18) 2020 Toyota Prius Prime
Reliability Score: 4.0/5 | USN Overall Score: 7.8/10 | $27,750
The 2020 Toyota Prius Prime is a plug-in hybrid hatchback that delivers exceptional fuel economy. While the Prime feels a bit sluggish, it's hard to argue with an EPA-estimated 133 MPGe and 54 mpg combined city/highway – all while using only battery power for the first 25 miles or so. This Toyota also comes with ample avenues for smartphone connectivity, as well as the latest safety features to help drivers avoid getting into collisions.
17) 2019 Kia Rio
Reliability Score: 4.0/5 | USN Overall Score: 8.0/10 | $15,390
A pert and perky subcompact car, the 2019 Kia Rio provides solid and affordable basic transportation. It may be lacking some expected tech, safety, and convenience features, but the Rio handles well. Occupants are treated to a quiet and nicely-cast cabin. Even better, the infotainment system is a breeze to operate – something even some luxury automakers struggle with.
16) 2019 Toyota Yaris
Reliability Score: 4.0/5 | USN Overall Score: 8.0/10 | $15,600
We give the subcompact 2019 Toyota Yaris high marks for its rich array of features and top-quality interior for the segment. The small sedan, formerly known as the Yaris iA (and the Scion iA before that), delivers crisp handling and good fuel economy. Unfortunately, with only 106 horsepower under the hood, it provides rather sluggish acceleration.
15) 2020 Dodge Challenger
Reliability Score: 4.0/5 | USN Overall Score: 8.1/10 | $27,995
The 2020 Dodge Challenger is a large two-door sports coupe with throwback “muscle car” styling. Acceleration ranges from quick to flat-out awesome, depending on the engine – and for truly monstrous power, you can opt for a beastly 797-horsepower V8. Unlike most sports cars, the Challenger features a roomy interior with a usable back seat and a spacious trunk. Its infotainment system is also one of the most intuitive to operate in the class. Downsides include a slightly bland interior and poor fuel economy when paired with one of the bigger engines.
14) 2020 Hyundai Elantra
Reliability Score: 4.0/5 | USN Overall Score: 8.1/10 | $18,950
The 2020 Hyundai Elantra sits at about midpack in our ranking of compact cars. Available in sedan and hatchback versions, it delivers good fuel economy, a nicely tuned ride, and a wealth of standard features. On the downside, it’s not particularly entertaining to drive, and its interior isn’t as upscale as some rivals’.
13) 2020 Chevrolet Impala
Reliability Score: 4.0/5 | USN Overall Score: 8.2/10 | $31,620
The 2020 Chevrolet Impala places in the top third of our large sedan ranking. This is thanks to its smooth ride, roomy cabin, ample trunk space, and straightforward infotainment system. The Impala’s biggest flaws include rather poor fuel economy, an unrefined automatic transmission, and some cheap looking interior materials. Slumping sales mean that 2020 will be the final model year for one of the brand’s most enduring nameplates.
12) 2020 Toyota Prius
Reliability Score: 4.0/5 | USN Overall Score: 8.2/10 | $24,325
One of the most fuel-frugal traditional hybrid cars on the market, the futuristic-looking 2020 Toyota Prius is rated at 57 mpg in the city and 53 mpg on the highway in its appropriately named Eco variant. While it isn’t particularly fun to drive – and could use some better quality cabin materials – the Prius delivers ample comfort and features a large cargo hold.
11) 2019 Kia Cadenza
Reliability Score: 4.0/5 | USN Overall Score: 8.5/10 | $33,100
Overlooked in a declining market for big sedans, the 2019 Kia Cadenza is nonetheless our top-ranked large car. It was even a finalist for our 2019 Best Large Car for Families award. It gets high marks for both safety and reliability, and comes with an upscale interior and a long list of standard features. Its trunk is a bit small, however, and its handling isn’t as quick as some of its more nimble competitors’.
10) 2020 Kia Forte
Reliability Score: 4.0/5 | USN Overall Score: 8.5/10 | $17,790
The 2020 Kia Forte is our second highest-ranked compact car, and it has a lot going for it in addition to predicted reliability. It offers a long list of standard features, gets good fuel economy ratings, comes with an easily operated infotainment system, and treats occupants to a roomy and comfortable interior. The base engine is a bit sluggish, however, and critics found the ride to be on the harsh side.
9) 2020 Toyota Camry
Reliability Score: 4.0/5 | USN Overall Score: 8.6/10 | $24,425
Though crossover SUVs are the hot-ticket items in the new-vehicle business these days, the 2020 Toyota Camry sedan remains one of the best-selling models of any kind in the U.S. It even took home our 2020 Best Midsize Car for the Money award. The Camry features enjoyable driving dynamics, ample standard tech and safety features, and respectable fuel economy. The latter quality is even better in the Camry Hybrid, which is rated to achieve up to 51 mpg in the city and 53 mpg at highway speeds. It could use a larger trunk and a quieter cabin, however.
8) 2020 Buick Regal
Reliability Score: 4.0/5 | USN Overall Score: N/A | $25,370
In addition to the basic sedan, the 2020 Buick Regal is offered in a sporty GS variant and as the TourX station wagon. While it is unranked due to lack of crash-test data, the Regal affords a smooth ride and plenty of cargo room. Unfortunately, it gets sub-par fuel economy ratings, and its interior isn’t upscale looking or feeling. As with some other underperforming passenger cars from General Motors brands, the Regal is being axed from Buick’s lineup at the end of the 2020 model year.
7) 2019 Toyota Prius c
Reliability Score: 4.5/5 | USN Overall Score: 7.3/10 | $21,530
The subcompact Toyota Prius c is the automaker’s smallest hybrid-powered model. While it’s not as fuel-efficient as the larger Prius (without the “c”), fuel economy is still respectable at 48 mpg in the city and 43 mpg on the highway. It comes with many advanced safety features and affords better-than-average cargo space in its size class, but is underpowered, has a cheapish interior, and can get noisy at higher speeds. The Prius c has ceased production following the 2019 model year.
6) 2019 Chevrolet Cruze
Reliability Score: 4.5/5 | USN Overall Score: 8.2/10 | $17,995
The 2019 Chevrolet Cruze is an amenable and reliable compact sedan/hatchback that delivers lots of interior room and cargo space. It gets great fuel economy (though as a trade-off for languid acceleration) and comes with many standard features. Unfortunately, 2019 marked the final model year for the Cruze due to sagging sales.
5) 2020 Nissan Versa
Reliability Score: 4.5/5 | USN Overall Score: 8.2/10 | $14,730
The subcompact 2020 Nissan Versa is fully redesigned, and the Versa Note hatchback has been discontinued. While slightly pricier for 2020, the new Versa affords a more upscale interior than expected, and comes with several driver-assist features. The Versa’s transmission operates smoothly and the car gets good fuel economy – though it’s not a particularly peppy performer.
4) 2019 Buick LaCrosse
Reliability Score: 4.5/5 | USN Overall Score: 8.3/10 | $29,570
The 2019 Buick LaCrosse is praised for its smooth ride, roomy and comfortable passenger cabin, abundant high-tech features, and class-leading reliability rating. It could use a larger trunk and better quality interior materials, however. Another casualty of the seismic market shift away from sedans, 2019 marked the final model year for the LaCrosse with no replacement in the works.
3) 2019 Mini Cooper Clubman
Reliability Score: 4.5/5 | USN Overall Score: N/A | $24,900
The 2019 Mini Cooper Clubman is currently unranked, as it hasn’t been fully crash-tested. That said, we like it's neatly designed cabin and quick handling abilities. Longer than a standard Mini Cooper, it has a relatively large cargo area and a more spacious second row than the regular Mini. There’s a choice of three engines, with the top model being especially punchy. One of the main downsides is price: Even in its base configuration, the Clubman is more expensive than most models in its class.
2) 2019 Mini Cooper
Reliability Score: 5.0/5 | USN Overall Score: 8.2/10 | $21,900
The energetic 2019 Mini Cooper is our second-highest ranked subcompact car. With three engine choices and both two- and four-door hatchback versions available – as well as a convertible variant – there’s something to please everyone here. However, you’ll have to contend with a dearth of rear seat room and a small cargo hold. On the plus side, it delivers agile go-kart-like handling and features a delightfully stylish interior.
1) 2020 Toyota Corolla
Reliability Score: 5.0/5 | USN Overall Score: 8.2/10 | $19,600
Redesigned for 2020, the Toyota Corolla sedan/hatchback tops our list of reliable cars, and remains among the automaker’s best-selling models in the U.S. It‘s not the sportiest compact car, but it comes standard with a full suite of driver-assist systems and gets terrific fuel economy. Even better in the latter regard is the 2020 Toyota Corolla Hybrid, which is rated at an impressive 53 mpg in the city and 52 mpg on the highway.
More Shopping Tools From U.S. News & World Report
Of course, these 18 reliable models only represent a fraction of the new cars on the market for 2020. No matter what segment, engine, or body style you favor, be sure to compare what’s being offered in our extensive new car rankings.
Once you’ve whittled down your choices, it pays to consult our lists of the best new-car deals out there, which are updated monthly. They showcase cash rebates cut-rate financing programs, and the top money-saving lease promotions.
When you’re ready to get behind the wheel, don’t forget to take advantage of our Best Price Program to save a bundle of money on the model of your choice. Shoppers can save an average of more than $3,000 by using this service.
18 Most Reliable Cars for 2020
- 18) Toyota Prius Prime: Reliability Score: 4.0/5 | USN Overall Score: 7.8/10 | $27,750
- 17) 2019 Kia Rio: Reliability Score: 4.0/5 | USN Overall Score: 8.0/10 | $15,390
- 16) 2019 Toyota Yaris: Reliability Score: 4.0/5 | USN Overall Score: 8.0/10 | $15,600
- 15) 2020 Dodge Challenger: Reliability Score: 4.0/5 | USN Overall Score: 8.1/10 | $27,995
- 14) 2020 Hyundai Elantra: Reliability Score: 4.0/5 | USN Overall Score: 8.1/10 | $18,950
- 13) 2020 Chevrolet Impala: Reliability Score: 4.0/5 | USN Overall Score: 8.2/10 | $31,620
- 12) 2020 Toyota Prius: Reliability Score: 4.0/5 | USN Overall Score: 8.2/10 | $24,325
- 11) 2019 Kia Cadenza: Reliability Score: 4.0/5 | USN Overall Score: 8.5/10 | $33,100
- 10) 2020 Kia Forte: Reliability Score: 4.0/5 | USN Overall Score: 8.5/10 | $17,790
- 9) 2020 Toyota Camry: Reliability Score: 4.0/5 | USN Overall Score: 8.6/10 | $24,425
- 8) 2020 Buick Regal: Reliability Score: 4.0/5 | USN Overall Score: N/A | $25,370
- 7) 2019 Toyota Prius c: Reliability Score: 4.5/5 | USN Overall Score: 7.3/10 | $21,530
- 6) 2019 Chevrolet Cruze: Reliability Score: 4.5/5 | USN Overall Score: 8.2/10 | $17,995
- 5) 2020 Nissan Versa: Reliability Score: 4.5/5 | USN Overall Score: 8.2/10 | $14,730
- 4) 2019 Buick LaCrosse: Reliability Score: 4.5/5 | USN Overall Score: 8.3/10 | $29,570
- 3) 2019 Mini Cooper Clubman: Reliability Score: 4.5/5 | USN Overall Score: N/A | $24,900
- 2) 2019 Mini Cooper: Reliability Score: 5.0/5 | USN Overall Score: 8.2/10 | $21,900
- 1) 2020 Toyota Corolla: Reliability Score: 5.0/5 | USN Overall Score: 8.2/10 | $19,600
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Cars With the Best Reliability
When searching for a new car, one of the most important considerations for a shopper is predicted reliability – especially with the average new-car buyer now holding onto (and financing) a vehicle for around six years. Though today’s cars hold up better than ever, owner surveys confirm that some models inherently perform better in this regard than others.
Some cars can provide faithful service for many years, with only basic maintenance and addressing of standard wear-and-tear issues. Others will subject their owners to a litany of mechanical woes large and small. Even as many new vehicles are covered under warranty for at least the first three years of ownership, having to make multiple service visits to keep a troublesome ride running is a major annoyance.
All vehicles ranked by U.S. News include projected reliability ratings from J.D. Power. In this case, past performance is used to gauge how well a given model will fare mechanically over time. Each year, J.D. Power polls tens of thousands of original owners of three-year-old vehicles to glean what has gone right – and wrong – for them within the past 12 months of ownership.
In this slideshow, we look at 18 passenger cars that earn a predicted reliability rating of four out of five or higher in J.D. Power’s evaluations. We’re presenting them in ascending order, according to their scores. If two or more cars achieve the same rating, we give the higher ranking to the car with a higher overall U.S. News score and/or a more affordable sticker price.
We’re concentrating on mainstream autos here. We have separate articles for those interested in learning about the most reliable luxury cars or sport utility vehicles.
As always, keep in mind that we update our scores as new information becomes available, so the data in this slideshow might not match the most recent information in our reviews.
Read on to learn about the most reliable new cars for 2020.