Russian roads are an eternal problem for our country, so when choosing a car, the issue of reliability is a priority. If for a European with a good income the most attractive option is a luxurious Ferrari, then a Russian will choose a practical UAZ. After all, no one wants to regularly spend money and nerves on endless repairs. So, we suggest you figure out which cars are rated by experts as the most indestructible.
What indicators are used to determine the indestructibility of a car?
A reliable car is not afraid of off-road conditions
According to professionals, an indestructible car must meet a number of criteria:
- quality and availability of components;
- maintainability;
- duration of operational life;
- fuel consumption.
At the same time, when determining the reliability of a car, experts consider it important to pay attention to the following parameters:
- engine and transmission design. The largest number of costly breakdowns occur in electronic equipment;
- rigidity and stability of the body;
- performance of the chassis;
- security system.
Top 10 most indestructible cars
The indestructibility of the suspension is especially important when driving over rough terrain.
The history of the global automobile industry is rich in interesting ideas and design solutions worthy of attention. Some projects focus on design, others on functionality, and others on durability.
Mercedes C200
The Mercedes company motto is “The best or nothing”
Of the powerful foreign cars in the luxury segment, capable of withstanding the harshest conditions of Russian roads, the legendary Mercedes has the most well-deserved reputation. Traditional quality is perfectly combined in German cars with impeccable design, comfort with dynamics, and reliability with safety. The Germans have won the respect of the global automotive industry for the quality of their components: while most famous concerns are forced to optimize costs - for example, by using short-lived Chinese parts, the designers of this company do not reduce the level of quality.
Experts note the practically indestructible suspension of the C200. This car can often be seen in taxi fleets: despite the impressive mileage, the suspension retains its quality for a long time.
Under the hood of the car there is a two-liter engine with a capacity of 163 hp. s., the restyled version of 2012 also offers a choice of a four-cylinder turbocharged engine with 201 hp. pp., working with either a six-speed manual or a five-speed automatic transmission. The speed limit of the car is 235 km/h, and even at high speeds the car behaves confidently on the road and is stable when cornering.
The Mercedes C200 received the highest rating in the 2012 crash test and earned many positive responses from motorists.
Toyota Camry
Toyota Camry gives confidence in the future and many kilometers of travel
The Japanese, along with the advanced Germans, always strive to be at the forefront, and the automotive industry is one of those sectors to which they pay special attention. It is not surprising that the stylish, dynamic Toyota Camry is also included in the rating of the most reliable, durable and hardy cars that will withstand almost any strength test.
The model is equipped with an excellent power unit. You can choose from engines with power from 249 to 277 hp. With. The engines are equipped with a six-speed automatic transmission. Experts also note that electronic sensors are of high quality and rarely fail, but their repair will certainly not be cheap.
This car is an ideal option for drivers who value a combination of gloss and drive. Fans of efficiency should look for something simpler.
Porsche 911
The legendary Porsche 911 was introduced to the world in 1963
There are many motorists who are connoisseurs of brightness and style, dynamics and aggressive exterior. Such drivers will certainly appreciate the Porsche 911. The car represents not only the genius of design thinking, the perfection of shapes and lines, but also practicality in terms of technical indicators. Note that the 911 model is a racing car, and it must be durable, ready for any challenge. Under the hood it has a powerful engine, up to 580 hp. pp., working with a six-speed automatic transmission.
Porsche is capable of accelerating to a fantastic speed of 330 km/h, reaching hundreds in 2.9 seconds.
In addition, it is quite economical and will serve its owner for a long time without repair. The only drawback of this luxury car is its high cost. Today it ranges from 6 to 11 million rubles, depending on the modification.
Lexus GS 300
Lexus GS 300 was created in January 1993
One of the most respectable brands that express the status of the owner is Lexus. The combination of impeccable quality and external gloss has made the brand mega-popular all over the world, including in our country. According to experts, most models of this brand, in particular the luxurious GS 300, are quite suitable for driving on Russian roads.
Unpretentious, reliable, this car also received an excellent rating in crash tests, showing a high level of safety.
The suspension is quite soft, creating a feeling of comfort, the gearbox shifts smoothly, and the engine produces powerful performance. Fuel consumption is low: from 7 to 9 liters when driving on the highway, and up to 16 liters in the city.
Audi A5
Audi A5 is one of the most beautiful cars in the entire history of the concern
The Audi brand gained fame in the Russian car market in the nineties of the last century. Then this car was a sign of respectability and high income. Today, priorities have changed, and Audi is rightfully considered one of the most indestructible cars, combining adequate cost and excellent technical components.
Regarding the popular A5 model, it is worth saying that it is distinguished not only by a good engine and suspension, but also by a braking system that can withstand the most difficult strength tests. In general, car owners praise the overall build of the car, emphasizing that, despite the elegance of the design, the car is distinguished by high cross-country ability.
The brand is known for its high level of service support: official dealerships provide a free service guarantee for three years.
Ford C-Max
Focus C-MAX was awarded the Best Design Award at the Brussels International Motor Show
It is worth noting that the perfection of lines and originality of design are not important for everyone. A significant part of car enthusiasts are much more concerned about other indicators: spaciousness, efficiency, and, of course, the reliability of the car. The spacious C-Max minivan fully meets all these parameters. This is an indestructible car for people who are used to taking their whole family on a country trip and do not want to spend a lot of time in service centers paying bills for repairs.
The car is equipped with gasoline and turbocharged diesel engines in the power range from 100 to 145 hp. With. The basic ones remained 1.6-liter gasoline and diesel engines with 100 and 109 hp. The independent Control Blade rear suspension and wide wheelbase provide a stable ride.
UAZ Patriot
UAZ Patriot: a full-fledged Russian SUV, similar to foreign analogues, and not to army all-terrain vehicles
For drivers who do not have enough money to purchase the mentioned foreign cars, the domestic auto industry offers an alliance of practicality and good dynamics, endurance and high cross-country ability, efficiency and power. The listed advantages characterize the UAZ Patriot. Just like the brutal appearance, spacious interior, excellent handling.
The Patriot station wagon is equipped with a 2.7-liter engine producing 128 hp. s., the Mikas-11 controller, which significantly improves its characteristics. The engine operates with a five-speed manual transmission, which eliminates the possibility of damage to electronic components. The suspensions are equipped with telescopic shock absorbers of hydraulic design and are able to withstand the highest loads of high-speed traffic over rough terrain.
It is worth noting that the designers are consistently working to improve comfort: the updated Patriot, released in 2015, is offered with air conditioning, parking sensors, heated front and rear seats, a heated windshield, and a multimedia and navigation system.
Lada Kalina
Launched in 2004, Kalina has experienced many ups and downs.
From the point of view of external design, this is one of the simplest cars, which does not surprise with its technical originality and innovative solutions. But in terms of unpretentiousness, practicality, and professional suitability for Russian conditions, it is the most suitable car. Inexpensive to maintain, consuming a moderate amount of fuel - 6 liters on the highway and 8–9 liters in the city - the car receives a positive rating for its indestructibility.
Lada Granta Sport
Lada Granta Sport was originally created for racing events for the “Lada Granta Cup”
Opinions about the Lada Grant are polarly divided. Someone is glad that the Russian auto industry has begun to emerge from the tunnel of hopelessness, and Russian designers, although borrowing the ideas of their Western colleagues, are still trying to create new cars. Some are pessimistic and look for the model’s disadvantages, but the fact remains: Granta is one of the most suitable cars for Russia. The Grant Sport version is equipped with a 120-horsepower engine with a modernized gearbox and a tuned rigid suspension, allowing the car to accelerate to 100 km/h in 9.5 seconds and reach a top speed of 197 km/h.
In February 2015, official sales of the Lada Grant with an automated transmission began. AvtoVAZ's production capacity allows it to produce 150 thousand Lada Granta cars per year.
Lada Largus
Lada Largus is practically the only budget station wagon in Russia
The car was assembled on the Renault Logan platform, known since 2006, and borrowed the best characteristics of both this car, famous for its practicality, and the good old Lada. It does not have design refinements, but it can boast of its indestructibility, which is noted by the owners of this car. Experts note versatility and multifunctionality in Largus.
Repairing components is not burdensome, the suspension is very soft and strong. Other advantages include a comfortable interior and a spacious trunk. The Luxury package has a wide range of functions and includes standard lock protection, a steering shaft lock and other options. There are two engines to choose from: 8 and 16 valves, delivering a maximum speed of 155 km/h.
We hope that our review was useful to you. Of course, which car to choose is up to everyone to decide for themselves. The main thing is that this decision does not disappoint, and that the purchased car pleases with its reliability and safety in any conditions for many years.
Suspension experts can tell you many interesting examples from practice, but I will have to limit myself to just a brief story about why harder is not always more grippy, and softer is not always more comfortable. The operation of car suspensions is not at all as simple as it seems at first glance. They perform many functions that are not entirely obvious. I will try to briefly mention the main ones.
In general, many books have been written about the work of pendants, and most of them are very thick. I will only try to outline the main points in order to fit into the format of an informative article.
Why you can't do without a pendant
Even very smooth roads actually have a curve in many directions, and the Earth itself bears little resemblance to an infinite plane. And in order for all four wheels to touch the surface, they must be able to move up and down. In this case, it is extremely desirable that the running surface of the wheel adheres to the surface with its entire width in any position of the suspension. So cars with stiff and short-travel suspensions are practically doomed to have poor wheel grip on the road, because one of the wheels will always be unloaded.
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Why should the suspension have compression travel?
For all wheels to contact the road, it is not at all necessary that the suspension can be compressed; it is enough that the wheels can only move down. But when the car moves in turns, lateral forces arise that tend to tilt the car. If at the same time one side of the car can rise, and the other cannot lower, the center of gravity of the car will greatly shift towards the loaded wheel, which in turn will cause many negative consequences.
First of all, an even greater unloading of the internal wheel in relation to the rotation and an increase in the roll moment due to the movement of the center of gravity upward relative to the center of the suspension roll (more about it below). And, of course, if the wheels have no compression stroke, then even a small bump under one of the wheels should cause the body to move, moving all the other wheels down with all the associated energy costs of lifting and reduced wheel traction. Which, to put it mildly, is not very comfortable. It is also destructive to the body and suspension parts. In general, the suspension must be balanced, have compression travel and rebound travel to function properly.
Why does the car roll when cornering?
Since we have decided that the car should have a suspension and can move up and down, then purely geometrically a certain point, a center, is formed around which the car body rotates when it rolls. This point is called the vehicle's roll center.
And the sum of the inertial forces acting on the car during a turn is precisely applied to its center of mass. If it coincided with the roll center, then there would be no roll during the turn, but it is usually located much higher, and as a result, a rolling moment is formed. And the higher the roll center is, the lower the center of gravity, the smaller it is. On special racing designs like Formula 1 cars, the center of gravity is placed below the roll center, and then the car can roll in the opposite direction, like a boat on the water.
Actually, the location of the roll center depends on the suspension design. And automobile engineers have learned quite well how to “raise” it higher by changing the design of the levers, which in theory could eliminate roll not only from low sports cars, but also from quite tall ones. The problem is that the suspension, designed to provide an "unnaturally raised" roll center, successfully combats body tilt, but does not do a good job of its main task - damping bumps.
Why should the suspension be soft?
It is quite obvious that the softer the suspension, the less the change in body position when hitting a bump and the less the load is distributed between different wheels when rolling. This means that the grip of the wheels on the road does not deteriorate and energy is not wasted on moving the center of mass of the car up and down. Well, have we found the perfect formula? But, unfortunately, not everything is so simple.
Firstly, suspensions have limited compression strokes, and they must be coordinated with the change in axle load when the car is loaded with passengers and luggage, and with the load that arises when cornering and bumps. A suspension that is too soft will compress so much when turning that the wheels on the other side will lift off the ground. So the suspension must prevent the compression stroke on one side from being exhausted and the wheel hanging out on the other.
It turns out that it is also bad for a suspension to be too soft... The optimal option is a relatively small range of “softness”, after which the suspensions become hard, but adjusting such a design is more difficult, the higher the difference between its hard and soft parts.
With any redistribution of load between the wheels, the overall grip of the wheels with the road deteriorates. The fact is that additional loading of some wheels does not compensate for all losses when unloading others. And in the case of hanging unloaded wheels, the increase in traction on the loaded side does not compensate for even half of the losses.
In addition to the general deterioration of grip, this also leads to deterioration in handling. They combat this unpleasant factor by changing the inclination of the rolling plane of the wheel relative to the road - the so-called camber. As a result of design measures aimed at programming changes in camber when the machine rolls, it is possible to compensate for changes in wheel adhesion under lateral loads within a reasonable range and thereby make driving the machine easier.
Why do we have to make the suspension stiffer on sports cars?
The car's handling is extremely negatively affected by any changes in the suspension angles when the car rolls and delays in responses to control inputs due to a shift in the center of gravity. This means that the suspension has to be made stiffer to reduce roll when turning.
The extreme solution is a powerful anti-roll bar - a torsion bar, which prevents the wheel of one axle from moving relative to the other. But this is not the best way. Yes, it improves the situation with changing wheel alignment angles in a turn, but it unloads the inner wheel in relation to the turn, and overloads the outer one. It's a little better to just stiffen the suspension. This has a greater effect on comfort, but does not relieve the inner wheel as much.
Considerable importance of shock absorbers
In addition to elastic elements, the car’s suspension also contains gas or liquid shock absorbers - elements responsible for damping suspension vibrations and removing the energy that the car spends on moving the center of mass. With their help, you can correct all suspension reactions to compression and rebound, because a shock absorber can provide much greater rigidity in dynamics than a spring. Moreover, its stiffness, unlike springs, will be very different depending on the travel of the suspension and the speed of its movement.
Of course, a very soft shock absorber will not be able to fulfill its main task - damping vibrations; the car will simply sway after passing a bump. And installing a very stiff one will create an effect similar to installing a very stiff spring that does not want to compress and thereby increases the load on the wheel and unloads all the others. But fine tuning will help reduce roll in corners and help the springs, reduce body dive during acceleration and braking, and at the same time not interfere with the wheels going over small bumps. And of course, avoid “breakdown” of the suspension when driving over hard bumps. In general, they have no less impact on the behavior of the car than the stiffness of the springs.
A little about comfort and oscillation frequencies
It is clear that a car without suspension would have zero comfort, because all minor irregularities from the road would be transmitted directly to the riders. Br-r. But if the suspension is made very soft, then the situation will not become much better - constant swinging also has an extremely bad effect on people. It turns out that a person does not tolerate vibrations both with a small amplitude and high frequency from a hard suspension, and with a large amplitude and low frequency from a soft one.
To create comfortable conditions for passengers, it is necessary to coordinate the stiffness of springs, shock absorbers and tires so that on the most popular surfaces for this car, the vibration frequencies of passengers and the level of acceleration remain within comfortable limits.
The frequency and amplitude of suspension vibrations are also important in another aspect - the natural resonance frequencies of the car-suspension-road system should not coincide with the possible frequencies of control actions and disturbances from the road. So the designers’ task is also to avoid dangerous modes as far as possible, because in the event of resonance, you can overturn the car, lose control, and simply break the suspension.
So what should the suspension be like?
Paradoxically, the softer the suspension, the better the grip of the wheels on the road. But at the same time, it should not allow strong rolls and changes in the contact patch of the wheels with the road. The worse the roads, the softer the suspension should be to get good grip. The lower the coefficient of wheel adhesion, the softer the suspension should be. It would seem that installing a stabilizer bar could solve the problem, but no, it also has its negative features, it makes the suspension more “dependent” and reduces the suspension travel.
So setting up the suspension remains a task for real masters and always requires a lot of time for full-scale testing. Many factors are intricately intertwined, and by changing one parameter, you can worsen both controllability and smoothness. And a hard suspension doesn’t always make a car faster, while a soft one makes it more comfortable. Handling is also affected by changes in the stiffness of the front and rear suspensions relative to each other and even the slightest change in the stiffness characteristics of the shock absorbers. I hope this article will help you be more careful when choosing components for suspensions and will prevent thoughtless experiments.
For most car enthusiasts, its reliability is largely determined. The high cost of a vehicle does not always guarantee flawless operation without breakdowns. Both budget segment cars and premium cars fail. Only the latter are much more expensive to repair than the former.
Almost any modern car straight from the dealership can travel, for example, 300,000 kilometers, with the only difference being that the amount that will need to be invested in maintaining the car during this sprint will differ. Naturally, it is much easier and more practical to purchase not only a safe, but also a reliable car, where the investment in repairs will be minimal. Here it is enough to carry out scheduled maintenance on time, keep the car in good order and frequency, and it will run for a very long time.
The situation in the car market
Thematic publications and magazines have repeatedly conducted research in this area and compiled specific tops, which included the most indestructible cars (the rating is presented below). Almost all more or less significant and large sales markets were studied - from the Middle Kingdom to the European automobile industry. The picture that emerged was not the most rosy, but the researchers were able to identify a number of more or less reliable cars.
It’s worth noting right away that all the representatives of this rating cannot be called budget, but this is understandable: the quality of workmanship has always been distinguished by the corresponding price, and confidence in the reliability of the vehicle simply cannot be cheap.
So, we present to your attention a list of cars that includes the most indestructible cars, according to experts in this field. All models can be seen live in the vastness of our homeland, touched in car dealerships, and, if desired, purchased. That is, there won’t be any exotics like Jaguars and Porsches here - all cars have adequate prices for their segment and are real for purchase, and can easily travel 300,000 kilometers without major repairs.
The most indestructible cars according to famous thematic publications:
- Honda Accord
- Toyota Camry.
- Honda Odyssey.
- Honda CR-V.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is not only a well-equipped good family sedan, but also the most indestructible car, and at a very reasonable price. The car performed well on the road and is easy to control in any, even the most difficult conditions.
The interior of the car inspires respect and looks very solid. In addition, the interior is spacious, so there should be no discomfort if three people of average build are in the back seat at once.
The most indestructible car entered the Russian market in two variations: with a 3.5-liter V6 engine and a 2.4-liter four-cylinder. The continuously variable transmission consumes only 9 and 7.8 liters per 100 km, respectively, which is a very good indicator for a car of this class. As for reliability, neither experts nor owners have any questions here.
Toyota Camry
The Japanese have always been distinguished by attractive body features and increased levels of convenience and comfort, and the Toyota Camry is precisely a prominent representative of its race. In addition, the model received the enviable stigma of being the most indestructible car.
The latest Camry line has received a significant interior redesign, and the dashboard and interior have become even more beautiful and ergonomic. The already reliable suspension has been further redesigned for the better: stability has been added and the sound insulation of the chassis has been significantly increased.
Distinctive features of the car
The model arrived in Russia in several engine variations - from 1.8 liters to 3.5. The average fuel consumption of the Camry ranges from 9 liters per 100 km. The long and serious history of Toyota includes not only the beauty and flexibility of cars, but also reliability, which is once again proven by the Camry line. The model became so popular among domestic consumers that they began to assemble it near St. Petersburg in the village of Shushary, naturally, with the knowledge and consent of the venerable concern.
Honda Odyssey
Unlike other minivans and frame cars, the Honda Odyssey is not just a vehicle for a reputable company, but a car with responsive and soft handling, which is rare for a car of this class. Add here the high reliability of the chassis and body and we get an ideal option for a large family.
The car is equipped with a six-speed transmission and a 3.5-liter V6 engine. Average fuel consumption per 100 km ranges from 11 liters, which is very good for such a bulky and roomy car.
Car features
The most indestructible car can accommodate up to 8 passengers, but for proper comfort you should not take more than seven people of average build on board. In addition, the body has the ability to be transformed for some cargo needs, which significantly expands the scope of application of the family minivan. It is also worth mentioning separately that the manufacturer has worked especially meticulously on the mountings for child seats, where the problem of synergy between different models of seats is absent in principle, due to the variety of adaptation brackets.
The fly in the ointment here is something that has not been fully worked out and can only be dealt with by a savvy specialist or a person who has read the impressive manual thoroughly. Also, many owners complained about the quality of the interior trim, because the price of a minivan requires, if not leather, then at least another material of similar quality.
Honda CR-V
The CR-V model from the venerable Honda is a frame car with high reliability. In addition, the car was distinguished by a spacious interior and an excellent functional set. In Russia, the model is available with two engine variations - 2 and 2.4 liters. Both run on gasoline and have a CVT. Average fuel consumption per 100 km fluctuates around 10 liters, which is the envy of other gluttonous SUVs.
The car has practically no shortcomings, but many owners in their reviews complain about the stupid multimedia and entertainment system. Just like in the previous case, it is difficult to learn and sometimes behaves completely differently than we would like. Moreover, the system greatly distracts the driver while driving if it is turned on even at 50% (for rear seat passengers).
Separately, it is worth noting the excellent handling of the car, despite the stiffness of the suspension. The car is obedient and easily controlled by the driver, even if it feels the bumps on the road. Also, some owners are unhappy with the noise in the cabin, which this year’s version could not get rid of. But this is the problem with all frame SUVs, so this moment can only be called critical with a stretch. So, overall, the model was a great success, and the CR-V series can be described as the most indestructible cars.
Although the quality of Russian roads has improved slightly in recent years, drivers still have to take care of the suspension of their cars quite often. But, as it turns out, owners of models of some brands have even more reasons to worry. The British insurance company Warranty Direct has published a rating of brands whose models are most often forced to visit services to repair chassis breakdowns. Malfunctions of shock absorbers, levers, silent blocks, hinges, bearings, hydraulic and pneumatic suspension elements were taken into account. Drives, differentials and locks were not left out.
10. Volvo – 27.5%.
The Swedish brand has been famous for the high level of safety of its cars for many years. However, when it comes to serviceability, not all Volvo models are better than their popular rivals. The same thing happened this time. According to Warranty Direct, Scandinavian cars have a high risk of premature wear of suspension and transmission components. It is noteworthy that problems most often occur in cars with all-wheel drive.
9. Chevrolet – 27.8%.
The brand that left the Russian market was a cheaper alternative to Opel models, with which it was closely associated. As it turns out, cheaper doesn't mean better. Cars with a cross on the hood force more frequent investments in the repair of suspension and drive elements.
The German model in the small city car segment can be taken as a model in the field of passive safety of compact designs. The situation is much worse with the durability of the suspension and transmission.
7. Bentley – 29.2%.
The low reliability of the suspension of the English brand, owned by the Germans, is surprising, but is unlikely to greatly upset a wide range of car enthusiasts. After all, we are talking about cars from the top shelf, which 99.99 percent of the world's inhabitants will never be able to reach. And, nevertheless, engines of enormous power and the sporting ambitions of the owners led to the fact that the suspension of the British brand showed a high failure rate.
6. Mercedes – 29.7%.
The German brand, which in recent years has been restoring its damaged authority, according to the British, does not show progress in the field of suspension and transmission durability. Most often, failures occur in models with all-wheel drive systems and powerful engines.
5. Alfa Romeo – 30.7%.
The models of this Italian brand are famous for their beauty and good handling. However, the durability of the suspension has never been well rated. Thus, if one can still argue about the reliability of the Alpha as a whole, then no one has any doubts about the veracity of the data obtained on the endurance of the suspension and transmission.
4. Land Rover - 31.4%.
The British manufacturer offers one of the best SUVs in the world. But to our deepest regret, the suspension and mechanisms of the all-wheel drive system do not always easily endure the hardships of life. It is worth noting that Jeep, whose models also sometimes drive off the asphalt, took 27th place in the ranking with a result of 17.8 percent of chassis malfunctions.
3. Mazda – 32%.
Recently, Mazda has been delighting car enthusiasts with its modern design and excellent engines. And, nevertheless, fans of this brand will have to prepare to eliminate unexpected malfunctions in the suspension.
2. Suzuki – 34.2%.
In Europe, the Suzuki brand is represented primarily by the Swift and Grand Vitara models. The first is a fairly durable city dweller, the second is one of those rare modern SUVs that doesn’t falter away from the asphalt. For a moderate price tag, the Japanese SUV offers all-wheel drive and the ability to manually lock the differential. The chassis turned out to be the only weak link in the brand's cars.
1. Subaru – 34.6%.
In conclusion, it is worth noting that the list of brands with the strongest suspension was topped by Mini and Kia cars!
