Buying guide · updated 2026-10-30
The best used cars to buy combine a high reliability score with a sensible cost to own. Our top picks: the 2017 Toyota 4Runner, the 2015 Toyota Tundra and the 2017 Toyota Camry, each a “Smart buy” (70/100 or better) in its class.
The three most reliable “Smart buy” model years in each class, with a typical price and what each costs to own for 5 years.
| Class | Model year | Reliability | Typical price | Cost to own, 5 yrs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compact cars | 2018 Toyota Corolla | 100/100 | $11,153 | $9,294 |
| 2023 Nissan Sentra | 95/100 | $12,867 | $11,012 | |
| 2018 Volkswagen Jetta | 94/100 | $9,127 | $9,799 | |
| Midsize sedans | 2017 Toyota Camry | 100/100 | $13,039 | $11,069 |
| 2022 Nissan Altima | 93/100 | $15,049 | $11,745 | |
| 2020 Volkswagen Passat | 88/100 | $12,653 | $12,455 | |
| Compact SUVs | 2016 Toyota RAV4 | 100/100 | $14,215 | $11,490 |
| 2020 Nissan Rogue | 98/100 | $14,335 | $11,731 | |
| 2015 Volkswagen Tiguan | 98/100 | $9,913 | $12,471 | |
| Midsize SUVs | 2017 Toyota 4Runner | 100/100 | $20,936 | $15,758 |
| 2016 Toyota Highlander | 97/100 | $18,626 | $13,559 | |
| 2019 Nissan Murano | 91/100 | $16,903 | $14,845 | |
| Full-size SUVs | 2018 Chevrolet Tahoe | 100/100 | $25,515 | $20,815 |
| 2015 Ford Expedition | 92/100 | $22,129 | $21,863 | |
| 2018 Chevrolet Suburban | 82/100 | $26,907 | $22,608 | |
| Minivans | 2016 Toyota Sienna | 100/100 | $14,638 | $14,026 |
| 2020 Dodge Grand Caravan | 97/100 | $13,466 | $15,278 | |
| 2017 Honda Odyssey | 91/100 | $15,224 | $14,195 | |
| Midsize pickups | 2015 Toyota Tacoma | 100/100 | $18,228 | $12,447 |
| 2018 Nissan Frontier | 98/100 | $14,494 | $13,888 | |
| 2023 Ford Ranger | 70/100 | $25,373 | $15,561 | |
| Full-size pickups | 2015 Toyota Tundra | 100/100 | $23,164 | $16,892 |
| 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 | 86/100 | $18,943 | $18,489 | |
| 2018 Ram 1500 | 82/100 | $22,825 | $18,972 | |
| Luxury cars and SUVs | 2015 Lexus ES | 100/100 | $13,949 | $14,236 |
| 2015 Lexus NX | 95/100 | $13,285 | $14,320 | |
| 2018 Lexus RX | 85/100 | $20,669 | $17,084 |
Midsize suvs. Typical price about $20,936; about $15,758 to own for 5 years. Biggest repair risk: engine & cooling. 5 recalls.
Half-ton pickups. Typical price about $23,164; about $16,892 to own for 5 years. Biggest repair risk: engine & cooling. 5 recalls.
Midsize sedans. Typical price about $13,039; about $11,069 to own for 5 years. Biggest repair risk: engine & cooling. 3 recalls.
Midsize pickups. Typical price about $18,228; about $12,447 to own for 5 years. Biggest repair risk: engine & cooling. 4 recalls.
Minivans. Typical price about $14,638; about $14,026 to own for 5 years. Biggest repair risk: engine & cooling. 5 recalls.
Compact and small suvs. Typical price about $14,215; about $11,490 to own for 5 years. Biggest repair risk: engine & cooling. 3 recalls.
Luxury cars and suvs. Typical price about $13,949; about $14,236 to own for 5 years. Biggest repair risk: engine & cooling. 1 recall.
Full-size suvs. Typical price about $25,515; about $20,815 to own for 5 years. Biggest repair risk: engine & cooling. 3 recalls.
Compact cars. Typical price about $11,153; about $9,294 to own for 5 years. Biggest repair risk: engine & cooling. 3 recalls.
Midsize pickups. Typical price about $14,494; about $13,888 to own for 5 years. Biggest repair risk: transmission & drivetrain. 2 recalls.
How we rank: each model year's reliability score (0–100) compares its owner complaints filed with NHTSA, per car sold, with similar cars from 2015–2024. Repair costs are our forecast for the next 5 years at 12,000 miles a year. Prices are our estimate of a typical used asking price today; mileage, trim and condition move the real price a lot. Cost to own adds the value the car loses, repairs and fuel at $3.40 a gallon. Model years with too little data for a confident rating are left out. Data through 2026-10-30.
The best used cars to buy combine a high reliability score with a sensible cost to own. Our top picks: the 2017 Toyota 4Runner, the 2015 Toyota Tundra and the 2017 Toyota Camry, each a “Smart buy” (70/100 or better) in its class.
The 2017 Toyota 4Runner is the most reliable “Smart buy” SUV we rate.
A good reliability record for that exact model year, a price that fits, and low running costs. Model years within one model can differ a lot, so check the year, not just the model.