, but buyers today have to be more discerning than ever when shopping for a safe, reliable used car that meets their expectations. Used car prices are up 40% from last year, and you can’t afford to lose any money on a car that won’t be in it for the long haul.

Consumer Reports (CR) sussed out which cars performed best in terms of reliability from a selection of five-year-old models. CR chose a time frame of five years because it's a slightly more affordable marketplace than newer used cars, and also intentionally chose to highlight models that would have models available on the marketplace right now.

When looking for a used car, keep fuel economy and safety systems at the top of your mind. While systems like forward-collision warnings (FCW) and automatic emergency braking (AEB) are available in older models, these life-saving technologies didn't come standard in every model.

Which companies have the most reliable used cars?

created this assessment by calculating the average reliability score of 2017 models and ranked the brands from highest average reliability to lowest. At the top of the list were:

Lexus

Toyota

Acura

These brands all scored over 80 points out of 100 on 2017 average reliability.

For a luxury midsized SUV, CR recommends the 2017 Lexus RX. With a price range of $32,950 to $38,850, the Lexus RX has an owner-reported average MPG of 21, but it's the luxurious driving experience that pushes this vehicle over the top for consumers.

The V6 engine and automatic 8-speed transmission deliver a smooth ride with great fuel economy to boot. The 2017 RX also came standard with FCW, AEB, and adaptive cruise control.

CR also recommends the 3-row SUV 2017 Toyota Highlander as a top choice for most reliable used cars. The V6 engine and 8-speed automatic transmission offer 22 mpg overall, and it also came standard with FCW and AEB. Other years to look out for the Highlander are 2012 through 2016.

MORE: Toyota Continues To Dominate Car Sales Despite Challenges

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What else to consider when looking for a reliable used car

Regardless of where your brand of choice ranks on the list, there is a huge amount of variability in the condition of the used car depending on a myriad of factors. Even the lowest-ranked brands produced great reliable cars on the used car market, and a brand with a stellar reputation can misfire.

In addition to reliability rankings and meeting your lifestyle needs, fuel economy and safety are paramount factors to consider when used-car shopping. Keep an eye out for models in which automated safety systems came standard, and steer clear of model years that went through recalls and other mishaps.

Don’t forget the car insurance

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