Top 10 Most Reliable Used SUVs of 2021

When compiling a rating of SUVs in terms of reliability among used models under 10 years old, various factors were taken into account, including the reviews of the car owners themselves, the frequency of contacting car services and the most common breakdowns characteristic of a particular car. The choice in favor of used cars is understandable, since cars from the salon are very expensive. If you have a certain amount that is definitely not enough for a new car, but you can find something on them in the secondary market, you should look. Practice has shown that the most reliable SUVs are operated without problems for 10 years. Further problems may arise due to the natural wear of parts. Therefore, even the most careful driver will not be able to fully protect himself and his jeep from possible breakdowns caused by the aging process of engine parts and other systems.

Recommendations before buying

When buying inexpensive SUVs, the car enthusiast wants to get the most out of it. The desire to get the most reliable models is understandable, because after the purchase, no one wants to become a regular customer of a car service, spend all weekend in the garage, just to be able to drive their own car for several days without incidents.

Therefore, when choosing a jeep among used options, you should pay attention to the following points:

• Do not buy used cars over 10 years old. It is optimal to take a car 3-5 years old. As the experience of many drivers shows, after 10 years, even the most durable cars begin to show their weaknesses. This will not necessarily be a serious breakdown, accompanied by the need to overhaul the engine or change it completely. Much depends on the previous owner, his driving style and attitude towards the car.
• Look closely at the mileage. The reliability rating includes cars that do not have any significant problems with a mileage of 300 thousand kilometers. There are individual copies, which are called "millionaires". They can travel a million kilometers without causing any damage with proper care and maintenance. But buying a car that is 5-10 years old, which has managed to wind more than 300 thousand kilometers, is not worth it. The more mileage, the sooner you will have to overhaul the engine.
• The manufacturer plays a role. Used jeeps produced by little-known companies could not get into the reliability rating. Therefore, all representatives of the top are products of well-known, well-proven brands.
• Before buying, make a mandatory test drive and send the car to the service station. Even if the car you have chosen is in the top of the most reliable SUVs, it is strongly not recommended to take it without first studying its condition. It often happens that a car is sold no more than 10 years old, which has an acceptable mileage and is sold at a price below the market price. Sellers often associate this with the need to urgently sell the vehicle. But in fact, such an attractive offer may hide an accident, which got a jeep, a twisted speedometer and other pitfalls. Drive the car, feel it. It is better to choose an independent car service, and not the one recommended by the seller.

Among the top 10 cars that we managed to collect in this rating, there are no obvious outsiders or pronounced leaders. All cars have the necessary qualities, but belong to slightly different price segments.

Toyota Land Cruiser

Over 150 models in the track record ... Find at least one more such prolific car manufacturer! Yes, among them there are many cars intended for the domestic market and completely unknown abroad, but there are also world bestsellers, which undoubtedly include the famous SUV.

The title of the most reliable SUV in the world is well deserved by the Land Cruiser: each generation turned out better and always sold well, starting with the 70th series, which was launched in 1984, and ending with the two hundred, which debuted in 2007.

It can be argued that almost all generations have the same list of advantages: in addition to exceptional reliability, one can name a monumental appearance, a huge and comfortable interior, and ideal off-road characteristics.

The range of motors is extremely extensive, among them there are both diesel power units and powerful gasoline engines that perfectly cope with all tasks. Perhaps the most famous is the 235-silb 4.7-liter engine fitted to the 100-series SUV. Both mechanical gearboxes and automatic gearboxes in a Japanese jeep match the engines - they run the same, if not more.

The only requirement is to choose a well-groomed copy, although this will not be easy if you have a limited budget. A second-generation SUV costs about a million rubles in the secondary market, but be prepared that it also has a mileage of 300 thousand kilometers.

You can look for a Land Cruiser 200 series of the 2008-2010 model with a range of 200 thousand kilometers, but such a car will cost about 2 million rubles.

In any case, the Land Cruiser will justify your investment, it is not without reason that it has been in the top 10 best-selling SUVs for the last two decades.

Suzuki grand vitara

Grand Vitara cannot boast of such a pedigree as the Land Cruiser, but the second place in the top 10 most reliable used SUVs went to it for other virtues, among which it is worth highlighting, first of all, price affordability. Yes, outwardly it is simple, but you are going to buy an SUV not to show off on the podium? With everything else, he has order: this is the famous Japanese reliability, and durability, and excellent off-road characteristics, and a range of powerful engines, and unpretentious operation, which is legendary.

The most popular is the five-seater version, although the more spacious seven-seater version is also good. The optimal combination of engine and transmission can be called a bunch of a two-liter 140-horsepower gasoline engine and a manual gearbox - this is a third-generation copy (2008) with a range of 150-200 thousand kilometers. Such an SUV will cost you 600 thousand rubles.

If you want a fresher car, then for the restyled version of the SUV (meaning the second restyling of the third generation) of 2012 with mileage in the region of 100 thousand kilometers, you will have to pay about 900 thousand rubles. Agree, for a ten-year-old Japanese SUV, this is a very good value.

And about the features of an SUV: corrosion is possible only on very old copies (or those that have been in an accident), with the active use of all-wheel drive, the crosspiece may break. The rest of the car can only cause trouble because of old age and normal wear and tear.

Mercedes-Benz G-Class

The Germans began to develop the later legendary Gelendvagen back in 1972. It wasn't until 1979 that a prototype was created for military purposes that it came to real cars, and since then this SUV has invariably appeared in all ratings related to reliability.

The second generation had to wait 11 years, and it was this that broke all records of longevity - the third generation Mercedes-Benz G-Class had to wait almost three decades ... Of course, over these 28 years, the SUV has undergone many upgrades, but what American jeep can boast of such vitality?

The first generation in the secondary market, if it is found, is perhaps as a museum piece. But the W463 is already represented by a decent amount.These are copies, starting from 1990, as a rule, with unknown mileage (figures may be indicated even less than 100 thousand kilometers, but we do not recommend trusting them). All of them have a transfer case, three locking differentials, 4x4 drive - permanent, for each wheel separately. The price depends on the condition and engine, of which the SUV has a lot. There are offers up to 700 thousand rubles, and there are for the same age jeep and over one and a half million rubles.

The 2.3-liter 122-horsepower powertrain is the weakest, but widely represented. Often there is a 210-horsepower 3.2-liter engine, and there is also a 3-liter turbodiesel with 211 horsepower or a 5.5-liter 544-horsepower gasoline turbo engine. The top is the 612-horsepower biturbo 6-liter engine. Where is the T-34!

The 2000s cost at least one and a half million, and a ten-year-old SUV will cost you three million. The main thing is that there is enough money for gasoline, because Gelendvagen's appetites are exorbitant.

Jeep grand cherokee

Whatever the name, the whole era! Such are they, the oldest and most reliable SUVs in the world. And our rating simply could not do without a car, whose name has become a household name for the entire segment.

The first generation Grand Cherokee appeared in showrooms in 1992 and lasted until 1998. The second generation model has also been on sale for seven years, excluding SUVs manufactured in China until 2010. The third generation was produced during 2004-2010, that is, it was also exactly 7 years old.

All three generations are represented in the secondary market, the vast majority of cars were brought from North America. There are SUVs of European origin.

It is possible to become the owner of the first generation Grand Cherokee with a range of 30,000 kilometers for 300,000 rubles, with a 4.0-liter 190-horsepower or 5.2-liter unit with a capacity of 215 horsepower. But it is better to pay 100 thousand rubles in addition and take a second-generation jeep, with the same mileage and a 4-liter power unit, or a more powerful one - 220-horsepower with a volume of 4.7 liters. If you are lucky, you will find a diesel option that is more economical, but does not like stale engine oil. The box is only automatic, but there are different modifications, depending on the year of manufacture. The most reliable is the five-band from Mercedes.

Despite the excellent off-road characteristics, the four-wheel drive itself suffers from a rapid failure of gaskets and oil seals, so this must be monitored. The chassis, due to the simplicity of the design, is durable and problem-free, but with frequent off-road visits, the front levers suffer.

The cost of ten-year copies starts at one million rubles.

Mitsubishi Pajero Sport

The Japanese automaker has a lot of Pajero jeeps - Pinin, Junior, Mini, if you wish, you can find a couple more models. But the most famous, ranked fifth in the 2021 ranking of the most reliable SUVs, is the Pajero with the Sport prefix. And if you rush to look for sporting features in the exterior of this SUV, you will be deeply disappointed - this is a classic jeep of the old sourdough without any design delights. Harsh and mighty, simple and hassle-free. In Japan, the car began to be sold in 1996, in the rest of the world - in 1997. The model has been repeatedly upgraded and managed to stay on the market for 10 years. In 2008, the second generation jeep saw the light, and it was already a completely different car - only the frame structure remained in common. Since 21013, the famous SUV began to be assembled in Russia, and in 2015 the Japanese showed the world the third generation of Pajero Sport. And again, the exterior underwent radical changes dictated by the then automotive fashion, but the off-road qualities that led the model to success remained at the same highest level.

Autos of the first generation on the "secondary housing" are no longer to be found, and copies, starting in 2011, with a 200-kilometer or more mileage, cost an average of 1.5 million rubles. Among them, you can find cars with different engines, from a 243-horsepower three-liter diesel engine to a 352-horsepower 5.7-liter or 468-horsepower 6.4-liter gasoline power unit.

A Russian-made SUV costs about the same, but here the prevailing is a 2.5-liter turbodiesel with a capacity of 178 horsepower. A manual transmission is very rare, but Mitsubishi's automatic transmission is also durable and reliable. The proprietary four-wheel drive also works flawlessly, offering three modes: rear-wheel drive, four-wheel drive with a reduced gear ratio, full with a center differential lock.

For a two-year SUV with a minimum mileage, you will have to pay 2.6 million rubles.

Nissan terrano

This Japanese brand also has a more famous jeep, but we put the Terrano higher for several reasons: it is younger than the Patrol and at the same time cheaper. Therefore, the Japanese jeep definitely deserves a place in the top of the most reliable and unpretentious used SUVs.

The first generation, better known as the Pathfinder, was released in 1985 and lasted two decades. The second generation, focused on the European market, was produced in Spain from 1993 to 2006, having gone through several restyling (in 1999 and 2002).

With the appearance of a classic SUV, the Terrano will not surprise you with its flowing forms - it is rough and angular, as befits a representative of this segment.

In the secondary market, you can also find a 1991-1993 Pathfinder, with a solid mileage and a cost of 200 thousand rubles, but it is better to pay twice as much and become the owner of a 1999-2000 jeep after restyling. Even for a reliable "Japanese", ten years difference matters. In this case, you will have a choice between a gasoline 2.4-liter power unit with a capacity of 118 horsepower and a couple of turbodiesels (125-horsepower 2.7-liter and 154-horsepower 3.0 liters). Most of the proposals are with an automatic transmission, but there is also a manual transmission.

For a third-generation SUV with a symbolic mileage (up to 100 thousand kilometers), you need to pay 800-900 thousand rubles, and this is a very good investment option.

Mitsubishi pajero

In terms of reliability and quality, this SUV is not much inferior to the leaders of the rating. Even today, this model, starting from the first generation, is in high demand. And let worthy copies come across, starting with the second generation (since 1991), you definitely will not regret such an acquisition. Any obstacles for this jeep will be surmountable, but the SUV's driving characteristics are not bad, it is manageable even at high speeds.

Corrosion for Mitsubishi Pajero is a rare guest, the chassis will not cause major problems, both types of boxes, automatic and mechanical, serve for a long time and rarely break.

All engines are reliable, and the SUV has a lot of them. The second generation has two gasoline power units (150-horsepower three-liter and 208-horsepower with a volume of 3.5 liters), as well as two diesel engines - a 99-horsepower 2.5-liter and 125-horsepower with a volume of 2.8 liters. Their resource with decent maintenance is 500 thousand kilometers.

For such a 1994-1996 jeep with a range of up to 300 thousand kilometers, they ask for 400 thousand rubles. The third generation of an SUV after restyling in 2004 with a mileage of 180-310 thousand kilometers has price tags of 700,000 rubles, and a ten-year-old fourth-generation jeep can be bought for one and a half million.

Ford explorer

The current Explorer is just a full-size crossover, but until 2011 a full-frame SUV was sold under this name, the first generation of which was produced during 1990-1994. Back then, massive SUVs came into vogue in the United States, and the Explorer kept up with such trends, although Ford had other similar models, such as the Bronco II.

But already the second generation lost the downshift, it was decided to delegate its functions to the Full-time drive. This departure from off-road canons went unnoticed, the car continued to enjoy success, and in 2001 the third generation of the Ford Jeep appeared, which became even more massive and dimensional. Four years later, the time has come for the fourth and last generation in the status of an SUV.

We will not talk about the off-road qualities and reliability of the current crossover, but the entry into the list of the most reliable SUVs of the SUV predecessors is well deserved. This is really a very unpretentious and considered indestructible car.

If you are aiming at a 25-year-old model, which costs about 200 thousand rubles, then finding a car in good condition will be quite difficult - age does not spare anyone. Copies of the third generation will cost you 500 thousand rubles, and here you can already choose a car that will serve you for a year or two. But a ten-year-old SUV will cost 600-900 thousand.

Nissan patrol

Perhaps the legendary Patrol is the oldest jeep presented in our rating. The 1st generation began to be sold back in 1951, when there was no such thing as an SUV. But the car had a frame structure and a full-fledged four-wheel drive, resembling a military Jeep "Willis" (USA). The second generation had to wait 9 years, but it was it that turned out to be a long-liver, having held out on the market for two decades. But, as it turned out, this was not a record either, since the third-generation SUV, which was launched in 1980, rolled off the assembly line until 2003.

The reason for this popularity is understandable - phenomenal reliability, it is no coincidence that these machines were purchased by a number of countries for military needs, and it was they who were used by the UN to conduct numerous peacekeeping operations and missions.

Simultaneously with the third generation jeeps, since 1987, cars of the fourth generation have been produced, and since 1997 - of the fifth generation.

So you can rest assured that the Nissan Patrol is one of the most reliable SUVs on the Russian aftermarket.

Only five-door modifications were delivered to us through official channels, although "three-doors" are also characteristic of early models. For Patrol of the second half of the 80s, they ask for about 200 thousand rubles, options that are younger (first half of the 90s) cost twice as much, and if you want the fifth generation of an SUV, then prepare an amount of 800 thousand or more. Note that the range of prices is very large even within the same-year copies with approximately the same equipment.

Cadillac escalade

Most of our compatriots associate this American brand with premium and luxury. And few people know that the range of this automaker also includes classic SUVs, and not bad ones. They just weren't delivered to us, although they are very popular all over the world.

The life cycle of American cars is usually very small, and in the case of the Escalade, it is completely anecdotal: the model began to be produced in 1999, but a year later a generation change followed. The jeep, in full accordance with the overseas craving for gigantomania, turned out to be huge, with a very spacious interior, and lasted 5 years on the market - this is the norm for the United States. It would seem that the third generation of the SUV expected the same fate, but no, the 2005 Cadillac Escalade was produced until 2014, when the production of the fourth generation jeeps started, which continues today. The current SUV is still striking in size, but in its appearance there are notes that correspond to modern trends.

The reliability of the model can be judged at least by such a fact as the love for the jeep of many American presidents, who preferred to travel on it. It is distinguished by unpretentiousness in everyday operation and a large resource of all its components and assemblies.

A twenty-year-old copy with a range of 300 thousand kilometers costs at least 500 thousand rubles, a 2011 SUV will cost you 1.2-1.5 million, the cost of a five-year American SUV starts at 3.5 million rubles. If the jeep has no problems with reliability, then the situation with spare parts is the opposite. It is for this reason that the Cadillac Escalade rounds out our top 10.

So which is the safest used SUV to choose? The question is rhetorical. Reliability can be measured quantitatively (for example, by the number of calls to service centers), but statistics are statistics, and you will buy a specific car, moreover, an age one, and then you need to be prepared for any surprises. If you are not an expert, it is better to go to the bridegroom with a friend who is well versed in this delicate issue, because even a budget of 200-500 thousand rubles is a significant amount. And it will be a shame if you buy a car that you cannot drive ...