The American luxury brand JD Power says it is more reliable than Mercedes and BMW

For those who don’t keep an eye on annual reliability statistics and data on specific cars, actually seeing the results of what are considered the most reliable cars based on real-world testing can be a huge surprise. There is a superficial perception that French cars always break down, that the precision engineering of German cars makes them the most reliable, and that American cars are not reliable because they are poorly built. While it is possible to find snippets of truth in almost anything, the data shows that these generalizations require much more nuance.

While many people are aware of a RAM’s tank-like powertrain, longevity still doesn’t necessarily come to mind when you look at the size of American vehicles for sale. With a lot of praise for their mechanical prowess, German brands like BMW and Mercedes are typically seen as very well-made luxury cars, and while this is usually true, it doesn’t correspond 100 percent to real-world reliability. While their powertrains and platforms are usually solid, it’s software and automation that modern cars typically suffer, leading to an industry-wide decline in reliability. This leaves a door open for the more simplistic and therefore reliable American alternatives.

Mercedes’ on reliability in 2026

The way the JD power The reliability measured is unique in that the problems per 100 vehicles range from massive car breakdowns (although this is remarkably unusual in new car testing) to software problems and electrical faults. So while Mercedes’ core engineering is excellent, in a test that punishes smaller niggles, Mercedes falls victim to its own wild technology experiments.

With a fragmented supply of fully-fledged electric cars and especially plug-in hybrids in abundance, Mercedes now mainly relies on, by far, the least sustainable types of powertrains in the sector. The 2026 study found that PHEVs are the least reliable, with a staggeringly low rate of 281 problems per 100 cars – the company’s preferred form of powertrain.

More common problems with modern Mercedes

• The MBUX infotainment system lags, randomly restarts and freezes

• Unresponsive touch-sensitive pads that replace physical buttons

• Over-the-air updates remove bugs, but also introduce new ones

Some of the most serious contributors to the underperforming score were the 2026 Mercedes S-Class, the Mercedes-Benz GLE and the Mercedes EQ and EQS. Annoyingly for consumers, these appear to be the most expensive models that suffer most from the simple fact that there is generally more advanced technology that can go wrong.

In the S-Class, owners report problems where the recessed door handles get stuck, requiring manual operation, and one of the 350 sensors hallucinates and thinks something is wrong. It turns out that the forward-looking approach that currently defines them is seriously compromising a smooth-sailing, trouble-free vehicle.

BMW isn’t doing too bad for a luxury-tech automaker

With 198 problems per car reported for BMW in 2026, they’re about between Cadillac and Mercedes, and also slightly beating the industry average. While they’re still trapped with their iDrive 9 system, which takes away most of the physical controls and introduces the possibility of more issues arising, they do have an absolutely solid platform to work from, meaning the long-term reliability of the drivetrain is likely to be excellent.

BMW’s B58 inline six-cylinder engine, found in the X5, 3 Series and 5 Series, is one of the most reliable engines in use in 2026. With Toyota’s intervention in quality control and stress testing so that it could meet their own standards, the B58 is now a masterclass in longevity and makes the potential technology-based problems less painful.

The rise of Cadillac as a reliability hero

Cadillac performs excellently in the latest developments JD power ‘Research into vehicle reliability’. In fourth place, behind Lexus, Buick and Mini in that order, the company just misses the top three. Although with a score of 175 PP100 (problems per 100 cars) that is nothing to be ashamed of. With an industry average of 204 PP100 in 2026, Cadillac far outperforms the typical modern car, consistently achieving excellent results every year, with 2024 set to be a deviation of more than 190 PP100.

Cadillac results 2023 to 2026 enabled JD power Reliability research

• 2023: 173 problems per 100 cars

• 2024: 196 problems per 100 cars

• 2025: 169 problems per 100 cars

• 2026: 175 problems per 100 cars

In a landscape where it seems like 200 and above is the standard for most manufacturers, it’s impressive that Cadillac is keeping that number below that threshold so far. But it’s no coincidence; there are clear reasons why they achieve such dominant results. Now that the majority of Cadillac’s core models are built on proven GM platforms, most of the issues that occurred earlier in their life cycle have been resolved.

By relying on traditional four-cylinder and six-cylinder engines that run on petrol only, the company has managed to avoid some of the teething problems that other manufacturers are currently facing in their transition to plug-in hybrids or full electrification. While Cadillac avoids these issues, they also don’t reap the reliability benefits of the phenomenally mature hybrids in 2026.

The model that most supports reliability

The Cadillac XT6 is one of the exemplary models that makes a great contribution to the company’s overall reliability results. It was named the most reliable mid-to-larger premium SUV, beating German rivals such as the X6 and, despite its legendary reliability status, Porsche with its Cayenne.

In an era where luxury vehicles are bogged down by experimental technology and software issues, XT6 knows how to stay away from that in a refreshing way with a proven approach to architecture. While BMW and Mercedes are practically obsessed with huge screens, Cadillac’s more conservative approach to cutting-edge technology has kept the display incredibly consistent and predictable.

2026 Cadillac XT6 Specs

While the Cadillac XT6 can be fairly criticized for ‘playing it safe’ or suffering from outdated technology, there are plenty of consumers who are more satisfied with ease of use and physical controls, and would much rather have a system they can rely on than an IT technician’s computer setup in their cabin. And for some, the dated nature of the drivetrain will be one of the reasons to buy this car. It uses a smooth V6 engine, a proven workhorse, and is a pleasant glimpse of tradition in a segment full of electrified dominance.

Cadillac is at the top of its game

Thanks to a combination of proven platforms, a reserved approach to technology adoption, and a reliance on GM’s proven components, Cadillac is a brand that, while it doesn’t push much-needed boundaries like other companies, is accessible and consumer-friendly. It’s disheartening to say the least to have persistent problems, even minor ones, in a brand new car after potentially spending $50,000 or more, and while the Cadillac may not give you the same futuristic wow factor as a plug-in Mercedes-Benz, it will certainly give you predictability and a smooth experience for the average consumer.

Sources: JD powerMercedes, Cadillac