Most Reliable SUVs [Winners in Each Segment]
John Goreham is a life-long car nut and recovering engineer. John’s focus areas are technology, safety, and green vehicles. In the 1990s, he was part of an academic team that built a solar-electric vehicle from scratch. His was the role of the battery thermal control designer. After earning his engineering degree, John also completed a marketing program at Northeastern University. For 20 years, he applied his engineering and sales talents in the worlds of semiconductor manufacturing, biopharmaceutical production, and automotive electronics supply chain. Always a writer, John has published numerous articles in technical journals such as Chemical Processing Magazine. In 2008 he retired from that career and dedicated himself to chasing his dream of being an auto writer. In addition to online publications such as Car Talk, John’s work has appeared in print in dozens of American newspapers, and he provides reviews to many vehicle shopping sites.
After much research, our expert editors have found that one brand or manufacturer doesn’t dominate in the SUV reliability arena.
Rather than pigeonholing ourselves to one overall winner, we’ve broken our six picks into size breakdowns to help you find the perfect SUV for your needs.
Check out our full list of the best SUVs here >>
Most Reliable SUVs Comparison Table
| Lexus UX | ||
| Lexus NX | ||
| Buick Encore | ||
| Buick Envision | ||
| Kia Telluride | ||
| Lexus LX | ||
| Lexus GX | ||
| Toyota Sequoia |
Table of Contents
Most Reliable Subcompact SUVs
Whether you are a college student commuting to school, or a parent with kids in daycare, your subcompact SUV needs to be super-reliable. Fortunately, subcompact SUVs are among the most reliable vehicles in the American market. Here are the two we feel are the most reliable in this segment.
1. Lexus UX
Best for City Driving and Fuel Efficiency - 4.0/5 Rating
No SUV has a higher reliability score than the Lexus UX. This small crossover is a fuel-sipper, fun to drive, and has its own unique “chill” vibe.
With the highest J.D. Power VDS brand reliability score, it tops our list not just because we organized this list by size but also because it earned the top spot overall.
What's New for 2024?
The UX250h model now offers an available hands-free power liftgate for 2024. All other models are unchanged from 2023.
Pros
- High fuel efficiency.
- Advanced safety features.
- Luxurious interior design.
Cons
- Limited cargo space.
- Less engaging driving experience compared to rivals.
2. Buick Encore
Best for Urban Commuters and First-Time SUV Buyers - 4.0/5 Rating
The Buick Encore has an impressive 5 on RepairPal, and the brand has the fifth-best J.D. Power VDS brand reliability ranking. Buick is GM's import brand, but that doesn't take anything away from its dependability.
The Buick brand is one of the most global brands on this list, yet one thing is always the same - great reliability.
What's New for 2024?
The Buick Encore is all-new for 2024. This includes updated branding and styling that will spread across the entire brand line.
Also, the Avenir trim is now added as the top edition for the Encore. On the interior, the Encore receives an 8.0-inch display devoted to the gauge cluster and an 11.0-inch display for the touchscreen infotainment system.
See all our picks for the most reliable subcompact SUVs here. >>
Pros
- Compact size ideal for city driving.
- Comfortable and quiet cabin.
- User-friendly infotainment system.
Cons
- Sluggish acceleration.
- Limited rear-seat space.
Most Reliable Compact SUVs
Compact SUVs are now the top-selling vehicles by volume in America. They are used for every conceivable purpose. In our rankings of compact SUVs, four brands and models rise above the pack. Here are our top two.
1. Lexus NX
Best for Luxury Seekers and Safety-Conscious Drivers - 4.5/5 Rating
Lexus is the premium brand from Toyota, a brand everyone associates with reliability. Our research shows that the Lexus earns the highest brand reliability score on the J.D. Power Vehicle Dependability Study, and has the second-highest RepairPal score.
The NX is available in sporty trims with a turbocharged engine, a fuel-sipping hybrid, and will also come with a plug-in option.
What's New for 2024?
The NX gets some new interior colors while the NX350h and NX450h+ models now offer a remote parking feature.
Finally, the NX450h+ F Sport offers both a regular sunroof or a panoramic sunroof.
Pros
- Strong reliability record.
- Comfortable ride quality.
- Impressive standard features list.
Cons
- Infotainment system can be distracting to use.
- Smaller cargo area compared to competitors.
2. Buick Envision
Best for Families and Value Seekers - 4.5/5 Rating
The Buick Envision does everything well. It has earned a Top Safety Pick award from IIHS, reviewers love the vehicle and it has earned very high-reliability scores since its introduction. It also received a perfect 5/5 reliability rating on RepairPal.
Buick is also a highly-ranked brand for reliability. That and the fact that Envisions built by GM are imported to America are just interesting footnotes.
What's New for 2024?
The Buick Envision gets a facelift that includes a new tri-sheild logo design. Other updates include the available Super Cruise hands-free driver-assist system for the first time.
Finally, the Envision gets a revised 8.0-inch gauge cluster and an 11.0-inch touchscreen.
See all our picks for the most reliable compact SUVs here. >>
Pros
- Spacious and upscale interior.
- Smooth ride and handling.
- Competitive pricing.
Cons
- Average performance.
- Infotainment response can be slow.
Most Reliable Midsize SUVs
Midsize SUVs can come in either two or three rows and have the widest variety among all SUV groupings. We researched and ranked no less than 30 individual models in this segment, and they were all pretty close. Here are the top vehicles on our list of most reliable midsize SUVs.
1. Kia Telluride
Best for Large Families and Long-Distance Travelers - 4.5/5 Rating
Although it is a new model, Kia’s Telluride leaped to the head of the midsize segment in many ways. Reliability is just one area in which this three-row SUV excels.
This model injects a fresh new shape with a lower beltline. The Telluride looks smaller than it is, and that’s a plus in this type of vehicle. Kia had nearly perfect scores in both its years, so we placed this vehicle in the number one position on our list.
What's New for 2024?
There are some minor exterior tweaks for the 2024 model year. Standard on all models are amber-colored daytime running lights.
Pros
- Spacious seating in all three rows.
- Upscale interior and features.
- Strong V6 engine.
Cons
- Limited off-road capabilities.
- Can be pricey with higher trims.
2. Lexus GX
Best for Off-Road Enthusiasts and Luxury Adventurers - 4.0/5 Rating
The Lexus GX is one of many body-on-frame SUVs from Toyota and Lexus on our list. While the crossover SUVs from Lexus and Toyota earn more sales and also do well in our rankings for reliability, the GX rose to the top in this category on the strength of Lexus’ J.D. Power score.
This gem has been polished over many decades by Lexus. Keeping the formula the same year after year has its benefits.
What's New for 2024?
There are no updates for the GX for the 2024 model year.
See all our picks for the most reliable midsize SUVs here. >>
Pros
- Off-road capability.
- Strong reliability and resale value.
- Luxurious interior.
Cons
- Poor fuel economy.
- Dated infotainment system.
Most Reliable Full-Size SUVs
There are fewer full-size SUV models than midsize or compact. We found the data interesting in this segment because it was relatively limited. We think our readers may be surprised when they see our top picks because they are from two companies not normally associated with full-size SUVs.
1. Lexus LX
Best for Luxury Off-Roading and Towing - 4.5/5 Rating
The Lexus LX is a low-volume seller for the brand, but clearly, Lexus pays attention to even its least popular models.
The LX matched the best in our group for RepairPal scores and dominated on the J.D. Power VDS. Those shoppers who already favor Lexus as a brand would be wise to check out its LX if they need a brute-ute.
What's New for 2024?
The Ultra Luxury trim’s rear-seat entertainment system comes standard with wireless Bluetooth headphones.
Pros
- Exceptional off-road capability.
- High towing capacity.
- Premium cabin finish.
Cons
- Less roomy interior than rivals.
- Low fuel efficiency.
2. Toyota Sequoia
Best for Spacious Family Travel and Towing Capacity - 4.0/5 Rating
The Sequoia is what the Toyota brand-loyal shoppers turn to when a 4Runner or Highlander isn’t enough of an SUV for their needs. We found it interesting that Toyota was able to retire its Land Cruiser (a vehicle almost identical to the Lexus LX) and still have another full-size SUV model that could top the rest of the full-size SUV field.
The Sequoia is ranked higher in reliability than the Cadillac Escalade by both RepairPal and J.D. Power & Associates.
What's New for 2024?
New for the 2024 model year is the Limited Nightshade model. This all-new model comes standard with 20-inch TRD wheels painted in a matte black finish, along with other blacked-out exterior appearance items.
Limited models with the TRD Off-Road package now feature a blacked-out exterior appearance.
See all our picks for the most reliable full-size SUVs here. >>
Pros
- Spacious interior with adult-friendly third row.
- Robust V8 engine.
- Good reliability record.
Cons
- Outdated interior design.
- Poor fuel economy.
What Is the Most Reliable SUV Brand?
The brand that we typed most frequently in our comprehensive look at the most reliable SUVs was Toyota/Lexus. The brands share many components when they build the various models they offer, but more importantly, they share a culture of quality, durability, and reliability. If you visit a Lexus or Toyota dealer searching for a new SUV rest assured that there isn’t a bad one in the bunch.
What Is the Most Reliable SUV?
There are many SUVs on our list that earn top RepairPal ratings, and in many segments, there are also brands that score very well on the J.D. Power brand ranking for durability. The Lexus UX was the model that had perfect scores across the board.
Maintenance Costs for SUVs
Before you settle on one of these reliable SUVs, you can narrow down your choices by looking at maintenance costs. You always want to make sure that the maintenance is within your budget. Below, we’ve gathered the average yearly maintenance costs for our top reliable SUV picks.
| Lexus UX | |
| Buick Encore | |
| Lexus NX | |
| Buick Envision | |
| Kia Telluride | |
| Lexus GX | |
| Lexus LX | |
| Toyota Sequoia |
Conclusion
When it comes to finding a dependable and versatile vehicle for your family, commuting, or business needs, our roundup of the most reliable SUVs offers choices for every preference and purpose.
From the urban-friendly Lexus UX to the robust Toyota Sequoia, each SUV brings its unique strengths to the forefront, ensuring reliability isn't just a feature but a guarantee.
