Six of the most reliable cars

Six of the most reliable cars to add to your fleet 

Reliability can fly under the radar in the face of fancy new tech, but it’s likely top of your list if you’re looking for new fleet vehicles

We’ve done the hard work for you, and dug through the What Car? 2022 Reliability Survey to find six of the most reliable – and the best – vehicles available for your fleet, so you can rest easy knowing your drivers are safe and secure when they’re out and about. 

The last thing you need is for your cars to start breaking down left, right and centre. Leasing new cars does take away some of that risk, but it’s still worth knowing just how reliable your new addition is likely to be.

The What Car? annual survey uses data from 25,000 car owners, and breaks it down into categories like large SUV, small SUV and executive car, so you can find the perfect vehicle without the niggling worry that it might break down in the first week.

From luxury SUVs to executive estates, we’ve left no stone unturned in finding some of the best cars out there that prove to be as reliable as four doors and four wheels can be.

1. BMW 2 Series Active Tourer

While the MPV used to be king when it came to big cars, most people now opt for something more akin to an off-roader.

But BMW haven’t taken their eye off the MPV ball yet, and the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer still stands up as one of the best – and most reliable – big cars for a lot of people. With sporty looks, a class-leading interior, and plenty of equipment as standard, it makes an excellent choice.

There’s plenty of room for two six-footers in the back, and the boot is one of the largest available as 470L. The powered tailgate and low loading lip makes it a doddle to load bulky and heavy items, and the storage space dotted throughout the cabin makes the 2 Series one of the most practical cars around.

And coming in third place in the MPV class in the reliability survey, with a three-year unlimited mileage warranty, you can rest easy knowing this dependable vehicle is an excellent addition to your fleet.

2. Audi Q2

After showing the world it could create successful medium and large SUVs, Audi turned their hand to crafting the perfect small SUV – and succeeded.

The Audi Q2 is not just a stylish compact SUV, but a practical one too. All models come with the essentials (DAB radio, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, USB socket), and plenty of safety kit, including automatic emergency braking and six airbags.

The build quality matches the prestige of the badge on its grille, and the interior is spacious enough that your driver and any passengers won’t feel like they’re sat on top of each other. Plus, it’s just as dependable as it is luxurious, placing third in the small SUV category in the 2022 reliability survey.

If you’re after a premium SUV, the Audi Q2 has all the ingredients to become an excellent addition to your fleet.

3. Lexus NX

Coming third in the large SUV class in the What Car? reliability survey, the Lexus NX is a bit of a left-field choice, but a supremely good one.

Lexus as a manufacturer placed first in the reliability by brand category, so you can rest easy knowing the NX isn’t going to give you nightmares.

It’s a big car, so there’s plenty of space inside for five adults on short journeys and four adults on longer ones. The boot is a respectable 420L, there’s plenty of storage space dotted about the cabin, and the materials used throughout are as hard-wearing as they are good-looking.

And if you’re looking for an economical car, the Lexus NX makes for an excellent choice – the 350h hybrid model produces less CO2 and has better fuel efficiency than both the Audi Q5 and the BMW X3.

4. Skoda Superb

In a world where space is luxury, the Skoda Superb is basically a castle on wheels.

It is truly cavernous. Not only is the cabin so large that your drivers and their passengers will feel like they need megaphones to talk to each other, but the 660L boot is big enough for 11 carry-on suitcases, or one really bulky item.

There’s very little else on the market that offers the same space for the Superb’s superb price.

And with the Skoda Superb placing fourth in the executive class in the reliability survey, you know you’re getting a car that’s just as reliable as it is massive.

The suite of safety kit only adds to the Superb’s appeal, with all models coming with stability control, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, a driver fatigue sensor and e-Call emergency response, so you know your drivers are protected and safe when out and about.

5. Toyota RAV4

One of the most efficient cars in its class, the Toyota RAV4 is also highly reliable, placing first in the large SUV category.

It’s a very good SUV if you’re looking for a good SUV – lofty driving position, chunky dashboard controls, wide interior. There’s plenty of cabin storage too (cubby under the front armrest, door bins, cupholders, key tray), and the boot is bigger than most rivals.

The Toyota RAV4 also comes equipped with plenty of kit as standard, including adaptive cruise control, dual-zone climate control, alloy wheels, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, automatic braking, lane-keeping assistance and an SOS emergency call function.

It’s an excellent – and affordable – choice if you’re after a large SUV.

6. Volkswagen Touareg

Nabbing first place in the luxury SUV category in the 2022 reliability survey, the Volkswagen Touareg is a luxury SUV that offers something a little different to premium-badged rivals.

It’s sat on the same platform as the Audi Q7 (and in turn the Bentley Bentayga and Porsche Cayenne, which all share the same foundations), so it has all the ingredients to be a truly world-class luxury SUV, for a smaller price.

And it succeeds.

With a palatial interior, competitive boot and plenty of kit to keep your drivers connected, entertained and safe on the roads, it’s the perfect addition to anyone who is looking for that luxury feel for less.