23, 2026 12:30 pm EST
Wsfurlan/Getty Images Folks flock to the same cars year after year, drawn by their reputation, marketing, or popularity. But just because a car is a best-seller doesn’t mean it’s reliable. Sometimes, the most popular model in your state could also be the one that costs a ton to maintain. Luckily, Florida’s top-selling cars show that you can have both popularity and dependability.
According to the latest 2025 sales rankings, the five most popular cars in Florida are the Ford F-Series, Toyota RAV4, Tesla Model Y, Honda CR-V, and Toyota Camry. While Ford and Tesla have some reliability issues, the others on this list are known for their rock-solid dependability.
To see which of these top-sellers are truly the most reliable, we looked at long-term ownership data on factors like depreciation, maintenance costs, and real-world ownership expenses over 5 years. Here’s what we found.
Toyota RAV4
Sue Thatcher/Getty Images Toyota has built a solid rep for reliability, and the RAV4 is a prime example. It’s consistently Toyota’s best-seller and the third most popular car in the US. Normally, that much popularity would come with a catch, but the RAV4 backs it up with super-reliable ownership costs.
A brand-new 2025 RAV4 starts at $29,800, and the top trims hit $39,555. Those prices might seem steep, but the numbers tell a different story after you buy one. It’ll only depreciate $10,377 over 5 years, and maintenance will only cost you about $1,938 in that time. Even repairs are fairly cheap, at just $429 per year on average.
The RAV4 is also a great buy on the used market. It’s one of the most dependable SUVs you can find, with affordable parts and predictable service needs.
Honda CR-V
Artistic Operations/Getty Images The Honda CR-V is the RAV4’s fiercest competitor in the compact SUV class. While it’s slightly less popular, the CR-V matches Toyota’s reliability rep. It’s the 4th best-selling car in Florida, right behind the RAV4.
The CR-V is a smart choice for the long haul. Over 5 years, you’ll spend around $36,935 to own one, with just $2,500 going towards maintenance and $11,000 lost to depreciation. It’s also one of the cheapest SUVs to insure, with an average annual premium of $2,270 – that’s over $400 less than the national average.
The CR-V’s reliability comes from Honda’s focus on simple, durable engineering. Parts are easy to find, and repairs are affordable. It’s a smart pick if you want an SUV that will keep chugging along with minimal hassle.
Toyota Camry
Jonathan Weiss/Shutterstock Toyota is all about durability and reliability, and that shows in the Camry. This sedan is practically synonymous with bulletproof dependability – some Camrys have even hit the 500,000-mile mark with proper care.
Toyota’s engineering choices favor proven platforms over overly complex tech. Simple stuff like a naturally aspirated engine and a good old-fashioned torque-converter transmission make the Camry a maintenance champ. Over 5 years, you’ll only spend around $1,500 on upkeep, and it’ll only depreciate by 48% of the original price.
When you add up the costs – insurance, financing, taxes, the works – a 5-year Camry ownership experience will set you back just over $34,000. For a car this reliable, that’s a steal.
