10 Car Brands More Reliable Than Volvo

Volvo is a Chinese automotive company specializing in luxury vehicles, ranging from sedans to SUVs. More recently, the car maker has been venturing into the electric vehicle and hybrid space. Over the decades, the brand has become known for offering stylish vehicles with high-end interiors. Volvo vehicles may not be as affordable as some more mainstream brands, but they're relatively cost-effective compared to other luxury manufacturers. Unfortunately, this attention to detail on style and comfort doesn't translate to dependability. Consumer Reports, a nonprofit consumer advocacy organization that puts vehicles through rigorous evaluations, acknowledges that most of the Volvo models it tests fall short of its reliability standards.

More specifically, these vehicles tend to score worse than other brands. The brand barely makes it into the top 15 for new car reliability and just earns a spot in the best 10 brands for used car reliability. It also performs poorly in overall owner satisfaction and maintenance costs, pointing to long-term issues. Volvo is also criticized for its uncomfortable driving experience and mediocre fuel efficiency. If you're looking for this luxury brand's advantages without its downsides, you may want to consider the car brands that are more reliable than Volvo.

We've ranked the most dependable car brands based on Consumer Reports in descending order. On top of that, we've compiled additional information from industry-leading sources. CarEdge publishes insightful data on upkeep expenses over an extended time frame, as well as depreciation costs. These figures can help consumers determine how their investment pans out over time for each automaker. J.D. Power also provided crucial information regarding the prevalence of reported issues by brand.

The Toyota brand tops the list of the most reliable automotive manufacturers, according to Consumer Reports. The widely celebrated Japanese brand also performed exceedingly well in used-car reliability and maintenance costs. Toyota models consistently boast high fuel economy, robust standard safety features, and a smooth driving experience. While some brands are locked into fossil-fuel-powered vehicles, Toyota has been a trailblazer in the electric vehicle space. Now, many of its most popular nameplates are available in hybrid or fully electric formats. Within the Toyota brand, the 2026 4Runner and Corolla Cross received the highest reliability scores. The former costs between $41,870 and $68,200, while the latter is a more accessible $25,035 to $33,430, as reported by Consumer Reports.

Toyota beats out the average automaker in long-term maintenance costs by a staggering $2,786, according to CarEdge. Over 10 years, owners of this car brand can expect to incur about $5,470 in upkeep costs. Toyota models also tend to have a 9.66% lower chance of needing a major repair over the same period. Toyota vehicles also maintain their value well, depreciating by only about 17.6% in their first year. Over a decade, these models still maintain about 44.8% of their original value, as reported by CarEdge. The Toyota cars with the best resale value help drivers protect their investments. J.D. Power's 2025 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study, which measured how many issues were reported by owners following three years of driving, found that Toyota experienced 162 problems for every 100 vehicles, far below the study's average of 202.

Consumer Reports places Subaru as the second most reliable car brand, securing another Japanese brand in a leading position. This above-average dependability has garnered Subaru a loyal fanbase. The Tokyo-based automaker tends to score high on owner satisfaction and road tests, too. Notably, most Subaru models come with standard all-wheel drive, which has generated a reputation for smooth handling. The 2026 Subaru Impreza is noted as the most reliable Subaru model, costing between $26,595 and $29,495. The Crosstrek nameplate isn't far behind with a premium dependability score and a similar price range, around $26,995 and $34,995, according to Consumer Reports.

When driving a Subaru model, you should budget about $7,291 for upkeep expenses over the course of a decade, per CarEdge data. That's about $965 lower than for the average automaker. Subarus also beat out the average car in avoiding costly issues. More specifically, these vehicles see about a 22.01% chance of needing a considerable fix within 10 years of ownership, about 2.62% lower than the average. CarEdge's depreciation data suggests that Subarus only lose about 23.9% of their value within the first year. After a decade, these models retain about 40.8% of their initial value. Notably, the Tribeca experiences uniquely rapid depreciation, meaning this midsize Subaru SUV has terrible resale value. J.D. Power indicates that 212 issues are reported out of every 100 Subarus sold, which is worse than the average.

Luxury car brands often get a bad wrap, with popular opinion assuming these automakers underdeliver on reliability. Lexus bucks this negative stereotype, landing among the most reliable of all car brands. Consumer Reports highlights Lexus's ability to marry modern technology and persistent dependability. The Japanese manufacturer even achieves a high rank in terms of used car reliability and owner satisfaction. Consumer Reports heralds the 2026 IS and ES Hybrid as the most dependable Lexus nameplates. For context, the IS goes for between $45,500 and $49,950, while the ES Hybrid hovers around $41,020. Surprised by the relatively economical prices for such a reputable brand? Lexus actually offers some of the most affordable luxury cars you can buy.

CarEdge estimates that the typical Lexus vehicle runs a decade-long maintenance bill of $7,110. Although that's higher than some other car brands on this list, it's a whopping $4,842 lower than for similar luxury automakers. Lexus nameplates also have a serious advantage in avoiding costly repairs. These models tend to see 17.29% lower odds of necessitating a significant fix within a decade of ownership. The depreciation information from CarEdge shows that Lexus vehicles only depreciate by 14.3% over the first year following purchase. Across a 10-year period, these models maintain 43% of their initial worth. Lexus tops the J.D. Power dependability study, with only 140 problems reported for every 100 cars, the lowest out of dozens of brands examined.

Honda's high position among the most reliable brands affirms a strong correlation between Japanese manufacturers and dependable cars. Beyond extraordinary reliability across its lineup, the brand also sees high owner satisfaction and used car reliability, per Consumer Reports data. The carmaker has been recognized for consistently producing vehicles with reasonable price tags, impressive fuel economy, ergonomic controls, and solid safety features. Consumer Reports elevates the 2026 Honda Passport as the most reliable nameplate in the Honda lineup. This model sells for around $44,950 to $53,850. The second-highest rated Honda for dependability is the Honda Accord, which goes for between $28,395 and $30,695. These two models represent only a few of the vehicles that are more reliable than the Honda CR-V.

CarEdge puts the 10-year maintenance and repair expenses for the typical Honda vehicle at $6,799. That saves a Honda driver about $1,457 compared to similar models. These below-average upkeep costs come with a lower chance of needing a serious fix. A Honda beats out the standard car by 4.68% when it comes to the odds of needing a considerable repair over a decade. Per CarEdge information, a Honda maintains about 73.3% of its value after a year. Total depreciation only reaches 59.1% over a decade, leaving Hondas with notable resale value. The Japanese carmaker rests just above the average in the J.D. Power dependability study, reporting 201 problems for every 100 cars sold.

BMW is the highest-ranking non-Japanese car brand in terms of reliability. Consumer Reports also places this German automaker at the top of the pile of luxury brands and road tests. It also performs well on used car reliability, as well as for owner satisfaction. The consumer advocacy group highlights BMW's unique blend of modern technology and smooth driving with responsive handling and respectable fuel economy. At the same time, BMW suffers from unaffordability, due in part to its premium engines and other first-rate features commonly found in European brands. The 2 Series nameplate maintains the best reliability of the newest BMW vehicles, all the while securing a low starting price of $40,000, although the cost can stretch to $98,600. The 2026 BMW X5 packs a dependability punch, yet at a higher cost of $67,600 to $131,000, per Consumer Reports.

In addition to above-average price tags, this luxury car brand also comes with lofty maintenance costs. According to CarEdge, BMW drivers put about $16,021 into repairs over 10 years of ownership. That figure is an eye-watering $4,069 above the upkeep costs for comparable luxury brands. You'd hope these prohibitive maintenance expenses would come with a lower chance of needing significant repairs, but BMWs actually face this issue at an 11.22% higher rate than similar models. Overall, these vehicles come with a 47.26% likelihood of demanding an expensive repair within a 10-year period. The standard BMW model doesn't perform much better in maintaining value, depreciating by 27.4% within the first year, per CarEdge. Within 10 years, these modes only maintain 31.2% of their initial worth. However, BMW does outperform the average automaker in the J.D. Power dependability test, reporting only 189 issues per 100 vehicles sold.

Nissan brings the list of car brands that are more reliable than Volvo back to the global automotive leader of Japan. The Yokohama-based marque achieves positive results in several Consumer Reports' rankings, including new and used car reliability, along with maintenance and repairs. Despite their relatively high ranking of overall brand reliability, the automaker's lineup is riddled with unpredictability, with dependability ebbing and flowing. This unpredictability is reflected by a moderate to even subpar customer satisfaction. Nissan does offer decent fuel economy and solid standard safety features. The 2026 Nissan Altima is heralded as the most reliable of the brand, according to Consumer Reports, with a price range of $27,580 to $30,480. The 2026 Nissan Kicks, a relatively new model, also received above-average dependability scores. It goes for $22,430 to $28,160.

Nissan's broad reliability is bolstered by maintenance costs below the norm for similar automakers. CarEdge estimates that owners put about $7,384 toward general upkeep within the first decade of driving a Nissan. In total, that represents about $872 in savings. Additionally, Nissan models experience a 21.32% likelihood of demanding a considerable fix within the same timeframe, 3.31% better odds than for the industry norm. Within only a year, Nissan vehicles tend to lose about 31.5% of their initial sale price. After a decade, only about 31.5% of this original value remains, according to CarEdge estimates. This quick depreciation is one reason you may want to think twice about buying a new car. Nissan falls below the average of J.D. Power's benchmark with 215 issues reported for every 100 cars sold. Yet, this remains above Volvo's results of 242 out of 100.

Acura is one of the customers' least favorite car brands, but the Japanese brand still delivers on reliability, according to Consumer Reports. The Tokyo-headquartered marque is competitive in both used and new car dependability, and performs well compared to other luxury brands. Acura is owned by Honda, which explains that many nameplates bearing this sub-brand are effectively higher-end iterations of the parent company's models. The Acura name has become associated with smooth and comfortable driving experiences. Notably, there aren't currently any hybrid Acura models. The fuel economy in these vehicles is usually on par with the industry average. The 2025 Acura TLX is ranked as judged to be the most dependable of the brand, according to Consumer Reports. It sells for between $45,400 and $58,050. The 2026 Acura Integra isn't far behind in terms of dependability scores, yet it starts at a more affordable price tag of $33,400 to $53,400.

Although you may spend more than the industry norm for an Acura, you'll pay less over the long run in maintenance when compared to other luxury models. CarEdge projects that the 10-year upkeep expenses for the brand stand at $8,414. This figure represents a decent savings of $3,538 when measured against similar automakers. On top of more affordable maintenance and repairs, the Acura brand carries lower-than-average odds of needing a serious fix during the same timeframe. Within a year, a new Acura vehicle usually depreciates by about 26.3%. Zooming out to a full decade, models from this brand tend to maintain about 33.5% of their initial value, per CarEdge data. Unfortunately, Acura falls below Volvo in the J.D. Power dependability test, with 249 problems reported out of every 100 vehicles.

Buick is the first U.S.-based automaker to make it on the list of car brands that are more reliable than Volvo. The once-dominant manufacturer has significantly reduced its lineup over the years and now primarily focuses on SUVs. Yet, these limited vehicles still offer solid reliability, according to Consumer Reports rankings. Buick is acknowledged for its combination of luxury feel and design without the exorbitant price tag usually associated with premium vehicles. In addition to new car reliability, the brand also performs well on used car dependability and maintenance costs. Consumer Reports celebrates the 2026 Envision and the Encore GX as the two most reliable Buick nameplates. The former goes for $41,000 to $50,700, and the latter is sold for $26,200 to $33,300.

Buicks typically require $8,993 of investment in maintenance to keep things up and running optimally. This figure is spaced out over a 10-year period. If you think this looks steep, you're absolutely correct. CarEdge data shows that Buicks tend to run $737 over the average model for upkeep across this period. Furthermore, this marque comes with a 25.97% likelihood of requiring a considerable fix in the initial decade of ownership, 1.34% higher than the norm. Following a year, the standard Buick model will lose 29.6% of their original sales price. After 10 years of driving, these cars tend to only maintain 24.5% of their initial value, per CarEdge. This extremely steep depreciation is a core reason that Buick is one of the car brands retirees may regret buying. Despite these elevated maintenance costs and rapid depreciation, Buick vehicles still dominate in dependability, according to J.D. Power. Only about 143 issues get reported for every 100 vehicles, far better than the average.

Tesla ranks among the back-to-back U.S. automotive giants on the list of car brands that are more reliable than Volvo. The Elon Musk-led manufacturer is largely credited with popularizing electric vehicles for the North American market. While other vehicle companies offer electric vehicles in addition to conventional, fossil-fuel-powered options, Tesla exclusively focuses on electric engines. Over the years, it's built out a robust lineup of sedans, SUVs, and, most recently, a truck. Consumer Reports ranks the Tesla brand above the industry midpoint when it comes to new car reliability. The brand also performs exceptionally well in owner satisfaction. The 2026 Tesla Model Y is the automaker's most dependable model by far, according to Consumer Reports data, while striking a modest price of $39,990 to $59,990. The popular 2026 Model 3 also received positive results for its reliability, coming in at $36,990 to $54,990. These models prove that cheap Tesla cars are already hitting the market.

Ever wondered if an electric vehicle can save you money in the long run? According to CarEdge, owning a Tesla can help drivers reduce their 10-year upkeep costs by an eye-watering $7,671, when compared to other luxury automakers. Overall, owners only have to budget about $4,281 over a decade to keep their Teslas operating ideally. Additionally, these electric vehicles have a 17.4% lower chance of demanding a considerable repair over this timeframe. Teslas do suffer from relatively steep depreciation, losing about 29.8% of their initial value within a year. After 10 years of ownership, your Tesla will only maintain about 22.1% of the original sales price, according to CarEdge. J.D. Power reports that Tesla vehicles experience about 209 problems for every 100 vehicles, just getting beaten out by the standard.

Kia rounds out the ranking of car brands that are more reliable than Volvo. To be sure, many more marques outrank this benchmark, but most fall far below the average reliability set by Consumer Reports. Kia straddles this line with a dependability score right at the midrange. However, it does well on the consumer watchdog's road tests and even decently on owner satisfaction. The South Korean automaker offers a diverse lineup of vehicles, ranging from sedans and SUVs to trucks and hybrids. The 2026 Carnival Hybrid and the 2026 Soul are recognized for having the highest reliability among Kia's newest lineup. The hybrid is on the more expensive end of the cost spectrum, going for $41,390 to $53,490, while the Soul is on the more affordable end, selling for about $20,490 to $24,790, according to Consumer Reports. The Soul also happens to be one of the cheapest new cars to insure, adding to the savings.

Owners of a typical Kia model can pocket about $935 over a decade of maintenance costs compared to similar brands, with a total cost of $7,321 across this period. Additionally, this brand experiences a 1.91% lower chance of requiring a significant fix in the same timeframe, as reported by CarEdge. In a year, Kia models tend to lose 25.7% of their value. That depreciation reaches to 67.2% over a decade, leaving only 32.8% of the original sticker price, per CarEdge information. The J.D. Power dependability results show that Kia sits just above the average, with 196 issues reported for every 100 vehicles sold.