Each year brings several new cars. Whether it’s a new nameplate or the continuation of a successful one, motorists can choose from a large number of vehicles. When choosing vehicles, buyers base their purchase on safety, reliability, sportiness, notoriety and a myriad of factors that will tip the scales. Often, the average driver makes a decision based on a reliability-price or safety-price relationship.
Vehicles that have received a 5-star crash rating are often sought after by potential buyers. That said, cars that will last more than 300,000 miles usually earn impeccable safety ratings. With living standards dropping by the minute, not all motorists can afford to buy and maintain safer cars. As a result, potential buyers tend to focus on reliability. Fortunately, some of the more reliable cars in 2023 they are also some of the safest.
10 2022 Mazda MX-5 Miata
Most gearheads are unaware of the fact that Mazda has been making large compact sports cars since the 1960s. The Mazda Cosmo 110 Sport was the inspiration for many two-door sports cars made by the Japanese automaker. In the late 1980s, Mazda designed a roadster that would keep BMW executives up at night. The Mazda MX-5 Miata has only gotten better since its introduction.
The 2022 Mazda MX-5 Miata is one of the most used sports cars with high reliability ratings. According to RepairPal, the 2022 Miata has a reliability rating of 4 out of 5 and costs approximately $429 per year in repairs. This is ideal for a car known for being very versatile and fun to drive. Gearheads looking for a sports car that won’t break the bank on maintenance should consider the 2022 Miata and the upcoming 2023 model.
9 2023 BMW 330i
BMW went through several phases since the late 1950s. After the failure of the 507 Roadster that nearly cost BMW its existence, the Bavarian automaker made sure to conduct much more rigorous risk analysis in the time to design and manufacture vehicles. In 1975, BMW offered one of the passenger cars that would eventually become its money maker: the 3 Series.
Since the E90, the BMW 3 Series hasn’t been very attractive. Plagued by various mechanical problems, the 3 Series couldn’t compete with the increasingly luxurious and affordable sedans coming out of Japan and South Korea. BMW understood that something needed to be done and fixed it. The latest BMW 330i is one of the most reliable cars in its class. According to JD Power, the 2023 330i scored a respectable 81 out of 100 in quality and reliability.
8 2023 Genesis G90
Hyundai. The name was longer associated with lousy vehicles that didn’t stand the test of time. In addition to being powered by some of the worst engines available, Hyundai cars had a very limited lifespan. Things started to change in the 2010s with cars like the 3.8-liter Genesis Coupe and the larger 5.0-liter Genesis Sedan. Today, Genesis rivals some of the most revered high-end vehicles on the market.
The 2023 Genesis G90 is the ultra-luxury flagship sedan made in South Korea. The full-size sedan is unlike anything Hyundai has released before. To top it all off, the G90 comes with a twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6 at best. The luxury sedan received a 91 out of 100 from JD Power in 2022 and is very likely to receive a similar rating in 2023.
7 2023 Lexus ES350
When Lexus debuted in the US market, the state of the domestic auto industry was deplorable. Lexus rivaled the luxury cars that came from Europe and were sold in America. Although it took some time for motorists to accept Lexus cars as true luxury cars, Lexus would become the legitimate high-end car brand it is today.
In recent years, the Lexus IS-F and LFA caught the attention of piston heads worldwide. While these sportier Lexus cars are insane, they’re nowhere near as available and affordable as the mass-produced ES350. The ES350 may look like a land boat, but it’s a luxury Las Vegas fast saloon on wheels. According to RepairPal, the 2023 ES350 scored 4 out of 5 in reliability. That said, maintaining a Lexus is never cheap.
6 2023 Honda Accord Touring
When Honda was first introduced to the American market, critics trashed its cars. Small and powered by microscopic engines, Honda cars were no match for some of the most respected muscle cars of the era. Honda’s fortunes would eventually turn when the EPA and two oil strikes wreaked havoc on the domestic auto industry. Today, Honda is a respected brand among American motorists.
Is the new 2023 Honda Accord Touring worth it? Yes. In fact, there are several reasons to buy the 2023 Honda Accord. Last year, the Accord Touring scored an 83 out of 100 according to JD Power. The fast and affordable hybrid sedan is a strong rival to the Toyota Camry of the same year. Also, Hondas are known to be among the most reliable vehicles on the market.
5 Kia Forte GT 2023
Kia launched its first car in 1974. After several events that almost destroyed Kia Motors completely, Kia Motors of America would come to life in 1992. At first, Kia cars didn’t get a seat at the table. Cheap and far from attractive, Kia cars were a joke to most motorists. 30 years later, Kia cars are among the go-to cars for anyone looking to save money.
Kia cars like the Forte GT are a great bargain. The 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine is powerful enough to get you from point A to point B. With an MSRP of $24,190, the Forte GT isn’t the most expensive compact sedan on the market. In addition to a four-star safety rating, the 2023 Forte GT has a predicted reliability rating of 87 out of 100 according to JD Power.
4 Nissan Leaf 2023
Electrification is not a new phenomenon. Several automakers tried the electric car decades ago. In recent years, the green movement driven by social figures such as Greta Thunberg had an impact on the global automotive industry. Today, an automaker that doesn’t offer a hybrid or all-electric vehicle is missing out on a healthy source of revenue.
The 2023 Nissan Leaf looks nothing like a Dodge Challenger Hellcat. It’s fair to say that anyone looking to buy a Leaf won’t even consider opting for a gas-guzzling machine. In addition to being environmentally friendly, the LEAF is relatively affordable with an MSRP of $28,040. With a reliability score of 72 out of 100, the LEAF is one of the most reliable electric cars in its class.
3 2023 Toyota Corolla Hybrid
Toyota is the most successful Japanese car manufacturer by far. Although the company began by copying the designs of American cars, Toyota would eventually achieve one success after another. Toyota cars have often gotten a bit of a bad rap due to their ubiquity, but there’s a reason they’re loved by their owners.
It’s fair to say that the Toyota Corolla GR is getting all the attention. Not everyone is looking for a sporty Toyota. The Corolla Hybrid is a great car in many ways. In addition to being safe, the Corolla Hybrid is robust. With the 2022 Corolla Hybrid rated 85 out of 100 by JD Power, the latest Corolla Hybrid is one of those cars that has the best long-term reliability.
2 2023 Hyundai Elantra N
The Hyundai brand tends to be overshadowed by the more luxurious Genesis. The G90 and GV80 are incredible vehicles. That said, it would be unfair not to see how Hyundai has dramatically improved its performance over the past 15 years. One of Huyndai’s most boring and unattractive nameplates, namely the Elantra, is being transformed into something quite attractive.
The 2023 Hyundai Elantra N comes with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 276 hp. With an MSRP of $32,090, the Elantra N is a great bargain. As if that weren’t enough, the sportiest entry-level sedan has a reliability score of 78 out of 100 according to JD Power. It’s fair to say that Hyundai makes sure that all of its brands succeed.
1 2023 Ford Mustang
Very few car companies have been as innovative and transformative as Ford. After revolutionizing the way things were made, Ford would shape the way pony cars were made. The iconic Ford Mustang is the best-selling horse car ever made. Since its launch in 1965, the Mustang has maintained its good reputation despite going through several dark periods.
Gearheads often joke that Ford stands for “Fix Or Repair Daily.” Indeed, Ford cars need a lot of care, the most reliable American-made muscle car is still the Mustang. The piston heads should expect the reliability of a Camry or Altima. That said, the Mustang scored higher than the base Camaro and Challenger when it came to reliability. Unfortunately, its reliability is still average compared to cars like the Civic or Mazda 6.