Most reliable used 4x4s and SUVs to buy

In order to help you find the most reliable used 4x4s and SUVs for your money, our 2023 Driver Power used car survey gathers data from thousands of owners just like you. 

Respondents provide us with detailed feedback about their SUVs, including the problems they have experienced with their car and how frequently issues have arisen. In order for a car to qualify for the used car section of Driver Power, participants need to have owned it for a period of between one and seven years so they have a really good understanding of what the car is like to own.

While factors such as service history, recalls and general condition can affect the reliability of individual used cars, the information gathered from the 2023 Driver Power survey helps to create a clearer picture of which models are proving the most dependable on a national level over the long term.

We take the owners’ reliability scores for each car and produce the overall Driver Power percentage rating for reliability. The better the car is, the higher percentage score.

What are the most reliable used 4x4s and SUVs?

These are the most reliable used 4x4s and SUVs that you can buy in the UK according to our latest Driver Power survey data. Read on to find them listed in reverse order... 

5. Lexus NX Mk1 - 95.46%

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• Years of manufacture: 2014-2021
• Price now from: £16,500

The Lexus NX has once again proved to be highly dependable, but it was still a mixed bag of results elsewhere. Interior design, build-quality and comfort were other highpoints, but steep running costs, a noisy CVT transmission and an unfathomable infotainment system held this hybrid SUV back. This resulted in a mediocre 38th place finish in the overall best car to own rankings.

4. Skoda Karoq Mk1 - 95.80%

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• Years of manufacture: 2017-present
• Price now from: £11,500

The second-best used car to own in both 2022 and 2023 is, naturally, also one of the most reliable. In typical Skoda fashion, all of the essentials seem to be pleasing Karoq owners, as this mid-size SUV was also praised for its combination of practicality, comfort, value for money and safety equipment. It does seem to be a case of function over form, though, as one of the only notable downsides was the rather simplistic exterior styling.

3. Lexus RX Mk4 - 96.07%

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• Years of manufacture: 2015-2022
• Price now from: £23,800

Lexus is a frequent sight in our Driver Power reliability rankings. The RX Mk4 wasn’t only rated for its reliability, but it also ranked higher than any other SUV for its engine and gearbox - a score of 93.79 per cent. As with the smaller NX, owners were highly satisfied with the overall level of quality and comfort, but the infotainment system and running costs were disappointing. 

2. Subaru Outback Mk5 - 96.18%

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• Years of manufacture: 2014-2020
• Price now from: £9,500

Subaru isn’t a particularly big name in the UK car market, but for the loyal customers that do buy them, the Outback is proving to be almost as durable as the brand’s rallying legends. One thing this road-going SUV has over its motorsport siblings, though, is excellent practicality - it was voted as the second-most practical car overall. The level of comfort and driving experience were also highly praised, but running costs proved quite alarming.

1. Lexus RX Mk3 - 96.55%

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• Years of manufacture: 2008-2015
• Price now from: £11,000

It’s a case of sibling rivalry with the older Lexus RX Mk3 landing first place and outshining its successor. While the Mk4 has a far-superior drivetrain and sharper exterior styling, it just couldn’t outdo its predecessor in other important areas such as comfort, practicality and even on-board tech. However, as even the later Mk3s are starting to succumb to the effects of time, the Mk4 could eventually start to creep ahead when it comes to reliability.

The top 10 most reliable used 4x4s and SUVs

1. Lexus RX Mk3 - 96.55%
2. Subaru Outback Mk5 -96.18%
3. Lexus RX Mk4 - 96.07%
4. Skoda Karoq Mk1 - 95.80%
5. Lexus NX Mk1 - 95.46%
6. Skoda Yeti Mk1 - 94.57%
7. Subaru XV Mk1 - 94.38%
8. Honda CR-V Mk4 - 93.79%
9. Toyota RAV4 Mk4 - 93.02%
10. Toyota C-HR Mk1 - 92.84%

Click below to find out the most reliable cars by sector... 

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