The Most Reliable Cars and SUVs by Category

While the quality gap between automakers is shrinking seemingly by the day, thanks to surveys done by magazines like Consumer Reports we can see that it is still true that the Asian automakers routinely build the highest quality automobiles.

According to J.D. Power, not many good things came out the Chrysler/Cerebrus merger or the Chrysler/Daimler merger either. No other automaker has more models at the bottom of the heap so here's to hoping the Chrysler/Fiat merger goes a bit more smoothly.

While Ford and Hyundai/Kia have seen their quality rankings skyrocket as of late, it still takes a while for these gains to show themselves in long term reliability studies. That isn't to say we won't see a Hyundai Sonata or Ford Fusion in this quality study but for now Honda and Toyota still rule the roost. Although it is nice to see the Lincoln MKX (a Ford Edge in drag) taking the top spot for luxury SUVs.

The big surprise here is the fact that not a single European automaker is represented in the "most reliable" category. Sure, their midsize SUVs are very well represented in the "least reliable" category so apparently Continental coach builders like Volvo and VW are much better suited to building cars.

As follows are the most and least reliable SUVs, Cars and Wagon/Minivans according to Consumer Reports. Happy car shopping and don't say you haven't been warned!

Most Reliable:

Small Car-Scion xD

Family Car-Toyota Prius

Luxury Car-Infiniti M35

Sporty Car/Convertible-Lexus SC (Note: This is, in fact, the most reliable vehicle in the United States)

Wagons/Minivans-Toyota Venza

Small SUV-Honda Element, Toyota RAV4

Midsize SUV-Honda Pilot

Large SUV-Toyota Sequoia

Luxury SUV-Lincoln MKX

Least Reliable:

Small Car-Nisan Versa Sedan (Note: Oddly enough this ranking only stands for the Versa four door sedan and not the hatchback. Apparently the two vehicles are built in different assembly plants to wildly different standards. While that doesn't speak very highly of Nissan, it does tell you that it's still okay to buy the much better looking hatch.)

Family Car-Dodge Avenger/Chrysler Sebring

Luxury Car-Jaguar XF

Sporty Car/Convertible-Chrysler Sebring Convertible (Note: The least reliable vehicle in the United States. By a long shot.)

Wagons/Minivans-Chrysler Town & Country

Small SUVs-Saturn Vue, Kia Sportage

Midsize SUV-Land Rover LR3, Mercedes R-Class, VW Touareg, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Volvo XC90, Hummer H3

Large SUVs-Nissan Armada, Infiniti QX56, Lincoln Navigator

Pickup Trucks-Nissan Titan, Dodge Dakota (4wd)

Source: Consumer Reports