Top 5 Most Reliable Luxury Car Brands (+3 Worst Ones)
Although German automobiles’ desirability is undoubtedly high among premium vehicle buyers, Asian manufacturers remain some of the most reliable luxury car brands.
The most reliable and least dependable luxury car manufacturers are as follows.
The 5 Most Reliable Luxury Car Brands
#1 Lexus
Toyota owns Lexus, and while the former is a frontrunner in the mass market, the latter has ruled the luxury car segment for many years.
With an established culture of durable products and meticulous engineering, it will take rival brands a strong and sustained push to dethrone Lexus.
According to Consumer Reports, Lexus’s most reliable models are:
- Lexus GX SUVs.
- Lexus RX SUVs.
- Lexus ES sedans.
- Lexus UX SUVs.
Still, competing luxury makes from Japan and Korea are hot on Lexus’s heels in the reliability stake.
#2 Genesis
Genesis hails from Korea and is the luxury arm of Hyundai, the parent automaker’s answer to Lexus and Toyota’s market dominance in the respective segments.
Although Consumer Reports did not rate Genesis favorably in overall brand reliability, the marque’s ascendency in JD Power’s annual dependability study is unmistakable.
JD Power ranked the luxury car maker as one of the most reliable among premium manufacturers in the latest study.
Genesis does not have as extensive a lineup as its Asian counterparts, but the leading models include:
- Genesis G70, G80 (gas & electric), and G90 sedans.
- Genesis GV60, GV70, and GV80 SUVs.
#3 Infiniti
While its corporate owner, Nissan, focuses on the mainstream market, Infiniti takes on the premium segment.
Infiniti is a viable alternative to its Asian competitors for shoppers after a less expensive yet dependable luxury car.
However, Infiniti’s product range is a mixed bag of old and new models, and some of its more reliable models are:
- Infiniti Q50 – small sedan.
- Infiniti QX50 – small SUV.
#4 Acura
Honda established Acura in 1986 as a premium-car division focusing on luxurious appointments, performance, and upscale features.
Backed by Honda’s reputation for ultra-durable vehicles, Acura is a strong pick for a reliable luxury car maker, especially with its smaller sedans and midsize SUVs.
These are Acura’s most reliable models:
- Acura TLX – small sedan.
- Acura RDX – small SUV.
- Acura MDX – midsize SUV.
#5 Porsche
Porsche has a proud heritage of producing beautifully-crafted performance vehicles with razor-sharp handling and the most enjoyable driving experience.
The illustrious German marque’s lineup today covers some of the most athletic passenger vehicles that money can buy, with commendable reliability to boot.
What started as a niche brand for speed purists, Porsche is now a compelling option among luxury auto brands, a must-consider for premium passenger car shoppers.
Reliability studies by leading organizations like Consumer Reports and JD Power place Porsche as the leader among German luxury makes and a formidable challenger to some Asian rivals.
These luxurious yet reliable Porsche machines are a pure pleasure to drive:
- Porsche Macan – compact SUV.
- Porsche Cayenne – midsize SUV; gas and plug-in-hybrid.
- Porsche Panamera – large sedan.
The 3 Least Reliable Luxury Car Brands
These premium car makes occupy the unenviable lower rungs of the reliability ladder.
#1 Land Rover
Land Rover is an SUV-only premium auto manufacturer with British roots.
The increased popularity of SUVs among American car buyers has enabled Land Rover to carve a market niche that it continues to dominate to this day despite several ownership changes in recent decades.
Land Rover vehicles are less rugged than Jeep SUVs but more luxurious. Sadly, the premium status cannot hide the automaker’s awful reliability – it often props up JD Power’s reliability ranking table.
Unless you’re a die-hard fan or have money to spare, it’s best to consider alternatives.
#2 Tesla
The Tesla brand is synonymous with electric vehicles and has been one of the leading EV manufacturers globally since its formation in 2003.
Except for the Model 3, Tesla’s least expensive EV, other Tesla models leave room for improvement in the reliability department, according to Consumer Reports.
On the upside, Teslas have some of the longest electric range among premium EVs, especially with the Long Range models.
#3 Mercedes-Benz
This German marque is famous for making vehicles emphasizing luxury and refinement, symbolizing financial success and good taste.
Mercedes-Benz cars typically have impeccably-built interiors and offer a plush and serene ride with capable handling.
According to Consumer Reports, the GLE midsize SUV is one of the least reliable; the GLC small SUV provides the German make some saving grace with better reliability among its stablemates.
However, there’s no denying that Mercedes-Benz vehicles are among the most luxurious in their respective classes.
References:
https://www.lexus.com/models/categories/suvs
https://www.genesis.com/us/en/genesis.html
https://www.infinitiusa.com/vehicles/new-vehicles.html