the-most-reliable-car-brands-in-2021-and-the-least

Estate

In the same way that Infiniti acts as Nissan’s premium arm, Lexus has a similar tie-in with Toyota. And since most of Toyota’s models are offered as hybrids, it’s no surprise to see the same from Lexus, although there are some traditional petrol engines, too.

The brand focuses heavily on SUVs – namely the NX and RX – but also has the CT hatchback, ES executive saloon and LS luxury car among its portfolio. More small and large SUVs are expected in the future.

Like Toyota, Lexus has built a very strong reputation for reliability and regularly finishes very close to the top of our annual Reliability Survey.

LEXUS

The resulting What Car? Reliability Survey data not only shows us the most reliable car models – but also the most reliable makes too. In this slideshow, we start at the most reliable brand, as shown by our data – and work our way through to the least, for cars up to five years of age, complete with overall reliability rating:

Slideshow story: please click the right-hand arrow above to continue, or simply scroll down if you’re reading on your mobile&nbsp;

What Car? asked more than 16,000 car owners to tell us if their car has suffered any problems over the previous year, and if so, in which areas.

Lexus claims the top spot as the most dependable brand; its cars suffered very few faults and virtually all work was done for free. Its NX SUV is the highest-rated hybrid (pictured), while the smaller UX came fourth in the same category.

1: Lexus - 98.7%

Hatchback

If you want a new car but would rather not spend much, Dacia is a great place to start your search.

This budget brand builds one of Britain’s cheapest new cars, the Sandero hatchback. And don’t think cheap automatically means corners have been cut because the Sandero has been commended at the annual What Car? Car of the Year awards on numerous occasions.

Other Dacia models include the seven-seat Jogger, higher-riding Sandero Stepway, Logan estate and Duster SUV. And while these cost slightly more than the Sandero, they’re still priced aggressively enough that they’re really only competing directly with used cars.

Dacia manages this by borrowing platforms and technology from its owner, Renault, to minimise development costs.

DACIA

SANDERO

Budget brand Dacia is less than two percentage points behind it, showing that you don’t need to spend a lot of money to get a dependable car. Its star performer, the previous-generation Sandero (pictured), is one of six cars to gain a 100% reliability rating this year.

2: Dacia - 97.3%

Hyundai has transformed itself from a maker of oddball hatchbacks that sold in small numbers in the UK, to a major rival to the likes of Ford, Vauxhall and Volkswagen.

The Korean firm’s Ioniq Hybrid is particularly impressive, having beaten the trend-setting Toyota Prius when we tested the cars back to back.

Meanwhile, at the extremes of the Hyundai range you find the tiny i10 city car – a four-time What Car? award winner – and the stylish yet family-friendly Santa Fe SUV.

As a bonus, all of these cars come with the reassurance of a five-year, unlimited-mileage warranty, whereas most of Hyundai’s rivals offer only three years and 60,000 miles of cover.

HYUNDAI

The previous generation i10 was a big winner for Hyundai, with a rating of 99.6%, with its larger i20 only just behind on 99.0%. The current i30 (pictured) is on 97.0%. It seems that problem areas can include the brakes and gearbox – but the brand’s very long five-year unlimited mileage warranty means that most problems were fixed for free.

=3: Hyundai - 97.1%

Suzuki is well known as a motorcycle manufacturer, but the car brand has been enjoying decent success in recent years, thanks to a line-up of neat, well-equipped and keenly priced models.

Its expertise focuses on smaller cars, although its high-riding SUV range is also hugely credible, especially the Ignis and Vitara, which are both rated highly by What Car?’s testers and which have enjoyed success at the What Car? Awards as a result.

Well priced, decent to drive and full of useful tech, Suzuki’s cars also generally stand out for delivering good fuel economy. The Ignis, Celerio and Baleno have all stood head and shoulders above the competition during our True MPG testing.

SUZUKI

SWIFT

Suzuki’s Swift is the third most reliable small car, on 99.3%, while its Vitara and Ignis are both in the top half of reliability in the small SUV class.

=3: Suzuki - 97.1%

Talk about taking an idea and running with it. The big-selling Mini hatchback is still at the core of the firm’s range, but its cute styling and relatively compact dimensions have been spun off into an estate (the Clubman) and an SUV (the Countryman), as well as a convertible.

Despite its small size, the Mini is a firmly premium product, and the three-door hatchback counts the Audi A1 and Volkswagen Polo among its key rivals.

The fact that Mini is owned by BMW brings some big advantages –&nbsp;not least the fact that its infotainment system is based on BMW’s industry-leading iDrive.

MINI

COUNTRYMAN

Mini’s Countryman (pictured) scored reasonably well in the small SUV space with a score of 96.4%, while its mainstay hatch model is the sixth most reliable small car, on 96.9%. Overall, it’s an impressive result for Mini, who were in 20th place last year.

=5: Mini - 97.0%

Toyota is a company undergoing a quiet revolution, as it works hard to replace its sensible but somewhat bland reputation with one for being a bit more daring, in areas such as the styling of its cars and its enthusiastic leadership of cutting-edge technology, such as hybrid systems.

That process seems to be working for buyers, with the hugely popular and striking-looking C-HR SUV in particular attracting a great deal of interest. The latest version of the hybrid Prius is also rated highly by What Car?; it’s the first Prius to go on sale that our testers have felt can truly compete all round with existing petrol or diesel rivals.

However, it’s worth noting that this period of transition is also a work in progress, and that many of the firm’s cars are still rated as being no more than average among class rivals by our testers.

TOYOTA

RAV4

Toyota has long been an impressively reliable brand, though it’s slipped slightly from third place last year. Brand highlights include the RAV4 (pictured), the second most reliable hybrid (99.1%), and the C-HR, on 96.1%.

=5: Toyota - 97.0%

While Mitsubishi sells both the Mirage hatchback and the L200 pick-up truck in the UK, the core of its range is in SUVs – handy, since this is one of the largest markets worldwide.

There’s an SUV to suit everyone, too. If you’re a company car driver, the Outlander PHEV mixes low fuel bills with a spacious interior. The ASX, meanwhile, is attractively priced against key rivals such as the Nissan Qashqai and Seat Ateca. Or, if you prefer mud to asphalt, the Shogun offers genuine off-road ability.

More SUVs are on the way, too, including one that’s rumoured to bring back the ‘Evo’ name made famous in rallying.

MITSUBISHI

ECLIPSE CROSS

This brand’s ranking is unchanged from last year. Its Eclipse Cross (pictured) is the most reliable family SUV on the market, with a remarkable 100% reliability score. However, buyers should be aware of the fact that the brand is closing down in the UK this autumn, which may create issues around future support for its cars.

7: Mitsubishi - 96.9%

Mazda can be summed up in a single word: bold. Not only do its cars generally look like nothing else on the market, but it’s also invested heavily in innovative engine technology.

So, while many car makers have moved to smaller turbocharged engines, Mazda instead offers larger motors that are still efficient. For example, the entry-level petrol option in the Mazda 3 is a 2.0-litre unit –&nbsp;far larger than what you’ll find in most rivals – but it remains very clean.

Highlights of Mazda’s line-up include the MX-5 sports car, which has won our Convertible of the Year Award multiple times, and the CX-5 large SUV, which was named as our inaugural best car for dog owners.

MAZDA

CX-3

Mazda highlights include the CX-3 (pictured), which is the second-most reliable small SUV, with a 100% score, and the CX-5 (petrol version), which is the second-most reliable large SUV, on 97.5%. The brand’s lovely MX-5 sports car is a bit further behind, with 95.1%.

8: Mazda - 95.9%

Saloon

Buyers seeking value for money should have Kia towards the top of their shopping list.

Although once a niche brand in the UK, today Kia outsells many more established brands, helped by its market-leading seven-year warranty and a strong reputation for reliability; in fact, Kia regularly finishes towards the top of our reliability surveys.

There are plenty of models to choose from, too, ranging from the small Picanto city car to the Ceed family hatchback and the Sorento large SUV. The Picanto was the first Kia to win its class at the What Car? Car of the Year awards.

OPTIMA PHEV

While Kia’s Rio and Picanto small cars only rank mid-table in that class, its XCeed and Ceed family cars are among the most reliable in that class, while its Optima (pictured) is the second-most reliable executive car. Its excellent and affordable E-Niro is the third most reliable electric car, with a score of 95.8%.

9: Kia - 95.8%

MG has a long heritage in the UK, and while these days it is owned by Chinese firm SAIC, it is slowly but surely beefing up its model range.

Kicking things off is the MG 3, a rival for affordable hatchbacks such as the Dacia Sandero and Skoda Fabia. Then there’s the ZS small SUV, which faces off against the likes of the Renault Captur and Seat Arona. And at the top of the range is the GS, which goes up against Dacia’s Duster and the Ssangyong Tivoli.

While any future MG products are likely to be introduced in China before coming to the UK, design work is still undertaken in the UK. MG’s design studio is based at Longbridge, where the brand made its name with models such as the MGB GT.

MG MOTOR UK

Temporary taxonomy to separate ZS EV from other models in the ZS range. Built by ChrisH 11/10/2019

ZS EV

China’s MG has been quietly tuning up its UK offering for some years now, and its upper mid-table position here is impressive for a newish brand. Its ZS EV (pictured) is the second-most reliable electric car, with a score of 96.5%.

10: MG - 95.7%

Citroën is probably most famous for its quirky design, and the latest cars from the brand live up to this tradition, featuring paintwork-protecting ‘Airbumps’ and eschewing the sporty looks favoured by most rivals.

Indeed, Citroën tends to keep away from sportiness altogether and instead tries to put comfort first.

Value (but not cheapness) is also key to the appeal of most Citroëns. And the company’s range includes everything from small hatchbacks (such as the C1 and C3) to big, family-friendly seven-seaters (the Spacetourer and Grand C4 Spacetourer).

The C3 Aircross SUV is another of its popular models, while a larger C5 Aircross is planned.

CITROEN

C3 AIRCROSS

This French brand has had an impressive climb to 11th place from 17th last year. Its C3 Aircross (pictured) is a particular highlight; it’s the third most reliable small SUV, with a score of 98.9%.

11: Citroen - 95.6%

One of the greatest success stories in the car world of recent decades is Skoda’s rise to become a hugely credible mainstream maker of good-value, good-sense cars.

Central to that success has been its place within the VW Group, alongside the Volkswagen brand itself, plus the likes of Seat and Audi. That has given it access to exactly the same underpinnings for its cars as the other brands, and it has complemented this by adding its own developments, from the way the cars drive and ride through to the features they have and the pricing.

The result is a range that extends from a city car to a large executive saloon, with family and large seven-seat SUVs too. There’s a wide variety of petrol and diesel engines, all of which are competitive for the class.

As a result, Skoda has a range of cars that is almost entirely class-leading or among the class leaders, and it has enjoyed long-time success at the What Car? Awards as a result.

SKODA

SUPERB

Skoda is the most highly ranked of the Volkswagen-owned brands. Its Superb&nbsp;(pictured) is the most reliable executive car (99.2%), while its various SUVs rank rather lower down in their classes.

12: Skoda - 95.0%

Munich-based BMW is most famous for its sports saloons, in particular the 3 Series and 5 Series. However, it actually builds almost every type of car imaginable: everything from two-seat convertibles to seven-seat MPVs.

The cheapest model in the BMW range is the 1 Series hatchback, which is a rival to the Audi A3, Mercedes-Benz A-Class and Volkswagen Golf. Meanwhile, at the other extreme is the i8 plug-in hybrid sports car, which costs more than £100,000.

BMW was also quick to capitalise on the rise of the SUV and now has six in its range: the X1, X2, X3, X4, X5 and X6.

All of this makes it one of the big three German prestige brands, along with Audi and Mercedes-Benz.

5 SERIES

German dependability has for long been a rather inaccurate term, and it’s striking that the top German brand comes in only 13th, though BMW is slightly up on last year. The previous model 1 Series is the most reliable family car, the 5 Series (pictured) is the most reliable luxury car, while the 3 Series also ranks third in the executive class. However, the figures are dragged down by its hybrids – its X5 45e is the least reliable in its class, with a score of 89.7%.

13: BMW - 94.7%

Honda is a company that doesn’t like to follow the crowd. So, while it competes in most of the traditional sectors of the car market, in each case it does something a little bit different.

The Jazz, for example, might look like just another rival to Britain’s best-selling car, the Ford Fiesta, but it’s actually much more practical than its rivals, with a flexible boot and Tardis-like interior.

The bigger Civic is also a practical choice, but it’s mainly distinguished by having eye-catching, love-it-or-hate-it styling, despite competing in a sector of the market that’s usually more conservative than a blue rosette.

And while it may not seem so radical now, Honda’s large SUV, the CR-V, was one of the first to forego any pretence of being an off-roader and instead focus on on-road driving dynamics.

HONDA

HR-V

A disappointing score from Honda, which was in fifth place last year. The previous model Jazz was fifth in its class, and the HR-V&nbsp;(pictured) is the most reliable small SUV, with an impressive 100% score. But the numbers are dragged down by the current Civic, which is 22nd (out of 24) in the family car class, with a score of 87.8%.

14: Honda - 94.2%

Tesla is a US brand&nbsp;that revolutionised&nbsp;the car industry, putting <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/best-electric-cars-2022/n17000">electric cars</a> in the limelight&nbsp;for the first time – helped by the personality and profile of boss Elon Musk.

Today, Tesla has a broader&nbsp;line-up than ever, with the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/tesla/model-3/saloon/review/n19010">Tesla Model 3</a> saloon&nbsp;and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/tesla/model-y/hatchback/review/n23624">Tesla Model Y</a> SUV the company's cheapest models. For those with bigger budgets or a need for more space, there's the larger <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/tesla/model-s/hatchback/review/n150">Tesla Model S</a> saloon and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/tesla/model-x/hatchback/review/n161">Tesla&nbsp;Model X</a> SUV.&nbsp;A&nbsp;new Roadster, complete with supercar-beating acceleration, is also in the works.

&nbsp;

TESLA

MODEL 3

Unranked last year due to not having enough samples to work from, Tesla puts in a resolutely mid-table performance this time around. Its best-selling model, the Model 3, ranks fifth (out of eight) in the EV class.

15: Tesla - 93.9%

Hatchbacks, SUVs, fast cars, electric cars: Renault makes them all, in a variety of shapes and sizes, so it has a line-up designed to tempt pretty much everyone.

From the roadside, the standout feature of them all is the design, with its cars now having a distinctive look that has won the firm a legion of fans for its flair and charm.

To drive and to own, the line-up is typically decent rather than outstanding. Best of the cars when they are rated against rivals are the Kadjar SUV, the fast RS models and the electric Zoe.

With new and used pricing also keen – and Target Price discounts through our New Car Buying marketplace usually more generous than most – there is the opportunity to negotiate an appealing price.

RENAULT

CLIO

Third from last last year, this is a good performance from Renault. Its big-selling Clio (pictured) only ranked mid-table in the small car class.

16: Renault - 93.7%

Today, the resurgent Seat brand is selling better cars than at any time in its history.

In large part, that’s because it is one of the brands owned by the VW Group. Underneath, all of the cars it sells are strongly related to similar models sold by Volkswagen itself, or the likes of Skoda and even Audi. If you are buying a Leon, for example, the hardware will be similar to that of the Golf, Octavia and A3.

But while Seat makes the most of this tie-up to offer everything from city, small and family cars, including estates, through to a full range of SUVs, it also adds in its own slice of character, both with its distinctive styling approach and because its engineers generally tune the cars to deliver sportier handling.

While all of its cars are decent, it is the SUVs that stand out. The Arona and Ateca are among the class leaders and have enjoyed triumphs at the What Car? Awards.

SEAT

IBIZA

Seat’s numbers were hit by a 15th (out of 17) place finish for the current Ibiza (pictured) in the small car class, only partly offset by a mid-table finish for the Leon in the family cars class. The Tarracco finished in 17th (out of 21) in the large SUV class.

17: Seat - 93.3%

Coupe

Audi is a brand that sets the standard for interior quality, and this, combined with its vast and ever-growing model line-up, has helped it become one of the ‘big three’ German prestige car makers, along with BMW and Mercedes-Benz.

The A3 hatchback, A4 executive saloon and Q7 SUV have all won their classes at the What Car? Car of the Year Awards in recent years, while the TT coupé is the most decorated car in the history of the ceremony.

At least some of Audi's success over the past 30 years can be attributed to the growth in sales of vehicles with four-wheel drive; the company arguably led the way in bringing 4x4 technology into the mainstream, with its Quattro coupé in the early 1980s.

Today, most Audis are available with at least the option of four-wheel drive, while the list of SUVs from the brand includes the Q2, Q3, Q5 and Q7.

AUDI

Audi slipped from 14th place last year. While its current TT (pictured) is top of the tree in the sports car class, Audi’s numbers were dragged down by the likes of the A4, 14th (out of 17) in the executive class, and A6, bottom of the class in the luxury group. Its SUVs are generally mid-table.

18: Audi - 92.8%

Volvo is now a true rival to the likes of Audi, BMW, Jaguar and Mercedes-Benz, offering an alternative take on premium executive cars to a rapidly growing fanbase.

After a string of strong launches – notably with the Mk2 XC90 and XC60 SUVs – it struck gold in early 2018 when it launched its smallest SUV, the XC40. When our testers compared the car with its rivals, they concluded that it was the best launch of the previous 12 months, earning it our coveted overall Car of the Year Award.

The good news is that, like many car makers, Volvo now uses the same structure underneath most of its cars – so if they get it right on one model, it usually bodes well for the rest. That’s the case here, with Volvo’s subsequent saloon and estate launches complementing the SUVs and making for a generally extremely appealing line-up.

VOLVO

Volvos are not quite as dependable as their image suggests. The V40 (pictured) is towards the bottom of the family car pack (on 93.0%), as are the XC60 and XC90 in the large SUV and luxury SUV classes respectively.

19: Volvo - 92.3%

The VW Group famously spends more money on research and development than any rival – and as a result, perhaps it should be no surprise that our testers rate its cars so consistently highly.

The fact that many of those cars use the same underpinnings also helps, because it means that if they get it right once, they have the foundations to keep on getting it right.

However, the Volkswagen brand faces plenty of tough competition, often from within, because the rapidly rising Seat and Skoda brands that are also part of the group have access to the same technology.

VOLKSWAGEN

POLO

VW’s Polo (pictured) was very nearly the most unreliable small car in our survey. However, the Golf was a mid-tabler in the family class, and similar positions were occupied by other VWs in their respective classes.

20: Volkswagen - 91.4%

Jaguars are consistently among the best-handling cars of their kind, with the firm’s model range encompassing the XE, XF and XJ saloons, the F-Type sports cars and multiple SUVs.

Jaguar was actually relatively late to launch its first SUV, the F-Pace, but it quickly followed it up with the smaller E-Pace and the all-electric I-Pace.

That SUV range will keep growing, too, with larger and more luxurious SUVs planned to take on the Porsche Cayenne and the Range Rover from sister brand Land Rover.

JAGUAR

E-PACE

While Jaguar’s XE petrol version did OK in the executive class (6th out of 17), the diesel version was much less reliable (15th out of 17). XF was roughly mid-table in the luxury class, but the E-Pace (pictured) was 27th out of 28 in the family SUV class.

21: Jaguar - 90.1%

Mercedes’ line-up is vast – ranging from the A-Class family hatchback through to staple saloons such as the C-Class and E-Class, and onwards towards multiple SUVs, luxury saloons and even sports cars. Coupés and convertibles are thrown into the mix as well.

As one of the ‘big three’ German brands, Mercedes most often finds itself competing with Audi and BMW but more recently has found itself fending off Jaguar and Volvo, too.

Mercedes models are known for comfort. One example of this is the E-Class, because while the Audi A6 has a plusher interior and the BMW 5 Series handles better, the E-Class is probably the most comfortable for a long motorway journey.

MERCEDES-BENZ

A CLASS

The overall figure for Mercedes was dragged down by the current A-Class (pictured), bottom of the group at 24 out of 24 in the family car class. The C-Class was similarly bottom of the executive class. The E-Class however was mid-table in the luxury class.

=22: Mercedes - 89.6%

Peugeot has its strongest model line-up for some years, with some of its cars now rated by our testers as being among the very best available.

Highlights focus around the firm’s newest SUVs, the 3008 and 5008. The 5008 was named Large SUV of the Year at the 2018 What Car? Awards, thanks to its appealing blend of space, interior quality and low running costs.

That bodes well for future launches, too, because many of the learnings from these cars will be passed on as new versions of existing cars are launched – something that could take many years, because the Peugeot range is so big, ranging from an entry-level supermini with the 108 to an executive saloon with the 508, up into the SUV range and also vans.

Buyers should evaluate some of the lower-rated cars in the range more carefully, though. Some are now quite old, and are subsequently left behind in terms of quality when compared with the opposition, making them below-average buys, in our estimation.

PEUGEOT

5008

Peugeot models like the 308, 3008 and 5008 (pictured) were mid-table in their respective classes.

=22: Peugeot - 89.6%

Vauxhall has an incredibly diverse range of cars on sale, a few of which stand out above the class average. Add in the fact that it still offers some of the largest Target Price discounts in the market (something it is trying, without huge success, to cut back on), and there are very good reasons to consider buying one of its better models.

However, you need to choose carefully, because it is also a brand in transition. It has a newish parent company – the same one that owns Citroën, DS and Peugeot. And while Vauxhall’s newer models tend to be competitive, some of the others feel dated; a quick check of our star ratings will reveal which is which.

Still, given the recent success of sister brands Citroën and especially Peugeot, each new launch should make its range more appealing to buyers.

VAUXHALL

ASTRA

The current Astra (pictured) was 23th out of 24 cars in the family class, though the Insignia Grand Sport did better in the executive class, at 7th out of 17 cars. Its Mokka X and Grandland X don’t fare especially well in their respective classes, however.

=22: Vauxhall - 89.6%

Porsche is best known as the quintessential sports car maker, but its line-up is increasingly diverse, interesting and successful, from its SUV family to the Panamera hatchback and shooting brake and, in time, a planned family of electric vehicles.

Whatever your choice, What Car?’s testers rate the cars highly; Porsche has an unusually high percentage of five and four-star cars.

Without exception, its sports cars are class leaders or among the class leaders, standing out for combining driving thrills with surprising luxury and comfort. Likewise, its SUVs are among the sharpest handling, as well as offering high levels of practicality and quality. Meanwhile, the Panamera is a true rival to the very best large executive saloons.

Porsche also sees itself as an electric car pioneer and has already enjoyed sales success with its plug-in hybrid range. Its first all-electric sports car is imminent, signalling the firm’s intent to stay relevant for many years to come.

PORSCHE

MACAN

Porsche’s have a reputation for everyday toughness, so this result is disappointing. Its 718 Cayman/Boxster models were bottom of the class in the sports car space. Conversely, though, its Macan (pictured) ruled the roost in the luxury SUV class, with a score of 97.9%.

25: Porsche - 89.4%

Alfa Romeo now has one of its strongest-ever model line-ups, after years of living off past glories.

The BMW 3 Series-rivalling Giulia executive saloon is one of the best cars in its class to drive and has performed very well in the annual What Car? Reliability Survey, while the closely related Stelvio competes in the booming SUV class.

Smaller and larger SUVs are planned, as is a two-door coupé version of the Giulia that will take on the Audi A5, BMW 4 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupé.

It’s all a long way from the days when Alfa Romeo just had a couple of dated hatchbacks (the Mito and Giulietta) and the niche 4C sports car in its range.

ALFA ROMEO

GIULIA

Alfa’s Giulia model (pictured) finished a disappointing 16th out of 17 cars in the executive class.

26: Alfa Romeo - 86.5%

Ford builds some of the most popular cars in the UK, including the Fiesta and Focus hatchbacks.

This success is partly down to longevity and the fact that there’s a Ford dealer around every corner. However, it’s also because Fords tend to offer good value and be among the best cars in their respective classes to drive.

The company’s huge range also helps; it offers everything from the small – but surprisingly practical – Ka+ to the large and lavishly equipped Edge SUV.

Meanwhile, other highlights of the range include the S-Max and Galaxy people carriers, the Mondeo executive car and the Ranger pick-up.

FORD

PUMA

Ford dropped from 15th place in 2020 to 27th. The main culprit seems to be the suspect reliability of the current Fiesta, which is bottom of the small car class with a disappointing score of 74.9%. The Focus doesn’t fare that much better in the size above, placed 19th out of 24 cars. The Puma (pictured) and Ecosport were 15th and 16th out of 20 in the small SUV class.

=27: Ford - 86.2%

Nissan turned up early to the SUV party, with its Qashqai paving the way for the countless models we see today. The Qashqai continues to sell in big numbers in the UK, too, and was also our overall Car of the Year in 2014.

Don’t think Nissan is just about SUVs, though. As well as the Qashqai, the smaller Juke and the larger X-Trail, the Japanese brand has the Micra hatchback, GT-R sports car and Navara pick-up truck.

Nissan was also one of the first big car makers to launch a fully electric car, with its latest Leaf being one of the best on the market.

Despite being based in Japan, Nissan has long committed to building cars in the UK, making several of its best-selling models at a huge factory in Sunderland.

NISSAN

LEAF

Nissan’s numbers were dragged down by its SUVs: the previous model Juke scored 19th out of 20 in small SUVs, Qashqai was 24th out of 28 in the family SUV class, and X-Trail bottom out of 21 cars in the large SUV class. They all overshadowed the previous model Leaf (pictured), which our survey suggests is the most reliable electric car right now, with a score of 98.6%.

=27: Nissan - 86.2%

Land Rover is synonymous with SUVs, and especially with the Defender – the rugged runabout that has seen service in war zones across the world, but also as part of the Queen’s personal garage.

If off-road prowess is one of Land Rover’s core values, though, the other is luxury. Indeed, the Range Rover, Range Rover Sport and Range Rover Velar are among the best luxury SUVs you can buy.

The Discovery, meanwhile, is a practical rival for the Audi Q7 and BMW X5, while the stylish Evoque (which is available as a three-door convertible as well as a traditional SUV) goes head to head with Audi’s Q3 and BMW’s X1.

In the coming years, we’ll see a new road-biased ‘Road Rover’ as well as an all-new Defender.

LAND ROVER

RANGE ROVER EVOQUE

The previous model Range Rover Evoque (pictured) and current Land Rover Discovery were both bottom of their respective classes. The Discovery Sport was 19th out of 21 cars in the large SUV class, while the full fat Range Rover was 7th out of 8 cars in the luxury SUV class. The stylish Range Rover Velar SUV is Land Rover’s best performer, with a score of 90.3%.

29: Land Rover - 82.5%

Sports

Modern Fiats fall into two categories: the retro models and those with more functional designs.

Cars in the first camp appeal to the heart and include the 124 Spider sports car and the 500 series: a hatchback, a convertible, an SUV and two MPVs.

By contrast, the remaining models rely on their practicality and attractive pricing, with the Panda city car, Tipo hatchback and Fullback pick-up truck all prime examples.

Fiat can trace its roots back to the 19th century but is now part of the Fiat Chrysler Automobiles group, along with Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Jeep and Maserati.

FIAT

124 SPIDER

Fiat drop to bottom of the class, from 24th place last year. Its 124 Spider (pictured) is second from bottom in our coupé, convertible and sports car category, and although we didn’t have enough responses to include the Fiat 500 in the value car results, its owners didn’t rate it very highly, either.

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<h2><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/2021-what-car-reliability-survey/n23397">Read the full 2021 What Car? Reliability Survey&nbsp;&gt;&gt;</a></h2>

30: Fiat - 82.0%

The most reliable car brands in 2021 - and the least

<h2>How our survey was conducted:</h2><ul><li>Owners told us about 18,119 cars</li> <li>218 models and 31 brands were then rated</li> <li>Cars were judged on the cost of repairs and time spent off the road –the two main factors involved in creating our unique reliability rating (as a percentage) </li></ul>

The Reliability Award is presented to those manufacturers that performed the best in our 2019 What Car? Reliability Survey. This year, more than 18,000 car owners responded to the survey, rating 218 models and 31 manufacturers. The brands&nbsp;that scored the highest take home our prizes this year.&nbsp;

Reliability Award

We reveal the most – and least – dependable car brands up to five years old, based on the experiences of more than 16,000 owners

The most reliable car brands in 2021 - and the least        

Yes, Aston Martin is the preferred manufacturer of a certain (not so) secret agent, but its latest cars offer a lot more than the chance to indulge your Bond fantasies.

The DB11 grand tourer, for example, won its price point at the What Car? Car of the Year Awards, thanks to its beautifully crafted interior and the fact that it’s both fun in the corners and a convincing long-distance cruiser. Meanwhile, the latest Vantage is Aston Martin’s best sports car to date.

The modern Aston Martin isn’t afraid to move with the times, either, with a luxury SUV part of its future model plans.

ASTON MARTIN

BMW ALPINA

The sportiest Seats have long used the&nbsp;Cupra name, but it's now been turned into a standalone sub-brand, in much the same way as Fiat's sportiest models are badged as Abarths.

There's just one car in the line-up at the moment: the Cupra Ateca SUV. However, Cupra versions of the Ibiza and Leon hatchbacks are also planned, as is a bespoke model which –&nbsp;initially, at least –&nbsp;won't be offered in regular Seat from.

Don't think that the first Cupra is just an Ateca with a bit more power and a sporty bodykit, either. Its&nbsp;engine, gearbox and four-wheel drive system are actually very similar to what you'll find in Volkswagen's flagship Golf R hot hatch, and the car can hit 62mph in just 5.4sec.

CUPRA

GENESIS

Lamborghinis have been adorning bedroom posters since the mid-1960s. Not bad for a company whose origins lie in making tractors.

Today, Lamborghini is part of the Volkswagen Group, and as well as bolstering its core sports car portfolio, it has branched out to launch the Urus – a luxurious SUV that’s a rival to the similarly rapid Bentley Bentayga W12 and Porsche Cayenne Turbo.

LAMBORGHINI

Do you look at the models of Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz and find them all a bit too… common? Well then, Maserati might be up your street.

This Italian car maker has one SUV in its line-up – the Porsche Cayenne-rivalling Levante – but also the Ghibli and Quattroporte saloons, GranTurismo coupé and GranCabrio drop-top.

Despite its long history, Maserati has been through several periods of inactivity but is now in better health thanks to being part of the large Fiat Chrysler Automobiles group.

In the future, we’re expecting to see Maserati grow its SUV range with new models to sit above and below the Levante, as well as a new range-topping sports car.

MASERATI

Owned by Mercedes-Benz and with a reputation for making small, clever cars, Smart offers a striking, upmarket alternative to more conventional rivals.

It currently has a two-car line-up, the smaller of the two being the distinctive Fortwo, which, as its name suggests, is an ultra-short two-seater that uses an unusual rear-engined configuration to deliver the sort of turning circle that even London taxis can only dream of. It's a doddle to park in small spaces, too.

Smart's 'family car' is the Forfour, which is little more than a stretched version of the Fortwo, with a second row of seats and a larger boot. It's more of a natural rival for cars like the Hyundai i10 or Kia Picanto.

On paper, both cars come at a considerable price premium when compared with rivals, something it says is justified by its badge appeal and the technology in the cars.&nbsp;However, sales have been slow and there are often keen Target Price deals to be found.

SMART

Ssangyong has made giant strides in recent years, after it was taken over by a new owner and given a injection of investment to help its bid to become a credible car maker.

The result so far is a range of cars dominated by SUVs (as well as a single pick-up), most of which are below the class average standard but all of which have merits, including the amount of space and practicality they offer for the money.

The highlight in the range is currently the Korando, a Nissan Qashqai rival that offers all the space of that car but for a price closer to the much smaller Nissan Juke’s. It is very roomy and has decent engines, but it’s let down a bit by interior quality, high running costs and poor resale values.

SSANGYONG

Once best known for its flame-spitting, rally-bred Imprezas, Subaru’s focus now is on cars that will appeal to a far wider audience, and especially one that values go-anywhere ability and no-nonsense values above all others.

The result is a mixed bag of offerings, none of which rise beyond being average in their class but most of which have facets that make them stand out from their rivals. Core to its range are the Forester and Outback SUVs, while the Levorg is a more conventional estate.

At other extremes, there’s also the BRZ, an entertaining coupé that is let down by its price and resale values, and of course the Impreza, which comes in a variety of forms, including a hot model.

SUBARU

A great&nbsp;all-rounder and the best car Lexus has launched for years

Lexus NX

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Comfortable ride </li> <li>Feature-filled infotainment </li> <li>Space for child seats </li> <li>Robust build quality </li> <li>Practical storage spaces </li> <li>A boot fit for a family holiday </li> <li>Fuel-efficient engines</li></ul>

While we define a small SUV&nbsp;as something&nbsp;less than 4.3 metres long and a large SUV as measuring more than 4.5 metres, family SUVs tread the middle ground.

As the name suggests, the vast majority are&nbsp;designed for family duties rather than serious off-roading, so practicality is paramount. However, that&nbsp;shouldn't come at the expense of a decent drive; the best examples combine tidy handling with smooth engines&nbsp;and a ride that's comfortable&nbsp;enough to ensure the kids aren't left feeling queasy.

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The most reliable car brands in 2021 - and the least

We reveal the most – and least – dependable car brands up to five years old, based on the experiences of more than 16,000 owners...

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