BMW 2 Series
2018 BMW 2 Series
The BMW 2 Series is also highly rated in terms of dependable cars, giving those who choose to buy one of these luxury autos access to a vehicle they can count on. Of course, it also has everything else you expect from BMW, including the latest features and technology, a powerful engine, and eye-catching styling. Compared to the other BMWs, the 2 Series is a compact car available in a range of body styles, such as a coupe or convertible.
The latest BMW 2 Series offers a range of powerful engines, including a 248-horsepower 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder and a 335-horsepower 3.0-liter turbocharged 6-cylinder. Although you get rear-wheel drive standard with the BMW 2 Series, you can choose a model with all-wheel drive. Some models even come with a Track Handling package that upgrades the steering, suspension, and brakes.
The only thing to keep in mind before buying the BMW 2 Series for your next auto is that this is a compact car and as such, it is not ideal for rear-seat passengers, particularly tall ones and especially in the coupe body style. You should also remember that although the BMW 2 Series is reliable, the cost can quickly rocket as you add upgrades, with the cost jumping thousands or tens of thousands when all is said and done.
All of the recent BMW 2 Series models have similarly good dependability and reliability ratings, but you will also want to be aware of variations between these models so you know which year to go with. The current generation began in 2014 and changes have been mostly minimal. You will, however, need to opt for a 2015 model or newer if you want the convertible or all-wheel drive and will need to go up to 2016 if you want the M2 performance-oriented version.
The BMW 2 Series’ excellent reputation for dependability extends to safety as well, giving you peace of mind as you drive around town. You will also appreciate the well-built interior that is nice and refined. Just remember that you do need to upgrade to get advanced safety features like lane-departure warning and parking sensors with the 2 Series.
Subaru BRZ
Subarus are known for extreme reliability and the BRZ is no exception to this rule. To give you peace of mind, a new BRZ comes with a 36,000-mile or three-year limited warranty plus a 60,000-mile or five-year powertrain limited warranty. This model is actually almost always on lists of the most reliable vehicles, showing that experts are in agreement that the BRZ will last you for a long time and be unlikely to let you down while you are behind the wheel or planning to get behind it. In fact, Consumer Reports listed this as its runner-up in recent reliability rankings, indicating the Subaru BRZ is very unlikely to lead to problems for owners.
Interestingly enough, the Subaru BRZ is actually a very close twin to the Toyota 86, as the 86 was a joint effort between Subaru and Toyota. This means that you can get the same dependability, styling, and other factors form the BRZ by choosing the Toyota 86 if you have a brand preference. Most rankings of reliable vehicles that include one will actually include both models in their title, which is exactly what Consumer Reports did.
There are, however, a few key differences between the BRZ and the 86 which may make you choose one auto over the other. The front fascia is different, featuring a unique headlight and grille assembly plus a unique front fender vent. The grilles are also different, being hexagonal on the BRZ and trapezoidal on the Toyota. The Subaru BRZ also has wraparound LED parking lights within the headlight assembly; in rear, the daytime running lights are within the bumper. The suspension of the BRZ and 86 are also different, making it important to carefully consider whether the Subaru BRZ or Toyota 86 will be the better choice for your dependable auto to own.
Compared to other sports cars, the Subaru BRZ not only offers dependability, but also a budget-friendly option. The latest BRZ has a 2.0-liter flat-four with 205 horsepower and your choice of a 6-speed manual or automatic. As a sports car, however, do not expect to have a spacious back seat or trunk; the point of the BRZ is fun and a racing feel, not family-friendliness.
