I'm a Mechanic: 5 Affordable Family Cars That Don't Break Down as Much
Learn More:
For You:
If you need a highly reliable family vehicle that won't break the bank, start with these models recommended by mechanics and auto repair experts.
Toyota RAV4
New Models Start At: $30,645 (Kelley Blue Book)
Toyota and its luxury brand Lexus rank second and third among the most reliable car manufacturers, according to the 2025 Consumer Reports study. For decades, Toyota's top priority has remained dependability.
'The RAV4 is highly reliable, especially in model years 2019-2023 which had simpler electronic systems,' explained Marc Skirvin, cofounder of Cash Auto Salvage. 'Parts are readily available, and servicing is cheap, with independent mechanics being able to work on these vehicles without expensive diagnostic tools.'
I Bought a Hybrid Car:
Honda CR-V
New Models Start At: $31,495
One of the prime competitors of the RAV4 as a compact SUV is Honda's CR-V.
Skirvin especially likes model years 2017-2022 for reliability. 'Our salvage operations yield a high reliability on Honda CR-V models, where less than 5% end up having engine or transmission issues,' he said. 'When CR-Vs show up in our yard, they're usually the result of collision or flood damage, not mechanical issues we find with other brands.'
Honda Odyssey
New Models Start At: $43,670
Looking for a minivan with three rows of seats? The Honda Odyssey remains a perennial favorite among mechanics.
Alan Gelfand, mechanic and owner of German Car Depot, raved about the Odyssey's spacious interior and reliability. 'The Variable Cylinder Management system in the 3.5-liter V6 engine provides high fuel efficiency without compromising on reliability standards,' he explained. 'The sliding door tracks of this vehicle and its belt-driven accessories have proven to be long-lasting and avoid sudden trips to the repair shop.'
Toyota Sienna
New Models Start At: $40,635
Landing on Kelley Blue Book's list of Best Family Cars, the Sienna offers another great option for a three-seat minivan. It doesn't hurt that the starting price clocks in $3,000 lower than the Odyssey.
'The Sienna offers a hybrid model which provides excellent fuel efficiency alongside the typical Toyota durability standards,' added Gelfand. 'The e-CVT transmission features a sealed design that requires no maintenance because it does not leak.'
The minimal height step entrance helps families hop in, and the foldable flat seats simplify hauling both sports equipment and bulky furniture.
Hyundai Palisade
New Models Start At: $38,695
Prefer a three-row SUV rather than a minivan? Try the Hyundai Palisade. It, too, scored a slot on Kelley Blue Book's list of Best Family Cars.
'The Palisade has gained a reputation for reliability based on its dependable first-year performance and long warranty,' noted Andrew Franks, cofounder of accident management service Claimsline. 'It has a highly equipped interior with advanced technology and safety features.'
More From GOBankingRates
Mark Cuban Warns of 'Red Rural Recession' -- 4 States That Could Get Hit Hard
These Cars May Seem Expensive, but They Rarely Need Repairs
How Much Money Is Needed To Be Considered Middle Class in Your State?
This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: I'm a Mechanic: 5 Affordable Family Cars That Don't Break Down as Much
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
20 minutes ago
- Yahoo
‘Flying Car' Industry Taxis Toward Takeoff
'We wanted flying cars; instead, we got 140 characters,' venture capitalist Peter Thiel, himself an early Facebook investor and thus key financier of the first social media age, quipped in 2013. Since his remark, the character limit for posts on Twitter — rechristened X under Thiel's fellow PayPal mafia barone Elon Musk — has climbed to 280 (or 25,000 for paid subscribers). As for cars, they're still not flying. A US-based startup, backed by Japan's Toyota, and a freshly capitalized initiative in China could change that as soon as next year. READ ALSO: Trump's 'Biggest Deal Ever' With EU Prompts Yawn From Wall Street and Can Tesla and Samsung Find Salvation in Each Other? Shares to the Sky 'Flying car' is a colloquial term best associated with futures imagined by sci-fi filmmakers. But outside the dystopian cityscapes of Blade Runner or The Fifth Element, here on Earth, they go by a much wonkier industry term: electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) craft. There's also no futuristic hovering technology — current eVTOLs in development by Santa Cruz-based, Toyota-backed Joby Aviation and Chinese carmaker XPeng get off the ground with old-fashioned propeller and rotor technology. In both cases, that has been more than enough to send their shares into liftoff: Joby, which already has a small fleet of air taxis conducting test runs, last week announced plans to expand its California facility to build 24 of its eVTOL craft per year. It also plans to pursue commercialization by seeking certification from the Federal Aviation Administration and expand production to an Ohio facility where it hopes to mass-produce as many as 500 crafts every year. Propping up the effort is 22% shareholder Toyota, which has invested roughly $900 million in the publicly traded startup (shares are up 122% this year). And then there's Xpeng Aeroht, Xpeng's flying car division, which earlier this month said it secured $250 million in Series B funding to expedite the mass production of its Land Aircraft Carrier, a Cybertruck-resembling all-terrain vehicle with a detachable, helicopter-like air module. Xpeng Aeroht is planning mass production of the vehicle, commencing next year in Guangzhou, with a roughly $280,000 price tag and a facility with a projected annual capacity of 10,000 units. Its parent company's shares are up 59% this year. Toyota, meanwhile, has expanded its exposure to the segment as another startup with its backing, Japan-based SkyDrive, obtained initial certification for an eVTOL earlier this year, which could eventually lead to commercialization. The barriers to adoption vary, depending on the market. For example, Xpeng Aeroht produces a smaller eVTOL, the X2, which is technically for sale in Australia, but regulatory uncertainty means using one legally may be at least a year away (and require a pilot's license). Dubai's the Limit: Joby had initially targeted offering commercial passenger services in Dubai, where Xpeng Aeroht tested an eVTOL back in 2022, by the end of this year. That timeline has been bumped to early 2026, seven years after Blade Runner but well ahead of The Fifth Element's setting in the 23rd century. This post first appeared on The Daily Upside. To receive delivering razor sharp analysis and perspective on all things finance, economics, and markets, subscribe to our free The Daily Upside newsletter. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Hamilton Spectator
2 hours ago
- Hamilton Spectator
‘Immediately stop using': Honda boat engines sold in Canada recalled
Health Canada has issued a product recall notice for certain models of Honda Outboard Engines recalled over injury risk. When shifting quickly between forward and reverse, Health Canada says the force of the shift actuator pivot hitting the 'R' stopper may exceed the fatigue stress limit. 'This may lead to failure of the actuator rod, resulting in the inability to shift the outboard motor and increasing the risk of a crash,' Health Canada said. As of July 24, no reports of incidents or injuries in Canada have been received. 'Immediately stop using the recalled products and contact an authorized Honda Marine dealer for a free repair,' Health Canada warns in their July 29 recall notice . Product recall issued for certain models of Honda Outboard Engines due to injury risk. This recall impacts Honda outboard boat engines. Recalled engines are silver with 'Honda' printed in black on the side. Model numbers impacted are: BF115, BF150 and BF350. The models and components affected in this recall are different from those in the 2023 Honda Outboard Engine recall, Health Canada notes. You can report a food concern or complaint to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency online. Consumers can report any health or safety incidents related to the use of products by filling out a consumer product incident report form . Report any drug or health product side effects or complaints to Health Canada. You can check for more recall notices published by Health Canada and CFIA online . Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Yahoo
Honda Should Be Concerned About The Toyota Corolla Hybrid's Price And Efficiency
Honda Should Be Concerned About The Toyota Corolla Hybrid's Price And Efficiency originally appeared on Autoblog. Compact cars get more efficient Compact cars are known for being more efficient than their larger counterparts, and they get even more efficient in hybrid form. The Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla have one of the industry's most intense rivalries, and now it looks like that battle is extending into the hybrid realm. With the addition of the Honda Civic Hybrid to the range for the 2025 model year, these Japanese compact sedans were destined to go tire-to-tire eventually. The Toyota Corolla Hybrid is more affordable The Honda Civic Hybrid is available in both sedan and hatchback bodystyles. In sedan form, the 2026 Civic Sport Hybrid is priced from $29,295. It rides on black 18-inch alloy wheels, with LED lighting and heated side mirrors. Inside, the Civic Sport Hybrid features red ambient lighting, sport pedals, and heated seats. A seven-inch touchscreen display comes standard, along with eight speakers and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. The Sport Touring Hybrid starts at $32,295, with upgrades that include a nine-inch touchscreen display, a premium Bose 12-speaker audio system, and wireless smartphone connectivity and charging. The Honda Civic Hybrid hatchback comes with a similar set of amenities, minus the red ambient lighting and a few other features. Like in the sedan, there's a $3,000 difference between the two available trim levels. The Sport Hybrid model will cost you $30,495, while the top-spec Sport Touring Hybrid is priced from $33,495. The Toyota Corolla Hybrid is only available in sedan body style, but it significantly undercuts its Japanese competitor in price. In base form, the Corolla Hybrid LE starts at $23,825, which is more than $5,000 cheaper than the Honda Civic Hybrid in either body style. Practicality is the name of the game, and the base Corolla Hybrid rolls out on 16-inch wheels complemented by LED headlights. Toyota has been upping its tech game, though, and all Corolla Hybrid models come with standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. The Hybrid SE offers a sportier look, but opting for the mid-tier model will cost you $26,265. That price tag nets you a few notable upgrades, including 18-inch alloy wheels, a sport mesh black front grille with LED lighting, and sport seats. The Hybrid SE also sees wireless smartphone charging added to its standard equipment. The Hybrid XLE, starting at $28,190, is designed for comfort with a handful of upscale amenities, like SofTex-trimmed heated front seats and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. The 2025 Toyota Corolla Hybrid is incredibly efficient Toyota is known for practicality over frills, and the Corolla Hybrid definitely got the memo. Designed to offer transportation and little else, the Toyota Corolla Hybrid LE and XLE earn up to 53 mpg in the city and 46 mpg on the highway, for a combined 50 mpg. The sportier SE trim sees fuel economy drop three miles per gallon across the board due to its larger wheels. Unfortunately, Toyota doesn't currently offer a hybrid-powered Corolla hatchback. Make no mistake - driving the Toyota Corolla Hybrid isn't going to be a thrill ride. Under the hood lies a 1.8-liter four-cylinder hybrid engine that produces just 138 horsepower and 105 lb-ft of torque. Interestingly, Toyota offers all-wheel drive as an optional upgrade to the tune of $1,400, but performance remains the same. Adding all-wheel drive reduces fuel economy to 51 mpg in the city and 44 mpg on the highway in the Corolla Hybrid LE model. Both 2026 Honda Civic Hybrid models earn similar fuel economy, which makes sense considering they share the same hybrid powertrain. The sedan is the more efficient option, earning up to 50 mpg in the city and 47 mpg on the highway, for a combined 49 mpg. The hatchback model earns 50 mpg in the city as well, but fuel economy drops by two miles per gallon, leading to a combined 48 mpg. The Honda Civic Hybrid comes equipped with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine paired with two electric motors. It produces a combined 200 horsepower, significantly more than its Toyota counterpart. Honda only offers the Civic Hybrid with front-wheel drive, though, so if you want an all-wheel drivetrain, you'll have to opt for the Corolla Hybrid. Final thoughts The Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla are two of the industry's most well-known nameplates, with the latter standing as one of the best-selling vehicles in the world. With the addition of a hybrid-powered Civic, their rivalry ignites in yet another segment. While the Honda Civic Hybrid is available in both body styles, neither can compete with the Toyota Corolla Hybrid's price. If all you care about is transportation, then Toyota's offering is the way to go. If you want a little more engaged driving experience while earning similar fuel economy, the Civic Hybrid's 200 horsepower goes a long way. Honda Should Be Concerned About The Toyota Corolla Hybrid's Price And Efficiency first appeared on Autoblog on Jul 29, 2025 This story was originally reported by Autoblog on Jul 29, 2025, where it first appeared.
