SUVs have quickly become the most popular type of car in America, likely because they offer a wide range of choices. They come in different sizes, shapes, with various features, engine types, and uses. Whether you need one for your daily drive, long family trips, or driving on rough roads, one of the most important things to think about is how reliable the SUV is.
If you’re buying a car, you want it to be a trustworthy vehicle that will keep running well for many years. You definitely don’t want to waste time dealing with strange noises, calling for roadside help, or going from one repair shop to another. And if you do need repairs, you don’t want a car that will cost a fortune to fix or take care of.
A reliable SUV should work well without big problems, especially during the first three years. It should also be affordable to fix and keep running for a long time. We’ve picked out 12 SUVs that are known for being dependable and lasting a long time with few problems, making them a smart choice for any driver.
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Mazda CX-50
Mazda has steadily become a favorite for drivers who want both an enjoyable and reliable driving experience. It offers responsive handling, precise steering, and a well-designed 2.5-liter Skyactiv engine.
Driving one of these feels more like being in a sporty hatchback than a regular crossover. All-wheel drive comes standard, which helps it handle rough weather and uneven roads. Inside, the CX-50 has a high-quality interior that makes it feel more like a luxury vehicle than a typical compact SUV.
The main downside of the CX-50 is space. Some other vehicles in its class offer more room for passengers. Still, if you want a reliable and stylish ride that feels nicer than its price would suggest, it’s a great choice for everyday driving.
According to Edmunds, repairs over five years are expected to cost $1,828. RepairPal gives it a 4.5 out of 5 for reliability, estimating yearly repair costs at $447, which is lower than most.
Honda CR-V
The Honda CR-V has been one of the most dependable compact SUVs for years, and the 2025 model keeps that reputation going. It’s been around for 30 years and is Honda’s best-selling and most popular vehicle.
That’s because it offers a refined hybrid option, great fuel efficiency, and holds its value well. If you’re looking for a vehicle that lasts a long time and is easy to live with every day, the CR-V is a great pick. Even though it’s a compact SUV, it offers more space and comfort than you might expect.
The 2025 CR-V is the second-highest rated compact SUV by consumers on J.D. Power, with a score of 83 out of 100. RepairPal also gives it 4.5 out of 5 stars for reliability and ranks it second out of 26 compact SUVs.
Most owners spend a little over $400 per year on repairs, putting it among the more affordable SUVs to maintain. The CR-V is a vehicle that will stay reliable for many years with little trouble.
Chevrolet Suburban
The Suburban holds the record for being the longest-running vehicle name in history, with about 90 years of production. People continue to choose it because of how much space, strength, and toughness it offers.
Whether you need to pull a trailer, pack for a camping trip, or take a big family on a road trip, the Suburban can handle it all with ease. It’s always been a good fit for larger families, and the 2025 model keeps that up—it’s the first and only SUV available with seating for nine people. That means it likely has more than enough room for your whole family and extra space too.
Once you own a Suburban, you can expect it to stick with you for many years. Some owners have even said theirs kept going past 250,000 miles. In terms of repair costs, you can expect to spend about $821 a year. That’s a bit on the higher side, but the usual repair jobs tend to cost between $100 and $200.
Toyota Sequoia
The Sequoia may not be as fancy or loaded with features as some other full-size SUVs, but it’s dependable and built to last. It shares a strong frame with the Tundra pickup truck and has a twin-turbo V6 hybrid engine. It’s known for lasting a very long time—some go beyond 300,000 miles.
Even though it has a tough look on the outside, the inside is comfortable and roomy, with seats that become more plush as you move up in trim level. Still, during our experience with the 2025 Sequoia, we noticed the interior feels smaller compared to other full-size SUVs.
Even so, it’s a good option that’s built to keep going. It’s also cheaper to maintain than many other SUVs its size, with yearly repair costs around $642.
Lexus GX
If you like the toughness of the Toyota Land Cruiser but want something more stylish and high-end, the Lexus GX is worth considering. As the luxury version of the Cruiser, the GX takes Toyota’s trusted reliability and adds a touch of class, giving you the strength and dependability people expect from the Land Cruiser, but with more comfort and polish.
The GX is more than just good looks—it’s built on a strong body-on-frame structure, ready for off-road adventures, and powered by a smooth and strong twin-turbo V6 engine. Inside, it focuses on comfort, with quality materials, a quiet ride, and modern features that match what you’d expect from a Lexus.
As with other vehicles from its parent company, buying a Lexus means choosing a car that you can count on. You likely won’t need many repairs, and when you do, they’re usually affordable.
You can expect to spend about $550 a year on repairs, compared to brands like Mercedes and BMW, which cost over $900 a year. The GX has a high reliability score of 89 out of 100 from JD Power, making it one of the top-rated SUVs for reliability.
Toyota 4Runner
The Toyota 4Runner has long been known for its toughness and dependability, and the 2025 version continues that reputation. This latest version finally brings the updates fans have been waiting for. It’s still built on a strong body-on-frame platform and now shares its foundation with the new Tacoma pickup, which shows just how strong and capable it is. You can even choose between two engine options.
The 4Runner often lasts well beyond 200,000 miles, and with Toyota’s well-known durability, it’s a smart option for anyone who wants something strong and reliable. Whether you’re off-roading in forests or deserts, or just need an SUV that keeps going, the new 4Runner sticks to its dependable roots while improving in key areas.
Even if you’re buying a used one, JD Power gives the 2024 model a reliability score of 86 out of 100. RepairPal says you’ll likely spend around $500 a year on repairs.
Kia Telluride
Kia might not be the first brand people think of when talking about reliable SUVs, but the Telluride is quickly changing that opinion. It looks great, drives well, and includes many of the same features you’d see in much more expensive vehicles. Both owners and experts mostly have good things to say about the Telluride, and it has earned a spot on many top-rated lists with high scores from consumers.
JD Power gives the Telluride a score of 85 out of 100 and ranks it as the Best Upper Midsized SUV of 2024. You can expect repair costs of about $430 per year for the first five years, which is impressive. Combine that with Kia’s 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, and it’s easy to see why so many families trust the Telluride for the long term.
It’s a reliable SUV that performs well, and Kia has done a great job making it feel premium without a high price tag. It checks all the boxes for a dependable everyday vehicle.
Honda HR-V
The Honda HR-V isn’t the most eye-catching SUV out there, but when it comes to being reliable, it handles the job quietly and well: You’re basically getting a smaller version of the CR-V.
It’s built to be straightforward and useful, offering a smooth ride that saves fuel and a size that’s easy to drive in the city. It doesn’t come with fancy design, luxury features, strong off-road skills, or powerful performance, but it makes up for that with steady performance, trustworthiness, and low costs to keep it running.
What you can depend on is going from one place to another without too much worry or trouble.
Even though the HR-V doesn’t have many extras, the inside is roomy for how small it is, and the ride is pretty comfortable. If you stick to the maintenance schedule and fix things when needed, it can last well beyond 200,000 miles, and if you’re really careful, you could even get it past 250,000 miles.
RepairPal gives the HR-V a top score for how reliable it is, and the yearly cost to own it stays low, with only about $300 per year for repairs. Most people who own one don’t have many complaints, so you’re likely to have a car that stays with you for a long time.
Toyota RAV-4
The Toyota RAV4 has become one of the most trusted names among small SUVs, which is why it took the place of the Ford F-150 as the best-selling car in U.S. history. Somehow, it actually meets the high expectations.
It regularly gets high marks for how happy owners are with it and how long it lasts. If you take care of it and do regular maintenance, some owners are able to keep it going for more than 250,000 miles.
Even though the 2025 RAV4 looks like it might be sporty and exciting among other crossovers, it’s not very fun to drive. The ride isn’t that exciting, but it does everything it needs to, making it a smart and useful pick with enough space for cargo, a cozy ride, enough safety features, and good gas mileage. You probably won’t be going to the repair shop often, which makes it a solid choice if you want things to go smoothly.
Toyota Land Cruiser
The Land Cruiser came back to roads and dealerships across the U.S. for the 2025 model year after fans around the world kept asking for its return. After Toyota stopped making it in 2021, the well-known model came back with strong impact. Its bold and fresh look was a modern version of the classic design, showing clearly how tough and ready it still is.
The Cruiser has often been ranked at the top of many large SUV lists, and there’s a clear reason for that. The LC has earned a strong name for being reliable, thanks in part to Toyota’s proven and dependable engineering. It’s known as one of the strongest around, able to pull a 5,000-pound travel trailer with no problem.
Once you start driving a Land Cruiser, you’ll likely keep it for many years. Lots of owners say theirs keeps going past 200,000 miles, and some even reach 300,000. Of course, how long it lasts depends on how well you take care of it, including regular visits to the repair shop.
While RepairPal says the average yearly cost for repairs is about $850, Toyotas are known for lasting a long time and holding up well, so you won’t have much to stress over.
Nissan Murano
After nearly 10 years of keeping the same design, Nissan has finally given the Murano a new look that fits more with today’s style. This updated version has a sharper, more stylish outside, better tech inside, and a bit more polish added to a cabin that was already soft and cozy.
While test results and final numbers on the newest Murano are still being worked on, if it follows the older versions, you already have an idea of what to expect: a gentle, smooth drive with a good record.
The 2024 Murano has a reliability score of 91 out of 100, which is very high. This is mostly because of the 3.5-liter V6 engine it uses, a strong and proven engine that’s been in the Murano for a long time. When it comes to fixing it, you probably won’t run into big problems.
RepairPal mentions some valve issues and a few other basic part replacements as common things owners deal with. For yearly repair costs, you’re looking at about $500, which is not too high.
Chevrolet Tahoe
The 2025 version of the Chevy Tahoe is a full-sized SUV you can trust to keep going, even when things get tough. It’s built on a truck-style frame made to handle almost anything. Its strength and toughness show through in its boxy yet smooth shape.
On the inside, just like the Suburban, it’s the only SUV available that can fit up to nine people with comfort. It’s definitely big enough for most families, and the ride stays smooth and pleasant, with barely any bumps along the way.
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Once you start driving a Chevy Tahoe, you can expect it to last up to 300,000 miles, and sometimes even longer. JD Power gives it a reliability score of 83 out of 100 and puts it at the top of the list for best Large SUVs of 2024.
Thankfully, RepairPal doesn’t list any big problems as being common, just things like part replacements, oil changes, and check engine light checks. If keeping your car’s value matters to you, you’ll be glad to hear that after five years of use, the Tahoe only loses around 33% of its value.
