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.
SUVs have become the family vehicles of the modern era. In addition, they serve as commuter vehicles, and many owners use them in their business.
Regardless of which of these categories one is using an SUV for, reliability is always a priority.
After much research, we found that not one brand or manufacturer dominates with regard to SUV reliability. Rather, in our various size breakdowns, we have a total of six brands making SUVs which we consider to be excellent.
Check out our full list of the best SUVs here >>
Table of Contents
Most Reliable SUVs Comparison
| Model | Segment | Consumer Reports Score (Higher Is Better) | J.D. Power VDS Score (Lower Is Better) |
| Lexus UX | |||
| Lexus NX | |||
| Kia Telluride | |||
| Buick Encore | |||
| Lexus GX | |||
| Buick Envision | |||
| Lexus LX | |||
| Toyota Sequoia |
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
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 a perfect five from Consumer Reports and 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.
2. Buick Encore
The Buick Encore has a perfect five score from Consumer Reports, 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.
See all our picks for the most reliable subcompact SUVs here >>
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
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 Consumer Reports score.
The NX is available in sporty trims with a turbocharged engine, a fuel-sipping hybrid, and for 2022 will also come with a plug-in option.
2. Buick Envision
The Buick Envision does everything well. It has earned a Top Safety Pick award from IIHS, reviewers love the vehicle, and has earned very high reliability scores since its introduction.
Buick is also a highly-ranked brand for reliability. That and the fact that Envisions built by GM are imported to America is just an interesting footnote.
See all our picks for the most reliable compact SUVs here >>
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
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.
2. Lexus GX
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.
See all our picks for the most reliable midsize SUVs here >>
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
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 Consumer Reports 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.
2. Toyota Sequoia
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 Consumer Reports and J.D. Power & Associates.
See all our picks for the most reliable full-size SUVs here >>
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 Consumer Reports Scores, 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.
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