An SUV is a vehicle that consumers buy to get family, friends, luggage, and pets from point A to point B without worrying about having the right amount of space. The big worry is whether the vehicle will get you around without breaking down, which is what reliability is all about. According to Consumer Reports, the best way to know if an SUV is what it is cracked up to be is by asking current and past owners what their thoughts are. There are a few other reputable companies that also give ratings for various cars, but most of them are about levels of reliability through personal testing and opinions. Let's take a look at some of the most reliable SUVs on the market by breaking down each vehicle over the last two decades that are high on reliability ratings and low on customer dissatisfaction.
9 2023 Mazda CX-9 – 5/5
The 2022 Mazda CX-9 delivers slightly better fuel economy than much of the in-class competition because the carmaker decided to put a turbocharged 16-valve four-cylinder under the hood instead of the V-6 that is common for this size of SUV. This does make the car a little less impressive in acceleration, but it is still enough power to get to 60 from zero in under eight seconds. The only real problem reported with the CX-9 is with the in-car electronics, including the cameras and sensors. For 2022, Consumer Reports gave the Mazda CX-9 a 5 out of 5 reliability score, however, for the 2023 model year, a decision is yet to be made.
8 2023 Lincoln Corsair – 5/5
The 2022 Lincoln Corsair is based on the same platform as the Ford Escape, but with the added luxury and upgrades expected from a Lincoln. There are numerous engine options to choose from, even a hybrid on the Grand Touring Model. For the 2023 model year, the Lincoln Corsair has a predicted reliability of 5 out of 5, which is identical to its ranking in 2022. The only problem consumers report centers around the in-car electronics, which seems to be the main issue with most of the newer models coming out with the most innovative technology available. Anything new has to be expected to have a few problems, especially when it deals with sensors, cameras, and large infotainment systems.
7 2023 Lexus GX – 5/5
Another Lexus to score over 90 is the GX, with the 2020 model year being the best. It is an old-school version of a luxurious SUV that is capable on and off the road. It comes with one engine option only, which is the 4.6-liter V-8, so it does not get the best gas mileage, but it has garnered a reliability rating of 5 out of 5 for every year since 2020, and is expected to achieve the same 5 out of 5 reliability rating for 2023. The only real issue that can be found being reported is the in-car electronics. The infotainment is one cause for concern, as are the parking sensors and backup cameras.
6 2023 Lexus NX Hybrid – 5/5
The Lexus NX Hybrid achieved a 5 out of 5 reliability rating in 2022, and for 2023, Consumer Reports is expecting to give the same 5 out of 5 reliability rating. Under the hood is a naturally aspirated turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder, aided with two electric motors, one on each axle. A third starter motor is also attached to the engine, combining three electric motors with the internal combustion engine. The only problem that can be found on this SUV is that the power may be a little shy of what is needed, but everything else is perfect.
5 2023 Subaru Forester – 4/5
Subaru is one of the most common SUVs bought and sold today, but it only has one model ranking on the top 10 list. The 2022 Subaru Forester ended 2022 with a Consumer Reports reliability score of 5 out of 5 and an overall score of 87. The 2023 model has yet to be tested or reviewed, however, it's expected to have a reliability score of 4 out of 5. The Forester's base engine under the hood is a 2.5-liter flat-four that does great on fuel mileage but not so great on acceleration. The main reliability issues that the Forester has revolves around the in-car electronics that can not only be highly annoying but lowers the safety of the SUV because of problems with sensors and cameras.
4 2023 Lincoln Nautilus – 4/5
The 2021 Lincoln Nautilus is another car designed for fuel efficiency, but there was also a lot of thought put into the noise. The twin-turbocharged 2.7-liter V-6 is one of the quietest engines on the market and has plenty of pep to get up and go. The Nautilus wasn't ranked for the 2022 model year, though in 2021 it was ranked number one of 12 in reliability among 2021 SUVs. For 2023, Consumer Reports is predicting a reliability score of 4 out of 5, with an overall score of 79. The only issues reported by happy customers are within the borders of the most common problem that most Ford vehicles have - the paint peels and flakes quickly, allowing rust to set in and eat through the frame and body. The trim on the exterior and inside of the SUV also comes loose and falls off. It is definitely not a life-threatening problem, but it is beyond annoying to the owners who have had to deal with them.
3 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid – 4/5
Lexus has a substantial amount of SUVs that rated above the 90 score threshold, but since many of them were the same model, just different years, they were not all included on this list. For 2022, the Lexus RX Hybrid was give a reliability rating of just 4 out of 5, which was a downgrade from 2021's rating of 5 out of 5. For 2023, the Lexus RX is expected to carry on with a reliability rating of 4 out of 5, though there is no overall score available yet. The engine under the hood is a reliable and economical 3.5-liter V-6, with three electric motors to help when needed or run the car when no excess power is required. The primary problem owners have logged is within the fuel system, which causes hesitation and stalling.
2 2023 Acura RDX – 4/5
The 2022 Acura RDX was giving a reliability rating of 5 out of 5 for the 2022 model year, though for 2023, Consumer Reports is predicting that the reliability rating to drop to 4 out of 5. The turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder mill has enough power to propel the SUV from 0 to 60 mph in a matter of 6.7 seconds, all while offering good fuel economy. The main problem listed by consumers is once again centering around the in-car electronics, including the parking sensors and backup cameras, but the testers also ran into a slight problem with the transmission. They noticed some slippage when shifting through the gears. Even though it is not considered a warning sign of impending failure, it can be annoying, to say the least.
1 2023 Lexus NX – 4/5
Yet again, another Lexus makes the list, and just like the 2022 model year, the Lexus NX is predicted to have a reliability rating of 4 out of 5 for 2023. The 2021 Lexus NX comes with four engine choices, two of which are internal combustion engines and two are hybrid, with one being a plug-in version. A 2.5-liter four-cylinder is the base engine that the SUV has, but upgraded trim levels can be had with the turbocharged 2.4-liter. Either one will get excellent mileage, and the only bad thing owners had to say about the NX was that the body integrity was not up to par with the sticker price.
2023 Ford Escape Hybrid—3/5
Hybrids are one of the most popular choices for consumers who want to save the environment but still have internal combustion power when needed.
The 2022 Ford Escape Hybrid is driven by a small 2.5-liter three-cylinder engine
that can switch to two cylinders for better fuel economy. Along with this small engine is one electric motor that can become the main driving motor and an add-on to help the fuel-driven engine. For the 202 model year, the Ford Escape Hybrid scored a 5 out of 5 reliability rating from Consumer Reports, though for 2023,
the score is expected to drop to 3 out of 5
. The seals leak, allowing moisture and road noise into the cabin, creating an atmosphere that is not optimal for long-term driving.FAQ
Q: What SUV has the least amount of problems?
Lexus is, without a doubt, one of the most reliable SUVs on the planet. Year after year, the models achieve over 90 out of 100 for reliability. Overall, as everything sits now, the best SUV to buy that has the least amount of problems is the 2020 Lexus NX Hybrid.
Q: What is the number one SUV in America?
The current best-selling SUV on the market is the Toyota RAV-4, beating out the Honda CR-V for the top spot by almost 25,000 examples so far. Of course, this sales level could change by the end of the day, but for now, Toyota is the top dog.
Q: What SUV gets the best fuel economy?
The 2022 Ford Hybrid Escape is the SUV with the best fuel economy. The internal combustion engine, plus the electric motors, can get a combined fuel mileage of 40. The hybrid motor alone can go 37 miles without the aid of the fuel-driven motor, but that does not actually count when wanting to know the fuel mileage. Either way, the Ford Hybrid Escape is the best on the market through 2022.