12 Most Reliable 2017 SUVs Under $30,000

Affordability Meets Reliability (and Practicality)

The highly competitive SUV segment has a number of options that have similar reliability ratings. This slideshow breaks down those ratings and tells you which SUVs under $30,000 are the most reliable.

Though it may not be at the top of your list, good predicted reliability should be considered when buying a car. A vehicle’s reliability rating can be an indication of the hassle you may deal with down the road when it comes to repairs.

U.S. News determines a vehicle’s reliability rating using J.D. Power and Associates Vehicle Dependability Study for older used cars and the J.D. Power Predicted Reliability rating for new cars.

• Read the 2017 GMC Terrain Full Review
• See 2017 GMC Terrain Photos
• See Compact SUVs Rankings

2017 Chevy Equinox

MSRP: $23,580 // Reliability: 4.5 out of 5 (Details Below)

The Chevrolet Equinox did not receive many updates for 2017, so that means it retained the comfortable ride and spacious seats that buyers appreciate. It has received a 4.5 out of five reliability rating, which means it is among the most reliable vehicles on the market. The Equinox comes backed by a three-year/36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty and a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty.

• Read the 2017 Chevrolet Equinox Full Review
• See 2017 Chevrolet Equinox Photos
• See Compact SUVs Rankings

2017 Nissan Murano

MSRP: $29,770 // Reliability: 4.5 out of 5 (Details Below)

The Nissan Murano is a reliable two-row SUV designed to appeal to empty nesters. It has been given a 4.5 out of five reliability rating, which means it is better than most SUVs on the market. Nissan includes a three-year/36,000-mile warranty and a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty with each new Murano purchase. It has been subject to one recall in regard to a brake fluid leak. 

• Read the 2017 Nissan Murano Full Review
• See 2017 Nissan Murano Photos
• See Midsize SUVs Rankings

2017 GMC Terrain

MSRP: $24,070 // Reliability: 4.5 out of 5 (Details Below)

The GMC Terrain is a highly rated compact SUV that has an upscale interior, comfortable seats, and a powerful available V6 engine. It scores a 4.5 out of five reliability rating, which means it is better than most. GMC backs each new Terrain with a three-year/36,000-mile limited warranty and a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty. 

• Read the 2017 GMC Terrain Full Review
• See 2017 GMC Terrain Photos
• See Compact SUVs Rankings

2017 Buick Encore

MSRP: $22,990 // Reliability: 4.0 out of 5 (Details Below)

The Buick Encore is a subcompact SUV that comes with a long list of standard features. It has been given a four out of five reliability rating, which means it is above average. Buick backs the Encore with a four-year/50,000-mile warranty and a six-year/70,000-mile powertrain warranty. It has been subject to one recall in regard to its airbag sensing software. 

• Read the 2017 Buick Encore Full Review
• See 2017 Buick Encore Photos
• See Subcompact SUVs Rankings

2017 Kia Sportage

MSRP: $23,200 // Reliability: 4.0 out of 5 (Details Below)

The redesigned 2017 Kia Sportage is one of the most well rounded SUVs on the market. It balances sporty handling and ride comfort better than other large SUVs. It has been given a four out of five reliability rating, which means it is above average. Kia backs the Sportage with a five-year/60,000-mile basic warranty and a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. It has been subject to one recall in regard to its trailer hitch electrical wiring.

• Read the 2017 Kia Sportage Full Review
• See 2017 Kia Sportage Photos
• See Compact SUVs Rankings

2017 Toyota RAV4

MSRP: $24,910 // Reliability: 4.0 out of 5 (Details Below)

The Toyota RAV4 is a good SUV with an ageing design. It has a long list of standard features, including a suite of advanced safety technology. The RAV4 has received a four out of five reliability rating, which means it is among the most reliable compact SUVs on the market. The SUV comes backed by a three-year/36,000-mile basic warranty and a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty.

• Read the 2017 Toyota RAV4 Full Review
• See 2017 Toyota RAV4 Photos
• See Compact SUVs Rankings

2017 Chevrolet Trax

MSRP: $21,000 // Reliability: 3.5 out of 5 (Details Below)

The Chevrolet Trax is a nimble subcompact SUV that achieves good safety scores. It performs best in city driving situations. The Trax has received a 3.5 out of five reliability rating, which is above average. 

Chevrolet covers the Trax with a three-year/36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty and a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty. It has been subject to one recall in regard to a failing airbag sensor.

• Read the 2017 Chevrolet Trax Full Review
• See 2017 Chevrolet Trax Photos
• See Subcompact SUVs Rankings

2017 Ford Edge

MSRP: $28,950 // Reliability: 3.5 out of 5 (Details Below)

The Ford Edge is a good midsize SUV. It drives like sedan and has plenty of room inside its cabin to fit five people. It has good safety scores and a strong engine lineup. It has received a 3.5 out of five reliability rating, which is above average.

Ford covers the 2017 Edge with a three-year/36,000-mile warranty and a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty. It has been subject to one recall regarding failed airbag inflation.

• Read the 2017 Ford Edge Full Review
• See 2017 Ford Edge Photos
• See Midsize SUVs Rankings

2017 Honda CR-V

MSRP: $24,045 // Reliability: 3.5 out of 5 (Details Below)

The fully redesigned 2017 Honda CR-V is an excellent vehicle. It has plenty of second row legroom, a spacious cargo area, achieves outstanding fuel economy, and has advanced safety technology available.

It has received a 3.5 out of five reliability rating, which means it is above average. The CR-V comes backed by a three-year/36,000-mile limited warranty and a five-year/60,000-mile limited powertrain warranty.

• Read the 2017 Honda CR-V Full Review
• See 2017 Honda CR-V Photos
• See Compact SUVs Rankings

2017 Hyundai Tucson

MSRP: $22,700 // Reliability: 3.5 out of 5 (Details Below)

The Hyundai Tucson is a good compact SUV with a spacious cabin and large number of standard features. Hyundai backs their Tucson with by a five-year/60,000-mile limited warranty and a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain limited warranty. It has been subject to one recall in regard to its trailer hitch electrical wiring.

• Read the 2017 Hyundai Tucson Full Review
• See 2017 Hyundai Tucson Photos
• See Compact SUVs Rankings

2017 Kia Sorento

MSRP: $25,600 // Reliability: 3.5 out of 5 (Details Below)

The Kia Sorento is a versatile two- or three-row SUV that offers families a lot of bang for their buck. It has received new safety technology for 2017, including adaptive headlights and automatic emergency braking.

It has been given a 3.5 out of five reliability rating, which means it is above average. Kia backs the Sorento with a five-year/60,000-mile basic warranty and a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. It has been subject to one recall in regard to its trailer hitch electrical wiring.

• Read the 2017 Kia Sorento Full Review
• See 2017 Kia Sorento Photos
• See Midsize SUVs Rankings

2017 Volkswagen Tiguan

MSRP: $24,995 // Reliability:  3.5 out of 5 (Details Below)

Volkswagen’s ageing Tiguan has a good reliability rating in its last year before a full redesign. It scores a 3.5 out of five, meaning that it is above average. Volkswagen covers each new Tiguan purchased with a three-year/36,000-mile limited warranty and a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty. The Tiguan has been subject to one recall in regard to its failure to deploy airbags in the event of a collision.

• Read the 2017 Volkswagen Tiguan Full Review
• See 2017 Volkswagen Tiguan Photos
• See Compact SUVs Rankings

More Shopping Tools From U.S. News & World Report

Explore our SUV rankings to learn more about the SUVs on this list. To compare these SUVs to others, peruse our complete list of new SUVs by checking out our new car rankings. Then, when it comes time to buy, use our Best Price Program to get the best deal on your new car purchase.