Consumer Reports (CR) has crunched the data and made predictions about the most reliable and least reliable 2020 SUV models. All of the models evaluated have been around for at least two years, giving them a track record to base off.
The most expensive among this roundup of least-expensive SUVs? The Mitsubishi Outlander Sport.This subcompact SUV received a thorough update for 2020 that includes snappier duds and a richer.
The CR predictions are based on a survey of 420,000 vehicle owners within the past three years. The owners evaluated their vehicles on engine performance, safety systems, vehicle infotainment and other aspects of their experience to assess their reliability. CR used the data to calculate car, truck, van, and SUV reliability ratings.
We have broken down their survey findings down among SUV models, and below are the top 6 most reliable and top 6 least reliable SUV models.
- The average crossover in 2020 has to work particularly hard to stand out in the market for most people, but being the best SUV for seniors is a different game entirely.
- The Most Improved 2021 SUV. Buick was the most improved brand for reliability, jumping up 14 spots to the 4th spot overall among carmakers. Its subcompact crossover, the Encore, showed significant improvements in reliability and came in as the second most reliable crossover model.
Most Reliable 2020 SUVs
- Lexus GX
- Hyundai Kona
- Mazda CX-3
- Lexus NX
- Toyota 4-Runner
- Mazda CX-9
Least Reliable 2020 SUVs
- Jeep Wrangler
- Volkswagen Atlas
- Volkswagen Tiguan
- Acura MDX
- Tesla Model X
- Chevrolet Traverse
In reviewing the lists, price didn’t equate to having the most reliable SUV model. The most reliable SUVs were fairly even disseminated amongst the SUV classes.
Two luxury SUV models made the list, one truck-based SUV made the list, one three-row crossover, and perhaps somewhat surprising, two 2020 subcompact SUVs were on the most reliable list. So more expensive doesn’t mean more reliable.
New SUV Reliability
All of these models have been around for at least a few years, giving them a track record to base off. This is particularly true in the case of the 4-Runner, which first debuted in the U.S in the 1984 model year. Impressively, the 4-Runner is also a top pick for resale value.
Best Used Suvs For The Money
While some all-new SUV models may prove to be very reliable over time, the data isn’t yet there to validate their reliability and there can be kinks to work out/glitches to fix with new models. With more proven and tested models, the growing pains should have already been worked out.
While the Tesla’s SUV, the Model X, still has work to do, it’s Model 3 compact car earned a spot on the top ten most reliable 2020 cars list after failing to make the mark the previously.
Most & Least Reliable SUV Brands
In terms of car, truck, and SUV reliability overall among brands, Toyota, with Lexus being ranked first and its namesake ranked third was tops. Mazda, another Japanese automaker, ranked second. In fact, nearly all the SUV models that made the 2020 most reliable SUV list are from Japan. The one exception was the Kona, from South Korean manufacturer Hyundai.
Not all Japanese manufacturers fared as well. Subaru dropped five spots in the CR rankings from last year. This was attributed to two SUV models, the all-new Ascent, and the recently redesigned Forester. Despite the bad news, Subaru still finished as the 7th most reliable automaker out of 30.
German and American Manufacturer SUV Reliability
No American manufacturers had an SUV model with best reliability ratings, while two models, the Jeep Wrangler and Chevrolet Traverse made the least reliable 2020 SUV list. However, on the positive side, the Wranger made the list for best 2019 resale value SUVs and was the Motor Trend 2019 SUV of the Year.
Volkswagen, a German manufacturer, had two models, the Atlas and the Tiguan make the least reliable SUV list.
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