Consumer Reports: Least Reliable Midsize SUVs to Avoid, Buy This Instead
It’s that time again! Looking for a reliable midsize SUV that Consumer Reports recommends? There are plenty of good options, but there are also some sport utility vehicles worth avoiding. Some of the better options include the 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe and the 2022 Kia Telluride.
Why does Consumer Reports think the 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe is not a reliable midsize SUV?
While the 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe is still a good SUV choice, Consumer Reports says there are better options. The Santa Fe came in eight out of 11 similar midsize SUVs on the market. It scored 64 out of 100 overall during testing, and the road test score was above-average. The Hyundai SUV also received the “green choice” label. However, the predicted reliability was only average. The predicted owner satisfaction was even lower.
The push-button gear selector needs a bit more work as testers said it wasn’t the easiest to use. The engine was “a bit weak and noisy,” too. The good news? Forward collision warning (FCW) and automatic emergency braked (AEB) are included standard, but blind-spot warning (BSW) is only available on higher trim levels.
Hyundai incl
Price Range: $27,200 – $45,510
The 2022 Toyota Venza is a reliable midsize SUV
Is it even a surprise to see the 2022 Toyota Venza on this list? The Venza has basically everything a midsize SUV could ever need. Consumer Reports gave it the “green choice” label and the coveted “recommended” accolade. It scored well on the road test and the predicted owner satisfaction area. Plus, the 2022 Venza has an above-average predicted reliability score.
CR says the Venza SUV gets 37 mpg overall and offers drivers a comfortable ride. The controls aren’t the easiest to get used to, though. Toyota added FCW, AEB with pedestrian detection, and BSW standard. Plus, high-reliability scores previously indicate this is a good buy.
Price Range: $32,890 – $40,380
The 2022 Ford Explorer ranks in the middle for midsize sport utility vehicles
The 2022 Ford Explorer is a pretty solid midsize SUV. Unfortunately, it didn’t appease Consumer Reports on all fronts. The Explorer only racked up a 47 out of 100 overall and came in almost last on the list of similar SUVs. The 2022 Ford didn’t appeal to the experts at Consumer Reports regarding reliability. The owner satisfaction score was only average, too.
The fuel economy isn’t anything to write home about, and the transmission was pretty noisy. The cabin is roomy and quiet, and it handles well. FCW, AEB with pedestrian detection, and BSW are standard. However, the Ford Explorer has historically bad reliability scores that might make it worth avoiding. It comes in as one of the least reliable vehicles on the whole Annual Auto Survey.
Price Range: $33,745 – $55,995
It is no secret that Consumer Reports thinks the 2022 Kia Telluride is reliable
Another solid choice is the 2022 Kia Telluride. It has one of the highest scores ever at 97 out of 100. Consumer Reports ranked the 2022 Telluride first out of 14 other midsize SUV options. The fuel economy came in at a respectable 21 mpg overall. The Kia SUV has high scores for the road test, predicted reliability, and predicted owner satisfaction.
The Kia Telluride comes with Kia’s industry-leading 10-year, 100,000-mile warranty. It has three rows, a powerful transmission, and tons of room inside for people and cargo. The Telluride can also tow 5,000 pounds. FCW, AEB with pedestrian detection, and BSW are all standard.
Price Range: $33,090 – $44,890
Consumer Reports says the 2022 Chevrolet Blazer and the 2022 Mazda CX-9 are two reliable midsize SUV options, too. You can look at all of the Midsized sport-utility vehicles on Consumer Reports’ list to see what other reliable picks are out there.
