Most Reliable Car Brands in Canada
| Car Brand | J.D. Power PP100 (2025 avg of 192) | CBB Retained Value Awards (specifically for brands) | APA Recalls, Warranties, & Class Actions | MyChoice Reliability Score (/10) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lexus | 166 PP100 | N/A | N/A | 8.6 |
| Subaru | 187 PP100 | N/A | Lawsuit regarding high oil consumption on the Outback (2022) | 7.8 |
| Toyota | 162 PP100 | Overall Brand Award: Mainstream | Class action lawsuit regarding wiring design defect on hybrid models (2024) | 8.9 |
| Mazda | 161 PP100 | N/A | N/A | 8.8 |
| Honda | 179 PP100 | Overall Brand Award: Mainstream | Warranty extension for defective AC on the Civic (2023), warranty extension for engine start button malfunctions on the Pilot and Ridgeline (2023) | 8.1 |
| Acura | 198 PP100 | N/A | N/A | 7.5 |
| Chevrolet | 178 PP100 | Overall Brand Award: Electric | Battery swap recall for the Chevrolet Bolt (2023) | 8.4 |
| BMW | 196 PP100 | Most Improved Brand, Overall Brand Award: Electric | BMW Mini fire (2020) | 7.7 |
| Hyundai | 173 PP100 | N/A | Engine issues with the Elantra, no warranty extension (2022) | 8.3 |
| Kia | 181 PP100 | Overall Brand Award: Electric | Class action over piston scuffing on the Forte (2022) | 8.0 |
Most Reliable Cars in Canada
High-reliability cars tend to retain value better. Brands known for long-term reliability are Toyota, Honda, Lexus, and Subaru. They consistently hold their value because buyers trust that their vehicles will last.
J.D. Power assigns PP100 scores only to car brands, not to individual models. Due to data limitations, we substituted the PP100 scores with the quality & reliability scores when rating car models. Because scores may vary by car model year, we use the most recent available scores listed on J.D. Power’s site.
| Car Make & Model | J.D. Power Score (quality & reliability rating) | CBB Retained Value Awards | MyChoice Reliability Score (/10) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toyota RAV4 | 77/100 (2025 model) | SUV Mainstream Subcompact/Compact | 7.9 |
| Toyota Corolla | 79/100 (2024 model) | Car: Mainstream | 8.1 |
| Honda Accord | 80/100 (2025 model) | N/A | 8.0 |
| Toyota Camry | 80/100 (2025 model) | Car: Mainstream | 8.2 |
| Subaru Outback | 81/100 (2025 model) | N/A | 8.1 |
| Nissan Leaf | 76/100 (2025 model) | BEV Car Mainstream | 7.8 |
| Honda Insight | 79/100 (2022 model) | N/A | 7.9 |
| Hyundai Tucson | 83/100 (2025 model) | N/A | 8.3 |
| Ford F-150 | 86/100 (2025 model) | N/A | 8.6 |
| Mazda3 | 77/100 (2025 model) | N/A | 7.7 |
Most Reliable SUVs in Canada
| Car Make & Model | J.D. Power Score (quality & reliability rating) | CBB Retained Value Awards | MyChoice Reliability Score (/10) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toyota RAV4 | 77/100 (2025 model) | SUV Mainstream Subcompact/Compact | 7.9 |
| Toyota C-HR | 90/100 (2021 model) | SUV Mainstream Subcompact/Compact | 9.2 |
| Toyota Corolla Cross | 82/100 (2025 model) | SUV Mainstream Subcompact/Compact | 8.4 |
| Lexus UX | 80/100 (2024 model) | SUV Premium Subcompact/Compact | 8.2 |
| Acura RDX | 85/100 (2025 model) | SUV Premium Subcompact/Compact | 8.7 |
| Chevrolet Tahoe | 81/100 (2024 model) | SUV Mainstream Mid/Full | 8.3 |
| Toyota 4Runner | 86/100 (2024 model) | SUV Mainstream Mid/Full | 8.8 |
| Hyundai Ioniq 5 | 70/100 (2023 model) | BEV SUV Mainstream | 7.2 |
| Honda CR-V | 83/100 (2025 model) | N/A | 8.3 |
| Mazda CX-30 | 80/100 (2025 model) | N/A | 8.0 |
Most Reliable Trucks & Pickup Trucks in Canada
| Car Make & Model | J.D. Power Score (quality & reliability rating) | CBB Retained Value Awards | MyChoice Reliability Score (/10) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ford F-150 | 86/100 (2025 model) | N/A | 8.6 |
| Toyota Tacoma | 80/100 (2025 model) | Small/Mid Pickup | 8.2 |
| Toyota Tundra | 83/100 (2025 model) | Full-Size Pickup | 8.5 |
| GMC Sierra HD | 82/100 (2025 model) | Full-Size Pickup | 8.4 |
| Chevrolet Colorado | 83/100 (2025 model) | Small/Mid Pickup | 8.5 |
Most Reliable Luxury Cars in Canada
| Car Make & Model | J.D. Power Score (quality & reliability rating) | CBB Retained Value Awards | MyChoice Reliability Score (/10) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lexus UX | 80/100 (2024 model) | SUV Premium Subcompact/Compact | 8.2 |
| Acura RDX | 85/100 (2025 model) | SUV Premium Subcompact/Compact | 8.7 |
| Cadillac Escalade | 76/100 (2025 model) | SUV Premium Mid/Full | 7.8 |
| BMW 3 Series | 81/100 (2025 model) | Car: Premium | 8.3 |
| Cadillac CT5 | 79/100 (2025 model) | Car: Premium | 8.1 |
Honourable Mentions: Car Picks to Keep an Eye On
Looking for a specific type of car? We’ve got you covered. Our list below drills down to identify the most reliable SUVs, pickup trucks, and luxury cars in each subcategory. In addition to the cars we’ve covered in the sections above, we’ll introduce some other standout vehicles you can consider purchasing. We also outline common issues reported by owners of these cars, so you can monitor and address potential problems before they become major issues.
Most Reliable Midsize SUV – Toyota 4Runner
Boasting an 86/100 reliability score from J.D. Power, the Toyota 4Runner is a favourite among off-roading enthusiasts, thanks to its spacious cargo hold and hybrid model options. It’s also a workhorse vehicle that can cover many miles with proper maintenance.
Issues to Watch Out For: Automatic transmission problems at high mileages, power steering pump leaks at high mileages
Most Reliable Small SUV – Toyota RAV4
The Toyota RAV4 has a track record of reliability scores in the past half-decade, which isn’t common. Moreover, many dealerships and car owners say that all it takes to keep your RAV4 in top condition are basic oil changes and routine inspections on every maintenance milestone.
Issues to Watch Out For: Excessive oil consumption, incorrect automatic transmission shifts on higher mileages and older models
Most Reliable 7 Seater SUV – Kia Telluride
The Kia Telluride’s 2025 model earned an impressive 87/100 J.D. Power reliability rating, making it one of the most reliable cars in its class. In addition to its impressive reliability, Kia offers a Limited 10-Year/100,000-Mile Powertrain Warranty, which exceeds most brands’ warranties, underscoring its commitment to customer satisfaction.
Issues to Watch Out For: LCD display failures on some older models, excessive oil consumption on older cars,
Most Reliable Compact SUV – Toyota Corolla Cross
With a robust 82/100 J.D. Power reliability score, the Corolla Cross is touted by drivers as one of the most reliable cars you can have. As long as you change the oil every 5,000 miles and do the proper maintenance, this car will go thousands of miles before you need to perform any expensive work. Another point, if you’re looking for a Japanese car: we’ve found that in terms of reliability, Toyotas have a slight edge over Hondas.
Issues to Watch Out For: Loose roof rails, difficult-to-close tail gates
Most Reliable Hybrid SUV – Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid
Even in the crowded midsize three-row SUV segment, the Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid is a standout, boasting Toyota’s highly reliable hybrid powertrain with fewer moving parts in the transmission, which reduces strain on the gas engine compared with traditional cars. While the car requires relatively frequent service every 5,000 miles, it will serve you well in the long run without major issues.
Issues to Watch Out For: Transmission hesitation, central console display issues
Most Reliable Full-Size Pickup – GMC Sierra HD
The GMC Sierra HD is a workhorse pickup with strong towing capabilities. But that power also comes with safety features like collision warning systems, lane-departure warnings, and blind-spot monitoring. GMC also offers a competitive warranty plan that includes a limited warranty covering 36,000 miles or 3 years and complimentary maintenance for the first year.
Issues to Watch Out For: The speedometer can stop working on older models, and the constant check engine light flashing
Most Reliable Midsize Truck – Toyota Tacoma
The Toyota Tacoma has a strong, long-standing reputation for being reliable and is considered one of the best pickup trucks. Many owners praise its simple maintenance routine and report years of trouble-free service, provided they’ve followed the maintenance schedule.
Issues to Watch Out For: Premature rust on models made before 2010; delayed transmission engagement in cold conditions for 2016 models.
Most Reliable Diesel Truck – Chevrolet Silverado
The Chevrolet Silverado boasts a strong 86/100 J.D. Power reliability score, which fits its reputation as one of the most popular vehicles in the United States. It’s a hardworking, hard-driving pickup truck that you can bring basically anywhere and tow just about anything you can think of, from boats to trailers.
Issues to Watch Out For: Electric window issues as the truck ages, and suspension can become loose or bouncy after a few years.
Most Reliable Half Ton Truck – Toyota Tundra
The Toyota Tundra, like its smaller cousin, the Tacoma, has a strong reputation as a rugged, reliable truck. With proper maintenance, the Tundra can last for over 300,000 miles. In fact, some Tundras have logged over 1 million miles.
Issues to Watch Out For: Frame rust, corrosion, air injection pump issues
Most Reliable Luxury SUV – Cadillac Escalade
With a 76/100 J.D. Power reliability score, the Escalade is quite reliable. Many drivers say the SUV can last 200,000 miles or more with proper care, experiencing only minor issues along the way.
Issues to Watch Out For: Rough transmission shifting, persistent check engine light issues
Most Reliable Luxury Sedan – BMW 3 Series
With an 81/100 reliability score from J.D. Power, the BMW 3 Series has a strong track record, making it a strong entry-level luxury sedan. Early models from the 1970s to the 1990s are known to be durable and straightforward, while more recent models from 2014 to 2023 are well-regarded for their reliability and few issues. Another reason to buy a BMW 3 Series is that BMWs have an edge over Mercedes-Benz cars in terms of performance.
Issues to Watch Out For: Engine failure and stalling, gearbox whining
How Can Car Reliability Affect My Insurance Rate?
Car reliability affects your insurance rates because auto insurance companies usually give better rates to cars that are safe, not typically stolen, and don’t have a history of issues.
Key car reliability factors that may affect your insurance rates include:
- Safety and anti-theft features: Cars with more advanced safety and anti-theft features are typically better protected from accidents, theft, and vandalism, which means the insurance company takes less risk protecting them. Therefore, those cars usually get lower insurance rates.
- Repair and replacement costs: Generally speaking, cars that are more expensive to insure have higher repair or replacement costs. Rates on those cars tend to be higher because the insurance company needs to spend more on insurance claims. Conversely, cars with cheaper repair or replacement costs can get lower rates.
- Age: Most older cars are more likely to break down, and some parts may be more complex to repair or replace because they’ve been phased out for newer variants. Therefore, older cars may get higher insurance rates.
- Engine type: Whether you choose electric vehicles or gas-powered vehicles impacts reliability, and by extension, your insurance premiums. With rising insurance claims on EVs, EV insurance rates have risen in 2025.
The three factors above also tie into another key metric: claim frequency. The more claims insurance customers file for a given make and model, the riskier the insurer views that model, so insurance rates for that model typically rise. With Ontario seeing rising car insurance premiums in 2025, buying reliable cars is a significant investment to keep your insurance rates affordable.
Our Methodology for Selecting the Most Reliable Vehicles in Canada
We use three key metrics in determining the most reliable cars in Canada:
- J.D. Power PP100: This is a measure of how many problems a car brand or model experiences in every 100 vehicles. The lower the PP100 score, the more reliable a car is.
- Canadian Black Book (CBB) Retained Value Awards: CBB tracks vehicle MSRP retention. Each year, the cars that retained their MSRP the most receive the Best Retained Value award, split into several categories. Cars awarded by the CBB will gain a higher reliability score in our rankings.
- Automobile Protection Association (APA) Recalls, Warranties, & Class Actions: The APA tracks car recalls, warranties, and class action lawsuits filed by Canadian consumers. Ideally, a car model shouldn’t have any APA issues if it’s reliable. This metric will be applied only to brands, as these cases often reflect issues across the car manufacturer as a whole.
With those metrics in mind, we assign a MyChoice Reliability Score as the overall reliability rating for the car brand or model.