When it comes to "iron" reliability in the premium segment, most drivers automatically direct their thoughts to Japan. Well, get ready for a real shock, because the latest large-scale study by the British publication What Car? literally turned the ideas of the automotive world upside down. It turns out that stereotypes about the ever-breaking Italian cars are a thing of the past, and the title of the most trouble-free business class sedan goes to an address that few would have guessed.
The big sensation in the ranking is the Alfa Romeo Giulia. The Italian beauty, which has been in production since 2016, has not only outshone the competition, but has also outdone it with an impressive reliability rating of 98.2%. Only 4% of the model's owners have visited a service center in the last two years, and in most cases it is a question of minor whims of the electronics, braking system or interior details. What's even better is that all repairs have been covered by the warranty, although some of them have required a longer wait.
However, the German school is breathing down the neck of the leader, but with one important caveat – The choice of drivetrain is critical. The petrol BMW 3 Series nails an impressive 98%, while its diesel and hybrid counterparts perform far worse, reporting defects in almost every fourth car. The problem areas here are usually the battery and suspension, but the Bavarians react quickly and fix the damage free of charge. Immediately after them, with the same result of 98%, is the diesel Skoda Superb (2015-2024). The Czech flagship is a real marathon runner, with two thirds of the malfunctions in the exhaust system or battery being resolved within one working day.
The prestigious list of excellent cars also includes the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, the petrol BMW 5 Series, and the technological Hyundai Ioniq 6. The honor of British automotive engineering is defended by the Jaguar XE and Jaguar XF, which show stability despite their complex nature. The classic Volkswagen Passat is a close second. The real surprise, however, is the complete absence of Toyota and Lexus from the Top 10 - a fact that makes many wonder whether the old glory of Japanese indestructibility is not starting to fade slightly in the face of modern engineering thought on the Old Continent.