10 Car Brands More Reliable Than Jeep

Through effective branding campaigns and an origin story steeped in military lore, the Jeep brand has imbued its vehicles with a sense of capability, ruggedness, and dependability. However, this idealized image of the Jeep has been markedly different from the lived experience of drivers out on the road. Consumer Reports, which is a reputable consumer advocacy group known for its rigorous vehicle testing, places the Jeep brand low on its list of reliable brands. Of the marques listed, only Ram and Rivian perform worse in this critical metric. Unfortunately, the Netherlands-based company is also one of the customers' least favorite car brands.

Among the Consumer Reports suite of metrics, it's challenging to find an area in which Jeep performs above average. Jeep enthusiasts benefit from an expansive lineup of different models and engines, with the brand venturing into the truck and electric vehicle spaces most recently. Still, the consumer watchdog admits that it struggles to provide a recommendation for the Jeep brand, even for its most prized nameplates, such as Wrangler. This particular model suffers from weak fuel efficiency, a noisy ride, and poor dependability, all while costing upwards of $79,995.

To help drivers steer clear of underperforming vehicles, MoneyDigest has compiled a list of car brands more reliable than Jeep, according to Consumer Reports. These marques are provided below in descending order, meaning the companies at the top were found to be the most reliable overall. We've also provided crucial information regarding prolonged maintenance expenses and depreciation from CarEdge. J.D. Power's 2025 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study provides additional data on dependability by showing how many issues have been reported per 100 vehicles sold for each brand.

Unlike Jeep, which has expanded its range of vehicles, Ford has whittled down its offerings recently. Over the past 10 years, the U.S.-based automaker has decided to focus primarily on its award-winning trucks and SUVs, while putting its sedans to the side. This specialization seems to be paying off with the Ford brand performing well in new car reliability, as well as for owner satisfaction and maintenance costs, per Consumer Reports. Among the car company's most recent lineup, the 2026 Ford Maverick stands out as the most reliable. The price tag comes in at $28,145 to $41,425. In a modern reimagining of a classic, the Ford Bronco Sport also boasts high dependability, and costs around $31,845 to $38,265, according to Consumer Reports.

Ford has been subject to some of the most expensive recalls in recent history, but that doesn't quite explain its above-average upkeep costs. CarEdge estimates that the typical Ford driver is spending $2,057 more than the average vehicle owner over the course of a decade on upkeep expenses. Overall, this comes out to be a wallet-crushing $10,313. Fords also come with a 7.22% higher likelihood of needing a considerable fix over 10 years than similar brands. CarEdge has also charted out the average Ford's depreciation, with most models losing 26.7% after a year. The remaining value only sits at 32.9% following a decade. The J.D. Power dependability study placed Ford just below the industry average of 202, with 208 issues reported for every 100 cars sold.

Hyundai is a South Korean automaker with a litany of accolades from Consumer Reports' tests. The brand is high-ranking for road tests, repair costs, and new car reliability. There's a solid chance drivers will find a Hyundai that matches their preferences and needs due to its vast lineup of vehicles, ranging from sedans and SUVs to trucks and electric vehicles. It's worth noting that Hyundai models can be hit or miss, so it's important to assess each nameplate on its own merits, instead of the brand's overall reputation. Both the 2026 Tucson and Santa Cruz have achieved far above-average reliability. Plus, these models land at reasonable price points, selling for $29,450 to $40,925 and $29,750 to $43,700, respectively, per Consumer Reports. The Sonata is actually one of the best cars for a retiree due to its combination of reliability and affordability.

Hyundai drivers are projected to save money on upkeep bills compared to other well-known brands, according to CarEdge. Over a decade, a Hyundai can eat up about $7,024 in repair costs, which is $1,232 below the standard. This brand also enjoys a 1.17% lower chance of requiring a significant fix over 10 years. After a year, the normal Hyundai model loses about 31.3% of its initial sales price. CarEdge estimates that these vehicles only maintain 33.9% of their value following a decade of ownership. Hyundai falls far below the average in the J.D. Power study, with 222 issues reported out of every 100 vehicles, which is 20 more than the benchmark.

Audi is a German luxury automotive company that delivers stylish vehicles with premium interior designs and capable engines. Consumer Reports acknowledges the brand's performance in both new and used car reliability, as well as in road tests. Audi is known for its impressive range of luxury SUVs and sedans, even at relatively economical price ranges, especially for top-grade brands. The 2025 Audi A4 is among the brand's highest-rated nameplates for reliability, scoring well-above the midrange. At a price point between $42,000 and $44,100, this vehicle is proof that Audi offers some of the most affordable luxury cars you can buy. Consumer Reports also judges the 2026 Audi A5 to have decent dependability, although at a slightly elevated cost of $50,200 to $63,300.

CarEdge estimates that Audi owners fork over around $10,211 over the course of a decade to keep these vehicles operating smoothly. While that may seem like a lot when compared to the typical car brand, it's actually $1,741 cheaper than other luxury marques. Audis also come with a 5.07% lower chance of demanding a serious fix within the same timeframe compared to similar brands. Overall, the Audi faces a 30.97% chance of this outcome. Better than many automakers, an Audi vehicle only loses about 20% of its value in the first year. After a decade, a typical model will retain 29.5% of its original value, per CarEdge depreciation data. Audi is slightly above Jeep in the J.D. Power dependability score, experiencing 273 issues per 100 vehicles, far below the average.

Many people associate the Mazda brand with its popular, sporty Miata convertible. However, the Japanese car manufacturer has a much more developed lineup of sedans, crossovers, and SUVs, in addition to celebrated sports cars. Consumer Reports celebrates the Mazda for its high-ranking in used car reliability, road tests, and repair costs. It's also one of the many brands that are more reliable than Jeep. The 2025 Mazda CX-5 is one of the highlighted models, selling for about $29,050 to $41,080. This best-selling vehicle is one of the most reliable, too. Consumer Reports has deemed it exceptionally reliable, with results well beyond the average for comparable models. The 2026 Mazda 3 also experiences a reliability score above the norm and a more affordable price point at $24,550 to $37,890.

If these price tags catch your attention, you'll be delighted to hear about the below-average maintenance costs of the Mazda. These vehicles tend to run up repair bills of $7,381 over a decade. This is a welcome $875 below the norm for similar automakers. On top of that, the typical Mazda comes with 3.8% lower odds of requiring a serious fix across a 10-year period compared to the norm, as reported by CarEdge. After owning a Mazda for a year, your investment will have depreciated by 27.5%. When zooming out to a decade, your vehicle will maintain about 41.7% of its initial worth, per CarEdge data. Mazda outperforms the overwhelming majority of car brands in J.D. Power's dependability assessment, with only 161 issues reported per 100 cars. For context, only Lexus and Buick outrank Mazda in this area.

Over the years, Volvo has ceded ground to competing brands in areas it once dominated, such as ground-breaking safety features and aesthetic style. Yet, Consumer Reports still places this Chinese brand above Jeep in terms of reliability. Volvo also ranks well in used car dependability. Consumers have a suite of options from the automaker's vast lineup of sedans, SUVs, electric vehicles, and station wagons. Overall, the Volvo brand perhaps stands out the most for its stylish designs, both on the exterior and interior of its vehicles, while still offering this luxuriousness at relatively affordable prices. The 2026 XC60 and the 2025 S60 rank among the most reliable Volvo cars of recent years. These models sell for $49,700 to $60,800 and $42,600 to $51,000, respectively. Consumer Reports also shows both models having above-average owner satisfaction and road test scores.

As you may imagine, with luxury vehicles, Volvo costs more to maintain than standard brands. However, the Chinese automaker is cheaper on upkeep bills than similarly luxurious automakers. More specifically, CarEdge estimates Volvo owners spend about $10,082 on repairs over a decade, which is $1,870 cheaper than comparable brands. Furthermore, Volvos come with a 1.12% lower chance of needing a considerable fix in the same time frame. Volvos depreciate by 32.3% in the first year. After a decade, the typical model only retains 24.6% of their original value, according to CarEdge. Volvo performs better than Jeep but worse than the average in the J.D. Power dependability study. This car manufacturer tends to see 242 issues out of every 100 vehicles.

Volkswagen vehicles show decent results in many Consumer Reports categories, including new and used car reliability, road tests, and maintenance costs. It has been found to outpace the Jeep automaker in terms of dependability. Volkswagen excels at producing mainstream vehicles with a luxury feel. These models perform well on the road and are widely seen as enjoyable to handle. Over the decades, this German brand has produced a wide range of cars, yet it has specialized in SUVs as of late. The newest lineup of Volkswagen models only saw a single model land above the midpoint for reliability, per Consumer Reports. The 2026 Volkswagen GTI boasts above-average dependability along with solid owner satisfaction and even better road test results. This model is priced at a reasonable $34,590 to $42,480.

Volkswagen models cost about $6,764 to maintain over a 10-year period. Owners of this automaker save $1,492 across this period compared to similar brands. CarEdge also indicates that the German marque faces a 20.9% chance of requiring a serious fix in this timeframe, 3.73% lower than comparable models. CarEdge depreciation tracking suggests that the average Volkswagen model gives up 30.5% of its original value already within the first year. This depreciation jumps to 67.9% by the 10th year, with the average model only maintaining 32.1% of its initial price. The J.D. Power dependability score places Volkswagen dead last with 285 problems issued for every 100 cars, far below the average. With this track record of problems, it's not surprising that Consumer Reports labeled one of its models as the least reliable due to battery and charging issues.

Chevrolet is one of the few vehicle manufacturers still headquartered in the U.S. The Detroit-based brand has a decent reliability score, according to Consumer Reports — enough to outpace Jeep. Similar to other brands shifting their expertise over time, Chevrolet has gone from offering a sweeping array of different vehicles to specializing in trucks and SUVs, although its flagship Corvette sports car is an outlier. Overall, the American automaker's advantages tend to be solid safety features, spacious design, and ergonomic controls. Chevrolet is also making a name for itself in the electric vehicle industry, offering a growing list of its vehicles in this more sustainable engine type. The 2026 Chevrolet Trax, Corvette, and TrailBlazer nameplates all receive reliability scores above the average for their peers, per Consumer Reports data.

Chevrolet suffers from an above-average maintenance bill. CarEdge estimates the typical owner budgets around $9,602 on upkeep for their Chevrolet vehicle over a 10-year period, which is $1,346 more than for comparable brands. Unfortunately, these lofty repair costs are accompanied by higher-than-average odds of needing a serious repair within the same timeframe. While similar brands see a 28.96% chance of this outcome, Chevrolet vehicles suffer from a 4.33% higher chance. After driving your Chevrolet for a year, it will lose about 26.2% of its initial value. When looking at a decade of ownership, the typical vehicle from this brand only retains 34.2% of its original sales price, according to CarEdge depreciation statistics. The J.D. Power dependability report places Chevrolet as the sixth highest-ranking brand, as only 169 issues are reported out of every 100 cars.

Cadillac is another of the few U.S. automakers that are deemed more reliable than Jeep. This luxury car company specializes in producing premier-feeling SUVs and sedans. However, like many companies over the past few years, Cadillac has forayed into the electric vehicle space with some decent results. The Michigan-based marque has also recently developed a sports-focused line known as the V-Series, designed to provide a high-end ride competitive with the classic European names dominating this area. Despite having a reliability score above Jeep, Consumer Reports notes that Cadillac's dependability falls below the midrange. The exception to this below-average reliability is the 2026 Cadillac Escalade, which achieved results above the midrange for similar models. However, the higher cost between $91,100 and $171,000 prices many drivers out of considering this capable model. The 2026 Cadillac CT4 is much more affordable, ranging between $36,000 and $63,600, while maintaining a reliability score on par with similar models, per Consumer Reports.

CarEdge suggests that Cadillac owners usually dedicate about $11,025 to keep these luxury models running smoothly. However, these expenses are spread out over the course of a decade. While sitting higher than standard brands, these expenses actually beat out the average luxury automaker by $927. Furthermore, the normal Cadillac experiences a 2.23% lower chance of demanding a serious repair within the same timeframe, compared to its peers. That means owners are spending less on upkeep and facing fewer repair risks. The depreciation information from CarEdge reveals that a Cadillac sheds 27.1% of its value within the first year. Over a decade, 78.5% of the original sales price is lost, leaving only 21.5% of your initial investment. In the J.D. Power report, Cadillac is in the fifth position among the most dependable automakers, reporting 169 issues per 100 vehicles.

Hailing from Germany, Mercedes-Benz has earned a reputation for combining smooth rides and premium features. Consumer Reports soberly admits that the result is usually costly vehicles with subpar dependability. However, the Mercedes-Benz brand still enjoys higher reliability than Jeep. This Stuttgart-headquartered automaker offers a broad lineup of sedans, SUVs, and sports cars, giving interested consumers plenty to choose from. The most celebrated aspect of this brand's models is their interior and exterior design, feel, and comfort. Although the car company struggles to achieve a reliability score above the watermark, its 2026 C-Class sedan pushes beyond the midpoint, yet the price point between $49,650 and $88,000 puts the reliability at a steep cost. Consumer Reports provided the 2026 GLE with a near-average dependability score and an above-average owner satisfaction rank. This model goes for even more at $62,250 to $133,150.

Unfortunately, Mercedes-Benz owners are in an unenviable position of paying the highest maintenance costs on this list of brands that are more reliable than Jeep. CarEdge puts the 10-year upkeep costs at a towering $12,942. Although luxury brands tend to cost more to maintain, this rate is still $990 above the norm for comparable automakers. Additionally, the brand faces 41.24% odds of requiring a serious fix over the course of a decade, which is 5.20% worse than for similar brands. CarEdge depreciation data indicates that the average Mercedes-Benz erases 17.6% of its original sales price in a year. After a decade of ownership, you'll only have about 31.5% of the initial investment. Mercedes-Benz fell far below the average in J.D. Power's dependability ranks, with 243 issues reported for every 100 vehicles.

Lincoln completes the list of car brands that are more reliable than Jeep, yet Consumer Reports still places this U.S.-based automaker's dependability below the average. In effect, Lincoln puts a luxurious spin on the Ford lineup, which owns the premier-focused brand. Lincoln primarily focuses on SUVs, most of which come standard with quiet cabins, premium electronics, and leather wrapping throughout. The 2026 Lincoln Aviator is the highest-performing of the marque in terms of reliability, yet the SUV still struggles to achieve above-average marks. However, it performs well in owner satisfaction and road tests. It sells for between $56,910 and $85,910, per Consumer Reports data.

Lincolns are the second-most expensive vehicles on this list to maintain, with a 10-year price tag of $12,416. These upkeep costs exceed the average for comparable automakers by about $464, according to CarEdge. Fortunately, this higher-than-normal upkeep is paired with better odds of requiring a considerable fix. Lincoln's face a 34.45% chance of demanding a hefty repair, which is 1.59% lower than for comparable brands. CarEdge also shows that the typical Lincoln model depreciates by 23.5% after only a year of ownership. Fast forward to 10 years, and the lost value reaches 80.2%, leaving only 19.8% of the original sales price, among the highest depreciation rates for automakers. Lincoln struggles with dependability per the J.D. Power study, too, reporting 221 issues for every 100 vehicles, far below the average.