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Compared to 40 or 50 years ago, new cars are so much more reliable, it’s not even a contest. Still, some cars are naturally going to be more reliable than others, and with the latest technologies often being pretty expensive to repair, you’re going to want something long lasting if you plan to keep your car for more than a couple of years.
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Not everybody wants or can afford to buy brand new, though, so what about cars that are a few years old? They should cost less up front while still offering all the modern features you want. To help you out there, our friends at Consumer Reports recently put together a list of the most reliable three-year-old cars that you can buy. Click through to see what made the list.
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2021 Honda Civic
The Honda Civic has always been a popular compact car, and you can’t really go wrong with a gently used one, whether you pick the sedan or the hatchback. It’s also surprisingly fun to drive, and if you want to have even more fun, you can always spring for the sportier Civic Si.
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2021 Mazda 3
Like the Civic, the Mazda 3 is just downright fun to drive. Pair that with its gorgous styling, and you have a recipe for one of Jalopnik’s favorite mainstream cars. Visibility can be a bit of an issue in the hatchback version, but sometimes there’s a price you have to pay for beauty.
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2021 Toyota Corolla
The Toyota Corolla isn’t nearly as fun to drive as the Civic or the 3, but it still offers inexpensive, basic transportation in both sedan and hatchback forms. It also has one thing going for it that the other two don’t — a hybrid version that should average more than 50 mpg.
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2021 Toyota Prius
Don’t let fears of expensive battery failures scare you off from buying a used Prius. They’re one of the vehicles most likely to hit 200,000 miles and are routinely praised for their reliability. Whether you go for the regular Prius or the plug-in hybrid Prius Prime, you’ll be getting an incredibly reliable, super fuel-efficient car that should last you for years.
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2021 Hyundai Sonata
Not everyone is a fan of the redesigned Hyundai Sonata’s styling, but if it works for you, it really works. How Hyundai was able to pack this many design details into a midsize family sedan, we aren’t sure, but we appreciate that it did. The fact that it’s been pretty darn reliable certainly doesn’t hurt, either.
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2021 Toyota Avalon
Do you love the idea of the Toyota Camry but wish it was a bit bigger? If that’s the case, then you’re in luck. Just go buy a Toyota Avalon. Picking plankton out of the grille may be a hassle, but this car should easily last you several hundred thousand miles.
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2021 Toyota Camry
For decades, the Toyota Camry has been the default choice for anyone who simply wants a car. This generation upped the sportiness factor even if it still wasn’t nearly as fun to drive as the Honda Accord. Still, if long-term reliability is important, you’re going to have a hard time beating the Camry.
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2021 Acura TLX
Typically, you want to avoid luxury cars if you care about reliability, but the Acura TLX has proven reliable enough that you may be able to have your cake and eat it, too. We’re partial to the TLX Type S, but even the base version should offer enough style, comfort and sportiness to make most buyers happy.
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2021 BMW 5 Series
Seeing an Acura on a list of reliable cars may not be much of a surprise, but a BMW? Believe it or not, BMW has been making some serious strides on the reliability front. It might not be as trouble-free as a Camry, but it drives and rides better, so if you value those things, it may be worth taking a chance on a gently used 5 Series.
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2021 Lexus ES
The Lexus ES is essentially a Camry in a fancy suit, and that’s not a bad thing at all. You get Camry reliability with a luxury interior. The ES doesn’t even pretend to be fun to drive, so check out the Acura or BMW if you care about that, but if you want the most comfortable, reliable way to go about your business, it’s going to be hard to beat the Lexus ES.
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2021 Mazda MX-5 Miata
It’s a Miata. Need we say more?
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