Feb 20, 2026

6 Brands With Used Cars You Can Count On

Written by Chris Adam
|
Edited by Levi Leidy
Kia Forte

With economic uncertainty and higher prices on just about everything we use, consumers are always looking for ways to save money. Because automobiles are among the priciest purchases many families make in a year, shoppers are looking for deals on new and used cars.



If you're in the market for a used vehicle, you can score some great deals. The trick is finding a good ride at a good price. In this case, a good ride means one that is reliable and will hold up for years to come.

With that in mind, here are some car brands to consider when looking for a reliable used vehicle.

It may be no surprise that Lexus makes the list of reliable used cars. After all, Lexus is often included in the top 10 reliability rankings for Consumer Reports and J.D. Power.

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One thing to keep in mind is that Lexus offers a pretty small lineup of vehicles. Its UX earned a perfect predicted reliability score in 2024 from Consumer Reports, and all other Lexus models earned a higher-than-average score.

Also making both lists for reliability is Toyota -- Lexus' parent company. Given its reputation for reliability, a Toyota vehicle could be a good bet for choosing a used ride.

Just remember, as with any of the brands on this list, the reliability of used vehicles can vary widely. Carefully check out the one you're considering before taking it home.

Kia is another reliable brand. According to J.D. Power, Kia is the third-most reliable car brand.

In fact, in a U.S. News & World Report ranking, the 2020 Kia Soul and the 2020 Kia Forte both made a list of reliable used cars. The Soul had a reliability rating of 89 and the Forte had a rating of 90.



For its part, U.S. News used the J.D. Power 100-point ranking scale. A reliability score of 91 to 100 is considered the best, while 81 to 90 is great.

Another good choice for a reliable used car may be a Chevrolet. According to U.S. News, the 2020 Chevrolet Malibu, the 2021 Chevrolet Corvette and the 2020 Chevrolet Sonic are among the most reliable used cars. The Malibu and Corvette both have reliability scores of 89, while the Sonic has a 93 reliability score.

Also consider Nissan if you're looking for a reliable used car. According to U.S. News, the 2021 Nissan Murano, the 2020 Nissan Armada and the 2021 Nissan Maxima are all particularly reliable used cars.

Another brand to check out for a reliable used ride is BMW. It made Consumer Reports' list of most reliable. The 2021 BMW X4 and 2020 BMW X6 also both placed on the U.S. News list of most reliable used cars.

This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.

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Written by
Chris Adam
Edited by
Levi Leidy