Most reliable SUVs and 4x4s to buy 2026
We reveal the most reliable SUVs and 4x4s, according to our Driver Power survey
If you’re after a stylish, spacious SUV as your next car, you’ll also want to choose something which is reliable. Life with a reliable car is just so much more enjoyable and stress-free than with one that lets you down on a semi-regular basis.
One of the biggest problems with car reliability, though, is trying to gauge it before you buy. Often the first indication that a car might be unreliable comes as you’re sitting on your driveway or by the road side with a car which doesn’t want to start. This is where our Driver Power survey comes in. It identifies the most reliable SUVs and 4x4s in the UK using information coming from the people who know them best - their owners.
How are the most reliable SUVs chosen?
Our most reliable 4x4 and SUV results are based on the latest Driver Power survey data, so all the data comes from people who actually own and drive these cars day-to-day.
Owners were asked about their satisfaction with the standard of build quality and reliability in the cars they own and drive every day, so the resulting data offers potential car buyers a useful insight into the ownership experience they can expect.
Top 10 most reliable SUVs and 4x4s 2026
The Mazda CX-30 is the most reliable SUV in the 2026 Driver Power survey, edging the Volkswagen T-Roc into second place and the Ford Kuga into third. There are Two Vauxhalls and two Toyotas in the top 10 with all of the cars making the list also in the mid-size or small SUV categories.
| Model | Generation (years produced) | Driver Power reliability score |
| 1. Mazda CX-30 | Mk1 (2020-date) | 93.37% |
| 2. Volkswagen T-Roc | Mk1 (2017 - 2025) | 91.53% |
| 3. Ford Kuga | Mk3 (2019 - date) | 91.29% |
| 4. Tesla Model Y | Mk1 (2021-date) | 90.76% |
| 5. Peugeot 2008 | Mk2 (2019 - date) | 90.53% |
| 6. Volvo XC40 | Mk1 (2017 - date) | 90.48% |
| 7. Vauxhall Grandland | Mk2 (2024-date) | 90.41% |
| 8. Vauxhall Crossland | Mk1 (2017-2024) | 90.34% |
| 9. Toyota Yaris Cross | Mk1 (2020-date) | 89.50% |
| 10. Toyota C-HR | Mk2 (2023-date) | 89.50% |
Read on to see the 10 most reliable 4x4s and SUVs, according to the people who own them. You can also use the links in the table above to jump to a specific model..
1. Mazda CX-30 Mk1 - 93.37%
Japanese brands are synonymous with build quality and reliability, and the Mazda CX-30 isn’t about to buck that trend. It’s been crowned most reliable SUV or 4x4 in 2026.
Not only have owners praised the CX-30 for its reliability and quality, but its ride and handling are attributes which are also held in high regard. It scored pretty well for braking responsiveness where it topped the Driver Power 2026 charts, which is reassuring when you have to stop in a hurry.
Although it’s smaller in stature compared to other SUVs on this list, the CX-30 should perform well as a family car, with owners scoring it well for practicality, safety feature and value. Just be aware that owners think it has some niggly tech as smartphone connectivity was ranked at 44th position out of 50 cars
2. Volkswagen T-Roc Mk1 - 91.53%
Volkswagen hasn't always had a stellar reputation when it comes to reliability, but the Volkswagen T-Roc is defying that trend with its third consecutive appearance on the most reliable SUVs list. It even improves on its sixth place finish in 2025.
While it’s nice to know that the T-Roc is unlikely to leave you with any eye-watering repair bills and unexpected trips to the garage, owners also praised the car’s overall quality, putting it in second place out of 50 cars. It also bagged a top-10 score for storage.
The T-Roc received some middling scores when it comes to its driving experience, but respondents really weren’t too fond of its infotainment system which received a scathing report - 46th position overall, and a second-to-last place finish for its touchscreen display
3. Ford Kuga Mk3 - 91.29%
The Ford Kuga might trail its smaller Puma sibling when it comes to the UK’s best-selling new cars chart, but the larger mid-size SUV has the upper hand when it comes to reliability.
If you’re in the market for a new family car, rest assured that the Kuga isn’t likely to leave you or your loved ones stranded at the side of the road. The Kuga also excels in the areas that matter, with strong top-ten finishes for its safety features, practicality and boot space, and ride and handling.
Of course, the Kuga isn’t without its faults. This mid-size SUV ranked in the middle of the pack when it comes to value for money and fuel economy
4. Tesla Model Y Mk1 - 90.76%
Tesla’s Elon Musk might divide opinion, but when it comes to the firm’s Model Y SUV owners are united in their praise for its reliability.
This high praise is extended to the Model Y’s boot capacity and available storage where it took the overall category win. Scores for economy and running costs were reasonable, and if you have a home wallbox charger then it shouldn’t break the bank.
While owners appreciated the reliability, the same can’t be said for the exterior styling or the quality of the materials because the Model Y finished at the bottom of the table in 50th position
5. Peugeot 2008 Mk2 - 90.53%
Peugeot’s smallest SUV has been working hard to shake off outdated stereotypes that French cars have poor records of reliability. Not only does the Peugeot 2008 take fifth place as the most reliable SUV and 4x4 section, it also finished seventh overall in the survey.
Owners are particularly fond of its interior and exterior styling where it ranked in fourth position in both categories. It shouldn’t cost a fortune when it comes to running costs, either, as it was awarded a seventh-place finish overall.
Of course, the 2008 does have a few niggles and areas for improvement with owners noting its front-seat comfort as average, putting it in 27th place
6. Volvo XC40 Mk1 - 90.48%
The Volvo XC40 has been one of the best-selling cars in the UK over the past few years, so it’s good to see that it’s a reliable car too.
Safety is always high on Volvo’s agenda and owners seem to appreciate the brand’s efforts as the XC40 took second position when it comes to overall safety features. Owners are pretty fond of the XC40’s interior, practicality and exterior styling, categories where it ranked firmly within the top ten.
Just be warned, those who currently drive an XC40 think it's a little on the thirsty side. It was awarded 48th and 49th positions overall for running costs and fuel economy respectively
7. Vauxhall Grandland Mk2 - 90.41%
The Vauxhall Grandland spends another year on our list as one of the most reliable SUVs out there according to its owners, this time it’s the turn of the second-generation car to feature.
Not only did Grandland owners like the fact that their cars haven’t surprised them with any unexpected repair bills, other aspects of the car were also well-received. The Grandland took the final podium position this year, being named the third best car to own overall, and it took top-ten finishes in nine different categories, too.
The Grandland was clearly built with families in mind, and owners tend to agree with its second-place finishes for economy and running costs, as well as practicality and boot space. Owners also seemed to like the safety features offered, where it ranked third
Latest Vauxhall Grandland deals
8. Vauxhall Crossland Mk1 - 90.34%
If you like the look of the Grandland above but think it’s a little on the large side, the smaller Vauxhall Crossland might be just up your street. What's more, it’s not far behind when it comes to reliability.
What makes the Crossland even more appealing, aside from its impressive reliability score, is that owners seemed to be happy with the user-friendliness of the in-car controls and switches. Its 20th place finish in the running costs category suggests it shouldn’t be too expensive to run, either
Latest Vauxhall Crossland deals
9. Toyota Yaris Cross Mk1 - 89.50%
Toyota continues to solidify its reputation for building reliable cars, with reports of mechanical gremlins being few and far between among Toyota Yaris Cross owners.
Not only is the Yaris Cross a pretty reliable car, owners were suitably impressed with the fuel economy their cars achieved, giving it the category win. Drivetrain smoothness was also commended by current owners.
Its 36th position for boot space and practicality suggests that space is lacking, and some people weren’t particularly thrilled with the infotainment system as it ranked near the bottom of the Driver Power survey. If you shortlist the Yaris Cross as your next car, just make sure it suits your capacity needs before you part with any hard-earned money
Latest Toyota Yaris Cross deals
10. Toyota C-HR Mk2 - 89.50%
Similar to the Vauxhalls above, Toyotas have come in pairs on this list and it’s the larger Toyota C-HR which isn’t far behind its smaller Yaris Cross sibling.
Despite being a larger mid-size SUV, the C-HR shouldn’t break the bank when it comes to running costs or fuel economy with the car ranking 11th overall. Respondents also held the C-HR in high regard when it comes to its safety features and quality.
If you are still worried about reliability, the Toyota’s warranty should give owners further peace of mind. Not only does the C-HR come with a three-year/60,000-mile plan as standard, get the car serviced at an authorised Toyota repairer or dealer and this cover extends for an additional 12 months or 10,000 miles up to a total of ten years or 100,000 miles.
Click below to see more from our Driver Power survey and click here to take this year's survey...
