Most reliable family SUVs: Lexus NX tops What Car? survey
Family SUV reliability: What Car? crowns Lexus NX
Discover the latest What Car? reliability ranking for family SUVs: Lexus NX scores 100%, Toyota RAV4 and Renault Kadjar follow, with hybrids leading the pack.
2025-09-01T11:33:30+03:00
2025-09-01T11:33:30+03:00
2025-09-01T11:33:30+03:00
A family SUV is more than a roomy cabin and a big trunk—it’s the confidence that comes from solid reliability. The British magazine What Car? has released a fresh ranking based on feedback from thousands of drivers, and the results are anything but predictable.The outright winner was the previous-generation Lexus NX, scoring a flawless 100% for reliability. Not a single owner reported a fault—a rarity even for the premium segment. It’s telling that the new-generation NX came close, posting a still-strong 97.6%.Second place went to the Toyota RAV4 with 98.8%. Only 2% of owners encountered issues, most often with the battery or charging system. In most cases, repairs were done free of charge and within a week. In third, and unexpectedly, stood the Renault Kadjar at 98.6%—a French model often criticized for its electronics that, this time, delivered only minimal glitches.Rounding out the top five were the Honda CR-V at 97.2% and the Volvo XC40 PHEV at 97%. Hybrid versions proved noticeably more reliable than petrol and diesel, reinforcing a trend that has been hard to ignore in recent years.At the other end of the list, the diesel Kia Sportage (66.2%) and the Land Rover Evoque (73.8%) struggled. Owners reported engine, transmission, and suspension troubles, with repairs often dragging on for weeks. The Alfa Romeo Stelvio also confirmed its poor reputation, where electronic issues and costly fixes have become the norm.Experts noted that the biggest burden for owners isn’t just the repair bill but the time a car spends off the road. The longer an SUV sits in the shop, the sharper the frustration. In this respect, Japanese and French brands tended to resolve issues quickly and at modest cost—exactly what matters when a car has to shoulder family duties every day.The conclusion is clear: if reliability tops the checklist for a family SUV, hybrid models from Lexus and Toyota deserve priority—while the surprise contender, the Renault Kadjar, is well worth considering.
family SUV reliability, What Car? ranking, Lexus NX, Toyota RAV4, Renault Kadjar, Honda CR-V, Volvo XC40 PHEV, Kia Sportage diesel, Land Rover Evoque, Alfa Romeo Stelvio, hybrid SUVs
2025
Michael Powers
articles
Most reliable family SUVs: Lexus NX tops What Car? survey
Discover the latest What Car? reliability ranking for family SUVs: Lexus NX scores 100%, Toyota RAV4 and Renault Kadjar follow, with hybrids leading the pack.
Michael Powers, Editor
A family SUV is more than a roomy cabin and a big trunk—it’s the confidence that comes from solid reliability. The British magazine What Car? has released a fresh ranking based on feedback from thousands of drivers, and the results are anything but predictable.
The outright winner was the previous-generation Lexus NX, scoring a flawless 100% for reliability. Not a single owner reported a fault—a rarity even for the premium segment. It’s telling that the new-generation NX came close, posting a still-strong 97.6%.
Second place went to the Toyota RAV4 with 98.8%. Only 2% of owners encountered issues, most often with the battery or charging system. In most cases, repairs were done free of charge and within a week. In third, and unexpectedly, stood the Renault Kadjar at 98.6%—a French model often criticized for its electronics that, this time, delivered only minimal glitches.
Rounding out the top five were the Honda CR-V at 97.2% and the Volvo XC40 PHEV at 97%. Hybrid versions proved noticeably more reliable than petrol and diesel, reinforcing a trend that has been hard to ignore in recent years.
At the other end of the list, the diesel Kia Sportage (66.2%) and the Land Rover Evoque (73.8%) struggled. Owners reported engine, transmission, and suspension troubles, with repairs often dragging on for weeks. The Alfa Romeo Stelvio also confirmed its poor reputation, where electronic issues and costly fixes have become the norm.
Experts noted that the biggest burden for owners isn’t just the repair bill but the time a car spends off the road. The longer an SUV sits in the shop, the sharper the frustration. In this respect, Japanese and French brands tended to resolve issues quickly and at modest cost—exactly what matters when a car has to shoulder family duties every day.
The conclusion is clear: if reliability tops the checklist for a family SUV, hybrid models from Lexus and Toyota deserve priority—while the surprise contender, the Renault Kadjar, is well worth considering.
