Automotive Insider

The most reliable cars of 2009

We all know times are tough. Two things make tough times worse: losing your job and a broken down car. For anyone in the market for a new vehicle, the Consumer Reports vehicle reliability survey is the best barometer and index of vehicles. When I check for vehicles, I look at Consumer Reports and J.D. Power and Associates. From there I look at price and insurance premiums to narrow my test-drive list.

During a recession, a vehicle that will last is tops on my list and the list of most drivers. Nobody wants to, nor can we afford to buy a new vehicle a few years down the road. Traditionally, the most reliable vehicles have been the Toyota Camry, Honda Accord and Honda Civic. Those models have earned their reputation from millions of drivers across several decades. However, Ford is up and coming and should be watched, according to Consumer Reports.

The reliability surveys analyzes responses from 1.4 million vehicle owners and tabulates their reliability during the last decade to give owners an idea of what to expect from the vehicles on the market and to guide their decision to purchasing a reliable automobile.

American muscle
Watch out Toyota and Honda. Ford claimed the title of the top domestic manufacturer and seems poised to make a run at Toyota and Honda should the trend continue.
Smaller vehicles such as the Ford Fusion trumped the traditional winners of Accord and Camry in the tests. The news is good news for Ford, which often falls into the same dark public opinion dungeon of most American manufacturers. Almost all Ford vehicles tested above average.
The survey’s results show that Ford came out of the recession for a reason and American consumers should take note of Ford and its counterparts, Mercury and Lincoln. The vote of confidence from the Consumer Reports survey should mean more drivers will pick Ford when purchasing vehicles in the next year. Additionally, Ford should continue to grow strong.

Ford’s success does not mean good news for the other American manufacturers. If the survey is a predictor of future reputation, General Motors and Chrysler will continue to battle negative public reputations that contribute to why they lag in sales behind Asian manufacturers.

Among General Motors vehicles, only the V6 version of Malibu fared above average in the survey. The ratings were harsher on Chrysler where only the Dodge Ram 1500 scored average and all the rest scored below average.

Asian vehicles lead the way
The highest scores (36 of top 48) in Consumer Reports test went to Asian manufacturers such as Toyota (18), Honda (8) and several others scored a few nods apiece from the survey. What stands out about the Toyotas and Hondas is not the fact that vehicles rate high, but that so many vehicles rate average or better. Many other manufacturers struggle to achieve across the board success, often finding several vehicles below average, despite above average standouts. Across the board, Toyotas and Hondas produce reliable products, which means most consumers can’t go wrong buying from these manufacturers whose reputation needs no lift from Consumer Reports.

Size Matters
Last but not least, there was one trend to take note of in the Consumer Reports survey. Big trucks and SUVS often tout durability, but when it comes to reliability, small is king.

In 2009’s results, hybrid might as well have been synonymous with reliability. Hybrid vehicles claimed five of the top eight most reliability cars in the family car category.

The results went onto further show that small cars such as the Honda Civic, Ford Fusion also exhibit high reliability.