Tips to Shop Reliable Cars in 2025 - Money Tip Tuesday

Buying a car is a big deal. Unless you live in a walkable area, your car is likely the primary method of transportation used to get around. If so, you’ll want something reliable as well as affordable. Many factors affect the price of vehicles from inflation, chip shortages, supply chain interruptions, and even the possibility of looming tariffs.

At the time of this recording the average new car price is around $48,000 and with a price tag like that, it may be wise to make sure the next car you choose is reliable. But with so many cars to choose from, how do you know which is the best for you? Keep listening to learn what cars should be your next ride. 

Links:

• Check out the Consumer Report for the Most Reliable Cars for 2025
• Shop for a new car with Triangle's AutoSmart tool
• Learn more about Mechanical Repair Coverage
• Check out TCU University for financial education tips and resources! 
• Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter! 
• Learn more about Triangle Credit Union

Transcript:

Welcome to Money Tip Tuesday from the Making Money Personal podcast.  

A good place to start when looking for a reliable vehicle is Consumer Reports. Consumer Reports is a nonprofit organization that unbiasedly tests products with consumers in mind, to educate and inform potential buyers. For this particular report, they asked their members about the variety of car problems they encountered in the past 12 months. As a result, Consumer Reports gathered information on over 300,000 vehicles with model years ranging from 2000 to 2025.  

They then looked at problem areas, from minor inconveniences such as squeaky brakes and broken interior trim to major problems like engine or transmission issues. Consumer Reports then used the results to score the reliability of vehicles in all the different areas, with the major problems being weighted more. 

According to Consumer Reports’ findings, the top 3 most reliable new car brands for 2025 are Subaru, Lexus, and Toyota. On the other side, the bottom 3 unreliable new car brands turned out to be GMC, Cadillac, and Rivian. For those looking to buy a used car, the top 3 most reliable brands are Lexus, Toyota, and Mazda. The bottom 3 unreliable brands are Dodge, Jeep, and Chrysler.  

If you were considering getting an electric vehicle, Consumer Reports found that hybrids are the way to go. Results showed they are incredibly fuel efficient and just as reliable as gas powered cars. It was revealed that pure electric vehicles, on the other hand, have 42% more problems than gas-powered and hybrids and plug-in hybrids have 70% more problems than gas-powered and conventional hybrids. For those thinking of purchasing an electric vehicle it’s important to consider how much driving you plan on doing. They don’t have as far a range as gas-powered and hybrid vehicles, so make sure the infrastructure around you and wherever you plan to travel supports electric vehicles. Remember to check beforehand to see if there are any charging stations near you. 

To explore more information and data on this particular report, visit consumerreports.org or check the link in the show notes. 

Another great way to determine a car’s reliability is to ask a trusted mechanic. They work constantly on cars and know which ones come in the most and what common issues are. Before buying a car, you can take it to a mechanic for an inspection. Similarly, ask friends and family what kind of car they drive, if they like it, and how dependable it is. 

Okay, so what if you’re considering a car that maybe wasn’t on the Consumer Report’s top reliable vehicle list. Maybe you’ve been eyeing that Jeep, Cadillac or Rivian for quite some time now? That’s completely fine! Just do your research beforehand, talk to friends and mechanics to make sure you’re fully aware of any long-term costs and maintenance associated with your vehicle. Another great way to make sure your car doesn’t end up costing you more than you initially planned, is to consider getting Mechanical Repair Coverage, or MRC for short. MRC can help limit unexpected, covered repairs as your vehicle ages, potentially saving you thousands of dollars. Learn more about MRC and how to get it today at Triangle Credit Union. Visit trianglecu.org to check it out! 

If there are any other tips or topics you'd like us to cover, let us know at tcupodcast@trianglecu.org. Also, remember to like and follow our Making Money Personal Facebook and Instagram to share your thoughts. Finally, remember to look for our sponsor, Triangle Credit Union, on Facebook and LinkedIn.        

Thanks for listening to today's Money Tip Tuesday. Check out our other tips and episodes on the Making Money Personal podcast.