Consumer Reports (CR) has published its annual vehicle reliability survey. The survey ranked cars, trucks, and SUV models on 17 potential trouble spots including engine, power equipment, body, and electronics. The cumulative score of a company’s models determines the brand’s overall reliability ranking for 2021 models.
The CR survey, which includes over 300,000 vehicles, determines predicted reliability for new vehicles on a 0-100 scale, with the average vehicle being between 41 and 60 points. The fewer the problems, the higher the score. Due to insufficient data, or brands not having enough vehicles, some brands and models were not included in these ratings.
The Most Reliable 2021 SUV
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- 2021 Toyota Highlander The Highlander is Toyota's midsize crossover SUV. With a smooth and economical V6 engine and available hybrid, the Highlander is a well-rounded and practical family vehicle. Its cabin greets passengers with easy to use technology and high-quality materials.
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In the survey findings, the Lexus NX. The NX is the company’s entry-level compact crossover with a starting price under $40,000.
Crossovers and SUVs in the United States are not only produced domestically, a huge number of proposals come from Asian car manufacturers, creating huge competition for local brands. Also, the Europeans are not lagging behind in this issue. The 2021 lineup has been significantly updated.
The NX blends interior comforts, with lots of standard safety features, and great reliability. It was just one model that helped push Lexus to 3rd overall in brand reliability ratings.
Overall, the top 5 most reliable SUVs in the reliability survey were the NX, Buick Encore, Lexus GX, Honda HR-V, and Hyundai Kona. These models cover the subcompact, compact, luxury, and full-size SUV categories.
The Least Reliable 2021 SUV
The CR survey found that the Ford Explorer was the least reliable SUV. The Explorer was plagued with problems in its engines, electronics, power equipment, body, and transmission. It scored a paltry 1 out of 100 in the reliability survey.
The Explorer, which was redesigned for 2020, was plagued by a rushed production. More specifically, this caused problems with faulty seats, digital displays with buggy software, and loose wiring harnesses.
“The Ford Explorer, redesigned for 2020, is one of the lowest scoring models from any manufacturer — domestic or foreign — this year” – Consumer Reports
The redesigned Ford Escape compact crossover didn’t perform much better. And the subcompact Ecosport crossover was another downer. Overall as a company, Ford did poorly finishing in the bottom 5.
The other lease reliable SUVs based on the survey were the Subaru Ascent, Volkswagen Atlas, Jeep Compass, and Volvo XC90.
The Least Reliable Car Brand
Ford’s luxury brand, Lincoln, finished as the lowest-rated brand for reliability overall. However, there were other manufacturers they didn’t have enough data to rank including Fiat, Chrysler, Alfa Romeo, Jaguar, Mitsubishi, and Land Rover.
Lincolns were plagued with similar problems as described with the Explorer with the Aviator and Corsair having poor reliability.
Mazda Has the Most Reliable Cars
Overall, for the first time ever, Mazda ranked first as the brand with the most reliable vehicles. This is a big win for the Japanese automaker to dethrone Toyota and Lexus at the top spot of the annual vehicle reliability survey.
Mazda’s small CX-3, still subcompact CX-30, and compact CX-5 also performed well in reliability ratings, all scoring 85 or better.
These types of consistent results helped push Mazda into the most reliable car brand spot. We recently ranked the CX-30 on our best SUV list.
The Top 5 Most Reliable Car Brands
In 2020, Lexus took the top spot in the survey. The LS model didn’t fare as well this year and that contributed to dropping the luxury automaker to the third spot. Lexus’ parent company Toyota finished second in the reliability survey for 2021 models.
Buick and Honda rounded out the top five most reliable car brands. Honda’s midsize crossover, the Passport, had reported reliability problems.
What Helped Mazda Have the Most Reliable Vehicles?
Based on the survey Mazda’s success with reliable vehicles is due in part to their use of more durable, six-speed automatic transmissions in lieu of continuously variable transmissions (CVTs).
CVT use is growing in popularity among automakers but they tend to be more fragile and less reliable. That means more repairs, more expense, and a lower reliability score.
Mazda has accomplished while still maintaining above-average fuel economy in their vehicles. And with their crisp handling and quality fit and finish, their vehicles are known to be fun to drive.
CR also noted that Mazda takes an iterative approach to vehicle design. Instead of making wholesale changes on models, they take a more gradual approach to change. This has lead to less flaws with defects and other unexpected flaws due to new technology.
Despite having less emphasis on cabin tech, Mazda still garners excellent safety ratings. It’s subcompact CX-3 model earned an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Top Safety Pick+ award for its crash test ratings.
However, if you like touch screens, large infotainment systems, or other advanced tech, Mazda may not be the brand for you.
The Most Improved 2021 SUV
Buick was the most improved brand for reliability, jumping up 14 spots to the 4th spot overall among carmakers. Its subcompact crossover, the Encore, showed significant improvements in reliability and came in as the second most reliable crossover model.
Other brands that showed improvement in reliability included BMW, with its midsize X5 model making gains, Volvo, with its XC40 performing well, and Jeep with the Wrangler doing better.
German SUV Reliability
Porsche was the highest-ranked European automaker finishing 9th overall among automotive brands in the reliability survey.
Audi was in the middle of the pack. The A5 and A4 models both rated above average. However, its reliability rating was hurt by the subcompact Q3 crossover, the new tech-heavy midsize coupe crossover Q8, and its e-tron electric SUV. These models were found to have below or well below average reliability in the study.
Mercedes may do well on the innovation, comfort, and technology side but they didn’t fare well in reliability. Mercedes finished last among German automakers in the 20th spot.
Tesla Reliability
Tesla’s new Model Y crossover, unfortunately, didn’t fare so well in the CR reliability survey. Reported issues with fit and finish including misaligned body panels and mismatched paint tanked its rating.
The Model Y’s rating was much worse than average. It dragged the electric automaker down to the penultimate spot in the reliability rankings, ahead of only Lincoln.
Keep Reliability in Mind When Buying an SUV
Vehicle reliability is important as not only is it a major headache when your SUV is in the shop, it can be downright costly. Not only can it increase your maintenance and repair costs, but it also can decrease the resale value of your vehicle.
You can learn more about the CR reliability survey and get the overall brand ratings list here. To view how rating have changed over the past year, check out our most and least reliable 2020 SUVs article.
Had a good or bad experience with a 2021 SUV model? We want to hear from you. Please share your experience in the comments below.
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Best SUV Crossovers for 2021
These are 5 of the top value SUVs and crossovers for 2021. If you thought less was more in this economy, then think again. Some of these vehicles specialize in fuel economy and luxury refinement while others try to crowd out the market for growing families.
Automakers are loading up their best SUVs with features like Apple CarPlay, all-wheel drive, and blind spot monitors. When it comes to the best SUVs of 2021, more is more. SUVs are one of the top-selling vehicle categories because they offer so much versatility.
Some of the best SUVs for 2021 come with impressive standard features and electric powertrain options. There's a wide range here and consumers will have plenty to choose from. So, here's a quick review of the top 5 SUVs coming to the market in 2021.
2021 Kia Telluride
The 2021 Kia Telluride is one of the only SUVs that manages to get the third row of seating just right. It has room for 8 passengers and rear bench occupants get 31.4 inches of legroom. For a point of comparison, the 2021 Audi Q7 offers 29.2 inches. If you're in the market for a large SUV, then there's no beating the 2021 Telluride's spacious interior and chic style.
The Telluride costs a lot less than the Q7, too. The 2021 Kia Telluride hits the sweet spot with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $31,900. There are four model trims, but you get a rear camera, leather-wrapped steering wheel, and a number of advanced safety features as standard equipment.
Related:What’s New With the 2021 Ford Bronco?
2021 Toyota RAV4
According to market data from Statista.com, last year's RAV4 was the best-selling SUV on the market. A big part of the allure is an MSRP of $26,090. That gets people interested, but they stick around to admire the 2021 Toyota RAV4's attractive exterior style. It has dual chrome-tipped exhaust, sporty front fascia, and contour lines in all the right places.
Apart from style points, the 2021 Toyota RAV4 is a hit with growing families due to all its safety features. It comes with a 2 year maintenance package, blind spot monitors, parking assistance, and rear cross traffic alerts. It scored highly on crash test ratings and doesn't bundle those advanced safety features into pricey package deals. You get a top-notch SUV at any trim level.
2021 Audi e-tron
The Audi e-tron is an upscale crossover with 402 horsepower, quattro all-wheel drive, and a towing capacity of 4,000 pounds. It's a plug-in electric vehicle from Audi that has twin electric motors that provide a driving range of 222 miles. You can plug the e-tron up to a regular AC electrical socket and get a full charge at home in 9 hours. Make use of a DC fast charging station and you'll get 80% capacity in about half an hour.
There's no denying that the 2021 Audi e-tron gets performance superlatives, but it also aces the interior amenities. It has ambient lighting, wood trim inlays, and a panoramic power sunroof. You can outfit the e-tron with a 10-inch touchscreen display and a premium audio system. The 2021 Audi e-tron is a luxury crossover and it carries an MSRP of $65,900.
2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid
Best Compact Suv
If the Audi e-tron is a bit out of your price range, then you might want to take a look at the 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid. It has an MSRP of just $27,850, still has all-wheel drive and gets 40 miles per gallon in the city. Thanks to its hybrid powertrain, the CR-V is a real fuel sipper.
The 2021 CR-V Hybrid isn't winning any beauty pageants, but that's not why people are flocking to this top rated SUV. The CR-V has a hands-free power liftgate and when it opens up the interior is downright cavernous. With the rear seats folded down, the CR-V has 75.8 cubic feet of cargo space. The Honda Sensing safety features also come standard, so it's no wonder why the CR-V Hybrid is an excellent SUV for families.
If the Audi e-tron is a bit out of your price range, then you might want to take a look at the 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid. It has an MSRP of just $27,850, still has all-wheel drive and gets 40 miles per gallon in the city. Thanks to its hybrid powertrain, the CR-V is a real fuel sipper.
The 2021 CR-V Hybrid isn't winning any beauty pageants, but that's not why people are flocking to this top rated SUV. The CR-V has a hands-free power liftgate and when it opens up the interior is downright cavernous. With the rear seats folded down, the CR-V has 75.8 cubic feet of cargo space. The Honda Sensing safety features also come standard, so it's no wonder why the CR-V Hybrid is an excellent SUV for families.
2021 BMW X5
The 2021 BMW X5 is a luxury mid-sized SUV with excellent ride quality and powerful engines on tap. There's a hybrid V6 powertrain for fuel economy and an M-tuned V8 engine for enhanced performance. You can opt in for sport-tuned suspension and advanced air springs. The M model for the X5 produces 523 horsepower and travels from zero to 60 MPH in just 4.1 seconds.
This BMW SUV has the signature kidney front grille, 19-inch alloy wheels, and head-turning exterior style points. Once you get inside, you see why the 2021 BMW X5 carries an MSRP of $59,400. There's leather and wood everywhere you look. The dashboard and center console are thoughtfully laid out with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity as standard features.
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Best 2021 Crossover Suvs Luxury
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Best Crossover Suv 2021 Reddit
The Best SUVs of 2021
These SUVs and crossovers run a range of features and amenities. For budget-minded consumers, the RAV4 and the CR-V Hybrid offer plenty of standard safety features and loads of cabin space. For those who want an upscale ride, the Audi e-tron and the BMW X5 provide sophistication and creature comforts without compromising fuel economy.
Perhaps, the ringer in the list is the 2021 Kia Telluride because it places a marker in nearly every category. The Telluride has the most passenger volume, standard safety gear, and tech amenities, all at a price that will make you look twice. Auto enthusiasts can’t get enough of the Telluride but there are other standout SUVs that didn’t make the cut.
Be sure to check out the Ford Bronco and the Mustang Mach-E. So, what did you think of the vehicles in this list? Drop us a line and let MV know what you think.