Reliable SUVs to Buy

SUVs are one of the most popular car genres in America. They are known for being roomy, affordable, and extremely kid-friendly. SUVs are also known for being very reliable cars for commuters; kids do need to get to school somehow, you know.

Parents who want to make sure that their kids will be able to go to school and do it all will need an extremely reliable car. After all, no one wants to buy one of the most dangerous cars ever made when they're carrying precious cargo.

Looking to buy an SUV this year? According to experts, these are the most reliable SUVs to buy in 2017.

Chevrolet Equinox

The Chevy Equinox has gotten pretty good ratings ratings from both consumers and experts alike. According to US News, this is the top of the list of the most reliable SUVs to buy in 2017, as well as one of the best

What makes it reliable? Well, it has ample safety features and also was able to pass almost every reliability test that J.D. Power and Associates threw at it. Its total reliability score is a very impressive 4.5 out of 5 stars as a result of its sturdy build.

That being said, the 2017 Chevy Equinox isn't exactly loaded with car amenities. So, while it's very reliable, people who are looking for a luxury SUV might be a bit underwhelmed. Even so, it's a great buy for its price range.

GMC Terrain

Admittedly, GMC has a reputation for making some very unreliable trucks. In fact, the entire brand is going under a somewhat bad PR crisis due to the low quality makes of its cars. However, the GMC Terrain is an exception to this rule, and shows that reliable cars can come from unreliable brands.

US News actually rated the GMC Terrain as one of the most reliable SUVs to buy. That being said, prices of the GMC Terrain are very reasonable — but it's one of those "no-frills" models that also doesn't have much prestige due to the brand. So, if you're looking for a sturdy SUV that won't let you down, this is it.

Toyota RAV 4

Toyota, in general, is one of the most reliable car brands out there. Both the Toyota RAV 4 and the Toyota RAV 4 Hybrid have gotten a lot of recognition for being quality cars — and for generally being reliable SUVs. Their current reliability score is just over 3 out of 5, which makes them some of the more reliable SUVs to buy.

What really gets people going about Toyotas, though, isn't their reliability. It's the fact that they are packed with standard amenities and the fact that they have great fuel economy for their class. These cars are famous for also having pretty zippy engines, so they also can offer enough performance for a fun ride.

Buick Encore

Though the Buick Encore may be one of the company's smallest models, it's also been rated as one of the most reliable SUVs to buy in 2017. A strong build with quality materials and ample safety features makes this one of the most reliable and safe cars you can buy.

When you combine the reliability factor with the Encore's luxurious interior, it's easy to see why it's a best selling SUV model. Even JD Power was impressed by it!

Honda CR-V

For yet another year in a row, the Honda CR-V got ranked as one of the most reliable SUVs to buy. This isn't surprising; this car model has regularly regarded as one of the most reliable cars on the lot. And, it also got a 4 of 5 score for reliability by JD Power.

It's got a powerful engine capable of pumping out 190 horsepower, and also has excellent steering. High quality safety features and a very wide user base makes this one of the nicest SUVs in its price range.

That's why it was named the 2017 Best Compact SUV for the Money by US News.

Hyundai Santa Fe

The Hyundai Santa Fe is one of the only cars that was close to tying with the Honda CR-V in terms of both popularity and reliability. The Santa Fe has the highest safety scores of its class and also boasts some of the nicest standard amenities out there.

It also has a 4 out of 5 score on the predicted reliability test from J.D. Power and Associates. As a result, it's one of the most reliable SUVs to buy this year — and also one of the most recommended by safety specialists.

Kia Sorento

Last on this list, but definitely not least, is the Kia Sorento. With a 4 out of 5 reliability score from J.D. Power's testing, it's considered to be one of the most reliable SUVs to buy this year. With prices starting at around $25,000, it's also one of the more affordable SUVs, too.

That being said, the Kia Sorento isn't exactly as fun to drive as others on this list. It has a somewhat sluggish engine, but if you upgrade to the LX, that issue quickly goes away thanks to a high-performance V6 engine and a lot of upgraded car stats.