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, a reputable consumer advocacy group known for rigorous vehicle testing, places the Jeep brand low on its list of reliable brands. Of the brands listed, only Ram and Rivian performed worse in reliability. Unfortunately, the Stellantis-owned company is also one of customers' least favorite car brands.

Among 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 even venturing into the truck and electric vehicle spaces 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 the Wrangler. This particular model suffers from weak fuel efficiency, a noisy ride, and poor dependability — all while costing upwards of $79,995.

To help steer clear of underperforming vehicles, it's worth learning more about car brands with better reliability than Jeep — including things like prolonged maintenance expenses and overall depreciation. In descending order, the following brands were found to be the most reliable overall.

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 focused primarily on its award-winning trucks and SUVs, while putting sedans to the side. This specialization seems to be paying off with the Ford brand performing well in owner satisfaction and maintenance costs, per Consumer Reports. Among the car company's most recent lineup, the 2026 Ford Maverick stands out. The price tag comes in at between $28,145 and $41,425. In a modern reimagining of a classic, the Ford Bronco Sport also boasts high dependability, and costs between $31,845 and $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 also charted out Ford's depreciation, with most models losing 26.7% after a year, and residual value sitting at just 32.9% after a decade. Meanwhile, JD Power placed Ford just below the industry average dependability score 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. The brand is high-ranking for road tests, repair costs, and 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 model year on its own merits, instead of the brand's overall reputation. The Sonata, for instance, is 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 does below average in JD Power's 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 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.

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 a typical car brand, it's actually $1,741 cheaper than other luxury models. Audis also come with a 5.07% lower chance of needing 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 have 29.5% of its residual value, per CarEdge depreciation data. Audi is slightly above Jeep in the JD Power dependability score, experiencing 273 issues per 100 vehicles — below the average.

Many people associate the Mazda brand with its 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 highlighted model, selling for between $29,050 and $41,080. This best-selling vehicle is one of the most reliable, too.

You might also be excited to hear about the below-average maintenance costs of a Mazda. These vehicles tend to experience repair bills of $7,381 over a decade. This is $875 below the norm for similar automakers. On top of that, a 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 have about 41.7% of residual value, per CarEdge data. Mazda also outperformed the overwhelming majority of car brands in JD 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. Consumer Reports also shows that the 2026 XC60 and the 2025 S60 models have above-average owner satisfaction and road test scores. These models sell for $49,700 to $60,800 and $42,600 to $51,000, respectively.

As you may imagine with luxury vehicles, a Volvo costs more to maintain than a standard brand car. However, the brand is still cheaper on upkeep bills than similar luxury 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 compared to other brands in the same time frame. Volvos depreciate by 32.3% in the first year. After a decade, the typical model only has 24.6% of residual value, according to CarEdge. Volvo performs better than Jeep but worse than the average in the JD Power dependability study with 242 issues out of every 100 vehicles.

Volkswagen vehicles show decent results in many Consumer Reports categories, including 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. Per Consumer Reports, the 2026 Volkswagen GTI boasts 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 value within the first year. This depreciation jumps to 67.9% by the 10th year, with the average model only maintaining 32.1% in residual value. The JD Power dependability score places Volkswagen dead last with 285 problems issued for every 100 cars, far worse than 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. 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.

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% in residual value, according to CarEdge. Meanwhile the JD Power dependability report places Chevrolet as the sixth highest-ranking brand, with 169 issues 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.

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, owners are left with only 21.5% in residual value. In the JD Power report, Cadillac came in No. 5 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 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. Consumer Reports provided the 2026 GLE with a an above-average owner satisfaction rank. However, this model goes for between $62,250 and $133,150.

Unfortunately, Mercedes-Benz owners are in an unenviable position of paying the highest maintenance costs on this list. 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% in residual value. Mercedes-Benz fell far below the average in J.D. Power's dependability ranks, with 243 issues reported for every 100 vehicles.

While still ahead of Jeep, per Consumer Reports, this U.S.-based automaker's dependability is below 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 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 owners have just 19.8% in residual value, among the highest depreciation rates for automakers. Lincoln struggles with dependability per the JD Power study, too, reporting 221 issues for every 100 vehicles, far below the average.