Most Reliable Used SUV: Toyota Highlander
45sEstablishes credibility by revealing the #1 reliable SUV from a trusted mechanic.
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An auto mechanic with a preference for Japanese brands ranks the most reliable used SUVs to buy, based on frequency and cost of repairs, and shares personal experience with customer vehicles. He lists Toyota, Lexus, Honda, Subaru, and Mazda as top choices while also surprising viewers by recommending newer Hyundai and Kia models due to their strong warranty coverage.
Chapters
[00:00]
Personal Bias and Safe Answer
The mechanic admits his long-standing preference for Honda and Toyota. His safe recommended choices for a used SUV are the Toyota Highlander and Toyota 4Runner, noting their proven reliability, though they hold their value well and are hard to find at a discount.
[01:01]
Number One: Toyota Highlander (2010s–2020s)
The Toyota Highlander is rated the most reliable and cost-effective vehicle to own from the 2010s through 2020s. It holds value extremely well, so buyers won't likely get a great deal, but with proper care it will have strong resale value.
[01:30]
Number Two: Lexus RX
The Lexus RX is what the mechanic would personally buy for a mid-size SUV. It shares the same platform and reliability as Toyota, but offers nicer features and styling, a higher-quality interior, and lower repair costs compared to many other luxury vehicles.
[02:11]
Number Three: Honda CR-V (and Pilot)
The Honda CR-V is a light, economical SUV that holds its value well and does not require many major repairs. Repair costs are fairly low. A larger alternative in the same category is the Honda Pilot.
[02:38]
Number Four: Subaru Forester
The Subaru Forester is praised for its standard all-wheel drive (important in snowy areas like Utah) and very low overall cost of ownership. However, the mechanic warns that the CVT transmission must be serviced every 30,000 miles; otherwise, the transmission will fail.
[03:38]
Number Five: Mazda CX Series
Mazda CX models have improved significantly and customers have great experiences. Owners often love their Mazdas, and the vehicles offer good features and overall reliability.
[04:06]
Surprise Pick: Hyundai and Kia (Santa Fe, Sorento)
Although Hyundai and Kia vehicles have a higher tendency for major failures, their warranty (10 years/100,000 miles drivetrain) is considered 'the most legit' in the industry. The mechanic sees many 8-10 year old vehicles get engine or transmission replacements covered by the dealer, making them worth considering for a lower purchase price.
When choosing a reliable used SUV, prioritize proven Japanese models (Toyota, Lexus, Honda, Subaru, Mazda) for fewer major repairs, but don't overlook newer Hyundai or Kia models if you value a strong transferable warranty that can cover costly drivetrain failures.
Clickbait Check
85% Legit"The title 'The Most Reliable Used SUVs To Buy' is mostly accurate as the mechanic directly lists specific rankings and personal recommendations, though the inclusion of Hyundai/Kia as a 'surprise' pick slightly broadens the claim beyond purely traditional reliability metrics."
Study Flashcards (5)
According to the mechanic, which used SUV is the number one most reliable and cost-effective vehicle?
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According to the mechanic, which used SUV is the number one most reliable and cost-effective vehicle?
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Toyota Highlander from the 2010s up into the 2020s.
01:01
Why does the mechanic personally prefer the Lexus RX over the Toyota Highlander or 4Runner?
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Why does the mechanic personally prefer the Lexus RX over the Toyota Highlander or 4Runner?
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The Lexus RX has nicer features, a nicer interior, and better styling while sharing the same reliability as Toyota and lower repair costs compared to other luxury vehicles.
01:30
What specific maintenance is critical for a used Subaru Forester to avoid transmission failure?
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What specific maintenance is critical for a used Subaru Forester to avoid transmission failure?
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The CVT transmission must be serviced every 30,000 miles; otherwise, the transmission will likely need replacement.
03:09
What surprising recommendation does the mechanic give at the end regarding Hyundai and Kia used SUVs?
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What surprising recommendation does the mechanic give at the end regarding Hyundai and Kia used SUVs?
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Despite having more major failures, their 10-year drivetrain warranty is very legit and often covers failures even on 8-10 year old vehicles, making them a lower-cost option with good warranty protection.
04:21
Name the top 5 most reliable used SUV brands according to the mechanic, in order.
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Name the top 5 most reliable used SUV brands according to the mechanic, in order.
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1. Toyota (Highlander, 4Runner) 2. Lexus RX 3. Honda (CR-V, Pilot) 4. Subaru Forester 5. Mazda CX series.
01:01
💡 Key Takeaways
💡
Toyota Highlander is #1 for reliability and cost-effectiveness
Direct ranking from a professional mechanic based on repair frequency and cost, serving as a clear buyer recommendation.
01:01
🔧
Critical CVT service for Subaru Forester
A specific, actionable maintenance tip that can prevent a costly transmission replacement, highlighting a common pitfall of Subaru ownership.
03:09
📊
Hyundai/Kia warranty is surprisingly strong
The mechanic, who typically favors Japanese brands, admits that Hyundai/Kia's 10-year drivetrain warranty reliably covers major failures even on older vehicles, changing the value proposition.
04:34Full Transcript
[00:00] Everybody that knows me knows that I've been a Honda Toyota guy forever still am. So the safe answer, Toyota Highlander, Toyota 4Runner, and on what size you're looking for.
[00:13] There's a lot of good options, but we all know that the Japanese makes. They've been pretty proven for many years to just have a little bit higher standard as far as
[00:26] reliability. Some other factors that go into this that I'm looking at as I'm looking at frequency of repairs and frequency of high-cost repairs like engines, transmissions, modules, cats,
[00:42] big expensive, uncomfortable conversation type of things is kind of what I'm looking at. So let's kind of go through the list a little bit and I'll kind of give you my thoughts on on kind of why I put things in this order. I would put the absolute number one most reliable,
[01:01] most cost effective vehicle to own as far as what it's going to cost you to own it. Any of the 2010s up into the 2020s, Toyota Highlanders are a solid, solid choice.
[01:14] One downfall to them is everybody knows it. So Toyota Highlanders and Toyota 4Runners, they hold their value, so you're definitely not likely to go to good deal on one. But if you buy one, drive it, take care of it, it'll treat you good and it should still have a good
[01:30] resale value when you're done with it. The number two vehicle I would put in there, this is actually what I would buy. If I was looking for a mid-size SUV is the Lexus RX,
[01:42] Lexus and Toyota, basically the same thing. The Lexus has in my opinion a lot nicer features, the interior is a lot nicer in my opinion and then just the styling of it is a little bit nicer.
[01:58] The Highlanders and the 4Runner, they're great vehicles but they're somewhat basic, they're doing a better job. But the Lexus RX, good, safe, reliable vehicle, doesn't break down a lot.
[02:11] Doesn't cost a lot in comparison to some vehicles to fix. So the Lexus RX, great option for you. Coming in third, I would probably put the Honda CR-V, pretty good vehicle. They're light,
[02:25] economic, hold value, pretty good, and we're not seeing a lot of major repairs. The repairs they do need seem to have a fairly lower cost. So coming in third, Honda CR-V,
[02:38] or even if you want a little bit bigger one, the Honda Pilot could go in that same category. Coming in fourth, I would actually put the Subaru Forester. So we're here in Utah.
[02:51] Like today, it's a 10 degree day in January. Not getting snow right now but we're usually getting a lot of snow and just with them having standard all-wheel drive, it's a good option. I do warn you the only reason why I almost didn't put the Forester in my top five is they do
[03:09] run a CVT transmission that I think they've got it figured out now. But if you do not service this thing about every 30,000 miles, you will be putting a transmission in it. So yes,
[03:22] Subaru Forester is still an amazing vehicle. One of the safest vehicles you can drive. That's important to me. Very low cost of ownership, unless you don't service it regularly, you will be buying a transmission on this vehicle if you don't take care of it. So
[03:38] I've warned you on that one. What I would put fifth is actually the Mazda. The Mazda CX, they've actually come a long way. My customers have been having great luck. The people that own them, they love them. So I've found that the people that come in and they've given their vehicle a name
[03:54] are usually Mini Cooper owners, Volkswagen Beetle owners and then the Mazda owners. They love these things and they've been good vehicles. So got some good features, overall reliability is good. So that's
[04:06] a good option for you. And then this one's going to kind of surprise me. I know I've already given you my five. But just something to think about when you're when you're really thinking about buying a vehicle, there's so many, there's so many variables that come into play that make it very
[04:21] hard for me to answer the question. So I actually would even throw in the mix Hyundai, Santa Fe's and the Kia Serrentos. I would have bet you a million bucks years ago. I would never have those words
[04:34] come out of my mouth. But here's why. They're actually a pretty good vehicle, but they are, they do have tendency to have more major failures, especially than the other five vehicles I've listed. But
[04:50] Hyundai and Kia's warranty is probably the most legit warranty in the industry. You know, they're covering drivetrain up to 10 years. I bet you at least a few times a month. I'm taking
[05:03] somebody's vehicle that's eight, nine, almost 10 years old. Diagnosing it is having like a failed transmission or a failed engine. Call the dealer, talk to them with the VIN number miles, what it's doing,
[05:16] haul it over to them, and probably nine out of 10 times that thing's covered, which is pretty good. Anybody that's watched our YouTube channel close enough knows I'm not a fan of a lot of warranties, especially the aftermarket ones, because they cheat our customers. Hyundai and Kia, you got to
[05:33] get them props. They actually do a pretty good job. Their warranty is pretty airtight. They've done a lot of good things for people. I've even had some that were kind of could go either way, and they've stepped up and taken care of it. So for those reasons, you might want to look at buying a Hyundai
[05:49] or Kia. You can buy them for less. And then, you know, if you're going to buy a newer one, you know, five to 10 years old, it might be worth looking into, might be worth the risk of having a little bit lower quality vehicle with a little bit higher warranty.