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Most reliable small SUVs you can buy right now

Most Reliable 3-Year-Old Small SUVs That You Can Buy Right Now

Looking for a reliable three-year-old sport utility vehicle that you can actually afford to buy right now? Check out these small SUVs that made Consumer Reports ‘most reliable’ lists repeatedly. There’s an SUV for everyone with luxury options from Lexus to budget-friendly picks from Nissan. Consumer Reports thinks the Honda CR-V is one of the …

Looking for a reliable three-year-old sport utility vehicle that you can actually afford to buy right now? Check out these small SUVs that made Consumer Reports ‘most reliable’ lists repeatedly. There’s an SUV for everyone with luxury options from Lexus to budget-friendly picks from Nissan.

Consumer Reports thinks the Honda CR-V is one of the best small SUVs

Consumer Reports most reliable small SUVs you can buy right now
The Honda CR-V Hybrid small SUV on display at a show | Michael Debets/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images

The 2019 Honda CR-V is synonymous with reliability, Consumer Reports says of the small SUV. The CR-V is more comfortable and bigger than before and gets between 27 and 28 mpg overall. On the road test, the Honda SUV was agile and steady. Consumer Reports gave it above-average scores for reliability, but the owner satisfaction was only average. Forward collision warning (FCW), automatic emergency braking (AEB), and blind-spot warning (BSW) is standard on all trim levels besides the base LX.

Price Range:  $25,125 – $31,675

The Buick Envision is a reliable three-year-old small SUV

The 2019 Buick Envision is a small SUV that scored well on the road test and in the category of reliability. Consumer Reports says that the ride is a “mixed bag of cushiness and harshness.” Beyond that, the interior is comfortable, and the second row is comfortable enough. Owners reported 24 mpg combined from the engine. If you find a 2019 Buick Envision at a reasonable price, check for any active safety features it might have. These were mostly optional at the time, so not all versions of this sport utility vehicle will have things like BSW and FCW.

Price Range:  $26,300 – $34,475

If you are looking for a reliable but luxury option, check out the Lexus NX

Depending on who you ask, the 2019 Lexus NX checks all boxes. Owners reported being unsatisfied with the visibility and stiff ride. Beyond that, the Lexus SUV scored well on the road test and the reliability. The NX gets a pretty solid 24 mpg overall, and the hybrid option even racks up 29 mpg overall. FCW, AEB, lane departure warning (LDW), and lane-keeping assist are standard. BSW and rear cross-traffic warning (RCTW) were optional, but you might be able to find one of these small SUVs with all of the options.

Price Range:  $33,975 – $38,900

You can find a reliable small SUV in the Mazda CX-5

The 2019 Mazda CX-5 delivered 24 mpg overall when tested by Consumer Reports. You could opt for a 227 hp turbo engine, too. The CX-5 SUV is enjoyable to drive and has less cabin noise than similar vehicles. The Mazda SUV scored well on the road test and impressed in the reliability section. Mazda included FCW, AEB, BSW, RCTW, all standard on this small SUV, which is pretty impressive.

Price Range:  $22,925 – $31,850

The Nissan Rogue Sport is a budget-friendly option

If you are looking for a reasonable and budget-friendly small SUV, check out the 2019 Nissan Rogue Sport. Scoring well on the road test and the reliability areas, this sport utility vehicle offers buyers a responsive ride. The engine isn’t overly powerful, with only 141 hp, but it gets the job done. FCW and AEB are standard for 2019, as are Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

Price Range:  $21,775 – $26,625

The Subaru Crosstrek is a fully-capable compact SUV

The 2019 Subaru Crosstrek is one of the best small SUVs on the market for various reasons. Critics love it, and owners agree. On the road test, the Crosstrek SUV returned stellar results. Consumer Reports found it reliable and noted that a hybrid option was available for 2019. FCW, AEB, and other systems came standard with the automatic transmission offering. The manual transmission option doesn’t get these options, but BSW is available on all trim levels.

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