If you live or work in the city and often sit in bumper-to-bumper traffic, you’ll know how important it is to be in the right car. Not just for being small, agile, and easy to park, and not just from a comfort and convenience perspective (because who wants to sit in uncomfortable seats while gridlocked or have no way to charge a phone when you’re stuck in traffic)—but in terms of having a car that will manage the daily slog without suffering some mechanical failure and leaving you stranded.
City driving means small SUVs like the Toyota RAV4 and its rivals have to function under repeated stop-and-go stress, dense traffic and its related heat, frequent (and intense) braking cycles, and unpredictable driving times. Shoppers who don’t want to waste money on a car that won’t be able to tolerate these conditions want to know which small SUVs are best for reliability; this article ranks the 10 most reliable small SUV models by real-world reliability to help those shoppers make the right decision.
Only compact and subcompact SUVs qualified for this ranking, and brand-new models with no reliability data were excluded. We also excluded luxury brands and focused on mainstream brands to align with the ‘city runabout’ brief. We determined real-world reliability for the models based on JD Power ratings, number and severity of recalls, and common problems/complaints registered with the authorities. We rank these models from least to most reliable.
10
Mazda CX-5
- Years To Avoid: 2013 – 2019
- Years To Buy: 2020 onward
Kicking off our countdown to the best small SUV for reliability is the evergreen Mazda CX-5. It’s been around for more than a decade and remains one of the more affordable options in the segment. But how does it fare when it comes to dependability?
JD Power scores the 2026 CX-5 at 82 out of 100 for quality and reliability, and for the eight preceding years, scores it similarly high—in fact, the CX-5 never drops below an 82 score from the authority. The NHTSA backs up this reliability with a clean bill for the CX-5, which hasn’t had a single recall since 2019. Models of this vintage and older fare a little worse, with 2016 examples being the most complained about. Owners reported issues with the daytime running lights, excessive and unwarranted windshield cracks, and unexplained acceleration. There are five recalls for this model year, too, echoing some of the complaints for lighting system issues, steering loss, and a problematic light gate.
The best model years for reliability are the recent ones, and in particular, 2026, since that’s when the CX-5 was revamped with more space inside than before, better tech, and a more efficient power plant. According to CarEdge, buyers can expect to spend around $2,502 on maintenance and repairs in the first 5 years of ownership, which is less than the segment average by nearly $1,400. With just 10.58% chance of a major repair being necessary in this time frame, the CX-5 is a great buy if you’re looking for a small SUV with excellent reliability.
“Mazda’s value proposition for the CX-5 is always strong, and has managed to keep the price down while keeping the driving experience strong and carrying taller people around in the back without them complaining.”
– Ian Wright, Senior Editor, CarBuzz
9
Toyota Crown Signia
- Years To Avoid: 2025
- Years To Buy: 2026
The Toyota Crown Signia may not be the Toyota model you were expecting to see on this list, but it’s here thanks to an excellent 82 out of 100 rating from JD Power. It was introduced in 2024 as a 2025 model year, and it has maintained that score since, as is expected of a car from the brand that has become synonymous with reliability. There are three recalls for the 2025 model year, but the issues included an incorrect load carrying label and rearview camera issues/instrument panel failure that seem to have been resolved for 2026. This lines up with the very few complaints leveraged against it by buyers, none of which pertain to mechanical dependability.
Toyota’s expected maintenance and repair costs are generally lower than other brands’ costs, with buyers averaging around $5,470 spent over the course of the first ten years of ownership. The lowest annual repair costs in the industry belong to Toyota, with estimates under $800 per year for the first decade. The Crown Signia will cost around $2,041 for maintenance and repairs over the first five years, which is the lowest predicted expenditure on this list.
8
Honda HR-V
- Years To Avoid: 2016
- Years To Buy: 2025-2026
The Honda HR-V could be the perfect city runabout for those looking to buy a car that will last a lifetime. Honda has long built cars that run for decades, and the smallest SUV in its stable is no different – plus, it’s super affordable at a starting price of just $26,600, with great gas mileage figures of 26/33/28 mpg, and a small footprint that makes urban navigation a breeze. It’ll also save you when it comes to ownership costs, with an expected $2,347 allocated to the first five years of ownership – a figure that’s less than the average by nearly $1,500. You also have the lowest chance of major repairs with the HR-V (10.16% chance), and buyers only need to budget over $1,000 per annum for repairs and maintenance in year eight.
JD Power scores the 2026 HR-V 83 out of 100 for quality and reliability—with similar high scores from 2021 onward—and no recalls listed for the 2026 model year. The best model years to buy for reliability are the recent ones (2025 and 2026), with ten-year-old HR-Vs best being avoided. Most complaints and issues are reported for the 2016 model year, for everything from uncomfortable seats and peeling paint to power loss, transmission issues, and brake problems—none of these latter items would do you any good in daily city traffic.
7
Honda CR-V
- Years To Avoid: 2012 – 2018
- Years To Buy: 2020 onward
The bigger brother to the HR-V above, theHonda CR-Vis the brand’s most popular SUV, and its inclusion on this list is almost a no-brainer given how reliable this small SUV is. It’s maintained an above-average rating from JD Power for the last six years, scoring 80 and above since 2020; the 2026 model is rated at 83 out of 100 for quality and reliability.
The only recalls for this model year are for the tire repair kit bottle cap that may detach (specific to hybrid models), and despite a recall for gearboxes that were incorrectly manufactured, models from 2023 onward are mostly complaint-free. CR-V models to avoid include those before 2019, with 2017 and 2015 yielding the highest number of complaints. Issues such as high oil consumption, unwanted acceleration, and the heater not working are reported in high numbers, none of which are good things to happen in bumper-to-bumper traffic.
CarEdge predicts a low cost of repairs and maintenance over five years, at $2,425 spent across that time period. This is around $1,405 less than the industry average. The authority says that buyers have only 10.16% chance of needing to spend on a major repair in the first five years, with year seven being when your average maintenance cost will peak over $1,000.
“… the CR-V rides smoothly, and when the engine is running at a lower RPM or deactivated entirely, the crossover is decently quiet and well-insulated. Furthermore, that Honda magic of pleasant steering and responsive handling carries over into the CR-V…”
– Brett T. Evans, Senior Road Tester, CarBuzz
6
Kia Sportage
- Years To Avoid: 2011 – 2013, 2016 – 2018
- Years To Buy: 2021, 2023 onward
Another Korean vehicle on the most dependable compact SUVs list is the Kia Sportage, which has held an 84 out of 100 quality and reliability score from JD Power for three consecutive years. Before that, scores peaked at 89 out of 100 for the 2020 model year, with the lowest score being 79 for 2013. The later model years are the ones to go for when reliability matters, though, with these having either no recalls or recalls unrelated to mechanical dependability.
We’d avoid models made between 2011 and 2013, as well as 2016 to 2018, with the worst model years for reliability being 2012 and 2017. These are the model years with the most complaints for issues ranging from engine, transmission, and brake malfunctions, to problems with the AC system. These are less than ideal if you’re doing the school run or the last-minute rush to the office.
CarEdge suggests owners will spend around $2,659 on repairs and maintenance over the course of the first five years, which is better than the segment average by over $1,000. There’s 11.45% chance that you may suffer a major catastrophe, which is still better than what the industry average is. Year-on-year repair and maintenance costs are relatively low, and only surpass $1,000 per year in the sixth year of ownership.
5
Chevrolet Trax
- Years To Avoid: 2015 – 2018
- Years To Buy: 2019 onward
The cheapest crossover from Chevrolet is also one of its most reliable, with the 2026 Chevrolet Trax scoring a high 84 out of 100 from JD Power for quality and reliability. There has also only been one minor recall for the Trax over the last six years, and that issue required a software update for a blank instrument panel on some 2024 models.
This is supported by a low number of complaints logged with authorities for the more recent model years, although between 2015 and 2018, there are some major issues that suggest those years should be avoided. 2016 has the highest average repair costs, with issues also occurring at low mileage. The most-reported problems are AC/heater malfunctions, braking issues, problems with the engine cooling system, and peeling paintwork. While the latter doesn’t really affect the reliability of the car, the other issues are certainly a concern for those who need a dependable vehicle for the daily run into city traffic.
Picking a newer model will give you better results, with CarEdge noting that the first five years of owning a new Trax should cost around $2,776 for repairs and maintenance, which is better than the average by about $1,000. You do have a 12.58% chance that some major repair will be required in the first five years, which is higher than some other SUVs mentioned thus far, but still low in the grand scheme of things.
4
Subaru Crosstrek
- Years To Avoid: 2016 – 2019
- Years To Buy: 2020 onward
Subaru’s ability to build great family vehicles with a splash of adventuring capability has meant good sales for the brand in recent years, and the2026 Crosstrekbrings good expected reliability to the table. JD Power awards it 85 out of 100 for the latest model year, but it’s never dipped below 80 in the last six years.
Despite this reputation for superior reliability, there are two recalls for the 2026 model; one for an incorrect label, but another for a fuel cap that may leak, which comes with a Fire Risk warning. This affects only the hybrid models, however, and spans 70,000 models across the Crosstrek and Forester lineup. Overall, the new model years are the ones to get, with 2016 to 2019 examples having the highest number of complaints and issues reported. 2018 has the most complaints, while 2019 has the highest reported repair costs. The main problems are with the suspension, interior accessories, AC, engine, and engine cooling system, all of which should be functioning optimally when you’re stuck in city traffic.
As such, the younger models are the best to buy, and come with relatively low costs of ownership. Expect around $2,643 over the first five years for maintenance, and an 11.58% chance of something going wrong that requires major repair expenses. CarEdge says the Crosstrek scores highly for its comprehensive warranty cover, making this one of the most reliable small SUV models, used or new.
“If they [buy it], they’ll be greeted with the most nicely balanced driving manners of any Subaru in years – possibly of all time.”
– Brett T. Evans, Senior Road Tester, CarBuzz
3
Kia Seltos
- Years To Avoid: 2021
- Years To Buy: 2024 onward
For the last four years, JD Power has scored the Kia Seltos as highly reliable, with ratings of 86 out of 100 and above. There are almost no issues reported to any authority for the Seltos in the last two years, although 2024 models had some serious recalls that needed attention. The latest models are free of recalls and complaints, and will cost under $2,600 over the first five years for maintenance and repairs. CarEdge states that new owners have just 11.5% chance of there being a major expense for repairs in those five years, too, and that reliability is higher than the industry average. The Seltos scores extra points for its industry-leading warranty.
When looking at the most reliable used small SUV models from Kia, the Seltos is still up there, but we recommend avoiding 2021 models for the numerous transmission and intake cam valve issues that were reported, with 2023 models needing a careful check before signing on the dotted line.
2
Hyundai Venue
- Years To Avoid: 2020
- Years To Buy: 2025, 2026
The Hyundai Venue is one of the cheapest new cars in America, and it also sits near the top of this most reliable compact SUV list. JD Power has rated it over 80 out of 100 for its entire life cycle, with the 2026 version earning an 86. There have been just two recalls in the last four years, one for seatbelt pretensioners that could explode, and another for a faulty EGR valve. Neither of these recalls applies to 2025 or 2026 models, though, which makes both of those good model years to invest in.
As one would expect, the Venue’s debut year didn’t go off without a few hiccups, and so 2020 is the model year with the most complaints. The majority of these are for engine stalls and issues with the door locks, and from 2024 onward, the few complaints there are apply to interior accessories that don’t affect mechanical reliability. As such, the smallest Hyundais are very dependable compact SUVs to buy.
Buyers can expect to spend around $2,565 on maintenance and repairs over the first five years, with 11.58% potential for needing a major fix in that time. You’ll also spend less over all, at under $400 per year for the first two years, and less than $1,000 per year until year seven.
1
Chevrolet Trailblazer
- Years to Avoid: 2002 – 2007
- Years To Buy: 2009 onward, with careful checks on pre-2020 models
So, what is the most reliable small SUV you can buy in 2026? It’s the Chevrolet Trailblazer, which JD Power scores at 88 out of 100 for quality and reliability in its latest iteration. The last time it was recalled was in 2022, and that recall was for a piece of equipment, not the car itself (the emergency jack could potentially fracture while in use).
It’s been around for longer than most of the other models on this list, and not all of its model years are as good, so if you’re looking for a dependable used compact SUV, you’ll want to shop carefully. 2002–2007 models report numerous complaints for transmission problems and an issue with the fuel gauge. 2005 models specifically report nearly 1,000 complaints on owner forums and with the NHTSA, and engine problems, AC/heater issues, electrical concerns, and problems with the lights all form part of that list.
Buying a recent model is your best bet, with around $2,817 allocated toward covering maintenance and repairs for the first five years. It’s better than the industry average, according to CarEdge, with the first two years needing less than $500 per year. It might not be the cheapest car on this list, but the Trailblazer is currently the best small SUV to buy when reliability matters.
Sources: NHTSA, JD Power, CarEdge, CarComplaints
