What are you looking for in a car? For many people, having a reliable form of transportation that can get them and their loved ones to where they need to go is a must! They need a reliable car that can take them to their daily destinations and a comfortable ride in which they can take road trips.
While some people feel that foreign car manufacturers are your best choice for reliable cars, we’re here to tell you that that’s not the case. Many American car manufacturers, recognizing the importance a vehicle plays in daily life, take great pains to ensure that they offer safe and reliable American-made cars.
The 12 most reliable American cars are as follows:
- Cadillac XT5
- Buick Encore
- Chevrolet Suburban
- Lincoln Continental
- Chevy Bolt
- Chevrolet Silverado 1500
- Ford Expedition
- Buick LaCrosse
- Ford F-150
- GMC Yukon
- Jeep Wrangler
- Dodge Durango
All of these cars are known for being durable and easy to drive. They also all have various safety features that help you avoid accidents and the need for repairs.
Read on to learn more about the most reliable American cars and what makes them so reliable.
12 Most Reliable American Cars
1. Cadillac XT5
Compact Luxury SUV
This car was the only American-made model to make it onto Consumer Report’s list of 10 Most Reliable for 2021.
The Cadillac XT5 line from General Motors is a compact luxury SUV launched in 2016. As of 2017, Cadillac’s bestselling model was already in both the U.S. and global markets. Their most recent model is the 2022 XT5.
XTF Versions
XTF is available in the following versions:
- Luxury: 2.0L Turbo engine with 235 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque
- Premium Luxury: 3.6 LV engine
- Sport: 3.6L V6; 310 hp and 271 lb.-ft of torque
All-Wheel Drive
The XT5 features All-Wheel Drive, which helps the vehicle keep a steady course regardless of road conditions. It also has real-time chassis damping control, adjusting the suspension depending on the road conditions to offer a smoother and more comfortable ride.
Front Pedestrian Braking
The vehicle also offers front pedestrian braking, which can help you detect and avoid pedestrian collisions. Automatic emergency braking technology also reduces the severity of front-end collisions with other vehicles.
2. Buick Encore
Subcompact Crossover SUV
Another American car cited by Consumer Reports as reliable, General Motor’s Buick Encore, is their first subcompact crossover SUV.
The first Buick Encore went on sale at the end of 2012, and their latest model is the 2022 Encore which seats five and has a maximum cargo capacity of 48.4 cubic feet.
Safety Features
The Buick Encore has a 1.4L Turbo engine with 155 hp and 177 lb.-ft of torque. It has many safety features dedicated to helping you avoid traffic accidents, such as:
- Forward-collision warning,
- Blind-spot monitoring, and
- Lane departure warning.
It’s also equipped with StabiliTrak technology which senses when your vehicle is losing traction on unstable road conditions and helps the driver regain control.
Equipped with myBuick Mobile App
Many owners find the myBuick mobile app particularly handy for maintaining the Encore. It lets you get real-time diagnostic information about your vehicle and perform certain maintenance checks.
3. Chevrolet Suburban
Four-door Wagon
If you are looking for a reliable American-made SUV, a good choice is the Chevrolet Suburban. This SUV ranks well for reliability with Consumer Reports and market researcher J.D. Power.
The Chevrolet Suburban is a four-door wagon with up to seven passengers and a cargo area of 145 cubic feet. You can get a Chevrolet Suburban that has rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive.
Engine Choices
For the 2022 model, there are three different engine choices available:
- 5.3L V8 engine with 355 hp,
- 3.0L turbo-diesel engine with 277 hp, and
- 6.2L V8 with 420hp.
Has Driver-assistance Technologies
The Suburban has driver-assistance technologies designed to improve the vehicle’s overall safety rating:
- Forward-collision warning,
- Automated emergency braking,
- Lane-departure warning, and
- Lane-keeping assist.
You can also ask that it be equipped with blind-spot monitoring and a rear cross-traffic alert.
4. Lincoln Continental
This line of mid-sized and full-sized luxury cars from Lincoln, a Ford Motor Company division, is considered among the more reliable American vehicles in the market.
Luxurious, Smooth, and Reliable Ride
Currently, the tenth generation of Lincoln Continental is available in the market. The first tenth-generation Continental was released in 2017 as a full-sized luxury car. While Lincoln stopped production of the Continental in 2020, they are still highly prized as a luxurious, smooth, reliable ride.
Standard Engine
The standard engine for a Lincoln continental is a 2.7L Twin Turbo Premium Unleaded V-6 with 335hp and torque of 380 lb-ft of torque.
Full Driver-assistance Package
Lincoln equips the Continental with a complete driver-assistance package that includes:
- Automated emergency braking,
- Blind-spot monitoring,
- Rear cross-traffic alert,
- Lane-keeping assist, and
- Automatic high-beam headlamps.
5. Chevy Bolt
Admittedly, electric vehicles are less reliable than traditional gasoline-powered or hybrid vehicles. Still, if you want a relatively reliable American-made EV, you should check out the Chevy Bolt.
Five-door Subcompact Hatchback
The Chevrolet Bolt is a five-door subcompact hatchback first released by Chevrolet in 2017. Consumer Reports noted this first version as Chevrolet’s most reliable offering for that year.
Equipped with Electric Motor with 200hpo and 266 lb-ft Torque
The 2022 Chevy Bolt EV has an electric motor with 200hpo and 266 lb-ft torque. Chevy estimates this model can travel up to 259 on a single, full charge.
The Bolt’s battery can be fully charged at maximum charging speed in seven hours. A fast-charging mode can add 100 miles of range for every 30 minutes of charging.
Safety Features
Standard safety features of the 2022 Bolt are the following:
- Automatic high beams,
- Forward-collision warning,
- Automated emergency braking,
- Front pedestrian detection,
- Lane-departure warning, and
- Lane-keeping assist.
Additional safety features are a 360-degree camera system and a rear cross-traffic alert.
6. Chevrolet Silverado 1500
Capable of Carrying Five Passenger
This full-sized pickup from Chevrolet is a reliable work-horse that can carry five passengers. It can also tow up to 13,330 pounds and haul loads of 2,280 pounds.
Engine Choices
The standard engine for the Chevrolet Silverado is a 4.3L V6 engine, but there are four other available engine choices:
- 5.8L V8,
- 6.2L V8,
- 2.7L turbocharged four-cylinder, and
- 3.0L six-cylinder turbocharged.
If you are looking for a rugged vehicle for everyday driving, go for the V6, but if you’re hauling heavy loads, choose a V8 or turbocharged engine.
Safety Features
This vehicle automatically comes with safety features such as:
- Forward-collision warning,
- Blind-spot monitoring,
- Rear cross-traffic alert,
- Lane departure warning,
- Lane-keeping assist, and
- Automated emergency braking.
7. Ford Expedition
Has a Twin-turbo V6 engine
The 2022 Ford Expedition was the most recent Consumer Report’s top choice among large SUVs. It has a twin-turbo V6 engine with the best EPA fuel economy of other vehicles of its class.
This property allows the Expedition to get 16 mpg for city driving and 21 mpg on highways. The standard engine has 380 hp and 470lb-ft of torque.
Coms with 10-speed Automatic Transmission
The 2022 Expedition has a 10-speed automatic transmission you can pair with either an FWD or AWD. They use an independent rear suspension system that allows for a smoother ride and better handling.
Capable of Hauling and Towing
You can also use the Expedition for hauling and towing; it can take two up to 9000 pounds easily. The second and third rows of seating in the cab can also be folded completely flat, giving you more room for cargo.
Safety Features
Standard safety features for the Expedition include the following:
- Forward collision warning,
- Automated emergency braking.
- Lane-departure warning,
- Lane-keeping assist,
- Automated emergency braking, and
- Adaptive cruise control.
Certain models of the Expedition can also be equipped with Ford’s hand-free-driving technology, BlueCruise, and Trail Turn Assist.
8. Buick LaCrosse
Premium Sedan
The Buick LaCrosse is a sedan produced by Buick since 2004. While it was initially a mid-sized car, it was redesigned in 2010 to be a premium sedan. While Buick discontinued the LaCross in North America in 2019, it’s still considered a reliable American-made car.
Brings a Comfortable and Smooth Ride
The LaCrosse is known for providing a comfortable and smooth ride. It’s got a big cabin with heavily cushioned seats and a spacious interior.
Has a 2.5L Four-cylinder Engine
The 2019 LaCross has a 2.5L four-cylinder engine with 194hp and 187 lb-ft of torque. It can get 25 mpg during city driving and 35 mpg for highway driving.
Safety Features
Safety features for the LaCross include:
- Automated emergency braking,
- Lane-keeping assistance, and
- Adaptive cruise control.
9. Ford F-150
2021 North America Truck of the Year
The Ford F-150 has been a bestselling vehicle for Ford for over four decades due to its versatility and reliability. The 2021 Ford F-150 was the 2021 North America Truck of the Year.
Features a PowerBoost Hybrid Powertrain
The 2021 Ford F-150 features Ford’s PowerBoost hybrid powertrain, a 3.5L V6 engine paired with a hybrid system for a powerful engine that also gets good fuel economy. The F-150’s engine provides 430hp and 570lb-ft of torque.
Maximum Towing Capacity
The Ford F-150 is a working and great ride with a maximum towing capacity of around 14,000 pounds. It also has a maximum payload capacity of 3250 pounds.
Safety Features
Ford equips this truck with the following safety features:
- Automated emergency braking,
- Pedestrian detection,
- Adaptive cruise control,
- Lane-departure warning, and
- Lane-keeping assist.
10. GMC Yukon
Available in Standard and XL Variants
The GMC Yukon can transport people and haul cargo reliably. As of 2022, GMC released two Yukon variants, the standard and XL. A standard Yukon is a little shorter in length than an XL. The XL can accommodate up to eight passengers and 145 cubic feet of cargo space.
Engine Options
The Yukon has two engine options: a 5.3L V8 with 355 hp or a 6.2L V8 with 420 hp. Whatever engine you decide on will have a 10-speed automatic transmission that can be paired with an AWD or RWD drive train.
Safety Features
The standard safety features of the Yukon have automated emergency braking plus a forward-collision warning system. Additional safety features that can be installed are:
- Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert,
- Lane-departure warning, and
- Lane-keeping assistance.
11. Jeep Wrangler
If you’re looking for a reliable, American-made compact SUV, consider the Jeep Wrangler. Jeep has been manufacturing these four-wheel drive, off-road SUVs since 1986, and they are known for their toughness and dependability.
Engine Options
The most recent model was the runner-up for the most reliable compact SUV of 2022. The standard engine of this model is a 3.6L V6 with 285 hp. This can be paired with either a six-speed manual gearbox or an eight-speed automatic.
There are other engine options for your Wrangler, however, and these are a turbocharged four-cylinder, a 3.6L V6 with a hybrid assist, 3.0L diesel V^ and a 375-hp plug-in hybrid 4xe powertrain.
Off-road Vehicle
The Wrangler is an off-road vehicle, so this vehicle’s four-wheel drive is a standard feature. It offers a relatively smooth ride over both city roads and rough surfaces.
Safety Features
Jeep makes the following safety features available in the Wrangler:
- Blind-spot monitoring,
- Rear cross-traffic alert, and
- Rear parking sensors.
12. Dodge Durango
Impressive Towing Capacity
Dodge has been producing this mid-sized SUV since 1998, and they have a good reputation for reliable, long-term performance. The 2022 model offers three rows of seating and an impressive towing capacity.
Standard Engine
The standard engine available for the Durango is a V6 with 295 hp. For those looking for a working vehicle and a means of transport, there’s also a V-8 engine with 360 hp that boosts Durango’s towing capacity to a maximum of 8700 pounds.
Safety Features
Dodge equips the Durango with blind-spot monitoring paired with a rear cross-traffic alert. Automated emergency braking and adaptive cruise control are also available.
What Brands of Cars Are Foreign?
What Do We Mean When We Say That an American Car Is Reliable?
When we say something or someone is “reliable,” we say they can be relied on or trusted. They are dependable, and we can count on them to do the job consistently and well.
Consistently Performs Well
Given that definition, a reliable car consistently performs well and can provide you with a dependable means of transportation for a long time. Given that a vehicle is an expensive, long-term investment, long-term reliability means that you will get your money’s worth.
Easy Maintenance
For many car owners, another essential factor to consider when looking for a reliable car is how easy it is to maintain. How often do they have to change the oil? How long do the tires last, and how long before the breaks wear down?
Aside from knowing the essential maintenance a car needs, car owners should also consider how easy the car is to repair and get parts for.
Following these criteria, an unreliable car has a reputation for breaking down and being difficult to repair.
Conclusion – Most Reliable American Cars
The 12 most reliable American cars are as follows:
- Cadillac XT5
- Buick Encore
- Chevrolet Suburban
- Lincoln Continental
- Chevy Bolt
- Chevrolet Silverado 1500
- Ford Expedition
- Buick LaCrosse
- Ford F-150
- GMC Yukon
- Jeep Wrangler
- Dodge Durango
The twelve vehicles we listed above are some of the most reliable American cars available today.
American car manufacturers recognize that a car is a big investment for many potential car owners and a necessity. They take pains to ensure that they provide vehicles customers can count on.
As long as you maintain your vehicle properly and drive carefully and safely, the reliable American cars on this list will get you where you need to go. The investment you make in any of these vehicles will surely pay off in the number of miles they can carry you and the places you can go.
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