

Each of those surveys looks back three years, so the SUVs assembled here represent the most dependable ones from model years 20. For this review, we've done just that: We've assembled the 13 used SUVs that rank highest in dependability based on their Overall scores in their individual categories in the two most recent VDS studies, published in 20. In 2014, for the first time ever, sales of compact crossovers outpaced mid-size sedans in the United States. Industry insiders say it's a reasonably good predictor of a car's future score on the Dependability Study.įor a deeper check on a vehicle's reliability, the Power site enables you to look back beyond the latest VDS survey to previous years' results to see how the same model has done over time. A crossover, crossover SUV, or crossover utility vehicle (CUV) is a type of automobile with an increased ride height that is built on unibody chassis construction shared with passenger cars. If you're looking for a new SUV, we suggest cross-checking the VDS with Power's Initial Quality Study (IQS), which surveys customers on problems in the first 90 days of ownership. The Overall scores for three-year-old vehicles will never be perfectly predictive of how reliable a brand-new, current-year model will be manufacturers tend to improve the quality of their vehicles over time, but there are also some years when they slide backwards. Obviously, a lower score equates to fewer problems and better reliability. An Overall score of 100 means that a vehicle has an average of 100 issues per 100 vehicles, or an average of 1 per vehicle. The results are presented in terms of issues per 100 vehicles. The Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) covers a total of 177 potential problem areas. Power conducts an annual Vehicle Dependability Study that asks thousands of owners how their vehicle has performed three years after their initial purchase. But when we want information on how reliable a vehicle promises to be after several years in service, we turn to research firm J.D. When it comes to the most reliable crossovers and SUVs for the 2014 model year, J.D. Our Instrumented Tests give you a clear picture of what every new SUV has to offer, and we also run select models through our Long-Term Test program to see how they hold up during one year and 40,000 miles of abuse. All-wheel drive models in particular may have different brakes, suspension and exhaust systems with higher costs, so it’s worth asking beforehand and planning your maintenance accordingly.When your money is on the line for a used SUV, you want to know the vehicle you’re buying will be a reliable traveling companion years down the road. If you’re going to keep your crossover for a while, make sure there are no nasty surprises waiting compared to a hatchback equivalent. with optional front crash prevention applies only to vehicles built after October 2013 2014. On higher-mileage examples look for tyres being rotated/changed in sets of four, and check the service schedule for terms like propshaft and viscous coupling inspection, lubrication/fluid changes in addition to the normal maintenance expected.Ĭheck spares costs if you plan on long-term ownership Small SUVs 2014 Mazda CX-5 4-door SUV 2014 Mazda CX-5 4-door SUV. Quite often, the 4×4 drive only works when the front wheels are slipping, and relies on proper maintenance of couplings, driveshafts and tyres to work correctly.

Many crossovers with all-wheel drive have less-sophisticated systems than their larger SUV brethren. Have 4×4 models been maintained correctly? Those designed with a sloping roof can also impede on rear passenger headroom. While some result in marginally improved handling characteristics, they result in a negative effect on ride quality.

Avoid sportier trim levels for maximum comfortĭemand for large, sporty-looking SUVs has grown over the past decade and this has resulted in manufacturers offering models with bodykits, larger wheels and stiffer suspension.
