Lexus and Toyota are the most reliable used car brands according to Consumer Reports

Americans looking for a used car can reduce the risk of problems later by choosing certain brands over others. Lexus and Toyota topped a recent list from Consumer Reports magazine.

In the nonprofit research and advocacy group's initial ranking of 26 brands, Lexus and Toyota have a clear lead over third-place Mazda. All three brands have consistently received average or better reliability ratings over the years, Consumer Reports noted.

“Brands like Lexus and Toyota have a tradition of conservative redesigns, making incremental improvements across their entire product line rather than introducing many entirely new systems,” said Steven Elek, senior automotive data analyst at Consumer Reports. “Our data consistently shows over time that cars from these brands are reliable when they're new and that they remain reliable as they age,” he added.

Acura and Honda complete the top five brands, while Tesla, Dodge and Chrysler rank 24th, 25th and 26th respectively.

Certain brands are less consistent across their model lines. For example, the 2018 and 2019 Chevrolet Equinox models have above-average reliability over the six years that generation was offered, while the entire 2014-2019 Chevrolet Silverado generation has below-average ratings. “It's best to check the reliability ratings for each model year,” Elek said. “Making assumptions can prove both costly and impractical.”

For those looking to spend less than $10,000, CR recommends the 2017 Chevrolet Cruze. The economical sedan “shines with its comfortable ride, relatively spacious interior and the effortless power of a turbocharged four-cylinder.”

The 2019 Hyundai Elantra is recommended for anyone with a budget of $15,000 or less, “due to its user-friendly controls, spacious interior with roomy back seat, and impressive fuel efficiency,” according to CR. The 2018 Honda HR-V is recommended for anyone looking for an SUV in the same price range.