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Last updated May 19, 2024 by Darren Cassey

Best reliable SUVs of 2024

The SUVs have officially taken over. No other type of car — be it hatchback, saloon, or estate — is selling better in the UK right now than an SUV. We have become entirely wedded to the idea of sitting up high and at the very least looking like we can go anywhere.

SUVs are often bought as family cars, and so they’ll need to be reliable and solidly built. No-one wants to miss a school run or have to cancel that holiday ferry booking because the family car has to go to the garage.

With that in mind, we’ve picked the 15 new SUVs most likely to provide solidly reliable driving, based on MOT reports, reliability surveys (including the Auto Express Driver Power ratings) and our own reviews team’s expertise.

Volvo EX30

1. Volvo EX30

9/10
Volvo EX30 review
Battery range up to 295 miles

What's good

  • Really comfortable
  • Great assistance tech
  • Good value for money

What’s not so good

  • Small boot
  • Tight rear seats
  • All cabin controls run through the touchscreen
Volvo’s newest model, the all-electric EX30, is one of the highest-rated cars we’ve ever reviewed here at Carwow, and it’s not hard to see why. The EX30 looks great, is exceptionally well-priced, and has decent real world electric range. It’s nice to drive, and has a cracking interior. Okay, so space in the back isn’t the roomiest out there, but other than that this is a true star car. Its reliability prospects look great too — Volvo doesn’t tend to make cars that aren’t exceptionally solid, and the basic model’s lithium-iron phosphate battery will be more robust than most others.

What's good

  • Really comfortable
  • Great assistance tech
  • Good value for money

What’s not so good

  • Small boot
  • Tight rear seats
  • All cabin controls run through the touchscreen
Kia EV9
2025
Outstanding EV Award

2. Kia EV9

9/10
Kia EV9 review
Battery range up to 349 miles

What's good

  • Spacious interior
  • Super-fast charging
  • Electric seven-seater

What’s not so good

  • Not particularly quiet at high speeds
  • Baffling climate screen position
  • Badge snobbery a factor at this price
Kia’s big new electric SUV is one of the coolest-looking cars ever to come out of Korea. Half Range Rover and half Starship Enterprise in appearance, it’s a seriously large car (mind the gaps in town…) but that size pays off on the inside with plenty of space for six or seven people (you can choose the number of seats you want, and in the six-seat version, the ones in the middle can spin through 360-degrees. It’s a very smooth, comfy car to drive, and the rear-wheel drive model can put some serious distance between charges. As for reliability, Kia simply doesn’t make unreliable cars and backs that up with its famous seven-year warranty. In fact, Kia finished sixth in the 2023 Auto Express Driver Power ratings, beating out the big German brands in quality terms.

What's good

  • Spacious interior
  • Super-fast charging
  • Electric seven-seater

What’s not so good

  • Not particularly quiet at high speeds
  • Baffling climate screen position
  • Badge snobbery a factor at this price

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Skoda Karoq

3. Skoda Karoq

9/10
Skoda Karoq review

What's good

  • Clever rear seats
  • Feels solidly built
  • Comfortable to drive

What’s not so good

  • Slightly drab styling
  • Entry-level cars feel slow
  • Expensive range-topping models
The Karoq will not go down as an all-time brilliant Skoda design when it comes to thrilling styling, but what it does very well is all the stuff you actually need. It’s massive inside, with plenty of space for five people, and the cabin is really well put-together too. Practicality is the Karoq’s game, with a massive boot and oodles of storage space for everyone inside. It’s an older design, so there’s no plug-in hybrid nor electric version, but the 1.5 turbo petrol engine is both sweet and economical and the diesel version will run forever. Skoda’s strong on reliability too, with a top-20 Driver Power finish, beating the likes of BMW, Suzuki, and even its owner, Volkswagen.

What's good

  • Clever rear seats
  • Feels solidly built
  • Comfortable to drive

What’s not so good

  • Slightly drab styling
  • Entry-level cars feel slow
  • Expensive range-topping models
Lexus NX Hybrid

4. Lexus NX

7/10
Lexus NX Hybrid review

What's good

  • Electric motors give plenty of punch
  • Aggressive, sporty looks
  • Lots of hi-tech features

What’s not so good

  • Noisy under acceleration
  • No wireless Android connectivity
  • Poor towing capacity
Just like its parent company Toyota, Lexus has developed an enviable reputation for reliability thanks to products like the Lexus NX, a stylish SUV that is packed with tech and can offer incredible fuel economy if you go for the plug-in hybrid model. A three-year/60,000-mile warranty comes standard, but increases at each annual service up to a total of 10 years and 100,000 miles. Hybrid components are covered for five years/60,000-miles, and are known for their dependability.

What's good

  • Electric motors give plenty of punch
  • Aggressive, sporty looks
  • Lots of hi-tech features

What’s not so good

  • Noisy under acceleration
  • No wireless Android connectivity
  • Poor towing capacity
Mazda CX-5

5. Mazda CX-5

8/10
Mazda CX-5 review

What's good

  • Loads of equipment
  • Fun to drive
  • Hushed petrol engine

What’s not so good

  • Quite expensive
  • Boot isn’t particularly roomy
  • Feels unsettled on rougher surfaces
This mid-sized SUV is sporty, fun to drive and it’s packed with tech, although the boot is a bit tight and top trims can get pricey. Running costs can be kept down thanks to a range of efficient engines, like the 150hp diesel which delivers up to 50mpg. You’ll also benefit from Mazda’s impressive reliability record, though at three years/60,000-miles the warranty isn’t brilliant.

What's good

  • Loads of equipment
  • Fun to drive
  • Hushed petrol engine

What’s not so good

  • Quite expensive
  • Boot isn’t particularly roomy
  • Feels unsettled on rougher surfaces
Kia Sportage

6. Kia Sportage

8/10
Kia Sportage review

What's good

  • Spacious interior
  • Smooth hybrid engine
  • Clever climate controls

What’s not so good

  • Not the most comfortable family SUV
  • Pretty dull to drive
  • Divisive front-end styling
The Kia Sportage is a sharply-styled family SUV with all the tech you could need and a well-built cabin. The sporty ride may be a bit uncomfortable for some, but it remains an impressive vehicle that should continue the outgoing model’s great reliability record. Kia’s belief in the reliability of its cars is underlined by its brilliant seven-year/100,000-mile warranty.

What's good

  • Spacious interior
  • Smooth hybrid engine
  • Clever climate controls

What’s not so good

  • Not the most comfortable family SUV
  • Pretty dull to drive
  • Divisive front-end styling
BMW X1

7. BMW X1

8/10
BMW X1 review

What's good

  • High-quality finish and materials
  • Good space throughout
  • Good to drive everywhere

What’s not so good

  • Infotainment too reliant on touchscreen rather than buttons
  • Pricey for a family SUV
  • Folding rear seats down can be a faff
The current-generation BMW X1 has just been replaced by a brand-new model, however it should continue to offer a similarly reliable driving experience just with the latest tech and design features the marque has to offer. Aside from the impressive new infotainment system and selection of efficient petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid engines, you also get a three-year/unlimited-mileage warranty as standard.

What's good

  • High-quality finish and materials
  • Good space throughout
  • Good to drive everywhere

What’s not so good

  • Infotainment too reliant on touchscreen rather than buttons
  • Pricey for a family SUV
  • Folding rear seats down can be a faff
Lexus RX

8. Lexus RX

7/10
Lexus RX review

What's good

  • Excellent materials used throughout
  • High level of equipment
  • Really nice to drive

What’s not so good

  • Poor boot space
  • Infotainment menus aren't easy to use
  • Overly sensitive brakes
The Lexus RX is a luxurious SUV with a sharp-looking exterior as well as a posh and spacious cabin. All versions come with a petrol-electric hybrid system of one kind or another, while the top trims are truly decadent. The RX range starts with the 350h, which is a standard hybrid with 250hp. Next up is the 309hp plug-in hybrid 450h+, which can officially cover around 40 miles on a single charge. Then, at the top of the tree is the 371hp 500h, which is also a self-charging (not plug-in) hybrid, and is aimed at driving enthusiasts. It has a conventional automatic gearbox rather than the CVT unit that is a hallmark of Lexus and Toyota hybrids. You also benefit from Lexus’s impressive warranty which starts off with basic three-year/60,000-mile coverage but extends with each annual service up to 10 years and 100,000 miles. Impressive.

What's good

  • Excellent materials used throughout
  • High level of equipment
  • Really nice to drive

What’s not so good

  • Poor boot space
  • Infotainment menus aren't easy to use
  • Overly sensitive brakes
Toyota C-HR

9. Toyota C-HR

8/10
Toyota C-HR review

What's good

  • Looks great
  • Comfortable suspension
  • Low running costs

What’s not so good

  • Noisy engines
  • Feels cheap in the back
  • A touch pricey
Toyota’s new C-HR picks up where the old one left off in offering really sharp styling — it’s properly space-age on the outside now — with familiar values of frugal hybrid engines and typical Toyota build quality. It’s not the roomiest car you can buy, so it’s more for downsizers than people with growing families, but it’s sharp to drive and capable of averaging better than 60mpg. And it’s a Toyota, so you won’t be bringing it back to the dealer with broken bits very much.

What's good

  • Looks great
  • Comfortable suspension
  • Low running costs

What’s not so good

  • Noisy engines
  • Feels cheap in the back
  • A touch pricey
Dacia Sandero Stepway

10. Dacia Sandero Stepway

8/10
Dacia Sandero Stepway review

What's good

  • Doesn't feel as cheap as its price
  • More space than anything in this price range
  • Surprisingly comfortable

What’s not so good

  • Two-star Euro NCAP score
  • Not much equipment to pick from
  • No extra off-road capability
There's less to go wrong with simple cars, and the Dacia Sandero Stepway is about as straightforward as they come. Essentially a raised version of the Sandero hatchback, the Stepway is one of the cheapest cars on sale in its most basic form, though we'd recommend 'stepping up' to mid-level Expression trim, as this brings full smartphone integration plus reversing sensors. Unusually, the Sandero Stepway can be had with conventional petrol engines or with a 'bi-fuel' setup that allows it to run petrol or liquified petroleum gas (LPG), which is significantly cheaper than petrol. Only a poor two-star NCAP safety rating spoils the show slightly, though this is partly due to a lack of electronic driver aids, with the Sandero scoring reasonably well for crash protection.

What's good

  • Doesn't feel as cheap as its price
  • More space than anything in this price range
  • Surprisingly comfortable

What’s not so good

  • Two-star Euro NCAP score
  • Not much equipment to pick from
  • No extra off-road capability
Cupra Formentor

11. Cupra Formentor

8/10
Cupra Formentor review

What's good

  • Genuinely good fun to drive for an SUV
  • Great interior style and quality
  • Strong range of engine options

What’s not so good

  • Boot space isn't great
  • Some infotainment frustrations
  • Fairly limited personalisation options
While some will still have to ask exactly what a Cupra is, the Spanish brand (once part of Seat, now its own thing) is rapidly building a reputation for itself as a maker of quick, nice-to-drive, and certainly good-looking cars. This Formentor is a perfect case in point. It’s one of the lowest-slung SUVs out there, yet it’s still reasonably spacious inside, and it picks up Seat’s good reputation for making reliable and solid cars. It’s also fun to drive, especially the 310hp four-wheel drive model.

What's good

  • Genuinely good fun to drive for an SUV
  • Great interior style and quality
  • Strong range of engine options

What’s not so good

  • Boot space isn't great
  • Some infotainment frustrations
  • Fairly limited personalisation options
Toyota RAV4 Hybrid

12. Toyota RAV4

8/10
Toyota RAV4 Hybrid review

What's good

  • Practical cabin with good passenger space
  • Comfortable to drive
  • Hybrid comes as standard

What’s not so good

  • Some scratchy cabin plastics
  • Awkward and noisy CVT gearbox
  • No through-loading from boot to rear seat
The Toyota RAV4 has evolved over the years into a very capable family-friendly SUV with a spacious and practical cabin, and offers a range of self-charging and plug-in hybrid engines that promise low running costs. The CVT automatic gearbox may not suit everyone, but the warranty definitely will. As with the other Toyota models, the potential for 10 years/100,000 miles of warranty is a major selling point.

What's good

  • Practical cabin with good passenger space
  • Comfortable to drive
  • Hybrid comes as standard

What’s not so good

  • Some scratchy cabin plastics
  • Awkward and noisy CVT gearbox
  • No through-loading from boot to rear seat
Honda CR-V

13. Honda CR-V

6/10
Honda CR-V review

What's good

  • Good interior space for passengers
  • Decent boot with good square shape
  • Comfortable to drive around town

What’s not so good

  • Poor interior quality
  • Impractical infotainment system
  • Noisy petrol engine
Honda’s latest CR-V is a big, almost American-style SUV with square-edged styling and lots of space in the cabin. It’s a typical Honda product, with tremendous quality and the likelihood of long and faultless service, and the plug-in hybrid engine means that you can rack up some serious electric mileage if you’re diligent about keeping it plugged in. It is very expensive, though.

What's good

  • Good interior space for passengers
  • Decent boot with good square shape
  • Comfortable to drive around town

What’s not so good

  • Poor interior quality
  • Impractical infotainment system
  • Noisy petrol engine
Honda HR-V Hybrid

14. Honda HR-V

6/10
Honda HR-V Hybrid review

What's good

  • Easy to drive in town
  • Seamless electric/petrol changeover
  • Limited interior noise

What’s not so good

  • Rear headroom not great
  • Boot not so practical
  • Engine is noisy under acceleration
The Honda HR-V is another new model which hasn’t had a chance to prove its long-term reliability yet, but so far it has proven to be a solid product and Honda as a brand always does very well in customer surveys. The outgoing HR-V was reliable too, and the new one has better tech, great efficiency and comes with a three-year/90,000-mile warranty. Hybrid parts get their own eight-year/100,000-mile cover.

What's good

  • Easy to drive in town
  • Seamless electric/petrol changeover
  • Limited interior noise

What’s not so good

  • Rear headroom not great
  • Boot not so practical
  • Engine is noisy under acceleration
Suzuki Vitara

15. Suzuki Vitara

6/10
Suzuki Vitara review

What's good

  • Generous amounts of kit
  • Decent interior space
  • Fuel-efficient petrol engine

What’s not so good

  • Fairly boring interior
  • No diesel engine option
  • Interior quality is so-so
Another Japanese SUV with a strong reputation for reliability, the Suzuki Vitara may not have the most exciting cabin in the world, but it's a durable, affordable thing. The Vitara also comes with a decent amount of standard equipment, with all cars getting adaptive cruise control, plus full smartphone integration. Choose from the full hybrid self-charging version or the mild hybrid system - which is really just a sophisticated stop-start system.

What's good

  • Generous amounts of kit
  • Decent interior space
  • Fuel-efficient petrol engine

What’s not so good

  • Fairly boring interior
  • No diesel engine option
  • Interior quality is so-so

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Advice about reliable SUVs

Reliable SUVs FAQs

The Volkswagen T-Roc and Skoda Kamiq have both proven to be reliable small SUVs. It may have something to do with the fact that both are built on the Volkswagen Group’s modular platform – thereby sharing many components that have been exhaustively tested on dozens of different vehicles. Don’t discount the even-smaller Dacia Sandero Stepway, though. Dacia does very well in reliability surveys.

Porsche’s build quality and technical expertise are second-to-none, so we’d expect both the Cayenne and the Macan to provide solid long-term reliability. That goes equally for anything from Audi, Mercedes, or BMW

However, if you want the ultimate in engineering quality, look at Lexus’ RX450h hybrid. The current model looks unassuming on the outside, but packs some seriously reliable and beautifully engineered technology under the skin, and feels every bit as well made as a Bentley in the cabin.

The previous generation Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V are great used SUV buys, not least because they regularly outperform similar alternatives in overall reliability. It’s also worth checking out the Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson, not least as used versions still have lots of warranty left.

That honour almost certainly goes to the Lexus RX. Now in its fifth generation, this large SUV has built a loyal following, partly thanks to its reputation for dependability. The Kia Sorento is worth a look too, in this category.

Well, as the company that spearheaded hybridisation, it would be hard not to recommend a vehicle from Toyota or Lexus here. Both firms offer a range of hybrid SUVs in a variety of shapes and sizes. If you're after a full electric SUV, Kia and Hyundai have been leading the pack in this field, so you could consider something like a Kia EV9 or Niro EV, or a Hyundai Ioniq 5 or Kona Electric.