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6. Toyota Camry — America’s Unbreakable Family Sedan
Quick specs (MY 2025)
- Powertrain: all-hybrid 2.5-L I-4 + dual-motor system — 225 hp (FWD) / 232 hp (AWD) (marketwatch.com, toyota.ca)
- EPA economy: 53 mpg city / 50 hwy / 51 combined on the LE; AWD trims lose only ≈2 mpg (greentoyota.com)
- 0-60 mph: as quick as 6.8 s (XSE AWD) — quicker than the outgoing gas I-4 (caranddriver.com)
- Trunk volume: 15.1 cu ft (plus a 60/40 split seat) (earlstewarttoyota.com)
- Base price: from $29,495 before destination (marketwatch.com)
- Quality & Reliability: 86/100 J.D. Power; winner of the 2025 VDS Midsize Car segment (jdpower.com, jdpower.com)
Why it owns our No. 6 slot
The Camry nailed a segment win in the latest J.D. Power Vehicle Dependability Study, then backed that up with an 86/100 Quality & Reliability score — putting real math behind the model’s long-standing reputation for longevity. Few midsize sedans combine triple-digit resale value, hybrid thrift, and all-weather AWD in the same showroom. (jdpower.com, jdpower.com)
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High fives — owner-approved perks
| 👍 Advantage | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Hybrid that just works | Proven Toyota hybrid hardware needs little more than gas and oil — taxi-fleet tough. |
| Prius-like mileage | 50-plus mpg lets you skip half the fill-ups versus turbo rivals. (greentoyota.com) |
| Optional AWD | Rare in this class; keeps traction when Colorado turns white. (marketwatch.com) |
| Rock-solid resale | Toyota residuals soften the hit when you trade up in five years (industry data consistently ranks Camry top-three for retained value). |
Caveats — where the shine dulls
| 👎 Drawback | What you give up |
|---|---|
| No more V-6 | Hybrid is quick enough, but V-6 loyalists may miss the 301-hp punch. |
| Engine drone under load | e-CVT holds revs on long climbs; not everyone loves the soundtrack. |
| Interior still business-casual | Hard plastics show up below the beltline; Mazda 6 (when new) felt richer. |
| Seat/back support complaints | A slice of owners note firm cushions and road noise on coarse asphalt. (edmunds.com) |
Verdict
The 2025 Camry proves “responsible” doesn’t have to mean “boring.” It sips fuel like a subcompact, sprints to 60 in under seven seconds, and — most important for this list — posts the fewest owner-reported problems of any midsize sedan three years out. If your dream daily driver is one you barely remember the dealer’s address for, Toyota’s evergreen four-door more than earns its No. 6 berth on our 2025 dependability roster.
5. Mazda MX-5 Miata — The Evergreen Reliability Hero
Quick specs (MY 2025)
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- Engine: 2.0 L Skyactiv-G I-4, 181 hp / 151 lb-ft; 6-speed manual or automatic, RWD (jdpower.com)
- 0-60 mph: ≈ 5.5 s (Car and Driver instrumented test) (caranddriver.com)
- Curb weight: ≈ 2,366 lb (manual soft-top) (mazdausa.com)
- EPA mileage: 26 mpg city / 35 hwy / 29 combined (jdpower.com)
- Base MSRP: $28,010 – $39,062 depending on trim (jdpower.com)
- Reliability call-out: Mazda ranks 3rd-best mass-market brand in the 2025 J.D. Power VDS (161 PP100) (woodhousemazda.com)
Why it reaches No. 5
The MX-5 turns up in Consumer Reports’ 2025 Top-10 Predicted Reliability list and benefits from Mazda’s bronze-medal finish in the latest J.D. Power study. A naturally-aspirated engine, simple rear-drive layout, and sparse electronics mean fewer parts to fail—owners report extraordinarily low power-train and infotainment issues three years in. (consumerreports.org, woodhousemazda.com)
High fives — owner-approved perks
| 👍 Advantage | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Simplicity = durability | No turbo, no hybrid bits, no AWD complexity—just bullet-proof mechanicals. |
| Featherweight fun | ~2,300 lb + near-50/50 balance keep tires, brakes and wallets happy. |
| Manual joy with warranty | 5-yr/60k-mi power-train coverage cushions spirited driving (woodhousemazda.com) |
| Surprisingly frugal | 29 mpg combined matches some compact sedans yet delivers convertible thrills (jdpower.com) |
Caveats — where the grin shrinks
| 👎 Drawback | Trade-off |
|---|---|
| Tiny cabin & trunk | Two carry-ons max; forget Costco runs. |
| Noise on long hauls | Thin soft-top and 7,000-rpm engine melody can wear on interstates. |
| Driver aids mostly optional | Blind-spot and AEB cost extra on entry trims. |
| Winter hibernation | RWD + summer tires = snow-day garage queen for many owners. |
Verdict
The Miata’s recipe hasn’t changed in 35 years—and that’s exactly why it rarely lands in the shop. With top-five reliability backed by real-world owner data, the 2025 MX-5 proves you can chase apexes without dreading repair invoices. If “smiles per mile” and “problems per mile” both matter, Mazda’s pint-sized roadster fully earns its No. 5 slot on our 2025 dependability leaderboard.
