Skip to main content

Ask any Toyota fan about the brand’s most reliable SUV, and you’ll get two different answers. That’s because it depends on how you define an SUV. For a full-frame, truck-based workhorse, the Sequoia is Toyota’s best bet. But if a unibody crossover counts, the Highlander takes the top spot for long-term reliability. Both are built to last—but for different types of drivers.

The Sequoia: Toyota’s most reliable full-frame SUV

Full-frame SUVs have body-on-frame construction like trucks, meaning they can tow more, handle off-road abuse, and last for decades with proper maintenance. Based on reliability data, the Sequoia is Toyota’s most reliable full-frame SUV, edging out the Land Cruiser and 4Runner.

Full-frame Toyota SUVs, ranked by reliability

  1. Sequoia – J.D. Power Quality & Reliability: 75/100 | Recalls: 2 | NHTSA Complaints per 1,000 vehicles: 0.35
  2. Land Cruiser – No official rating yet, as the new generation just launched.
  3. 4Runner – Also unrated due to a recent redesign.

The Sequoia’s twin-turbo hybrid V6 replaced the old 5.7-liter V8, a move that made some fans nervous. That concern only grew when Toyota recalled over 100,000 Tundras for machining debris that could cause internal engine damage. But here’s the twist: the Sequoia was never recalled. It received this engine a year later, after Toyota had time to refine production.

Among full-frame SUVs, the Sequoia has the best track record so far. The Land Cruiser and 4Runner are too new to rate, but both use proven Toyota components, meaning they could rank highly over time.

The Highlander: Toyota’s most reliable crossover

Gray Toyota crossover parked in front of a building
2025 Toyota Highlander Hybrid | Toyota

Full-frame SUVs excel at heavy-duty tasks, but most drivers don’t need that kind of toughness. A unibody crossover rides smoother, gets better gas mileage, and tends to be more reliable in daily driving. That’s where the Highlander shines.

Toyota crossovers, ranked by reliability

  1. Highlander – J.D. Power Quality & Reliability: 79/100 | Recalls: 7 | NHTSA Complaints per 1,000 vehicles: 0.45
  2. Corolla Cross – 77/100 | 3 Recalls | 1.00 Complaints
  3. RAV4 – 76/100 | 16 Recalls | 0.64 Complaints
  4. Venza – 76/100 | 1 Recall | 1.15 Complaints
  5. bZ4X – 64/100 | 1 Recall | 5.98 Complaints

The Highlander has been a long-time leader in reliability, with its 2.4-liter turbo-four and hybrid options proving dependable. While some buyers were skeptical when Toyota retired the V6, the latest reliability data shows the new turbo engine is performing well.

The Highlander beats every other Toyota crossover in reliability rankings, including the RAV4, Venza, and Corolla Cross. The third-row Grand Highlander is too new to rank, but since it shares parts with the Highlander, it’s likely to be a strong performer.

Which one should you buy?

If you need truck-like durability and towing power, the Sequoia is Toyota’s most reliable full-frame SUV. But if you just want a dependable daily driver, the Highlander is the smarter choice. Both are built to last—but one is made for the job site, and the other for the school run.

Related

The Best SUVs of 2020 if You’re Worried About Driving in the Snow

Best in Full-size SUVs
Avatar photo
Staff Writer

Henry Cesari

Henry Cesari is a MotorBiscuit Staff Writer who brings his deep interest in vintage cars, trucks, and motorcycles to the site. Having restored his first classic car at just 16 years old, Henry has wrenched on everything from overland campers to Japanese motorcycles and even pre-war Bugattis. Henry is also an avid attendee at local car shows and genuinely enjoys connecting with fellow auto enthusiasts. Henry earned a Bachelor’s in Anthropology and English from the University of Vermont. While Henry is interested in vintage cars, he believes the golden age of cars is yet to come. He is confident journalists will play an important role in this revolution by exposing the industry as it is now and envisioning its possible future.