineup to get an overall score. The data compiled in the rankings suggests that buyers can limit repair costs, reduce the risks of some problems, and extend the life of their used car over the long term.  

The data doesn’t tell the full story, as it rarely does. Certain models perform better over time than other models in a brand’s portfolio. Additionally, certain models perform better based on the model year. The first year of a redesigned model usually has more problems, especially as that redesigned model gets more collective road miles in the real world that can’t possibly be duplicated by testing and verification trials. If that redesigned model flexes a new powertrain, new infotainment, new chassis, and anything else that hasn’t been driven by all the things drivers can face, it usually has more problems. 

The Toyota Tundra illustrates this point. Long known for its reliability, the full-size truck ran for 15 years without a redesign until the 2022 model year. Even Tundra loyalists would admit it was overdue for an overhaul. Toyota retired the V-8 and its outdated 6-speed automatic in favor of two twin-turbo V-6s with a 10-speed automatic transmission. Those new trucks were more powerful, more capable, at least 5 mpg more efficient, and, wholly, more modern. But in its first three years, it’s had 10 recalls ranging from engine and chassis issues to software problems.

That’s common, and shows the kinks are being worked out. It can be a good thing for an automaker, too, because as those innovations migrate to other products and models, they’ll be better field tested. Point being, if Consumer Reports in five years picks the 2020 to 2025 model year range, its used car list will result in worse ratings for the Tundra. 

Top 10 used cars

Since reliability varies by model and even model year, Consumer Reports compiled a list of the top 10 used vehicles, all valued below $20,000. They earned top recommendations when they were new, rate above-average for reliability, and come standard with electronic stability control. The list complements an annual list of safest used cars below $20,000 compiled by Consumer Reports and the IIHS. 

The rankings coincide with the non-profit consumer advocacy publication’s updated used cars portal that shows a reliability rating, if you pay for a subscription. It can also show tire and battery ratings, as well as reviews on car insurance and repair shops.