There are a number of ways in which you can rank automobiles, especially when you’re considering whether to buy one. Reviews from trusted sources are one significant element, to be sure, as are relatively wide-ranging things like price and fuel economy. But reliability is also highly important — a fuel-efficient vehicle that spends much of its time getting repaired is quickly going to lose its luster.
That’s one of the reasons that the annual list produced by Consumer Reports of the year’s most reliable cars is essential reading. As Autoblog noted in its recap of the top 10 vehicles on the list, reliability can go a long way in reducing stress and saving you money in the long run.
If there’s one big winner from this year’s list, it’s Toyota. Their vehicles occupy three of the top 10 spots — more than any other automaker. The Highlander came in at number eight, while the Prius and Prius Prime took the fourth and third spots, respectively. Some other takeaways from the list:
It’s a good year for electric vehicles. The Kia Niro Electric placed second overall. Car and Driver‘s review of the Nino Electric noted that it “[deserved] more attention” — maybe its high ranking here will help it in that regard.
Lexus took the top spot. Specifically, the Lexus GX did — and with a perfect score to boot. One wonders if the souped-up interior display helped things in this regard.
Drivers do like their hybrids. Besides the Prius and Prius Prime mentioned above, the Honda Insight also placed on the list, coming in seventh. With many automakers pledging their future to electric vehicles, it’s curious to see whether drivers currently embracing hybrids will stick with them or eventually make a shift themselves.
All told, the list is a fascinating snapshot of driving in the United States right now, with beloved electric vehicles and hybrids alongside SUVs. Whether this status quo stays in place or evolves further, however, remains to be seen.
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