10 Most Reliable Sedans of the Last Decade

Some cars come and go others just keep going. These sedans have spent the last decade proving their worth, racking up miles without drama and earning reputations for bulletproof reliability. If you’re after peace of mind on four wheels, these are the names you can trust.

Toyota Camry

I mean, obviously. It’s the Camry. The four-cylinder engines in these things, they’ll run for 200,000 miles while just sipping gas. The interior is fine, the ride is fine, everything is just… fine. And that’s the point! You can get a decent used one from, I dunno, the last few years for like $20,000? It’s the default answer for a reason.

Honda Accord

The Camry’s eternal rival. And honestly? Sometimes I think it’s even better. It’s usually a bit more fun to drive, a little more style, but with that same Honda reliability. The V6 models are quick but the four-cylinder is the sweet spot for longevity. I’ve seen so many of these from like, 2015, with just insane mileage and they’re still ticking. A used one is probably in that same $18,000 to $25,000 range. A no-brainer, really.

Lexus ES 350

This is just a fancy Camry, and I mean that as the highest compliment. It’s all the Toyota reliability but wrapped in a super quiet, super comfortable leather package. That 3.5-liter V6 is one of the best engines ever made, smooth and bulletproof. They’re not cheap new, like $40,000-plus, but you can find a 5-year-old one for half that and it’ll feel like a new car for another decade. It’s the smart person’s luxury car.

Toyota Avalon

The… bigger, even more comfortable Camry? Yeah, basically. It’s for people who thought the Camry was a little too small or too stiff, which is funny because the Camry is neither. But the Avalon is like a living room on wheels. So smooth. And again, that Toyota powertrain, you just can’t kill it. They stopped making them, which is a shame. You could find a late-model one for maybe $30,000? A total hidden gem for comfort and reliability.

Mazda6

Oh man, the Mazda6. This is the one for people who think Camrys and Accords are too boring. It’s so much prettier, and it actually handles like a proper driver’s car. But the crazy thing is, it’s just as reliable. SkyActiv engines are fantastic. The interior feels way more expensive than it is. They stopped selling it in the US, which is a crime. A used one is a steal, probably like $17,000 for a nice one. Such a good car.

Hyundai Sonata

Okay, hear me out. I know, I know, Hyundai used to be… questionable. But in the last decade? They’ve gotten so good. They pack a ton of features for the money, and their warranty is amazing. You can get a new one for like $25,000, and it’ll just work. They’ve really earned their spot, not gonna lie.

Kia Optima

Same story as the Sonata, really. It’s a sibling car. They share a lot of parts. So you get that same Korean reliability, that great warranty, and a style that’s actually really sharp. They’re everywhere for a reason—they’re cheap to buy and cheap to keep. A used one from the last 5-6 years is one of the best value propositions out there, hands down.

Subaru Legacy

This is for the person who lives where it snows. Or rains. Or just… has weather. The all-wheel-drive is standard, which is huge. It’s not the most exciting car to drive, it’s a bit… soft. But the boxer engines, once they worked out the head gasket stuff from the old days, are really robust. It’s just a super competent, safe, and dependable car. A new one starts around $24,000, and it’ll get you through anything.

Buick LaCrosse

Wait, a Buick? Yeah, a Buick! Especially the later models, like from 2017 on. They’re so quiet and comfortable, it’s crazy. They were using a lot of proven GM parts by then, and that 3.6-liter V6 is pretty decent. They’re not super common, which means you can get a lot of car for the money on the used market. Like, a near-luxury, super-comfy sedan for $20,000? It’s a weirdly smart buy if you find a good one.

Nissan Maxima

Okay, I’m gonna be careful here. The Maxima with the VQ V6 engine is a trooper. That engine is strong and sounds great. A used one is pretty affordable, maybe $22,000.

Volkswagen Jetta

I know, I know, European cars and reliability aren’t always best friends. But the basic Jetta, with the 1.4-liter or even the 2.0-liter turbo, they’re actually pretty solid. They’re simple. They feel more substantial than a Japanese car, and they’re great on the highway. Maintenance is key, but if you keep up with it, they’ll run and run. A new one starts under $22,000, which is wild for a German-branded car.