Top 10 Most Reliable Small SUV
What are the best and most reliable crossover SUVs that you can buy? That’s what we’re going to find out.
I’m going to share the best small crossover SUVs that you can buy for 2024 if your priorities are having the best reliability and getting the best value for your money.
They also happen to be the best choices for efficiency and safety. So I’m going to make things extremely easy for you because you can not go wrong with these pics.
Subaru Forester
So let’s start with the first SUV in the number 10 spot, and that is the Subaru Forester. The Forester is famous for its loyal following and devoted owners.
It has extremely high owner satisfaction.
According to consumer reports, 78% of Forester owners would buy another one again, probably because it’s so well-rounded in terms of its comfortable drive, spacious interior, and capable all-wheel drive system, and of course, excellent reliability.
The Forrester gets an 8.6 out of 10 for reliability from Isee cars, and 82 out of 100 from consumer reports.
It also gets a top safety pick award from the IIHS, and considering its reasonable pricing and very strong resale value, the Forester is an excellent all-around buy.
And the fact that the newly redesigned 2025 model will soon be offered as a hybrid should make it even more appealing.
Subaru Crosetrek
The next SUV in the number nine spot, and that is the Subaru Crosetrek.
The Crosetrek basically has most of the same benefits as the Forester.
A comfortable ride, high owner satisfaction, and excellent safety rating from the IHS, and very strong reliability.
In fact, it was Consumer Reports’ highest rated vehicle for 2024, which is impressive.
It also uses the same amazing all wheel drive system and has surprisingly good ground clearance, off road ability, and towing ability, especially if you go for the wilderness trim.
And because of its excellent reputation and desirability, it has phenomenal resale value, making it a great buy.
It’s a great choice.
Mazda CX30
The next crossover in the number 8 spot, and that is the Mazda CX30.
Over the past decade, Mazda has become one of the top brands for reliability in the industry.
Their strategy of maintaining very high level of build quality, combined with using very simple, time-tested drivetrains, has really paid off.
The CX30 uses a well-proven, naturally-aspirated four-cylinder engine with a conventional six-speed automatic transmission, which not only contributes to reliability, but also provides excellent performance.
And if you want, you can even get a surprisingly powerful turbocharge engine, making this one of the quickest crossovers for the price.
It’s It’s also a great handling SUV, and while the interior is not the most spacious, it is beautifully finished and quite luxurious feeling.
It’s also an IIHS top safety pick and an excellent buy for the price.
So overall, you really can’t go wrong choosing this one.
Honda HRV
The next crossover SUV coming in the number seven spot is another really solid choice, and that one is the Honda HRV.
While the HRV is not as fancy as the CX30 or perform quite as well, it does have equally good reliability, scoring an impressive 85 out of 100 on the consumer report survey.
Where the HRV really pulls ahead, though, is with its spacious interior, making this a very practical small SUV.
It also has the highest possible safety rating from the IIHS, being a top safety pick plus.
So the HRV certainly has the trifecta when it comes to reliability, safety, and practicality, not to mention being a very good value.
Mazda CX5 and CX50
The next crossover SUV is coming in the number 6 and the number 5 spot I’m giving a tie, and those are the Mazda CX5 and CX50.
These two are essentially nearly identical SUVs with a slightly different look, size, and character.
Both share the same excellent drivetrains shared with the CX30, a choice of either a naturally-aspirated or turbo-charged four-cylinder engine with a six-speed automatic, and the CX50 will soon be offered as a hybrid.
Whichever option you take, though, both Mazdas offer the same excellent reliability, top safety pick scores, and they have a great driving experience, which has become a real Mazda trademark.
If you want a bit of style, luxury, and quality, all at a really reasonable price.
Toyota Corolla Cross
The next one that comes in the number 4 spot, and that is the Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid.
The Corolla Cross has many of the same qualities as the other SUVs on this list.
Excellent reliability, a great safety rating, and a practical spacious interior for its size.
Where the cross has the advantage, though, is that you can get it with either a conventional engine or as a hybrid.
The hybrid version is a real gem, being quieter, smoother, and more powerful, and delivering phenomenal fuel economy for an SUV.
It also happens to be one of the most affordable hybrids and the most affordable crossovers that you can buy, period.
If you want a money saver in every possible way, this one is it.
Lexus NX
The next number 3 SUV, I’m throwing this one in just for those who really want to have a luxury brand.
If that’s what you’re looking for, then the best choice is the Lexus NX.
Lexus has been the king of reliability for ages.
If you want a quality SUV that will last, this one is it.
It also happens to have a top safety pick plus rating from the IIHS, and it’s offered with a regular gas engine, a hybrid, and even a plug-in hybrid.
It is certainly not cheap, but no luxury SUVs.
And considering the excellent reliability and really strong resale value that you get, this one is arguably the best buy compared to the rest.
Toyota RAV4 Hybrid
if you can give up some luxury, you can save a lot of money and still get a phenomenal SUV with my number 2 pick, and that is is the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid.
The regular RAV4 is a fine choice of an SUV.
It has superb reliability, rated an 8.4 out of 10 and 84 out of 100 from ISee cars and consumer reports.
And all versions of the RAV4 have a top safety pick rating from the IIHS.
The hybrid version, however, takes things further.
Not only is it more fuel-efficient, but it’s also quieter, smoother, and more powerful. You can even get a plug-in hybrid version if you want.
And best of all, the pricing is really reasonable. This is one of the most affordable hybrid SUVs available, especially for one of this size and space.
So it’s no surprise why the RAV4, especially the hybrids, have among the best resale value in the industry.
It’s just one of the best SUVs available and a really easy recommendation.
Now, because of its amazing value, I would say that the RAV4 Hybrid is the number one choice for those in Canada.
Honda, especially if you go for one of the lower models like the LE or the XLE, nothing else can touch it for the price.
Honda CRV Hybrid
But if you’re willing to go for a fully loaded model, or if you live in the US, where the pricing is neck and neck with the next choice, Then you’re going to get just as great of an SUV with the next one on the list, and that one is the Honda CRV Hybrid.
Now, you can get the CRV with a regular engine, but the hybrid is easily the better choice to go with.
Not only is it very fuel-efficient, but Honda makes an extremely reliable hybrid system that should last for ages with no turbos, no CVT, and basically no nonsense.
In general, the CRV is considered to be a very reliable SUV with scores of 9 out of 10 and 70 out of 100 from ISee cars and consumer reports.
Where it really has the RAV4 beat is with its amazing safety rating, rated a top safety pick plus by the IIHS.
It is also quieter, more comfortable to drive, has better handling, and is noticeably more spacious on the inside, and it’s generally easier to get your hands on one, too.
Owners seem to like it more because it also has one of the highest owner satisfaction ratings in the segment, with 71% happy to buy another one again.
It is a bit pricey, but you really are getting your money’s worth, and all things considered, it’s a really phenomenal SUV. So there you have it, the best, most reliable, no-nonsense SUVs.