YONKERS, N.Y. -

Interestingly, Consumer Reports recently claimed that buying a used vehicle might be better in some cases than buying new. In its annual auto issue to be released next week, Consumer Reports shared the "Best of the Best" used vehicles from model years 2001 through 2010, and dominating the list were Toyota and Honda vehicles.

These models — spread across nine segments — received strong road-test scores at the time of their launches and have maintained robust reliability scores as used vehicles, the publication explained.

Honda and Acura claimed four spots on the list, as did Toyota and Lexus. The ninth spot on the list went to Mazda (the MX-5 Miata in the Best Used Sport & Sporty Car category).

The complete list is as follows:

Best Used Small Car: Honda Fit

Best Used Family Car: Toyota Prius

Best Used Upscale Car: Lexus ES

Best Used Luxury Car: Acura RL

Best Used Sport & Sporty Car: Mazda MX-5 Miata

Best Used Minivan: Toyota Sienna

Best Used Small SUV: Honda CR-V

Best Used Midsized & Large SUV : Toyota Highlander

Best Used Pickup Truck : Honda Ridgeline

Moving along, Consumers Reports discovered several three-year-old used models than were less problematic that some newer models. In fact, 11 vehicles from the 2008 model year either showed roughly the same number of problems as similar 2010 units or had fewer issues, according to Consumer Reports tests.

The publication noted the 2008 Toyota FJ Crusier (11 problems per 100 vehicles) and the Toyota Yaris (12 problems per 100 vehicle) as being particularly problem-free.

On average, there were 13 problems per 100 vehicles for vehicles in the 2010 class.

“While the FJ Cruiser and Yaris did not score well in Consumer Reports road tests, some of the other most reliable 2008 models, such as the Honda CR-V and Fit did, making them better overall choices,” officials noted.

Consumer Reports found that the least problematic overall are Japanese vehicles. Honda and Toyota were found to be “far ahead” of their peers when it comes to older units, particularly models that are at least five years old.

"Knowing a brand’s reputation for reliability can aid the used-car shopper, but it’s not foolproof. You’re buying just one model from that brand. So it’s important to check out the specific model’s reliability ratings and learn about other factors like performance and safety," David Champion, senior director at Consumer Reports‘ Auto Test Center.

Sharing other results, the publication noted that: “The survey also found that five-year-old models can be good bets for used-car buyers, although problem rates, on average, are worse than rates of three- or four-year-old cars.

“While three-quarters of the three-year-old vehicles in Consumer Reports‘ survey were problem free, so were two-thirds of the five-year-olds,” editors noted. “The most problem-free five-year-old model was the 2006 Toyota Highlander V6, which had 19 problems per 100 vehicles.”

Vehicles more than five years old, though, typically are more problematic, in general. The publication noted that half of the nine- and 10-year-old vehicles had been problem-free for a year.

Of course, problems aren’t limited to the used side, either.

The publications stressed that there can be “alarming” problem rates for new cars too.

Giving one example, the magazine noted: “More than one in four owners of the 2009 four-cylinder Toyota Tacoma pickup reported a problem with the radio in the 12 months covered by the survey. For now, it’s being replaced free under Toyota’s basic warranty, which expires after three years or 36,000 miles.”