These 5 Older SUVs Are Worth Researching Before You Buy, Because Reliability Ratings Can Change Dramatically From One Model Year To The Next

Shopping for a used SUV can feel like picking a melon. You thump it, you sniff it, and you hope.

A brown vintage SUV parked beside a building on a sunny day

A better move is to look at what thousands of owners reported. Consumer Reports surveys its members about up to 20 trouble spots, with major problems weighted more heavily, and Jalopnik writer Charles Krome walked through the results in an August 31, 2026 story on five used SUVs from Consumer Reports’ list of most reliable picks under $15,000.

Five older models stand out, and each one comes with a caution. Think of them as a starting list for your research, not a promise. A specific vehicle’s history, mileage and condition still matter, so pair any shortlist with a pre-purchase inspection.

One more thing to keep in mind as you read. Each model below is tied to a specific model year, and Jalopnik is careful to say the rankings apply to that year, not to the nameplate in general.

Results can swing a lot from one year to the next, as the Buick Envision shows below, so match the year on the listing to the year in the ranking.

The 2016 Toyota RAV4 And RAV4 Hybrid Earned Nearly Identical Reliability Scores

Consumer Reports rates the gas and hybrid versions separately, and Jalopnik reports both had “virtually identical overall reliability scores.” The hybrid ranked first among 2016 SUVs, and the gas model ranked third, with the Honda CR-V landing between them.

Jalopnik lists the gas model with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder making 176 horsepower and EPA ratings of 23 city, 30 highway and 26 combined mpg. The hybrid makes 194 horsepower, with EPA ratings of 34, 30 and 32 mpg.

Both were average in two trouble spots and above average in the rest. The gas model was average for brakes and paint and trim, while the hybrid was average for brakes and noises and leaks.

The 2018 Nissan Murano Topped Its Midsize Class For Reliability

Jalopnik reports the Murano was the top-ranked midsize SUV for reliability, ahead of the Ford Edge, Subaru Outback, Jeep Grand Cherokee and Hyundai Santa Fe.

Under the hood is a 3.5-liter V6 making 260 horsepower, and advanced safety systems were available.

It was not perfect. The Murano received the lowest possible scores for build quality and body hardware, and some owners were unhappy with the continuously variable transmission, though Jalopnik notes the 2018 model uses the newer chain-driven unit rather than the older belt-driven one.

The 2019 Chevrolet Equinox Earned Top Marks For Avoiding Engine Trouble

The Equinox ranks third in Consumer Reports’ reliability rankings, according to Jalopnik, and none of its trouble-spot ratings were below average.

It earned the best possible grades for avoiding major and minor engine issues, plus top marks for its drive system, engine cooling and engine electrical system. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard.

The 2019 Subaru Crosstrek Shines In Most Trouble Spots Except Two

The Crosstrek was not first in its class. The 2019 Honda HR-V had a significantly higher overall reliability score, Jalopnik reports, though the Crosstrek’s customer satisfaction lead over the HR-V is larger than Honda’s reliability lead.

The Crosstrek scored above average in every area except suspension and steering and in-car electronics. It has standard all-wheel drive and a standard six-speed manual, with a continuously variable transmission as an option.

The gas and plug-in hybrid versions are scored separately, and Jalopnik says the 2019 plug-in hybrid was not fully tested and falls outside the most-reliable label. Make sure you know which version a seller is offering.

The 2020 Buick Envision Shows Why Model Year Matters

Consumer Reports ranked the 2020 Envision first for reliability among 2020 SUVs, according to Jalopnik. Its overall score beat the RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, CR-V and Equinox from the same year, and it earned perfect scores in all but four categories, including top marks for engine reliability.

Jalopnik calls 2020 an outlier. Since the Envision launched for 2016, 2020 is the only year it ranked higher than seventh, and it ranked 21st of 24 SUVs in 2025.

The Envision is built in China by the SAIC-GM joint venture, and standard features include heated front seats and a 2.5-liter four-cylinder with 197 horsepower.

That is the lesson of this entire list: a name on the trunk lid tells you much less than a model year does.

Before you act on any of these, remember what the ratings leave out. Jalopnik notes that recalls are not part of the Consumer Reports scores, so check the vehicle identification number for open recalls yourself.

The Federal Trade Commission’s Buyers Guide, required on used cars sold by dealers, tells buyers to get a vehicle history report and check for open recalls, according to the FTC’s 2016 announcement of changes to the Used Car Rule. Consumer Reports also publishes no scores for modern driver-assistance technologies, because problem rates in these areas are low.

For everything else, ask for service records and book a pre-purchase inspection with a mechanic you trust. Prices, mileage and condition vary from car to car, and these rankings describe groups of owners, not the particular SUV in front of you.

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