10 New Cars You Can Buy Today And Keep For 30 Years – CarBuzz
In these uncertain times, car owners in the United States are keeping their daily drivers longer than ever before. In May, S&P Global discovered that the average age of vehicles in the US has risen to a record-high 12.8 years. Much of this could come down to the ever-fluctuating state of the automotive market. Consumers are either unwilling to purchase brand-new vehicles thanks to increased prices or, with more people taking out 84-month loans, reluctant to abandon a vehicle they’ve already spent a considerable amount on. There is a rosier theory, however. Cars might just be getting more reliable, particularly hybrids.
Carbuzz has been scouring independent surveys conducted by Consumer Reports to find reliable vehicles that could potentially surpass that 12.8-year average. Spoilers: if you’re a Toyota fan, you’re in luck, since almost half the models on this list were produced by the Japanese marque.
Our choices are based on Consumer Reports’ Predicted Reliability score. It analyzes data from annual surveys – potentially including more than 300,000 consumers and hundreds of thousands of vehicles – to determine the reliability of each model’s powertrain, brakes, suspension and steering, climate system, build quality, and in-car electronics.
Surprise, surprise, one of the most popular cars of all time – the Toyota Corolla – is on this list. Only concerns about the infotainment system and in-car electronics drop the Corolla’s predicted reliability to 76 points on Consumer Reports’ list. That blip, however, should not deter potential owners from what is otherwise a fantastic little car. Your writer speaks from experience, having owned a 1988 hatchback for many years after getting his license.
Quite apart from the mundane styling, the Corolla’s 2.0-liter four-cylinder produces a punchy, but still very fuel-efficient, 169 horsepower. The options list is generous for the $22,925 starting price. Plus, you’d be surprised how spirited this little Toyota can be, and it can still carry four adults with weekend luggage. A nameplate with 12 generations and 35 years of trustworthiness must also count for something, right?
Granted, the looks won’t be for everyone, but that’s just one part of the bold overhaul in 2026 for Toyota’s second-best-selling hybrid. There’s a larger battery pack connected with the RAV4’s three electric motors, which, combined with the durable 2.5-liter four-cylinder, punches out a robust 324 hp. The EV-only range has grown, too, and the mid-sized SUV has more trim options than ever before, including the comparatively dynamic GR Sport grade.
Like the Corolla, the in-car electronics and the GPS let the RAV4 Plug-In Hybrid down, as does the interior plastic. Not that these factors would slow down a Toyota that both kickedstarted the crossover movement and helped put plug-in hybrid SUVs firmly on the map.
Building a vehicle that becomes a worldwide sales success is far from an easy task, but Toyota nailed the brief with its compact off-roader.
If you’re looking for a mean machine on the trails or impressive cornering agility, you should probably want to look elsewhere. However, the potential weaknesses work in the Crosstrek’s favor. Its off-road capability, for example, is decent, rather than scintillating, thanks to a slightly taller ride height. The crossover’s on-road demeanor is “relaxed,” if not hugely comfortable. The 2.5-liter four-cylinder produces a serviceable, if not zesty, 180 hp, and the power goes to all four wheels as standard. Although, the cabin is less equipped than competitors such as the Volkswagen Taos and Mazda CX-30.
Exciting? Not particularly. But with the Crosstrek, Subaru focused more on competitive pricing and ruthless efficiency. Indeed, aside from improved braking performance, previous and/or current owners found little to criticize, if little to revere either. Others in the segment might have more personality, but no doubt, the uncomplicated Subaru could still be around in 30 years.
Introduced to the United States for 2022, the Toyota Corolla Cross borrows half of its nameplate from a more established sibling. Headroom, legroom, and cargo dimensions are larger for this dependable Corolla on stilts. The MSRP is also lower than the Honda HR-V, which is a rival. The sub-compact Cross even slots into Toyota’s line-up alongside the equally faithful C-HR, which shares a TNGA-C chassis with it.
Where the Corolla Cross loses credit, however, is in its in-car electronics, particularly the infotainment system. The modest 169 hp, on a car one-third heavier than the regular Corolla, hasn’t set hearts particularly aflutter either. Cynicism aside, though, this is still a member of the Corolla family, and this statistic indicates it’s a reliable offering, like other members of this group.
The Nissan Altima and Subaru Impreza share the fifth spot on our list because they both have the same Consumer Reports reliability scores of 80/100. They also have identical overall scores of 75/100, which includes points for road tests and owner satisfaction.
The Altima, for example, is one of the few mid-sized, affordable sedans you can still buy brand-new in the United States. And a solid one too, given that the Nissan is practical, comfortable, and inoffensively styled. These traits also describe the Impreza even as the more dynamic WRX hogs all the headlines. Across more than three decades, Nissan and Subaru have continued to hone a very effective and popular recipe. They could continue to do so over the next 30 years.
Here’s a budget car to get you through the winter.
Say what you will about Tesla, but the Model Y is the only all-electric model on this list. It’s also the only non-Japanese-made product. The vehicle bested all but three models on this list, as well as premium stalwarts from BMW, Audi, and Mercedes-Benz. Even if, admittedly, production numbers, and thus the potential for reliability issues, from Germany’s Big Three and the second-largest car manufacturer on the planet are a smidge higher than California’s most famous independent carmaker.
One significant issue preventing the Model Y from scoring higher is quality control. It’s not been a great start to 2026 in terms of Tesla recalls, for example. Data from Consumer Reports‘ customers, meanwhile, have flagged concerns about squeaks, rattles, and leaks across the bodywork and weather stripping, as well as hardware issues with the windows, locks, and latches. A far from insurmountable problem for the next 30 years, admittedly.
Don’t be too quick to dismiss the mid-sized IS sedan. The model is known for its reliability while remaining somewhat sporty. The only potential stumbling blocks customers reported were a few complaints about the infotainment system controls and a thirstier-than-expected V6. That, plus a too-snug rear bench for the six-foot and above brigade, due to the sloping roofline.
Hey, we think a wagon would be cool!
Mazda’s tried and true CX-5 gets the smallest of nods over the IS in this list. Its overall CR ranking, including road-test and owner-satisfaction scores, was slightly higher. Granted, the 2025 model-year example has been hanging around since 2017 (the third generation kicks off the CX-5’s 14th year in production), but in that time it has established itself as an elegantly styled and, more importantly, dependable family hauler.
Indeed, against some of its younger rivals, including the Ford Bronco Sport, Mazda’s lushly equipped crossover features plenty of trim options, and two workhorse four-cylinders that send power to all four wheels as standard. The CX-5 is even fun to drive, but a fickle infotainment system knocks the Mazda down to the third-place spot.
In 2026, Toyota’s ever-reliable 4Runner enters its 42nd year of production, and, since 1984, has proven more dependable than a well-trained Labrador retriever. The latest model has a slightly more rugged design than its predecessor and a modernized cabin. Still, the 4Runner continues to blend the versatility of a truck with the family-hauling composure of a large SUV. A formula that, understandably, Toyota has worked hard not to unsettle.
Indeed, the biggest changes, save for some tweaks to the tried-and-true TNGA-F chassis, are a smoother eight-speed automatic gearbox and the established 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder from the Land Cruiser. An optional hybrid version increases the output to 326 hp from the standard 278 hp, but the electrified powertrain isn’t available with a third-row seat.
So far, the only concerns are the 4Runner’s choppy ride and vague handling. That aside, Toyota’s loyal dog is unlikely to let you down.
That a Toyota, after all that, did not make it to the top of this list might come as a surprise. That it was beaten by a Honda, among the most reliable brands on the planet, really shouldn’t.
Revived for 2019 and refreshed for 2026, the new Passport SUV introduced not only a larger, upgraded cabin and cargo area but also a stiffer chassis, better software, a mildly upgraded 3.5-liter V6, and a new 10-speed automatic. Complaints that the Honda SUV lacked character, slotting between the established CR-V and the three-row Pilot, were quickly put to bed when Honda penned a brawnier design and introduced the “tough” Trailsport. The trim that proved as surefooted off-road as a Ford Bronco, and, despite the knobbly tires, surprisingly comfortable on the road.
In terms of reliability, the Passport receives five stars across the board from Consumer Reports. There was only a small issue with the infotainment affecting its score. And even this was quickly remedied with a system reset. All in all, don’t be too surprised to see a new Passport clock up a six-figure mileage, comfortably and with few issues, over the next 30 years.
Source: Respective Automakers, S&P Global, Consumer Reports
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