Ten Toughest Cars On The Road

Forbes - Jacqueline Mitchell

Consumers are finding vehicles able to withstand the daily demands of life in some unlikely places.

The Honda showroom is one. There, buyers looking for reliable, safe vehicles with low repair costs and reports of problems will find the Odyssey. It ranked first on our list of most durable vehicles. The Honda Pilot, CRV, Civic and Accord also made the list.

That's no surprise, say industry experts. The Japanese automaker typically stands above the competition in quality and reliability surveys.

In Depth: 10 Toughest Cars On The Road

"Honda builds an outstanding product," says Dave Wurster, president of Vincentric, an automotive research company. "They are highly reliable, and they last a long time. Their vehicles work well long into the future.”

Other durable rides include small SUVs like the Subaru Forester and Volvo's XC90 and the more luxurious Audi A4 and Acura RDX.

Behind The Numbers

In compiling our list, we looked at several key measures. To gauge safety, we used both the most recent National Highway Transportation and Safety Administration and Insurance Institute of Highway Safety front and side crash-test ratings. Vehicles had to have received at least a four-star rating out five from the NHTSA. Only a top rating of "good" in front, side and rear crash testing was acceptable from the institute.

We used Consumer Reports' 2007 Overall Road Test Scores, which is based on 50 different tests and evaluations, to determine overall vehicle performance. Vehicles had to reach a minimum of 70 out of 100 to be considered, which falls in the second-highest range of "very good."

Strategic Vision's 2007 New Vehicle Experience Study was also consulted. In it, the automotive research company measures how many owners complain of "things gone wrong" after the first 90 days of ownership. The "Problem Impact Measure" takes into consideration the level of concern each problem caused the owner, the extent to which it was resolved and the owner's level of satisfaction with the resolution. Only vehicles that exceeded or met the average for their segment were considered.

Problems measured here are not always life-threatening. One example: a knob falling off is of lesser concern to a car owner than, say, failing brakes.

Finally, we looked at Vincentric's estimated five-year repair costs, which takes into account warranties that typically cover most repairs in the first three years of ownership.

Driving Demand

Consumers have been merciless in their demand for durable cars that don't fall apart in the first five years of ownership. General Motors (nyse: GM - news - people ), Ford Motor (nyse: F - news - people ) and Chrysler have lost sales over the past 20 years because of poor quality and reliability problems. After years of complaints about shoddy workmanship, Korean automakers Kia and Hyundai have focused on proving that their vehicles are made to last. They were among the first in the industry to offer 100,000-mile/10-year warranties to back up their claims.

"For the most part, most vehicles are doing exceptionally well, considering where we have come from," says Alexander Edwards, president of Strategic Vision. "But if people don't feel secure, if they don't feel the product is durable, it doesn't matter how interesting it looks, how much fun or exciting it is to drive. People will not buy your product if they have no confidence in it."

The market's durable cars are also comfortable and loaded with conveniences. The Honda Accord sedan, for example, has an eight-way, power-adjustable driver's seat with lumbar support. The Audi A4 is equipped with a dual-zone climate control system with an automatic seven-temperature sensor, a sun sensor and a pressure sensor. The Toyota Highlander has 14 beverage holders and second-row seats that move back and forth, recline or fold flat.

Indeed, there are vehicles designed to withstand just about anything life throws their way--including spilled sippy cups.