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It might not come as a surprise that Toyota and Lexus make reliable cars and sport utility vehicles. When it came to reliable used SUVs, the choice was easy. Consumer Reports picked the 2017 Toyota Highlander as the most reliable Toyota SUV. For a reliable Lexus SUV, the 2017 Lexus RX topped the list.

Toyota and Lexus topped the 2017 brand reliability list for reliable used SUVs

Toyota and Lexus make reliable used SUVs
The Toyota Highlander SUV and Lexus RX SUV | Toyota, Lexus

In a recent report from Consumer Reports, Toyota and Lexus were the top two brands for 2017 model year vehicles. CR chose 2017 because it was a year when automakers could include many critical safety systems. These are systems like forward collision warning (FCW), automatic emergency braking (AEB), and blind-spot warning (BSW). With the price of used cars still high, most buyers are looking for affordable but safe vehicles.

Lexus had five 2017 models in the lineup that year, with a reliability average of 91 out of 100. That is well above average for an automaker that year. Toyota had 12 different 2017 models that had an average reliability of 84. Acura also made the list but only had two vehicles in the running for 2017.

How does Consumer Reports determine these statistics? The experts at the Auto Test Center test each car and score it in various areas. Consumer Reports places a lot of emphasis on reliability because that’s what most owners want from a vehicle.

The 2017 Toyota Highlander is a reliable used SUV

Consumer Reports picked the 2017 Toyota Highlander as the best midsize SUV with three rows. The Highlander is still pretty affordable, with a price range starting at $24,950. It scored a perfect five out of five for reliability and a four out of five for owner satisfaction. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave the Toyota Highlander ” good ” scores on its essential tests.

“The Highlander has shown near bulletproof reliability for more than a decade,” Consumer Reports said. The Toyota SUV handles well despite having three rows and getting 22 mpg overall. The hybrid version got 25 mpg overall. FCW and AEB are included standard. Consumer Reports says that 2012 to 2016 are good years for the Highlander if you happen upon a different year.

Price Range:  $24,950 – $34,150

For a luxury sport utility vehicle, check out the 2017 Lexus RX

The 2017 Lexus RX was Consumer Reports’ pick for luxury midsize SUV. The RX SUV has been a favorite of drivers since it first came out in 2004. The Lexus SUV came in with a perfect score for reliability and a four out of five for predicted owner satisfaction. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave the luxury midsize SUV four stars during testing.

Owners of the Lexus SUV reported 21 mpg overall, while it returned 22 mpg in testing. CR says it has “one of the strongest reliability records for any vehicle.” Those looking for more fuel economy can look at the 450h hybrid for 29 mpg overall. FCW, AEB, and adaptive cruise control were all included in the 2017 RX.

Price Range:  $32,950 – $38,850

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