The 10 Most Reliable Used Cars You Can Buy Right Now

The most exciting part of the shopping process is also the most thought-provoking. Deciding which vehicle you’re going to spend the next few years of your life driving is a momentous occasion, one that can easily fill the customer with feelings of joy and stress. Shopping around at DePaula Chevy, your Albany used car dealership, will be the best way to purchase a pre-owned vehicle within the greater area of Albany, NY, because our prices are the best around, and our catalog is unmatched. With so many used models to select from, you understandably may not be too familiar with where you should start. To help make your decision easier, we’ve come up with a list of the top ten most reliable models you should keep an eye out for when you make a trip down to our facility. Everyone will find a model to suit their needs, so let’s get started with the first of our ten recommended used vehicles.

#1 – Ford Escape

The first vehicle we’ve selected is the Ford Escape, which is one of Ford’s most popular options. Why is the Ford Escape one of our recommendations, you may be asking? The Escape is a compact SUV that has everything that you’d want in a compact SUV going for it: performance, technology, and comfort––later models can even be found as a hybrid or plug-in hybrid. Ultimately, drivers who invest in the Escape will notice that you come for the price and stay for the results. Of course, compact SUVs won’t have three rows of seating, but even with two rows, every passenger can enjoy a comfortable seat, and nobody will be short of leg or headroom. And, keeping up with other compact SUVs of its kind, the Escape offers drivers an exceptional amount of cargo room for its size.

As far as reliability goes, the Ford Escape has historically held high Quality & Reliability ratings per J.D. Power. Models such as the 2017 Ford Escape rated 86/100 for Quality & Reliability, and the driving experience was rated 82/100. Based on J.D. Power’s testing, Ford Escape models from 2015 onwards is what you should strive for if you want a vehicle that is rated Great on the Quality & Reliability test.

The Ford Escape has also been treated to many safety features over the years, some standard and some optional. For example, Ford has supplied traction control ever since the 2008 model was released, which will help maintain control of your vehicle in emergencies, including ice, snow, rain, and more. Starting with the 2017 Escape, more advanced safety features began appearing, helping with all sorts of potential dangers on the road such as front-end collisions, sideswipes, parking accidents (yes, those can happen), and so forth.

#2 – Chevy Equinox

Chevy vehicles need no introduction. The Chevy Equinox is a compact SUV that manages to blend style with versatility. For years, you could expect Equinox models to stand tall amongst the competition, with performance stemming from a powerful V6 on older models, which was replaced with turbocharged I-4 engines later on. The Equinox is marketed towards families and includes its superb legroom and headroom. And, if you do your shopping correctly, you can get a used Equinox with a crystal-clear premium audio system, along with a built-in DVD player in the backseat.

Part of being a family-oriented vehicle means being reliable. J.D. Power is quite fond of the Equinox, with models such as the 2013 and 2016 Equinox receiving 90 out of 100 on J.D. Power’s Quality & Reliability scale, which is the highest of this entire list. Additionally, the high resale value of the Equinox stands as a testament to the reliability and longevity of these SUVs.

The Equinox has earned an IIHS Top Safety Pick Rating several times over the last decade and received advanced driver-assist features such as Lane Departure Warning and a Forward Collision Alert as early as 2013. Later models implemented more advanced features, including Automatic Emergency Braking, Blind Spot Monitors, and Chevy’s TeenDriver safety suite, which is designed to help teenage drivers learn to operate their vehicle safely in real-world situations based on parameters set by the parents beforehand.

#3 – Jeep Wrangler

When talking about vehicles with an extensive history on the market, the Wrangler is one of the first places we look to. The Wrangler is a direct descendant of Jeep’s most historic vehicles, the Jeep CJ and the Willy MB, famously used by the US Army during World War II. Enough history––for now, all you need to know is that the Jeep Wrangler is a force to be reckoned with when it comes to being one of the very best off-roading experiences that money can buy. A wide range of customization allows for the ultimate fine-tuned experience, and on those warm summer days, you can pop the doors off and enjoy the breeze while hitting the trails.

Wranglers excel in off-roading because they’re specially built for the task, thanks to the inclusion of ultra-low crawl ratios, high ground clearance, and standard 4×4. We highly recommend opting for a pair of all-terrain tires with this beast of a machine. These amenities can make all of the difference between a vehicle that’s fit for the trails and one that isn’t. The reliability of the Wrangler is something that off-roaders swear by, and if the Wrangler was so prone to breaking down, you wouldn’t hear its praises sung nearly as often.

#4 – Ford F-150

How can you discuss pickup trucks and not mention the Ford F-150? The F-150 is hard to dispute as a worthwhile investment since it’s the best-selling pickup truck in America. That’s no small feat; to become the best-selling anything in this country takes both trust and reliability, along with the production to meet the demand. Used F-150s will get you the best value, and you can still get a pickup that will tow well over 10,000 lbs. Against most trucks on the market, the F-150 stands out for its size, capabilities, and of course, tech, which is something Ford is always on top of.

Towing-specific features are plentiful on many used F-150 models, including Trailer Sway Control, which, as the name suggests, stabilizes your trailer when it begins to sway back and forth. More impressively, however, is the F-150’s IIHS Top Safety Pick Rating for nine out of the last twelve years. Reliability is another one of Ford’s greatest strengths, and reliability is what you need most to get work done. One of the best parts about buying a Ford vehicle is the ease of repairs since the parts are so common. J.D. Power has also rated the F-150 favorably over the years, with the 2020 model earning 86% on the Quality & Reliability scale. Ultimately, the F-150 serves as the perfect vehicle for the hard worker, the hobbyist, and more.

#5 – Honda Accord

Do you want to talk about reliability? Let’s discuss the Honda Accord for a moment. If you want a sedan with modern amenities, reliability, and a stomachable price, then a used Accord is your best option. We’ve seen the Accord sold to a variety of different types of drivers, including the first-timers and the most seasoned, and they pick the Accord as their car of choice. It’s hard to blame them––the Accord cuts the extra fat in favor of pure simplicity and being the best commuter it can be.

Honda is held in the highest regard for its profound attention to reliability, which is mutually agreed upon by many Honda drivers. It’s not uncommon for an Accord driver to stick with the same car for years just to switch it out for a newer model. Additionally, you’re still likely to see Accord models from the 1990s still sharing the road today, which gives you an idea of its longevity. More proof of the Accord’s reliability comes from organizations such as J.D. Power, which gave the 2011 Accord over 80% ratings in three categories: Quality & Reliability, Driving Experience, and Resale. The Accord has our recommendation for its undisputed excellence and some of the best reliability we’ve seen. Sometimes, the thrills of the pricier vehicles don’t make up for the brilliance of being simple yet effective.

#6 – Chevy Camaro

This time will be different. You want a vehicle that will make you stand out from the crowd, and you want a powerful and audible engine you can hear from around the street corner. You’ve likely seen plenty of Camaros drive past you on the road before, but if you’ve never sat inside of one, you’re missing out. Even if you’re driving a Camaro somewhere mundane, such as the supermarket or your job, the ride will feel like a high-thrill adventure that will make you crave the next time you’re on the road. Many used models are fitted with a V8 engine that boasts incredible performance, and manual transmissions are available, of course.

The Camaro earned between 82-86% on the J.D. Power Quality & Reliability scale for five years straight, putting it squarely within the “Great” category. Reliability also means depending on something, and your Chevy Camaro will never let you down. Not only can you count on the Camaro to provide incredible power every time you press the accelerator, but you can take comfort in the legendary bullet-proof reliability of Chevy’s small-block V8 engines. Although it’s unlikely you’ll need all that horsepower, it’s fun to have regardless.

#7 – Chevy Tahoe

Full-size SUVs are for the drivers who know they need space for passengers or cargo. Why is the Chevy Tahoe considered such a great used vehicle? It all comes down to space––knowing you have the available room to store anything is undoubtedly a peace-of-mind feeling. The full-size models you’ll find on the used market, such as the Chevy Tahoe, will give you up to three rows of seating. Full-size SUVs like the Tahoe will fit upwards of nine passengers in the car at once, which makes them perfect for vacationing with the family, and even the grandparents can come along for the ride.

The Tahoe also has the performance to match its large size, and during those times where nine passengers are in the vehicle at once, as rare as it may be, everyone won’t feel like they’re crammed in a tuna can. When the seats are folded down, you’ll have enough room to fit a refrigerator and then some. J.D. Power rated the 2020 Tahoe an 87% on the Quality & Reliability scale, and even older models score high for reliability. For drivers who know they won’t be driving alone most of the time, how could it possibly get more reliable than this? The Tahoe is the SUV for families.

#8 – Cadillac XTS

The Cadillac XTS is a well-known sedan with luxury at every corner. Although the model is no longer in production, we’re left with a wide catalog of fantastic luxurious automobiles on the used market, all of which can be found at a reasonable price. The Cadillac name and luxury go hand-in-hand, equally as much as luxury and reliability can. While many upscale models need regular visits to a mechanic, J.D. Power rated the XTS 80% or more on the Quality & Reliability scale.

Models such as the XTS manage to feel like a small limousine from the inside. As far as its life on the market goes, the XTS was available between 2013 and 2019, and this means you can expect the XTS to feature relevant amenities, no matter which model you choose. If you want to live in the lap of luxury without going into debt, you can find used XTS models for cheap, even ones with advanced safety features for added reliability. Simply put, the XTS is easily a recommendation of ours.

#9 – Jeep Grand Cherokee

With an SUV of such high quality, it’s no wonder the Jeep badging is on the front. The Jeep Grand Cherokee harnesses the power you need for adventuring, and there’s plenty of towing potential to be had. The interior is spacious for everybody aboard, and the Grand Cherokee comes in a variety of trim levels. Additionally, you can select between rear-wheel drive or 4×4 for the true off-roading experience.

This SUV is also built with safety in mind, with the redesigned fourth-generation immediately winning an IIHS Top Safety Pick when it debuted in 2011. A used Grand Cherokee can be had with a wide range of safety features for highway driving and off-roading, many of them extremely advanced. As of 2016, the reliability ratings via J.D. Power have taken a turn for the better, often ranking well above 80%. If you’re planning on doing off-roading of any kind, then this is important to note because the Grand Cherokee is certainly reliable.

#10 – Chevy Silverado 1500

Looking for a conversation starter? The Chevy Silverado 1500 is one of our favorite pickup trucks on the market today and is beloved by millions of drivers. Considered to be one of the best pickups of all time, and the second best-selling, the Silverado 1500 is hard to ignore when you’re shopping for a pre-owned vehicle. Even if you’ve never owned a pickup before, the Silverado 1500 is a fantastic place to start with its incredible towing potential. Best of all, you can always find models fitted with a wide range of packages to tackle different things, and available trailering tech in certain models allows the driver to view their trailer in a new light with up to fifteen camera angles. Fun fact––the Silverado 1500 can outperform the F-150 with towing in certain cases, depending on the models you’re looking at.

To become the second best-selling pickup truck of all time requires power, but it also requires exceptional reliability and durability. Out of all of the vehicles we’ve mentioned, the Chevy Silverado 1500 has retained the highest consecutive resale value, even beating the Ford F-150. Looking at the J.D. Power Resale Ratings for the 2011 models, the Silverado 1500 was rated at 88%, while the F-150 was rated at 83%. Combine this with the slightly higher Quality & Reliability rating, and the Silverado 1500 is a real winner.