Audi Q5

Mazda CX-5

Land Rover Defender

Audi Q3

Volvo XC60

Kia Niro 

Citroën ë-C5 Aircross

MG HS

the-most-reliable-family-suvs-and-the-least

what-car-reliability-survey-most-and-least-reliable-family-suvs

Family SUVs are the most popular type of car for those with children because they're roomy, packed with practical features and relatively affordable. There's a huge range of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/family-suvs/n17116">family SUVs</a>&nbsp;to choose from, ranging from the budget-conscious&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/citroen/c5-aircross/hatchback/review/n18246">Citroën C5 Aircross</a>&nbsp;to the luxurious&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/land-rover/range-rover-evoque/4x4/review/n109">Range Rover Evoque</a>. Whichever you choose you'll get lots of family-friendly features and a lofty driving position.&nbsp;

The good news for buyers is that family SUVs are generally a reliable bunch, scoring an average of 93.4% in the latest&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/most-reliable-cars/n27337">What Car?&nbsp;Reliability Survey</a>&nbsp;(conducted in association with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.motoreasy.com/">MotorEasy</a>) and 92.6% last year.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/hybrid-cars/n17013">Hybrid</a>&nbsp;and petrol family SUVs have become more popular than those with diesel engines, and they're a good bet because they're&nbsp;often the most dependable.&nbsp;

Read on to find out more about the reliability ratings&nbsp;for&nbsp;family SUVs aged up to five years old.

<h2><a href="https://survey.alchemer.eu/s3/90474827/6fe2cc473d53&amp;rdt=1">The What Car? Reliability Survey is live, tell us about your car now</a></h2>

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What Car? Reliability Survey: Most and least reliable family SUVs

Estate

Hatchbacks, SUVs, hybrids, electric cars: Renault makes them all, in a variety of shapes and sizes, meaning&nbsp;it has a line-up designed to tempt pretty much everyone.

From the roadside, the standout feature of all its cars is design, with them instantly recognisable as members of the Renault family, without being so similar that they fall&nbsp;into the Russian doll trap. However, in terms of ability they're a mixed bag,&nbsp;ranging&nbsp;from very good to no better than average.

Models that fall into the former camp include the Clio small hatchback and Megane E-Tech electric car, while the smaller Zoe electric car is also impressive in most respects; it's just a pity Renault omits key safety kit.

On the other hand, the Captur, Arkana and Austral SUVs are all outclassed by several rivals.

Renault has some exciting new models planned, including a new Scenic (this time it will be an electric SUV instead of a conventionally powered MPV) and two cars that reimagine classic Renaults: the 4 and 5.

RENAULT

SCENIC E-TECH

Reliability rating 97.5%

Most common faults:&nbsp;non-engine electrics 5%, sat-nav/infotainment system 5%

Average repair cost:&nbsp;100%&nbsp;£0

Typical time off road:&nbsp;100% one day or less

You'd be forgiven for picturing a boxy but practical people carrier when the name Scenic is mentioned. However,&nbsp;Renault has recreated the Scenic as a stylish-looking, pure electric SUV. The latest version offers&nbsp;good practicality, an official range of up to 379 miles and a respectable reliability rating.&nbsp;

Only&nbsp;11% of the Scenic models reported on had any issues, and most were to do with the electrics, in particular the infotainment system. That meant that no cars were rendered undriveable, and all were in and out of the workshop in a day or less. As you'd expect for a car that's still under warranty, all repairs were done for free.

<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/renault/scenic-e-tech/estate/review/n26635">Renault Scenic E-Tech&nbsp;review</a>

See the latest&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals/renault/scenic/suv">Renault Scenic E-Tech deals</a>

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Most reliable family SUVs – 10. Renault Scenic E-Tech (2023-present)

One of the greatest success stories in the car world of recent decades is Skoda’s rise to become a hugely credible mainstream maker of good-value, good-sense cars.

Central to that success has been its place within the VW Group, alongside the Volkswagen brand itself, plus the likes of Seat and Audi. That has given it access to exactly the same underpinnings for its cars as the other brands, and it has complemented this by adding its own developments, from the way the cars drive and ride through to the features they have and the pricing.

The result is a range that extends from a city car to a large executive saloon, with family and large seven-seat SUVs too. There’s a wide variety of petrol and diesel engines, all of which are competitive for the class.

As a result, Skoda has a range of cars that is almost entirely class-leading or among the class leaders, and it has enjoyed long-time success at the What Car? Awards as a result.

SKODA

KODIAQ

Reliability rating 97.8%

Most common faults:&nbsp;exhaust system&nbsp;6%, non-engine electrics 6%,&nbsp;gearbox 3%

Average repair cost:&nbsp;100%&nbsp;£0

Typical time off road:&nbsp;67% one day or less, 33% more than a week

It's unusual for a diesel version of a car to gain a higher reliability rating than its petrol counterpart, but that's what the diesel Kodiaq has achieved. While it sits in 9th position in this chart, the petrol Kodiaq is down at 47th place with a score of 92.2%.

Diesel versions of the Kodiaq went wrong more often than petrols: 19% had a problem, compared with 14% of petrols. However, Skoda dealers managed to repair two-thirds of faults in a day or less. In contrast, 71% of stricken petrol Kodiaqs were out of action for more than a week. Electric and 12-volt battery issues suffered by petrol and PHEV Kodiaqs appear to take&nbsp;longer to fix, going some way to accounting for the poorer rating of the petrol models.&nbsp;

No Kodiaq owners were left out of pocket, though, because the brand covered the cost of remedial work for petrol and diesel models.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/skoda/kodiaq/estate/used-review/n954">Used Skoda Kodiaq review</a>

See the latest&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals/skoda/kodiaq/suv">Skoda Kodiaq deals</a>

9. Skoda Kodiaq diesel (2017-2024)

In the same way that Infiniti acts as Nissan’s premium arm, Lexus has a similar tie-in with Toyota. And since most of Toyota’s models are offered as hybrids, it’s no surprise to see the same from Lexus, although there are some traditional petrol engines, too.

The brand focuses heavily on SUVs – namely the NX and RX – but also has the CT hatchback, ES executive saloon and LS luxury car among its portfolio. More small and large SUVs are expected in the future.

Like Toyota, Lexus has built a very strong reputation for reliability and regularly finishes very close to the top of our annual Reliability Survey.

LEXUS

Reliability rating 98.0%

Most common faults:&nbsp;sat-nav/infotainment system 7%

Average repair cost:&nbsp;100%&nbsp;£0

Typical time off road:&nbsp;25% one day to a week, 75% more than a week&nbsp;

An&nbsp;interesting alternative to established premium family SUVs, the UX has distinctive looks and a very efficient hybrid system. It also comes with the reassurance that the Lexus brand has a long record of building dependable cars.&nbsp;

The UX follows this tradition - owners told us that only 7% of their cars had any difficulties, and the only area to cause concern was the infotainment system. While there was no charge for putting things right, the majority of owners were without their cars for more than a week.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/lexus/ux/hatchback/review/n17871">Lexus UX review</a>

See the latest&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals/lexus/ux/suv">Lexus UX deals</a>

Search&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/car-leasing-deals/lexus/ux?standardBodyType=SUV&amp;sort=leaseMonthlyPriceAsc">Lexus UX leasing deals</a>

8. Lexus UX (2019-present)

Hatchback

Nissan turned up early to the SUV party, with its Qashqai paving the way for the countless models we see today. The Qashqai continues to sell in big numbers in the UK, too, and was also our overall Car of the Year in 2014.

Don’t think Nissan is just about SUVs, though. As well as the Qashqai, the smaller Juke and the larger X-Trail, the Japanese brand has the Micra hatchback, GT-R sports car and Navara pick-up truck.

Nissan was also one of the first big car makers to launch a fully electric car, with its latest Leaf being one of the best on the market.

Despite being based in Japan, Nissan has long committed to building cars in the UK, making several of its best-selling models at a huge factory in Sunderland.

NISSAN

QASHQAI

Reliability rating 98.3%

Most common faults:&nbsp;engine 7%

Average repair cost:&nbsp;100%&nbsp;£51-£100

Typical time off road:&nbsp;20% up to a day, 40% one day to a week, 40% more than a week

The second-generation Qashqai was consistently one of the best-selling family SUVs when it was on sale new because it's quiet, comfortable, practical and affordable. In previous years, the model has struggled with a high proportion of faults, but this year only 7% of the examples we were told about had any issues.

Although all problems were with the petrol or diesel engines, they were all sorted out in a day or less, and Nissan took care of all the costs.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/nissan/qashqai/hatchback/used-review/n804">Used Nissan Qashqai&nbsp;review</a>

Search&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars/nissan/qashqai?minManufacturedYear=2014&amp;maxManufacturedYear=2021">used Nissan Qashqai deals</a>

7. Nissan Qashqai (2014-2021)

Mazda can be summed up in a single word: bold. Not only do its cars generally look like nothing else on the market, but it’s also invested heavily in innovative engine technology.

So, while many car makers have moved to smaller turbocharged engines, Mazda instead offers larger motors that are still efficient. For example, the entry-level petrol option in the Mazda 3 is a 2.0-litre unit –&nbsp;far larger than what you’ll find in most rivals – but it remains very clean.

Highlights of Mazda’s line-up include the MX-5 sports car, which has won our Convertible of the Year Award multiple times, and the CX-5 large SUV, which was named as our inaugural best car for dog owners.

MAZDA

CX-5

Reliability rating 98.4%

Most common faults:&nbsp;sat-nav/infotainment 9%, bodywork 1%

Average repair cost:&nbsp;£0

Typical time off road:&nbsp;20% up to a day, 60% one day to a week

The CX-5 is due to be replaced in 2026, but the outgoing model still competes with the latest family SUVs for interior quality, refinement and practicality. It's also well-priced and generously equipped, and it has a strong reliability record.&nbsp;

The petrol CX-5 is the one to go for because it has a low fault rate: 10% of the examples in our survey went wrong, compared with 30% of diesel versions. The infotainment system was the main bugbear, accounting for 9% of all issues. Those troubles didn't stop any cars from being driven, though, and 89% of them were put right by dealers in a day or less. All the remaining faults were sorted out in less than a week.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mazda/cx-5/estate/review/n19">Mazda CX-5&nbsp;review</a>

See the latest&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals/mazda/cx-5/suv">Mazda CX-5&nbsp;deals</a>

6. Mazda CX-5 petrol (2017-2025)

Toyota is a company undergoing a quiet revolution, as it works hard to replace its sensible but somewhat bland reputation with one for being a bit more daring, in areas such as the styling of its cars and its enthusiastic leadership of cutting-edge technology, such as hybrid systems.

That process seems to be working for buyers, with the hugely popular and striking-looking C-HR SUV in particular attracting a great deal of interest. The latest version of the hybrid Prius is also rated highly by What Car?; it’s the first Prius to go on sale that our testers have felt can truly compete all round with existing petrol or diesel rivals.

However, it’s worth noting that this period of transition is also a work in progress, and that many of the firm’s cars are still rated as being no more than average among class rivals by our testers.

TOYOTA

RAV4

Reliability rating 98.9%

Most common faults:&nbsp;12-volt battery 4%, electric battery pack 1%

Average repair cost:&nbsp;100%&nbsp;£0

Typical time off road:&nbsp;60% one day or less, 40% one day to a week

The fifth-generation RAV4 was available as a hybrid and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/plug-in-hybrid-cars/n22743">plug-in hybrid</a>&nbsp;when it went on sale in 2019, but the hybrid was dropped from the line-up at the end of 2024. It's still a great option if you're looking for a dependable family SUV.

Although&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/best-hybrid-cars-you-dont-have-to-plug-in/n17700">hybrid</a>&nbsp;versions of the RAV4 aren't rated quite as highly as the plug-in hybrid versions, they still&nbsp;set an excellent standard for other family SUVs to aspire to. In fact, the fault rate for hybrid models is 5%, which is lower than that for PHEVs (12%), but cars that did go wrong were slower to fix — 40% spent up to a week in the workshop. The good news is that all faults were fixed at no cost to owners.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/toyota/rav4/4x4/review/n130">Toyota RAV4&nbsp;review</a>

See the latest&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals/toyota/rav4/suv">Toyota RAV4&nbsp;deals</a>

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5. Toyota RAV4 Hybrid (2019-2024)

Buyers seeking value for money should have Kia towards the top of their shopping list.

Although once a niche brand in the UK, today Kia outsells many more established brands, helped by its market-leading seven-year warranty and a strong reputation for reliability; in fact, Kia regularly finishes towards the top of our reliability surveys.

There are plenty of models to choose from, too, ranging from the small Picanto city car to the Ceed family hatchback and the Sorento large SUV. The Picanto was the first Kia to win its class at the What Car? Car of the Year awards.

E-NIRO

Reliability rating 99.0%

Most common faults:&nbsp;2%, brakes 1%, non-engine&nbsp;electrics 1%

Average repair cost:&nbsp;100%&nbsp;£0

Typical time off road:&nbsp;20% one day or less, 80% more than&nbsp;a week

The&nbsp;second-generation Kia Niro&nbsp;is competitively priced, generously equipped and thrifty on fuel. It's also impressively reliable in hybrid and plug-in hybrid (<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/plug-in-hybrid-cars/n22743">PHEV</a>) form.&nbsp;Owners of these two fuel types told us their cars hardly put a foot wrong:&nbsp;only 6% of their cars had any issues. In contrast, 30% of the Niro Electric models we were told about suffered a glitch.&nbsp;

However, things were slow to put right when they did go awry, with four out of five cars taking more than a week to fix. At least Kia covered the cost of all remedial work, so nobody had any unexpected bills.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/kia/niro/estate/review/n17190">Kia Niro review</a>

See the latest&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals/kia/niro/suv">Kia Niro deals</a>

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=3. Kia Niro (2022-present)

Porsche is best known as the quintessential sports car maker, but its line-up is increasingly diverse, interesting and successful, from its SUV family to the Panamera hatchback and shooting brake and, in time, a planned family of electric vehicles.

Whatever your choice, What Car?’s testers rate the cars highly; Porsche has an unusually high percentage of five and four-star cars.

Without exception, its sports cars are class leaders or among the class leaders, standing out for combining driving thrills with surprising luxury and comfort. Likewise, its SUVs are among the sharpest handling, as well as offering high levels of practicality and quality. Meanwhile, the Panamera is a true rival to the very best large executive saloons.

Porsche also sees itself as an electric car pioneer and has already enjoyed sales success with its plug-in hybrid range. Its first all-electric sports car is imminent, signalling the firm’s intent to stay relevant for many years to come.

PORSCHE

MACAN

Reliability rating 99.0%

Most common faults:&nbsp;gearbox 1%,&nbsp;non-engine electrics 1%

Average repair cost:&nbsp;100%&nbsp;£0

Typical time off road:&nbsp;50% a day or less, 25% one day to a week, 25% more than a week

The little brother to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/porsche/cayenne/estate/review/n17375">Cayenne</a>, the Macan is superb to drive and kitted out with a classy interior. As a sports SUV, it's designed to appeal to keen drivers, and it doesn't disappoint with rapid performance and genuinely sporty handling.&nbsp;Our data covers the diesel and petrol-engined versions of the Macan (but not the latest&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/porsche/macan/4x4/review/n26737">Macan Electric</a>), and models of both fuel types are proving remarkably resilient up to the age of five.

A mere 5% of the Macans reported on suffered any issues, and their failings were restricted to the non-engine electrical systems and the gearbox. Most problems were quick to rectify, too; half of the affected cars were fixed in a day or less, 25% took up to a week to repair and 25% took more than a week. All of the remedial work was paid for by Porsche.

<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/porsche/macan/4x4/review/n52">Porsche Macan&nbsp;review</a>

See the latest&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals/porsche/macan/suv">Porsche Macan deals</a>

=3. Porsche Macan (2014-present)

Reliability rating 99.2%

Most common faults:&nbsp;sat-nav/infotainment system 6%,&nbsp;12-volt battery 3%

Average repair cost:&nbsp;100%&nbsp;£0

Typical time off road:&nbsp;67% one day or less, 33% one day to a week

The RAV4 is a sound buy for company car drivers and motorists who value low emissions and high fuel economy. It was available as a regular hybrid and a PHEV, but the latter has now been dropped from the line-up. That's no&nbsp;bad thing because the PHEV with an official electric range of up to 46 miles, which beats the&nbsp;(<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/plug-in-hybrid-cars/n22743">PHEV</a>) versions of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/land-rover/range-rover-evoque/4x4/review/n109">Range Rover Evoque</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/ford/kuga/4x4/review/n57">Ford Kuga</a>. It also scores slightly higher than the hybrid for reliability.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The RAV4&nbsp;is a regular feature at the top of our annual reliability charts, and it’s great to see that its durability isn’t tailing off as it ages. The 12-volt battery and infotainment system were the only areas to cause upset among the 12% of plug-in hybrid owners who told us their car had suffered a reliability issue.

Most faults were minor, though, and two-thirds of cars were put right in a day or less, with the rest rectified in less than a week. Best of all, Toyota covered the cost of all work required, so no owners were left out of pocket.

<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/toyota/rav4/4x4/review/n130">Toyota RAV4&nbsp;review</a>

See the latest&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals/toyota/rav4/suv">Toyota RAV4&nbsp;deals</a>

Search&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/car-leasing-deals/toyota/rav4?standardBodyType=SUV&amp;sort=leaseMonthlyPriceAsc">Toyota RAV4 leasing deals</a>

2. Toyota RAV4 PHEV (2019-present)

Vauxhall has an incredibly diverse range of cars on sale, a few of which stand out above the class average. Add in the fact that it still offers some of the largest Target Price discounts in the market (something it is trying, without huge success, to cut back on), and there are very good reasons to consider buying one of its better models.

However, you need to choose carefully, because it is also a brand in transition. It has a newish parent company – the same one that owns Citroën, DS and Peugeot. And while Vauxhall’s newer models tend to be competitive, some of the others feel dated; a quick check of our star ratings will reveal which is which.

Still, given the recent success of sister brands Citroën and especially Peugeot, each new launch should make its range more appealing to buyers.

VAUXHALL

GRANDLAND

Reliability rating 99.6%

Most common faults:&nbsp;non-engine electrics 4%

Average repair cost:&nbsp;£0

Typical time off road:&nbsp;37% one day or less, 42% more than a week

The second-generation Grandland is&nbsp;well-equipped and roomy&nbsp;enough for a&nbsp;family of four, but in this highly competitive market it is outclassed by rivals, such as the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/kia/sportage/4x4/review/n17352">Kia Sportage</a>, which is similarly priced, more practical and more comfortable.

However, it is looking far more robust than its predecessor, with a minimal fault rate of just 4%, compared with 19% for the 2018-2024 model.

Unspecified non-engine electrical gremlins were the only issues reported by owners. All cars remained driveable, and all problems were dealt with in a day or less. That’s better than the previous Grandland’s record; only 37% of those were fixed in a day and 42% took more than a week to put right. Adding to satisfaction among owners of the latest model, Vauxhall took care of all repair bills.

Owner’s view:&nbsp;“I love everything about my Grandland, especially the build quality, which is top-notch.”

<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/vauxhall/grandland/hatchback/review/n115">Vauxhall Grandland review</a>

See the latest&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals/vauxhall/grandland/suv">Vauxhall Grandland deals</a>

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1. Vauxhall Grandland (2024-present)

Audi is a brand that sets the standard for interior quality, and this, combined with its vast and ever-growing model line-up, has helped it become one of the ‘big three’ German prestige car makers, along with BMW and Mercedes-Benz.

The A3 hatchback, A4 executive saloon and Q7 SUV are all common - yet upmarket - sights on UK roads.

At least some of Audi's success over the past 30 years can be attributed to the growth in sales of vehicles with four-wheel drive; the company arguably led the way in bringing 4x4 technology into the mainstream, with its Quattro coupé in the early 1980s.

Today, most Audis are available with at least the option of four-wheel drive, while the list of SUVs from the brand includes the Q2, Q3, Q5 and Q7.

AUDI

Reliability rating&nbsp;84.3%

Most common faults:&nbsp;Non-engine electrics 13%, engine electrics 10%, air-con 7%, sat-nav/infotainment system 7%, hybrid battery pack 3%, bodywork 3%, electric motor 3%, steering 3%&nbsp;

Average repair cost:&nbsp;80%&nbsp;£0, 13% £501-£750

Typical time off road:&nbsp;24% up to a day, 53% more than a week

Audi Q5 buyers can choose from petrol or diesel power, and both are good options. Both fuel types are quick off the mark, and flexible and effortless in everyday driving. The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/buying/what-is-a-mild-hybrid-and-should-you-buy-one/n22776">mild-hybrid</a>&nbsp;petrol version has a respectable 1.7kWh battery&nbsp;for this type of engine, and it&nbsp;provides&nbsp;enough oomph to drive the car with the engine off. The latest version of the PHEV improves on this by offering an official pure electric range of up to 61 miles.&nbsp;

However, when it comes to reliability, the diesel Q5 looks a little better than the petrol versions. Although slightly more petrol and PHEV versions of the Q5 went wrong —&nbsp;39% compared with 32% —&nbsp;all the diesel models&nbsp;were repaired for free, whereas&nbsp;some petrol and PHEV owners had to find up to £750 to get their cars fixed.&nbsp;Both petrol and diesel Q5 models were often slow to be fixed - 53% of petrol models were in the workshop for more than a week and so were 54% of diesel variants.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/audi/q5/4x4/review/n41">Audi Q5 review</a>

See the latest&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals/audi/q5/suv">Audi Q5 deals</a>

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Least reliable family SUVs – 10. Audi Q5 petrol/PHEV (2018-present)

Arkana

Reliability rating&nbsp;83.4%

Most common faults:&nbsp;Engine electrics 10%, 12-volt battery 7%, engine 7%, non-engine electrics 7%&nbsp;

Average repair cost:&nbsp;100%&nbsp;£0

Typical time off road:&nbsp;17% up to a day, 72% more than a week

The Renault Arkana is an affordable, efficient and reasonably practical coupé SUV, but there are better rivals to consider, including the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/taigo/hatchback/review/n23908">Volkswagen&nbsp;Taigo</a>&nbsp;or, if you can spend a little more, the quicker and more engaging&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/cupra/formentor/4x4/review/n22100">Cupra Formentor</a>. That said, it has low running costs, a fairly roomy interior and a good-sized boot.&nbsp;

Overall, 32% of the examples we were told about went wrong, and 61% of them couldn't be driven, perhaps due to the prevalence of problems with engine and non-engine electrics and 12-volt battery. It's good news that Renault and its dealers covered the cost of all remedial work, but not so good that nearly three-quarters of the affected cars were out of action for more than a week.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/renault/arkana/estate/used-review/n28193">2021-2025 Renault Arkana&nbsp;</a><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/renault/arkana/estate/used-review/n28193">review</a>

See the latest used&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars/renault/arkana?minManufacturedYear=2021&amp;maxManufacturedYear=2025">Renault Arkana&nbsp;deals</a>

9. Renault Arkana (2021-2025)

Land Rover is synonymous with SUVs, and especially with the Defender – the rugged runabout that has seen service in war zones across the world, but also as part of the Queen’s personal garage.

If off-road prowess is one of Land Rover’s core values, though, the other is luxury. Indeed, the Range Rover, Range Rover Sport and Range Rover Velar are among the best luxury SUVs you can buy.

The Discovery, meanwhile, is a practical rival for the Audi Q7 and BMW X5, while the stylish Evoque (which is available as a three-door convertible as well as a traditional SUV) goes head to head with Audi’s Q3 and BMW’s X1.

In the coming years, we’ll see a new road-biased ‘Road Rover’ as well as an all-new Defender.

LAND ROVER

DISCOVERY SPORT

Reliability rating&nbsp;81.8%

Most common faults:&nbsp;Bodywork 11%, electric motor 9%, engine electrics 7%, hybrid battery pack 5%, brakes 4%, exhaust 4%, gearbox 4% sat-nav/infotainment 4%&nbsp;

Average repair cost:&nbsp;87%&nbsp;£0, 8% more than £1500

Typical time off road:&nbsp;42% one day to a week, 39% more than a week

While the Land Rover Discovery Sport&nbsp;is a more compact and affordable alternative to the enormous&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/land-rover/discovery/4x4/review/n17342">Land Rover Discovery</a>, don't be fooled by the word sport in its name because it's not a&nbsp;high-performance model. That said, it's a practical proposition with&nbsp;plenty of room for five people, and the option of a third row of seats (taking the total up to seven) in all but the plug-in hybrid models.

It's not following the brand's latest trend of improving the durability of some of its models, though. In fact, 42% of the examples reported on went wrong, but at least only 12% of them were rendered undriveable by faults. Land Rover and its dealers footed the bill for 87% of problems, leaving some owners with bills topping £1500, and 42% of vehicles were back on the road in less than a week, although few were put right in a day or less.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/land-rover/discovery-sport/4x4/review/n17358">Land Rover Discovery Sport&nbsp;review</a>

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=7. Land Rover Discovery Sport (2014-present)

One of the most famous names on British roads, MG is a Chinese owned firm these days, and has built a reputation for offering great value SUVs and electric cars.

The HS PHEV family SUV is a particularly strong option, having been named Plug-in Hybrid of the Year at the 2025 and 2026 What Car? Car of the Year Awards. Meanwhile, the MG4 electric hatchback is another car that's very easy to recommend, and the Cyberster electric sports car&nbsp;adds some sparkle at the top of the range.

More&nbsp;recently, MG has introduced the&nbsp;IM5 and IM6 electric cars, which are convincing alternatives to&nbsp;the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y respectively.

MG MOTOR UK

Temporary taxonomy to separate ZS EV from other models in the ZS range. Built by ChrisH 11/10/2019

ZS EV

Reliability rating&nbsp;81.8%

Most common faults:&nbsp;12-volt battery 10%, bodywork 7%, sat-nav/infotainment system 7%, air-con 5%, motor electrics 5%, interior trim 5%, steering 3%

Average repair cost:&nbsp;85%&nbsp;£0, 6% £1000-£1500

Typical time off road:&nbsp;9% up to a day, 82% more than a week

The MG ZS EV is a practical and well-equipped electric SUV&nbsp;that's less expensive than most rivals. It&nbsp;offers plenty of interior space, a big boot and loads of standard equipment, but its range isn't up there with the best of its rivals. The 49kWh version only does 198 miles between charges and even the latest&nbsp;68.3kWh Long Range, introduced as part of a mid-life (2021) facelift, only has&nbsp;an official range of 273 miles.

The ZS EV isn't the most reliable option, either. Owners told us that&nbsp;27% of their cars went wrong, and, of those, 41% were rendered undriveable by their faults. To add insult to injury, the vast majority of cars took more than a week to fix, and a small proportion cost up to £1500 to put right.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mg-motor-uk/zs-ev/hatchback/used-review/n22835">2019-2025 MG ZS Electric</a><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mg-motor-uk/zs-ev/hatchback/used-review/n22835">&nbsp;</a><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mg-motor-uk/zs-ev/hatchback/used-review/n22835">review</a>

See the latest&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars/mg/mg-zs?minManufacturedYear=2019&amp;maxManufacturedYear=2025">used&nbsp;</a><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars/mg/mg-zs?minManufacturedYear=2019&amp;maxManufacturedYear=2025">MG ZS Electric deals</a>

=7. MG ZS Electric (2019-2025)

ARIYA

Reliability rating&nbsp;80.9%

Most common faults:&nbsp;Electric motor&nbsp;17%, steering 18%, bodywork 11%, brakes 11%, non-engine electrics 11%, 12-volt battery 6%, EV battery pack 6%, motor electrics 6%, interior trim 6%, sat-nav/infotainment system 6%&nbsp;

Average repair cost:&nbsp;100%&nbsp;£0

Typical time off road:&nbsp;50% up to a day, 27% more than a week

The Nissan Ariya's name translates to 'honourable' in Japanese, and the model apparently takes this name because it is a forward-thinking, noble model. While we can't comment on that, what we do know is that the&nbsp;Ariya is Nissan's second proper&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/electric-cars/n17000">electric car</a>&nbsp;after&nbsp;the ground-breaking original&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/nissan/leaf/hatchback/review/n17338">Nissan Leaf</a>, which first went on sale&nbsp;more than a decade ago. It is a well-equipped and practical electric SUV that is available with a choice of two battery sizes. However, plenty of its rivals are better to drive and can be charged up more quickly.

It's not following the exemplary lead of the Leaf when it comes to reliability, though&nbsp;— 39% of Ariya owners&nbsp;who responded to our survey said their car had gone&nbsp;wrong, and 57% of the affected cars couldn't be driven. Problems with the electric motor were the most common complaint. That said, half of faulty cars were fixed in a day or less and nearly three quarters were put right in less than a week; all work was done for free.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/nissan/ariya/hatchback/review/n24303">Nissan Ariya review</a>

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6. Nissan Ariya (2021-present)

Austral

Reliability rating&nbsp;80.4%

Most common faults:&nbsp;Engine/motor electrics 11%,&nbsp;sat-nav/infotainment 11%, 12-volt battery 6%, electric battery pack 6%, bodywork 6%, electric motor 6%, engine 6%, exhaust 6%, interior trim 6%&nbsp;

Average repair cost:&nbsp;100%&nbsp;£0

Typical time off road:&nbsp;44% up to a day, 31% more than a week

The Renault Austral&nbsp;is a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/hybrid-cars/n17013">regular hybrid</a>&nbsp;family SUV, powered by a&nbsp;petrol engine that's aided by a small battery and an electric motor. That enables it to be driven for short distances on electric power alone, and to offer better fuel consumption than a conventional petrol model when the engine kicks in. It has many hybrid rivals, including the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/ford/kuga/4x4/review/n57">Ford Kuga</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/honda/zr-v/estate/review/n25858">Honda ZR-V</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/hyundai/tucson/4x4/review/n103">Hyundai Tucson</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/kia/sportage/4x4/review/n17352">Kia Sportage</a>, and while it compares well with these on economy, they are more refined and roomier.&nbsp;

These rivals also beat it for dependability - in fact, the Austral is the lowest scoring of all the Renault models in our latest survey. Electrical glitches were the main bugbear of the 44% of owners who reported an issue with their car. While 44% of those problems were sorted out in a day or less, nearly a third took more than a week to put right. At least no owners were left with unexpected repair bills.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/renault/austral/estate/review/n25066">Renault Austral review</a>

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5. Renault Austral (2023-present)

The VW Group famously spends more money on research and development than any rival – and as a result, perhaps it should be no surprise that our testers rate its cars so consistently highly.

The fact that many of those cars use the same underpinnings also helps, because it means that if they get it right once, they have the foundations to keep on getting it right.

However, the Volkswagen brand faces plenty of tough competition, often from within, because the rapidly rising Seat and Skoda brands that are also part of the group have access to the same technology.

VOLKSWAGEN

ID.4

Reliability rating 79.6%

Most common faults:&nbsp;Electric motor 18%, EV battery pack 11%, bodywork 7%, suspension 7%, 12-volt battery 4%, brakes 4%, charging system 4%, sat-nav/infotainment system 4%, steering 4%&nbsp;

Average repair cost:&nbsp;100%&nbsp;£0

Typical time off road:&nbsp;19% one day to a week, 67% more than a week

The ID 4 electric family SUV shares its underpinnings and mechanical components with the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/audi/q4/estate/review/n23194">Audi Q4 e-tron</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/skoda/enyaq/4x4/review/n22909">Skoda Enyaq</a>, which means it's roomy, practical and&nbsp;has&nbsp;a good range, especially if you pick a model&nbsp;with&nbsp;the larger 77kWh battery, which will do up to 351 miles officially between charges in front-wheel drive format.&nbsp;

However, when it comes to reliability, the Volkswagen model lags behind its siblings. Owners told us that 36% of their ID 4s had a problem, with the electric motor and battery packs causing the most concern. Although all faults were put right at no cost to owners, 58% of the affected cars could not be driven and 67% of them were in the workshop for more than a week.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/id4/estate/review/n22789">Volkswagen ID 4&nbsp;review</a>

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4. Volkswagen ID 4 (2021-present)

CX-60

Reliability rating 76.2%

Most common faults:&nbsp;suspension 27%, steering 18%, bodywork 14%&nbsp;

Average repair cost:&nbsp;100%&nbsp;£0

Typical time off road:&nbsp;41% up to a day, 44% more than a week

As a brand, Mazda managed only a mid-table finish for reliability this year, and the CX-60 is partly responsible for its lacklustre showing. Half of the examples reported on had a fault, and 27% of these were&nbsp;with the suspension. Other problem areas included the fuel system, gearbox and steering, as well as the 12-volt and hybrid batteries of PHEV versions.

Most (85%) of the faulty cars could still be driven, but repairs could be slow; 41% of cars were fixed in a day or less, but 44% were in the workshop for more than a week. Mazda paid for all remedial work, though.

<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mazda/cx-60/4x4/review/n24505">Mazda CX-60 review</a>

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3. Mazda CX-60 (2022-present)

SPORTAGE

Reliability rating 72.9%

Most common faults:&nbsp;Engine 1%, gearbox/clutch 21%, non-engine electrics 17%, brakes 13%

Average repair cost:&nbsp;90%&nbsp;£0, 5% £101-£200, 5% £1500 or more&nbsp;

Typical time off road:&nbsp;18% a day or less, 50% more than a week

The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/kia/sportage/4x4/review/n17352">Kia Sportage</a>&nbsp;is one of the cars that has boosted the Korean firm's sales over the past few years, and it has accounted for a large chunk of its overall sales. The fourth generation of this&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/family-suvs/n17116">family SUV</a>&nbsp;makes a great used buy because it is attractively styled, practical, cheap&nbsp;to buy, and many will still be covered by some of Kia's splendid seven-year-from-new warranty.

That may be a good thing if you choose a diesel Sportage&nbsp;because&nbsp;some models with this type of engine suffered a high percentage of faults and were slow to be repaired. Diesel Sportage owners told us 56% of their diesel Sportages went wrong, compared with only 20% of petrol models. Half of faulty cars were in the garage for more than a week, and 5% of bills exceeded £1500; 90% of cars were fixed for free.

<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/kia/sportage/4x4/used-review/n17426">Used Kia Sportage review</a>

Search&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars/kia/sportage?minManufacturedYear=2016&amp;maxManufacturedYear=2022">used Kia Sportage deals</a>

2. Kia Sportage (2016-2021)

TIGUAN

Reliability rating 64.2%

Most common faults:&nbsp;sat-nav/infotainment 31%, brakes 19%, non-engine electrics 19%, bodywork 13%

Average repair cost:&nbsp;100%&nbsp;£0

Typical time off road:&nbsp;28% less than a day, 41% more than a week

Some new models have flawless reliability records, but that’s far from the case with the latest generation of the Tiguan. It has the highest fault rate of any car in this year’s survey; 81% of the cars we were told about had some sort of problem.

The infotainment system accounted for 31% of issues, and the braking system and non-engine electrics each accounted for another 19%. Fixes were frequently slow, too; 41% of afflicted cars were off the road for more than a week and only 28% were in and out of the workshop on the same day. However, Volkswagen did cover the cost of all repairs.

Owner's comment: "The build quality of my Tiguan is nowhere near the level I would have expected from a Volkswagen.”

<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/tiguan/estate/review/n17357">Volkswagen Tiguan review</a>

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1. Volkswagen Tiguan (2024-present)

The Most reliable family SUVs - and the Least

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Comfortable ride </li> <li>Feature-filled infotainment </li> <li>Space for child seats </li> <li>Robust build quality </li> <li>Practical storage spaces </li> <li>A boot fit for a family holiday </li> <li>Fuel-efficient engines</li></ul>

While we define a small SUV&nbsp;as something&nbsp;less than 4.3 metres long and a large SUV as measuring more than 4.5 metres, family SUVs tread the middle ground.

As the name suggests, the vast majority are&nbsp;designed for family duties rather than serious off-roading, so practicality is paramount. However, that&nbsp;shouldn't come at the expense of a decent drive; the best examples combine tidy handling with smooth engines&nbsp;and a ride that's comfortable&nbsp;enough to ensure the kids aren't left feeling queasy.

&nbsp;

Family SUV

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 family SUVs in the UK

The Most reliable family SUVs - and the Least

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 family SUVs in the UK...

The What Car? Reliability Survey is live, tell us about your car now

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