Midsize SUVs vary widely in how well they hold up over time, with dependability studies from J.D. Power and Consumer Reports painting very different pictures model to model. Some carry chronic complaints about electronics and transmissions, while others have built reputations for going well past 150,000 miles with minimal trouble. This list orders these nine midsize SUVs from least to most reliable, based on their broader track records.
1. Jeep Grand Cherokee: Frequent Repair Shop Visits
The Grand Cherokee anchors the bottom of this list, reflecting years of owner surveys and reliability studies that point to recurring electrical system glitches, infotainment freezes, and transmission hesitation on certain model years. Consumer Reports has repeatedly flagged below-average predicted reliability scores for the SUV, citing complaints centered on drivetrain components and in-cabin electronics that surface within the first few years of ownership.
Owners considering a used Grand Cherokee should budget for more frequent dealer visits than rivals in this class and weigh extended warranty coverage, since electrical faults in particular tend to recur even after initial repairs.
2. Ford Explorer: Mixed Marks From Owners
The Explorer sits just above the bottom of this ranking, weighed down by a history of drivetrain vibration complaints, water leaks, and recalls tied to its rear-wheel-drive-based platform introduced in 2020. Owner surveys and government complaint databases show a pattern of powertrain and electrical issues that have kept the Explorer’s reliability scores below the class average in several recent model years.
Buyers cross-shopping a used Explorer should check recall history closely and consider a pre-purchase inspection, since many of the reported problems have centered on the drivetrain rather than routine wear items.
3. Chevrolet Blazer: A Middling Reliability Record
The Blazer occupies the middle of this ranking, earning reliability marks that reviewers and owner-survey data describe as average for the class rather than a standout in either direction. Reported issues have skewed toward infotainment software glitches and minor electrical annoyances, with fewer of the drivetrain failures that have dogged some rivals higher and lower on this list.
Shoppers considering a used Blazer are unlikely to encounter major mechanical surprises, though they should still budget for the kind of software updates and minor electrical fixes that show up periodically across the segment.
4. Volkswagen Atlas: Roomy But Inconsistent Long-Term
The Atlas lands just past the midpoint of this ranking, offering some of the most interior space in the class alongside a reliability record that owner surveys describe as inconsistent from year to year. Complaints have most often centered on infotainment electronics and, in some model years, turbocharged four-cylinder engine issues that surfaced during the first few years of ownership.
Prospective buyers should pay close attention to which model year and engine they choose, since the Atlas’s reliability picture has varied enough between years that a strong recent model year can outperform an older one by a wide margin.
5. Nissan Murano: Style Over Long-Term Toughness
The Murano sits at the midpoint of this ranking, pairing a smooth ride and upscale cabin with a continuously variable transmission that has drawn a steady stream of owner complaints in surveys over the years. Reliability data places it squarely in the middle of the segment, neither among the chronic problem vehicles nor among the standouts for long-term durability.
Buyers eyeing a used Murano should ask for maintenance records on the transmission specifically, since CVT-related complaints have been the most consistent thread in owner feedback even as other systems have held up reasonably well.
6. Honda Passport: Benefiting From Honda’s Track Record
The Passport moves into the upper half of this ranking, drawing on the same drivetrain and build quality that have made Honda’s larger SUVs a consistently strong performer in owner surveys. Reported problems have been relatively minor and infrequent, with the V6 engine and transmission earning a reputation for holding up well past 100,000 miles.
Owners have generally reported lower repair frequency and lower repair costs than the class average, making the Passport one of the more predictable choices on this list for anyone planning to keep an SUV for the long haul.
7. Mazda CX-9: Style Backed By Sturdy Engineering
The CX-9 ranks well into the reliable end of this list, combining a turbocharged four-cylinder engine that has proven more durable than its complexity might suggest with an interior that reviewers routinely praise for fit and finish. Owner surveys and independent reliability studies have consistently placed it above the segment average, with few widespread mechanical complaints reported across its model years.
The tradeoff is a smaller third row than some rivals, but that packaging choice has not come at the expense of dependability, and used examples tend to hold their value accordingly.
8. Toyota Highlander: A Familiar Name For Longevity
The Highlander sits near the top of this ranking, benefiting from the same reputation for durability that has defined Toyota’s larger models for decades. Reliability surveys and long-term ownership data consistently show fewer major repairs and fewer unscheduled dealer visits than most midsize SUVs, with both its four-cylinder and hybrid powertrains earning above-average marks.
High resale values reflect that track record, and used Highlanders routinely rack up well over 150,000 miles with mostly routine maintenance, making the model a frequent recommendation for buyers prioritizing low long-term ownership costs.
9. Lexus RX: The Most Dependable Choice
The RX closes out this ranking at the most reliable end, drawing on Lexus’s long-standing reputation for building on well-proven Toyota mechanicals while adding a more refined cabin and stronger warranty support. Reliability surveys from J.D. Power and Consumer Reports have repeatedly ranked the RX and its badge-mates among the very best in the industry, not just the midsize SUV class.
Owners consistently report fewer problems and lower repair costs than almost any other vehicle in this segment, which helps explain why used RX models hold their resale value better than most of the other SUVs on this list.
More from Morning Overview
