It’s safe to call the Japanese sedan the most reliable vehicle segment. The world’s best-selling car is the Toyota Corolla, a Japanese sedan. If you are curious about the most consistent luxury vehicle of the past decade, you guessed it: the Lexus ES sedan.
There have been so many dead reliable Japanese sedans over the last couple of decades that it’s easy to lose count. Thus, we did our best to include what we believe are only the top dogs of the pack, the absolute standouts in elite competition. In this list, we will feature almost every Japanese brand from Acura to Mazda, with a good mix of models that offer strengths in sport, comfort, and luxury without sacrificing reliability. Without further ado, let’s dive in!
In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from various manufacturers and other authoritative sources. The models below have been ranked from newest to oldest, with average market pricing coming from Cars.com
10
2026 Toyota Camry
MSRP: $29,000
Front 3/4 view of a 2026 Toyota Camry NightshadeToyota
Toyota officially decided to go all-in with their well-known Camry and, for the first time, this mid-sized sedan has been hybrid only since 2025. The 2.5-liter A25 inline-four platform powering the 2026 Camry is the current standard for the majority of Lexus and Toyota’s hybrid flee,t and right now, it’s the most reliable hybrid platform available. This platform is set to define this entire generation of Toyota’s powertrains, and they are more committed to hybrid tech than ever before. With 663 miles of range on a single tank, you understand why Toyota is putting serious infrastructure behind this new generation of fuel-efficient platforms.
9
2024 Subaru Outback
Average Market Price: $29,975
Subaru
The 2024 Subaru Outback continues its legacy as a versatile crossover wagon that expertly blends the comfort of a family-friendly vehicle with genuine off-road capability. Built on Subaru’s Global Platform, the Outback comes standard with symmetrical all-wheel drive and boasts an impressive 8.7 inches of ground clearance, making it equally at home on highway road trips and rugged mountain trails. Inside, the cabin offers generous cargo space and seating for five, with available premium features like leather upholstery and a large 11.6-inch touchstone infotainment system. Under the hood, buyers can choose between a fuel-efficient 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine or a more powerful turbocharged 2.4-liter option, both paired with a smooth CVT transmission. With Subaru’s EyeSight driver assistance technology standard across all trims, the Outback delivers on safety while maintaining the adventurous spirit and practicality that have made it a favorite among outdoor enthusiasts and families alike.
8
2024 Mazda3
Average Market Price: $23,856
Front 3/4 shot of 2024 Mazda 3 Turbo Sedan in white posing on roadMazda
Next on our list is the sleekly-styled fourth-generation 2024 Mazda3 sedan (2019-present). The ultra-practical Mazda3 has never looked better or been more capable than it is right now in the current generation. The 2.5-liter Skyactiv-G inline-four found in the base model Mazda3 has seen continued refinement since its debut in the Mazda6 back in 2013. Over a decade later Mazda has sorted the majority of the kinks and the 2.5-liter inline-four is their most reliable platform to date with a turbocharged variant boosting performance on top trim models.
7
2022 Toyota Prius Prime
Average Market Price: $23,263
Side profile shot of a red 2022 Toyota Prius Prime Toyota
The second generation of the Toyota Prius Prime (now known as the Plug-in Hybrid) may not be as “sexy” as the sleeker third generation, but its consistency and reliability are still exceptional. If low upkeep cost, reliability, and fuel economy are must-haves, you will find few vehicles that can compete with the 2022 Toyota Prius Prime. Its 1.8-liter inline four hybrid engine has seen over a decade’s worth of development and the 2022 model is the ultimate variant of this platform. The Prius Prime is so reliable, most of the time it doesn’t even need its gas engine thanks to 25 miles of EV range. The 2022 Prius Prime provides a level of flexibility and sheer utility that is hard to beat when compared to even other ultra-fuel-efficient models.
6
2016 Acura TLX
Average Market Price: $15,184
A front 3/4 shot of a parked red 2017 Acura TLX.Acura
The 2016 2016 Acura TLX arrived as a compelling sport sedan that merged luxury refinement with engaging performance, replacing both the TL and TSX in Acura’s lineup. Available with two engine options, the TLX offered a 2.4-liter four-cylinder producing 206 horsepower and 182 lb-ft of torque, or a more potent 3.5-liter V6 that delivered 290 horsepower and 267 lb-ft of torque. The four-cylinder came paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission, while the V6 utilized a smooth nine-speed automatic and could be equipped with Acura’s Precision All-Wheel Steer (P-AWS) system or Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) for enhanced handling dynamics. Inside, the cabin featured a driver-focused cockpit with available premium materials, dual touchscreens for the infotainment system, and a host of tech features including available navigation and a premium audio system. With its sharp styling, comfortable ride quality, and competitive pricing in the entry-luxury segment, the 2016 TLX offered a well-rounded package for buyers seeking a refined daily driver with a touch of sportiness.
5
2015 Honda Accord
Average Market Price: $14,004
2015 Honda Accord side viewHonda
The 2015 Honda Accord Sedan maintained its position as one of the most popular and well-rounded midsize sedans on the market, offering a winning combination of reliability, fuel efficiency, and refined driving dynamics. Available in both sedan and coupe body styles, the Accord came with a choice of two engines: a fuel-efficient 2.4-liter four-cylinder producing 185 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque, or a smooth and powerful 3.5-liter V6 that generated 278 horsepower and 252 lb-ft of torque. Transmission options included a six-speed manual, a continuously variable transmission (CVT) for four-cylinder models, or a six-speed automatic for the V6. The spacious interior provided ample room for five passengers along with a generous trunk, while available features included leather upholstery, a touchscreen infotainment system, dual-zone climate control, and Honda’s LaneWatch blind-spot camera system. With its reputation for long-term dependability, strong resale value, and engaging yet comfortable ride quality, the 2015 Accord continued to set the benchmark in its class for buyers seeking a practical, well-executed family sedan.
4
2015 Lexus ES
Average Market Price: $25,391
Front 3/4 shot of the 2014 Lexus ES350Lexus
The 2015 Lexus ES epitomized luxury sedan refinement with its whisper-quiet cabin, plush ride quality, and meticulous attention to detail that Lexus is renowned for. Available in two variants, the ES 300h hybrid combined a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with electric motors to produce a combined 200 horsepower while delivering exceptional fuel economy, while the ES 350 featured a smooth 3.5-liter V6 generating 268 horsepower and 248 lb-ft of torque paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. The spacious interior wrapped occupants in available semi-aniline leather seating, real wood trim, and premium materials throughout, while the rear seats offered generous legroom that rivaled some luxury cars a class above. Technology features included an available 15-speaker Mark Levinson premium audio system, navigation, and Lexus’s Remote Touch interface for controlling infotainment functions. Built on the front-wheel-drive platform shared with the Toyota Avalon, the ES prioritized serene comfort over sporty handling, making it an ideal choice for buyers seeking a reliable, ultra-smooth luxury sedan with Toyota’s legendary dependability and lower ownership costs compared to European rivals.
3
2014 Toyota Camry
Average Market Price: $12,372
Toyota Camry SE Driving Down A RoadToyota
Our next Japanese sedan is the seventh generation of the Toyota Camry (2011-2017). This generation shared some similarities to the 2015 Lexus ES, but the 2015 ES is closer to a Toyota Avalon than a Camry of the same generation. The 2.5-liter inline-four that came as the Camry’s base engine served as Toyota’s primary mid-sized platform for almost a decade. If you want a bit more juice, the V-6 option provides all the power you could ever need in a Camry without sacrificing any reliability (the same V-6 as offered in the Lexus ES 350).
2
2011 Lexus LS 460
Average Market Price: $26,978
A front 3/4 shot of a Black 2011 Lexus LS 460.Lexus
The only V-8-powered vehicle on our list is the flagship Lexus LS 460 sedan from the 2011 model year. The fourth generation of the Lexus LS (2007-2017) was a pivotal moment as it introduced Toyota’s UR-family platform with the debut of the 4.6-liter 1UR V-8 powering the then-new LS 460. The UR V-8 platform would form the entire basis of Toyota’s modern V-8 technology push and the UR remains in use in high-performance Lexus models to this day. It’s crazy to think about how dead-reliable this platform is because it has been utilized for almost two decades and is still relevant and in circulation. If you are going to buy any V-8 for the sake of reliability, make sure it’s a UZ or a UR.
1
1990 Honda Accord
Average Market Price: $1,000-$4000
The front 3/4 view of a blue 1990 Honda Accord.
TFLclassics
When discussing world-class reliability standards, the fourth-generation 1990 Honda Accord should be a central figure in the conversation. How many other vehicles do you know that have made it to a million miles and beyond with only scheduled oil changes and routine maintenance? The 1990 Honda Accord goes to show that constant care and consideration for your vehicle is just as important as how well it is engineered. A lot of the time, the simpler, the better. Yet, even the most bulletproof platforms can still provide headaches if they are neglected and/or not maintained properly.
So reliability is a two-way street; just like any other good relationship, constant communication is required for success. If this old Honda can make it this far with the original engine and transmission, why could your more modern vehicle do the same with the same quality of attention and upkeep? We provided many solid options worth taking that far. We hope you can make every mile count!
Source: Cars.com
