Buying a vehicle seems to get more expensive each year. On top of the purchase price, you have to factor in gasoline, diesel, or electricity to keep it running. Insurance, registration fees, and depreciation only add to the overall cost. The last thing you need is an expensive repair bill.
According to Cox Automotive, the parent company of Kelley Blue Book, the average trip to a repair shop will set you back $838. Repairs are not just costly, they are inconvenient and frustrating. That is why purchasing a dependable vehicle is so important. And while many people assume that means buying a Japanese brand, that is not always the case.
According to the JD Power 2026 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study, several American brands proved more dependable than the Japanese brands many consider the gold standard. Infiniti, Mazda, and even Honda scored below the industry average, while Cadillac and Chevrolet ranked above it. Most notably, Buick topped the mass-market segment for the second consecutive year, beating Toyota in the process.
When looking at the latest JD Power data, especially if you are using it to help determine your next vehicle purchase, here are four things to consider.
4
Tale as old as time
GM was always a leader
Go back 20 years and look at the JD Power 2006 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study. The most dependable midsize car was the Buick Century. The Chevrolet Monte Carlo was the most dependable midsize sporty car. The most dependable large SUVs in 2006 were the Cadillac Escalade and GMC Yukon XL. The Mercury Grand Marquis took home the prize for the most dependable large car.
For the JD Power 2026 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study, 33,268 original owners of 2023 model-year vehicles were surveyed after three years of ownership. The owners were asked about 184 specific problem areas across nine major vehicle categories: climate, driving assistance, driving experience, exterior, features/controls/displays, infotainment, interior, powertrain, and seats.
The overall industry average was 204 problems per 100 vehicles (204 PP100). Lexus ranked best of all with a score of 151 PP100, while Buick was second with a score of 160 PP100.
3
Japanese brands to reconsider
These automakers scored under the industry average for dependability
While Toyota and Lexus score well in dependability, there are a few Japanese brands you might want to reconsider.
Acura and Infiniti are tied with a dependability score of 233 PP100. That is the worst score of all Japanese brands in the study. Neither have a single model that is ranked in the top three of any vehicle segment.
The same holds true for Mazda. They ranked slightly better than Acura and Infiniti with a score of 210 PP100, but that is still below the industry average. Mazda makes some great vehicles, and we all love the MX-5, but their overall dependability scores are disappointing.
What stands out here is that both Acura and Infiniti, luxury offshoots of Honda and Nissan, actually scored worse than their mainstream counterparts. Nissan performed well above average at 194 PP100, while Honda, though still below average at 211 PP100, outperformed Acura by a noticeable margin.
It’s easy to assume that added luxury and tech create more opportunities for things to go wrong. But that theory doesn’t fully hold up. Lexus bucks the trend, ranking even higher than its mainstream sibling, Toyota.
The 10 most reliable car brands in 2026, according to Consumer Reports
Expected leaders are joined by some surprising new entries.
2
The American success story
GM gives Japanese and German competitors a run for their money
Buick may not get a lot of media attention. They don’t make any high-power sports cars or desert-running off-road trucks. However, they have the dependability game figured out.
The Buick Encore GX is tied for the third most dependable small SUV. The Envision is the second-highest-ranking compact SUV. And in the upper midsize SUV class, the Enclave ties the Toyota 4Runner for the highest dependability score.
Buick may claim the top spot, but other General Motors brands are right there, too. Chevrolet takes home the top spots in the large SUV and compact SUV categories with the Tahoe and Equinox, respectively. The Blazer and Traverse also rank in the top three in their segments. The Silverado is number two in the large light-duty pickup segment.
Those who want something more upscale may be surprised to learn that Cadillac outpaces its German rivals. For example, the XT6 tops the BMW X6 and Porsche Cayenne in the JD Power 2026 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study. The XT5 is the second-highest-ranked midsize premium SUV, while the XT4 is the second-highest-ranked compact premium SUV.
- Front Camera Resolution
-
1440p
- Field of View
-
106 Degrees
You get both a front and back dash cam with this WOLFBOX combo, letting you be able to protect yourself from all angles.
1
Bigger is (usually) better
American automakers excel at making reliable large vehicles
A closer look at the JD Power data reveals a clear pattern: Americans know how to build big vehicles, and build them well. Take the Chevrolet Tahoe, for example. It stands as the only large SUV to meet or exceed its segment average, reinforcing the strength of U.S. automakers in the full-size space.
That trend carries across other SUV categories, too. Out of 25 vehicles that scored above average, nine came from American brands, a strong showing that highlights their overall competitiveness. But it’s in trucks where the dominance becomes undeniable. In the large light-duty pickup category, American brands essentially stand alone, continuing a decades-long grip on the segment.
The story changes, however, when you move to smaller vehicles. In the compact and midsize car segments, not a single American model scored above average, a reminder that while U.S. automakers excel at trucks and SUVs, smaller cars remain a weak spot.
10 Reliable Vehicles That Don’t Come From Toyota or Honda
Discover ten dependable vehicles from brands beyond Toyota and Honda, offering reliability without the usual contenders.
American reliability is nothing new
While brands like Lexus maintain their status, the tide has shifted. Modern drivers shouldn’t let decades-old reputations dictate their next purchase, especially when data proves that Buick, Cadillac, and Chevrolet are outperforming many of their rivals.
By opting for a high-ranking domestic model, you gain the peace of mind of a top-tier dependability score while benefiting from the lower maintenance costs and parts availability unique to the U.S. market. As repair bills climb and vehicle complexity increases, the smartest buyers will look past the badge and follow the data.
Stephan is the sports journalist for the Maple Grove Report.
