The 10 Most Reliable SUVs of 2025, According to Real Owners and Experts
Reliability is everything when it comes to choosing an SUV that lasts year after year. In 2025, both expert reviews and real-world owner feedback highlight a group of SUVs that consistently deliver dependability, low ownership costs, and worry-free performance. Whether you’re commuting, road-tripping, or hauling gear, these 10 SUVs stand out for their proven reliability and strong satisfaction ratings.
Toyota RAV4
I mean, of course it’s on here. The RAV4 is like… that one friend who always shows up on time and never complains about gas money. You can trust it to a fault. I rented one once, smelled vaguely of sunscreen and french fries, but ran smoother than anything I’ve driven since. Around $30,000 now if you’re lucky. Could probably drive it straight through a zombie apocalypse, too.
Honda CR-V
Not gonna lie, the CR-V feels like a golden retriever in SUV form. Everybody’s got one, everybody swears by it. It’s not thrilling or anything, just stupid-dependable. My neighbor’s CR-V is older than his kid and somehow less cranky. About thirty-two grand for a new one and honestly, worth it just so you never have to panic at a mechanic again.
Lexus RX
The RX smells rich even when it’s ten years old. Like saddle leather and that faint hint of “old money.” The suspension is soft enough to make speed bumps feel like rumors. Maybe fifty grand? depends how fancy you wanna go. I used to think it was for, you know, suburban parents only, but now I get it. Comfort just does something to your brain as you age.
Subaru Outback
This one’s weird because it’s technically a wagon but also… an SUV? People fight about it online. I like it though has that “let’s drive into the woods and make bad decisions” energy. Around $33,000 new. If you spill coffee in it (which I did), it kind of soaks in and starts smelling earthy, like camping gear and regret.
Toyota Highlander
Every time I get in a Highlander, I immediately think: “yep, whoever owns this probably packs hand sanitizer.” It’s clean, sensible, never breaks. The V6 hums like a lullaby. Around $40k now. Feels immortal. Like this thing will still be running after humans disappear. Might even drive itself out of habit.
Mazda CX-5
Now this one’s different. For something that starts around $31,000, it feels too nice for its price. The steering’s tight, kinda sporty. It’s like Mazda built a reliable car by accident while trying to make something fun. Sometimes I press the gas and get this stupid grin, like, wow okay, chill out little SUV.
Honda Pilot
Big ol’ family hauler that’s basically a couch on wheels. My friend’s Pilot smells permanently of juice boxes and sunscreen. Around $42k for the new one, but whatever year you pick, it’ll probably outlast your back pain. It’s comfy, but not exciting. You drive it because you love peace more than speed, and maybe that’s growth, right?
Toyota 4Runner
Oh man, the 4Runner. The interior feels like it hasn’t changed since Obama’s first term, but who cares. It’s bulletproof, old-school, like that uncle who fixes everything with duct tape and bad advice. Pricey though, probably $45k-ish. But hey, if the world ends, you’ll want this thing. It’ll probably start after sitting for a year in a snowdrift.
Subaru Crosstrek
If you’re in your twenties and drink oat milk, this is your car. Cute, practical, annoyingly reliable. Around $28,000 gets you one that’ll last basically forever. It’s fun too not fast, but fun in a “throw a surfboard on top and vibe” kind of way. The interior smells like camp chairs and ambition.
Lexus GX
The GX is like, old-school class pretending to be rugged. It’s luxurious but also kinda rough around the edges in a charming way. $60k-ish if you want one now, which is wild because it still looks like something from 2014. But that’s the point Lexus nailed consistency. It’s not fresh, but it’s faithful.
