2020 What Car? Reliability Survey: small SUVs

Most reliable small SUVs

1. Mini Countryman (2017-present)

Reliability rating 98.3%

What went wrong? Engine electrics 7%, non-engine electrics 3%

The latest Countryman is proving dependable; only 10% of cars went wrong and electrical issues were the only bugbears. All of the stricken cars could still be driven and two-thirds were put right in less than a week. All work was carried out under warranty.

Owner’s view “This is my fourth Mini. I have never had any problems with any of them and the dealer support is excellent”

2. Mazda CX-3 (2016-present)

Reliability rating 98.0%

Only 12% of CX-3s had a fault, and electrical gremlins were the only issue, with problems split evenly between non-engine electrics in general and the infotainment system. All of the affected cars remained driveable, while 75% were put right in a day or less and all work was done for free.

3. Volkswagen T-Roc (2017-present)

Reliability rating 96.0%

Owners told us that 19% of T-Rocs went wrong, with the biggest areas of concern being the engine and non-engine electrics. There were also some issues with engine electrics, brakes and air-con. However, four out of five cars could still be driven and a third were repaired the same day; 90% of work was done under warranty and no bills exceeded £50.

Least reliable small SUVs

1. Honda HR-V (2015-present)

Reliability rating 90.2%

What went wrong? Battery 10%, bodywork 7%, engine 7%, non-engine electrics 7%, air-con 3%, engine electrics 3%, gearbox/clutch 3%, infotainment/sat-nav 3%, interior trim 3%, steering 3%

Honda’s smallest SUV has suffered more than its fair share of faults, with 23% of cars going wrong and problems occurring in 10 different areas. More than half of the afflicted cars could still be driven, but one in five languished in a garage for more than a week. Although 95% were put right for free, some owners faced bills of up to £200.

Owner’s view “The car is driveable, but it’s been into the garage three times for an engine problem that hasn’t been resolved”

2. Suzuki Vitara (2015-present)

Reliability rating 92.8%

Almost 20% of Vitaras had a problem, with non-engine electrical systems the most common culprit. Other areas of concern included the brakes, bodywork and gearbox/clutch. Four out of five afflicted cars could still be driven and two-thirds were repaired in less than a week. Three-quarters of work was done under warranty, but a small percentage of owners shelled out more than £1500.

3. Nissan Juke (2010-2019)

Reliability rating 94.2%

The fact that a car as dependable as the Juke is in the bottom three is a reflection of the strong reliability record of the small SUV class as a whole. Only 15% of Jukes went wrong, with issues split evenly between the battery, exhaust, gearbox/clutch, interior trim and non-engine electrics. More than three-quarters of the cars remained driveable and two-thirds were put right in less than a week. Around 20% of work was done for free, while bills for non-warranty work ranged from less than £50 to £1000.

The 2021 What Car? Reliability Survey is open; tell us about your car

Results for small SUVs aged up to five years old

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