10 Most Durable Car Brands in the Philippines

With its price tag, a car is one purchase that’s supposed to last a long time. While its longevity depends on how you use and take care of it, there are times when the brand also factors into its durability and reliability.

So what are the most durable car brands in the Philippines? If you’re planning to buy the best car for long-term use, check out this handy list.

What Makes a Reliable and Durable Car?

What do most durable cars have in common? Take note of the following factors:

👉 Body

The chassis and the frame should be designed to properly absorb collision forces and protect the passengers. The material should be able to withstand or delay wear and tear.

👉 Ease of Maintenance

The easier to maintain the car, the more durable the vehicle. If your car is challenging to service or its parts are difficult to source, your unit’s wear and tear will get worse over time. This will shorten your car’s life span.

👉 Manufacturer’s Commitment

Some car makers have a reputation for manufacturing vehicles that stand the test of time. That’s because of their commitment to using high-quality materials, employing advanced engineering, and conducting meticulous testing. Many car enthusiasts often consider German and Japanese brands some of the world’s best.

👉 Your Driving Habits

The durability of the car doesn’t solely fall within the manufacturer’s responsibility. The way you use your vehicle also has a significant effect on its longevity.

Irresponsible braking and fuel consumption can strain your car’s engines. Failure to follow the prescribed maintenance schedules and guidelines can worsen your car’s wear and tear.

Read more:

10 Most Durable Car Brands in the Philippines

Looking for the most durable car brand? You might as well use the standards set forth by J.D. Power, a leading American market research company.^[1]

According to them, here are 10 of the most reliable car brands for 2024:

🚗 Lexus

According to J.D. Power, Lexus is the most dependable car brand, boasting a score of 135 PP100 (problems per 100 vehicles). Lexus is the luxury car division of Toyota Motor Corporation, producing well-known models like the ES, the IS, and the LS, among others.

The LS is what put Lexus on the map. It remains their flagship model even after 40 years.

Planning to buy this model? Or want to check out the brand’s other nameplates? Take a look at the following:

Lexus LS

Price: Starts at ₱9,038,000

Key specs:

Body type: Sedan
Seating capacity: Five
Transmission type: Automatic
Engine: Six-cylinder, 24-valve, 3.5L
Performance: 295 hp @ 6,600 rpm and 3,500 Nm @ 5,100 rpm
Fuel type: Gasoline

Lexus ES

Price: Starts at ₱3,498,000

Key specs:

Body type: Sedan
Seating capacity: Five
Transmission type: CVT
Engine: Four-cylinder, 16-valve, 2.5L
Performance: 176 hp @ 5,700 rpm and 221 Nm @5,200 rpm
Fuel type: Gasoline

Lexus IS

Price: Starts at ₱2,868,000

Key specs:

Body type: Sedan
Seating capacity: Five
Transmission type: CVT
Engine: Four-cylinder, 16-valve, 2.5L
Performance: 179 hp @ 6,000 rpm and 221 Nm @ 4,800 rpm
Fuel type: Gasoline

🚗 Toyota

If you’re looking for the most durable car brand that still falls within your budget, consider Toyota models. This Japanese car maker is J.D. Power’s second most reliable auto brand. With more than 10 million units sold last year, it became 2023’s largest car manufacturer in the world.^[2]

Some of Toyota’s most popular models in the Philippines include the Vios, the Innova, and the Fortuner.^[3] Here are their specs:

Toyota Vios

Price: Starts ₱732,000

Key specs:

Body type: Sedan
Seating capacity: Five
Transmission type: Manual or CVT
Engine: Four-cylinder, 16-valve, 1.3L
Performance: 98 hp at 6,000 rpm and 123 Nm at 4,200 rpm
Fuel type: Gasoline

Toyota Innova

Price: Starts at ₱1,261,000

Key specs:

Body type: MPV
Seating capacity: Seven to eight (depending on configuration)
Transmission type: Manual or Automatic
Engine: Four-cylinder, 16-valve, 2.8L
Performance: 168 Hp at 3,600 rpm and 343 Nm at 3,400 rpm
Fuel type: Diesel

Toyota Fortuner

Price: Starts at ₱1,769,000

Key specs:

Body type: SUV
Seating capacity: Seven
Transmission type: Manual or automatic
Engine: Four-cylinder, 16-valve, 2.4L
Performance: 148 horsepower and 400 Nm of torque
Fuel type: Diesel

🚗 Buick

Buick is one of the most reliable car brands, according to J.D. Power. A manufacturer under General Motors (GM), it’s marketed as a luxury vehicle brand above Chevrolet and below Cadillac. Buick is known for SUVs like the Enclave and the Encore.

Buying a Buick in the Philippines is challenging since the brand mainly serves North America and Mainland China (except Hong Kong and Macau).

🚗 Chevrolet

Fondly called Chevy, Chevrolet is one of the most durable cars that you can own. Other than its long-lasting cars, Chevy is also known for its comprehensive auto care system.

In the Philippines, the brand offers the Chevrolet Complete Care, which combines warranty (five years or 100,000 kilometers), regular maintenance, 24/7 roadside assistance, 24/7 customer care assistance, Chevy Express Service, and Chevy Non-Stop Service. All these ensure that you get the most out of your car for a very long time.

Two of the brand’s best-sellers include the Trax and the Trailblazer:

Chevrolet Trax

Price: Starts at ₱1,793,888

Key specs:

Body type: Crossover
Seating capacity: Five
Transmission type: Automatic
Engine: Three-cylinder, 12-valve, 1.2L
Performance: 137 hp @ 5,000 rpm and 220 Nm @ up to 4,000 rpm
Fuel type: Gasoline

Chevrolet Trailblazer

Price: Starts at ₱1,518,888

Key specs:

Body type: Crossover
Seating capacity: Five
Transmission type: CVT
Engine: Three-cylinder, 12-valve, 1.3L
Performance: 155 hp @ 5,600 rpm and 236 Nm @ up to 1,600 rpm
Fuel type: Gasoline

🚗 MINI

There’s a reason Mr. Bean^[4] loves his MINI—it’s one of the most reliable car brands! Adding to its credibility is the fact that it’s owned by BMW, a German automaker known for engineering innovative cars.

If you want a stylish car you can drive around the city, check out the MINI Clubman. The MINI Countryman, meanwhile, is the brand’s largest and roomiest car, perfect for weekend getaways.

MINI Clubman

Price: Starts at ₱3,800,000

Key specs:

Body type: Hatchback
Seating capacity: Five
Transmission type: Automatic
Engine: Four-cylinder, 16-valve, 2.0L
Performance: 189 hp @ 5,000 rpm and 280 Nm @ 1,350 rpm
Fuel type: Gasoline

MINI Countryman

Price: Starts at ₱3,750,000

Key specs:

Body type: Crossover
Seating capacity: Five
Transmission type: Automatic
Engine: Four-cylinder, 16-valve, 2.0L
Performance: 189 hp @ 4,400 rpm and 280 Nm @ 1,350 rpm
Fuel type: Gasoline

🚗 Porsche

With its German engineering and craftsmanship, Porsche could very well be the most durable car brand in the Philippines for those looking for a sports car. J.D. Power ranks it sixth on its list of most reliable car brands, with a rating of 175 PP100 (problems per 100 vehicles).

In 2023, Porsche spent more than £2.8 billion on research and development, refining their cars’ quality and performance. In the same year, the German car maker earned over £40 billion, a testament to their clients’ trust.

Porsche Cayenne

Price: Depends on configuration

Key specs:

Body type: SUV
Seating capacity: Four
Transmission type: Automatic
Engine: Six-cylinder, 24-valve, 3.0L
Performance: 348 hp @ 5,400 rpm and 500 Nm @ 1,450 rpm
Fuel type: Gasoline

Porsche Macan

Price: Depends on configuration

Key specs:

Body type: SUV
Seating capacity: Five
Transmission type: Automatic
Engine: Four-cylinder, 16-valve, 2.0L
Performance: 261 hp @ 6,800 rpm and 400 Nm @ 4,500 rpm
Fuel type: Gasoline

🚗 Mazda

Mazda is one of the most durable car brands in the Philippines, thanks to its 100 years of innovative engineering and excellent design. The Japanese carmaker also operates with the Jinba Ittai philosophy, with which the car owner feels an instant connection with the machine.

Mazda’s current line-up includes crossovers, SUVs, hatchbacks, and a truck. Below are three of its most popular models:

Mazda3

Price: Starts at ₱1,510,000

Key specs:

Body type: Sedan or hatchback
Seating capacity: Five
Transmission type: Automatic
Engine: Four-cylinder, 16-valve, 2.0L
Performance: 153 hp @ 6,000 rpm and 200 Nm @ 4,000 rpm
Fuel type: Gasoline

Mazda CX-30

Price: Starts at ₱1,995,000

Key specs:

Body type: Crossover
Seating capacity: Five
Transmission type: Automatic
Engine: Four-cylinder, 16-valve, 2.0L
Performance: 162 hp @ 6,000 rpm and 213 Nm @ 4,000 rpm
Fuel type: Hybrid

Mazda CX-90

Price: Starts at ₱3,680,000

Key specs:

Body type: Crossover
Seating capacity: Eight
Transmission type: Automatic
Engine: Six-cylinder, 24-valve, 3.3L
Performance: 280 hp @ up to 6,000 rpm and 450 Nm @ up tp 3,500 rpm
Fuel type: Hybrid

🚗 Kia

Kia is South Korea’s bet for the most durable car brand in the Philippines. It ranks eighth on J.D. Power’s list of most reliable car brands of 2024, with a score of 187 PP100 (problems per 100 vehicles).

Kia’s reliability is seen in its advanced safety system. Their cars’ bodies are made of ultra-high tensile steel that improves not only crash safety but also fuel efficiency. They are also equipped with vehicle stability management (VSM), safety warning systems, and autonomous emergency braking (AEB), among others.

Kia Soluto

Price: Starts at ₱780,000

Key specs:

Body type: Sedan
Seating capacity: Five
Transmission type: Manual or automatic
Engine: Four-cylinder, 16-valve, 1.4L
Performance: 94 hp @ 6,000 rpm and 132 Nm @ 4,000 rpm
Fuel type: Gasoline

Kia Sonet

Price: Starts at ₱758,000

Key specs:

Body type: Crossover
Seating capacity: Five
Transmission type: Manual or automatic
Engine: Four-cylinder, 16-valve, 1.5L
Performance: 113 hp @ 6,300 rpm and 144 Nm @ 4,500 rpm
Fuel type: Gasoline

Kia Carnival

Price: Starts at ₱2,670,000

Key specs:

Body type: Minivan
Seating capacity: Seven
Transmission type: Automatic
Engine: Four-cylinder, 16-valve, 2.2L
Performance: 199 hp @ 3,800 rpm and 440 Nm @ 1,750 rpm
Fuel type: Diesel

🚗 BMW

This legendary German automaker is known for its stylish luxury vehicles and sports cars. But more than that, its dedication to engineering, design, and innovation has made it one of the world’s most reliable car brands.

Proof of the brand’s innovation is its release of fully electric units under the BMW i nameplate. These cars combine sustainability and power—case in point, the i7, which runs on a cobalt-lithium battery, boasts a power output of 544 hp and a torque of 745 Nm.

BMW i7

Price: ₱10,390,000

Key specs:

Body type: Sedan
Seating capacity: Five
Transmission type: Automatic
Engine: Full-electric engine
Performance: 544 hp and 745 Nm
Fuel type: None

BMW iX3

Price: ₱4,990,000

Key specs:

Body type: SUV
Seating capacity: Five
Transmission type: Automatic
Engine: Full-electric engine
Performance: 286 hp and 400 Nm
Fuel type: None

🚗 Dodge

Athleticism and luxury come together in Dodge. Since it’s part of J.D. Power’s list of most reliable car brands, you can expect high performance and durability from this automaker. Dodge is known for the Charger and the Challenger.

The Charger is not hard to miss, thanks to its wide body; it also brags a V8 engine that churns out over 700 hp and more than 800 Nm of torque. The Challenger, on the other hand, lives up to its muscle car reputation with its big yet streamlined body and a roaring V8 engine with three-mode electronic stability control.

Dodge Challenger

Price: ₱4,490,000

Key specs:

Body type: Coupe
Seating capacity: Five
Transmission type: Automatic
Engine: Six-cylinder, 24-valve, 3.6L
Performance: 304 hp @ 6,400 rpm and 363 Nm @ 4,800 rpm
Fuel type: Gasoline

Dodge Charger

Price: ₱5,780,000

Key specs:

Body type: Sedan
Seating capacity: Five
Transmission type: Automatic
Engine: Eight-cylinder, 32-valve, 6.4L
Performance: 485 hp @ 6,100 rpm and 644 Nm @ 4,100 rpm
Fuel type: Gasoline

Final Thoughts

Looking for the most durable car brand in the Philippines shouldn’t be a challenge, thanks to this list.

But don’t just take our word for it. See things for yourself by taking a test drive. Check if the car’s features will actually complement your lifestyle.

Get a Car Insurance Policy via Moneymax

No matter how careful and responsible you are as a driver, accidents can still happen. Get the right car insurance policy so you can financially deal with a wide variety of incidents that cause car loss or damage like theft, accidents, and natural disasters.

Check out your options and get a quote via Moneymax:

Car Insurance Company	Maximum Total Sum Insured	CTPL Coverage	Own Damage & Theft Coverage	Acts of Nature Coverage	Death / Disablement Coverage
FPG Insurance	₱4 million	✔️	✔️	✔️
Malayan Insurance	₱7.5 million	✔️	✔️	✔️
The Mercantile Insurance Corporation	₱5 million		✔️	✔️
OONA Insurance (formerly MAPFRE)	₱5 million	✔️	✔️	✔️	✔️
PGA Insurance	₱3 million				✔️
SGI Philippines	₱5 million	✔️		✔️	✔️
Standard Insurance	₱5 million	✔️	✔️	✔️	✔️
Stronghold Insurance	₱3 million		✔️