In association with MotorEasy
What Car? Reliability Survey: Most and least reliable small SUVs
In our annual Reliability Survey, we ask readers to rate the dependability of cars aged up to five years old. Here we list the most and least reliable small SUVs in the UK...
Small SUVs are hugely popular with buyers, sought after because they provide the practicality and accessibility of larger SUVs, but are more compact and economical. Although they're not the roomiest cars on sale, small SUVs tend to have chunky styling and some have fairly high driving positions.
The good news is that this car class is one of the most robust. In fact, small SUVs are the third highest-scoring class in our latest annual Reliability Survey, with a reliability rating of 93.7%. Only small cars and sports cars are considered more dependable.
This year's top performers are the Kia EV3 and the Volkswagen T-Roc. Here we're looking at reliability data for small cars aged up to five years old. Reliability information for older models is in our Most reliable used cars feature.
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Most reliable small SUVs
1. Kia EV3 (2024-present)
Reliability rating 100%
Most common faults: none
Average repair cost: £0
Typical time off road: n/a
While some of the latest electric models have struggled with battery and motor flaws, the Kia EV3 has sailed through its first reliability survey with none of these.
In fact, it’s one of just four models to have achieved a full 100% reliability rating this year. In other words, owners told us that they didn’t have a single issue with their cars.
The EV3 is also the only fully electric model to have gained the top rating, and that’s a big achievement when you consider the difficulties experienced by some owners of other EVs that are included in this survey.
Owner’s view: “The things I’ve been most impressed with about my EV3 are its reliability and durability. So far it’s not had a single issue.”
See the latest Kia EV3 deals
2. Volkswagen T-Roc (2018-2025)
Reliability rating 99.0%
Most common faults: Bodywork 2%, gearbox/clutch 1%, non-engine electrics 1%, sat-nav/infotainment system 1%
Average repair cost: £0
Typical time off road: 33% a day or less, 67% one day to a week
The T-Roc’s almost perfect reliability rating is all the more impressive when you consider that it’s been on sale since 2018, and many of the examples in our survey are four or five years old, so they’re outside their new car warranty period.
Despite this, Volkswagen paid for all remedial work on the 4% of faulty cars we were told about, with bodywork problems being the most frequently cited, followed by gearbox and electrical faults. A third of cars were sorted in a day or less and the rest were back on the road in less than a week. All affected cars could still be driven.
Reliability rating 98.7%
Most common faults: Bodywork 3%, non-engine electrics 4%
Average repair cost: £0
Typical time off road: 33% one day or less, 33% one day to a week, 33% more than a week
The Kona Hybrid is a consistently strong performer for reliability; it came third in the small SUV category last year and its score has dropped by only 0.3% since then. A fault rate of 8% is far lower than those for the petrol and electric versions of the Kona.
The bodywork and non-engine electrics were the only areas of concern for owners, and all defects were rectified by Hyundai at no charge. A third of the faulty cars were put right in less than a day, while another third took less than a week, but the rest took longer than that to repair.
See the latest Hyundai Kona deals
4. Audi Q2 (2016-present)
Reliability rating 98.5%
Most common faults: Engine 5%
Average repair cost: £0
Typical time off road: 50% less than a day, 25% more than a week
There's plenty to like about the Q2 because it offers all the desirability of larger SUVs from Audi, but has a far more affordable price tag. It's also the highest scoring model for reliability in the brand's line up, and has a far better rating than many of the larger models.
Only 10% of the Q2s we were told about went wrong, and the only area to give any trouble was the engine. Even though older examples will be outside their three-year new car warranty, Audi paid for all fixes to be done. The only downside is that a quarter of cars with issues were in the garage for more than a week.
See the latest Audi Q2 deals
5. Hyundai Kona petrol (2017-2023)
Reliability rating 98.1%
Most common faults: 12-volt battery 4%, air-con 4%, exhaust 4%, gearbox/clutch 4%, sat-nav/infotainment system 4%
Average repair cost: £0
Typical time off road: 50% a day or less, 40% more than a week
The petrol version of the Kona was discontinued in 2023, but it's still a good secondhand choice because it is pretty economical, well kitted out and is enjoyable to drive. Although it's not as robust as the Kona Hybrid, it still has a solid reliability reputation.
Owners told is that 18% of their petrol-engined Konas went wrong, with a range of issues including problems with electrical systems, the exhaust and gearbox. Some problems were slow to sort out — 40% of cars were out of action for more than a week — but Hyundai covered the cost of all remedial work, so nobody got any surprise bills.
2017-2023 used Hyundai Kona review
See the latest used Hyundai Kona deals
6. Volkswagen T-Cross (2019-present)
Reliability rating 98.4%
Most common faults: Engine 4%, non-engine electrics 4%, steering 4%
Average repair cost: £0
Typical time off road: 33% less than a day, 67% more than a week
The T-Cross is the little brother of the Volkswagen T-Roc — the former is based on the same platform as the Polo, and the latter has Golf underpinnings. Both are a sound bet if you're after a dependable small SUV, though.
Only 12% of the T-Cross models reported on went wrong, with glitches split evenly between the engine, electrics and steering. Remedial work was slow, taking more than a week in two-thirds of instances, but Volkswagen paid for all repairs taking the sting out of problems.
Reliability rating 97.5%
Most common faults: 12-volt battery 4%, exhaust 3%. interior trim 3%, sat-nav/infotainment system 3%
Average repair cost: 100% £0
Typical time off road: 55% less than a day, 27% one day to a week
Honda is the overall winner of the 2025 What Car? Reliability Survey with a near-perfect brand score of 96.6%, and the HR-V is its top performing model. It's an appealing SUV in other respects, too, because its hybrid engine is refined and economical, and it has a comfortable ride and plenty of kit as standard.
HR-V owners aren't likely to spend much time at dealerships because only 13% of their cars had any issues. The car maker paid for all remedial work, and more than half of faulty cars were in and out of the workshop the same day.
See the latest Honda HR-V deals
=8. Mazda MX-30 EV and R-EV PHEV (2020-present)
Reliability rating 97.1%
Most common faults: Air-con 7%, non-engine electrics 7%
Average repair cost: 100% £0
Typical time off road: 100% more than a week
Mazda's first pure electric model, the MX-30 EV, has a shorter range than some rivals (officially it can do 124 miles between charges), but it's good to drive, plush inside and has a great infotainment system. If you want the added back-up of a petrol engine, the MX-30 R EV plug-in hybrid is a good alternative, with a pure electric range of 54 miles.
Both versions acquit themselves well when it comes to reliability - only 13% of the cars we were told about had any glitches with the air-con and other electrical systems. All faulty cars could still be driven, but all were out of action for more than a week.
Reliability rating 97.1%
Most common faults: Engine 7%, non-engine electrics 7%
Average repair cost: 100% £0
Typical time off road: 50% less than a day, 50% one day to a week
The Taigo is closely related to the Volkswagen T-Cross, but it's billed as being sportier and having sleeker styling. It's not as sharp to drive as its main rival, the Ford Puma, but it has a compliant ride, generous rear passenger space and plenty of toys, even in our favourite entry-level trim.
Engine and electrical issues were reported by 13% of owners, and although half of faulty cars could still be driven, the same proportion took more than a week to put right. Volkswagen paid for all the necessary work, though.
See the latest Volkswagen Taigo deals
10. Peugeot 2008 (2019-present)
Reliability rating 96.8%
Most common faults: Engine 4%, air-con 2%, 12-volt battery 2%, non-engine electrics 2%, sat-nav/infotainment system 2%
Average repair cost: 100% £0
Typical time off road: 21% a day or less, 46% more than a week
The petrol-powered 2008 is proving more dependable than its electric counterpart, the e-2008. The petrol Peugeot scores 96.8%, while the electric version only musters 92.0%. It also has 50% fewer faults: 14% of 2008s went wrong, compared with 28% of e-2008s.
Only 4% of the 2008s that did have issues were rendered undrivable, but almost half were out of action for more than a week. The other good news is that Peugeot paid for all remedial work.
Reliability rating 55.2%
Most common faults: 12-volt battery 12%, engine 12%, fuel system 6%, non-engine electrics 6%, air-con 2%, bodywork 2%, brakes 2%, exhaust 2%, gearbox/clutch 2%
Average repair cost: 30% £0, 60% more than £1500
Typical time off road: 27% one day to a week, 64% more than a week
A combination of slow repairs and some huge repair bills have dragged the petrol Juke to the bottom of the chart for small SUVs. In fact, its 55.2% reliability rating is the lowest of all the cars included – in any category – in this year’s survey.
Although only 24% of petrol Juke owners said their car had gone wrong, 64% of those said their cars were out of action for more than a week, and 60% had to pay more than £1500 per fault for repairs; only 30% of problems were fixed for free. The engine and 12-volt battery were the biggest headaches, followed by fuel system and non-engine electrical glitches.
Owner’s view “My car has been completely unreliable. It has failed twice and I now feel it is beyond repair.”
See the latest Nissan Juke deals
2. Lexus LBX (2023-present)
Reliability rating 81.9%
Most common faults: 12-volt battery 54%, sat-nav/infotainment system 13%, brakes 4%, fuel system 4%, interior trim 4% non-engine electrics 4%
Average repair cost: 100% £0
Typical time off road: 71% less than a day, 18% more than a week
Lexus models aren’t usually found in the lower reaches of our Reliability Survey charts, but the LBX is here because it has experienced widespread problems with its 12-volt battery going flat.
A whopping 61% of LBX owners said their car had suffered a failure, and 54% of those involved that battery. There were also complaints about the infotainment system and other electrical glitches.
At least things were put right fairly swiftly: 71% of cars were out of the garage in a day or less, and only 18% took more than a week to fix. Lexus took care of all repair bills, too.
After the publication of our survey results, a Lexus spokesperson stated: “Owners who suffer problems should contact their dealer for a battery quality inspection. Alongside this, owners who book their cars into their dealer for routine maintenance; will have a battery quality inspection carried out. If it is shown in either situation that one of the identified run of affected batteries is fitted, a replacement, alternative battery will be installed, free of charge.”
See the latest Lexus LBX deals
3. Nissan Juke hybrid (2019-present)
Reliability rating 89.0%
Most common faults: Engine 9%, 12-volt battery 5%, electric battery pack 5%, engine/motor electrics 5%, gearbox 5%
Average repair cost: 100% £0
Typical time off road: 25% less than a day, 63% more than a week
Hybrid versions of the Juke suffered slightly fewer faults (23%) than their petrol brethren, and Nissan covered the cost of all repairs. Engine and battery woes were the most prevalent complaints, and there were also reports of difficulties with the gearbox and infotainment system.
As with the petrol Juke, many of the repairs took time to carry out; 63% of afflicted hybrids were in the workshop for more than a week. However, 25% of them were fixed in a day or less, beating the 9% of petrol models that were sorted out within that time frame.
See the latest Nissan Juke deals
Most reliable small SUVs aged up to five years old
| Rank | Make and model | Score |
| 1 | Kia EV3 (2024-present) | 100% |
| 2 | Volkswagen T-Roc (2018-2025) | 99.0% |
| 3 | Hyundai Kona Hybrid (2019-present) | 98.7% |
| 4 | Audi Q2 (2016-present) | 98.5% |
| 5 | Hyundai Kona petrol (2017-2023) | 98.1% |
| 6 | Volkswagen T-Cross (2019-present) | 98.0% |
| 7 | Honda HR-V (2021-present) | 97.5% |
| =8 | Mazda MX-30 EV and MX-30 R-EV PHEV (2020-present) | 97.1% |
| =8 | Volkswagen Taigo (2021-present) | 97.1% |
| 10 | Peugeot 2008 (2019-present) | 96.8% |
| 11 | Vauxhall Mokka petrol (2020-present) | 96.6% |
| 12 | Kia Stonic (2017-present) | 96.4% |
| =13 | Vauxhall Crossland (2018-present) | 95.7% |
| =13 | Toyota C-HR (2016-2023) | 95.7% |
| 15 | Skoda Karoq (2017-present) | 95.5% |
| =16 | Mini Countryman (2017-2024) | 95.4% |
| =16 | Suzuki Vitara (2015-present) | 95.4% |
| 18 | Toyota C-HR (2023-present) | 95.4% |
| 19 | Dacia Duster (2018-present) | 95.0% |
| 20 | Seat Ateca (2016-present) | 94.8% |
| 21 | Kia Soul EV (2020-present) | 94.2% |
| 22 | Skoda Kamiq (2019-present) | 94.1% |
| 23 | Suzuki S-Cross (2021 -present) | 93.5% |
| 24 | Fiat 600 (2024-present) | 92.9% |
| 25 | Hyundai Kona Electric (2018-present) | 92.8% |
| 26 | Seat Arona (2018-present) | 92.7% |
| 27 | Mazda CX-30 (2020-present) | 92.2% |
| 28 | Peugeot e-2008 (2019-present) | 92.0% |
| =29 | Renault Captur (2019-present) | 91.7% |
| =29 | Vauxhall Mokka Electric (2020-present) | 91.7% |
| 31 | MG ZS petrol and PHEV (2017-present) | 91.6% |
| =32 | Ford Puma (2019-present) | 91.4% |
| =32 | Toyota Yaris Cross (2021-present) | 91.4% |
| =34 | Volvo EX30 (2023-present) | 90.6% |
| =34 | Cupra Ateca (2020-present) | 90.6% |
| 36 | Nissan Juke hybrid (2022 - present) | 89.0% |
| 37 | Lexus LBX (2023-present) | 81.9% |
| 38 | Nissan Juke petrol (2019-present) | 55.2% |
To read the reliability data for other car classes follow these links:
Most and least reliable cars overall (2025)
Most reliable car brands (2025)
Most reliable small cars (2025)
Most reliable family cars (2024)
Most reliable executive cars (2024)
Most reliable luxury cars (2024)
Most reliable family SUVs (2025)
Most reliable large SUVs (2024)
Most reliable seven-seaters (2024)
Most reliable electric cars (2024)
Most reliable electric SUVs (2024)
Most reliable sports cars (2024)
Most reliable diesel cars (2023)
Most reliable petrol cars (2024)
Most reliable hybrid cars (2024)
How the survey was carried out
To compile the annual What Car? Reliability Survey, conducted in association with MotorEasy, we ask thousands of car owners to tell us how dependable their cars have been over the previous 24 months. The survey was open for six months and was sent out to whatcar.com readers and subscribers.
To assess the seriousness of any faults reported on by owners, we ask them to tell us how long each one kept the car off the road and how much it cost to fix. We use a combination of these two details to create a reliability rating for each model and brand. The latest survey had 29,967 responses, allowing us to report on 199 models (up to five years old) from 31 brands.
About the report author
Claire Evans has been a motoring journalist for more than 30 years with a focus on consumer issues for much of that time. She was the advice columnist for Carweek magazine in the 1990s, and also spent six years working on motoring content for Which?.
Claire launched the What Car? Reliability Survey in 2017, and since then has helped thousands of buyers choose the most reliable new cars and SUVs, as well as the most dependable used cars.
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