The 5 Most Reliable Midsize Sedans in the U.S. This Year
Three Japanese models and two Korean sedans make up the top five most reliable midsize cars for 2026, according to U.S. ratings.
Durability is one of the most important qualities in any vehicle. Without it, long-term comfort and hassle-free ownership are hard to achieve. So which 2026 midsize sedans offer the best combination of reliability, safety, fuel economy, and comfort?
The list includes five models that earned strong scores from several independent U.S. sources, including iSeeCars, Car and Driver, IIHS, J.D. Power, and Edmunds. Automotive outlet SlashGear compiled the findings from these organizations into a single ranking.
Toyota Camry
The 2026 Toyota Camry leads the list for reliability. iSeeCars gives it a reliability score of 7.6 out of 10, while its overall rating stands at 8.1. Edmunds gives the Camry an 8.4, also putting it at the top of the midsize sedan segment.
Car and Driver rates the model 9 out of 10 and specifically highlights its fuel economy. Depending on the configuration, the Camry is rated at 43 to 51 mpg combined, which translates to roughly 2.0 to 2.3 gallons per 100 miles.
J.D. Power gives the Camry a score of 82 and highlights its roomy cabin, available all-wheel drive, hybrid powertrain, and strong reputation for reliability. Meanwhile, the IIHS awarded the 2026 Camry its highest Top Safety Pick+ designation.
Honda Accord
The 2026 Honda Accord trails the Camry by just 0.1 point in iSeeCars' reliability rating, scoring 7.5 compared with the Camry's 7.6.
However, the Accord's overall iSeeCars rating is higher at 8.7. Much of that score comes from its 8.6 rating for resale value and a perfect 10 for safety.
Car and Driver gives the Accord a perfect 10 out of 10 and ranks it first among the best midsize family sedans. J.D. Power gives the model a score of 82, while the IIHS awards it a Top Safety Pick designation.
Another advantage of the Accord is its spacious interior and large trunk. As a result, the model combines strong reliability with practicality and a high level of safety.
Hyundai Sonata
The Hyundai Sonata takes third place, although its iSeeCars reliability score of 6.5 out of 10 is noticeably lower than those of the two leaders.
Its overall iSeeCars rating is 8.1. The Sonata earns a perfect 10 for safety, while the IIHS gives the 2026 model a Top Safety Pick+ award.
Car and Driver rates the Sonata 8.5 out of 10, highlighting its affordability, comfort, and fuel economy. J.D. Power gives the Sonata a score of 83, one point higher than both the Camry and Accord.
Edmunds rates the car 7.8 out of 10. So while the Sonata falls behind the leaders in reliability, it earns strong marks when its overall mix of attributes is taken into account.
Nissan Altima
The 2026 Nissan Altima earns a 7.3 reliability score from iSeeCars. Its overall rating is 7.7, with scores of 7.8 for resale value and 8.0 for safety.
Car and Driver rates the Altima 8 out of 10. J.D. Power gives it a score of 84, the highest result among the five cars on this list.
Edmunds rates the Altima 6.4 out of 10. Meanwhile, the model has mixed IIHS crash-test results, with strong scores in some categories and considerably lower marks in others.
Kia K5
The Kia K5 rounds out the top five. iSeeCars does not give the model a separate reliability score, but it rates the K5 at 8.1 for resale value and 8.0 for safety.
Car and Driver gives the 2026 K5 a 9 out of 10. J.D. Power rates it at 83, highlighting its powerful engine and strong value for the money.
Edmunds gives the K5 a 7.5 out of 10. The model also receives strong iSeeCars ratings for comfort and practicality.
Its IIHS safety results are more mixed, however. The K5 earns a "Good" rating in the small-overlap front crash test, while its scores in some other categories are noticeably lower.
A Snapshot of the U.S. Market
Three Japanese four-door sedans made the top five, which isn't particularly surprising. The first two spots went to longtime rivals, the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord.
The only midsize sedans that managed to challenge the Japanese models were the Hyundai Sonata and Kia K5. The two Korean entries put up a strong fight, but they ultimately fell short of matching their Japanese competitors across the full combination of reliability, safety, fuel economy, and comfort.
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