What Car? Reliability Survey: Most and least reliable small SUVs

Some of the best-selling new cars in the UK are small SUVs, and they're very sought-after on the secondhand market. The good news is that this car class is proving robust.

In fact, small SUVs are the second highest scoring models in our latest annual Reliability Survey, with a reliability rating of 93.7%, which is less than one percentage point behind the best class, small cars.

Although they're not the roomiest cars on sale, they tend to have chunky styling and some have fairly high driving positions. This year's top performers are the 2017-2024 Mini Countryman and the current Audi Q2. 

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Most reliable small SUVs

1. Mini Countryman (2017-2024)

Reliability rating 99.7%

• Most common faults: Bodywork 2%

• Average repair cost: £0

• Typical time off road: one day to a week

If you want a small SUV that's fun to drive, the previous-generation Mini Countryman should be on your wish list because it has sharper handling than most rivals and minimal bodyroll. It's worth noting that this can result in a harsher ride than some other small SUVs, especially if you pick a model with large wheels. 

Whichever Mini Countryman you choose, though, it should be dependable. The model isn’t only the most dependable small SUV you can buy – it’s also the most reliable Mini model in the survey. Owners told us just 2% of their cars had any issues and these were restricted to niggles with the bodywork. With all problems sorted out at no cost and in less than a week, the Countryman has kept its owners extremely happy.

Owner’s view: “My Countryman really feels like a high-quality vehicle.”

2017-2024 Mini Countryman used buying guide

Mini Countryman review

2. Audi Q2 (2016-present)

Reliability rating 99.5%

• Most common faults: Engine 3%

• Average repair cost: £0

• Typical time off road: more than a week

The Audi Q2 is a desirable small SUV that drives well and holds onto its value better than many rivals. Although there are no hybrid or plug-in hybrid options, the 1.0 and 1.5-litre engines are relatively frugal, returning up to 50mpg officially. The 1.0 is punchy enough around town, but we'd opt for the 1.5 if you're regularly travelling at motorway speeds. 

Almost every Audi Q2 in our survey behaved impeccably, according to owners. Only 3% reported any issues, all of which concerned engine faults that prevented the affected cars from being driven. Although all the faults took more than a week to put right, they were corrected at no cost to owners.

Audi Q2 review

3. Hyundai Kona hybrid (2017-2023)

Reliability rating 98.2%

• Most common faults: Non-engine electrics 4%, sat-nav/infotainment system 4%

• Average repair cost: £0

• Typical time off road: 50% one day or less, 50% one day to a week

Like larger Hyundai models, the used Kona is offered with a choice of petrol, hybrid and electric engines. While the 1.0-litre petrol engined version has reasonable pace, the 1.6-litre equipped hybrid is nippier and it can drive for short distances on pure electric power. The Kona was facelifted in 2020 and the latest models gained improved styling and efficiency, an all-new, roomier interior and lots of new technology and equipment.

Although hybrid versions of the Hyundai Kona had a higher fault rate than petrols (7% versus 3%), they were fixed quicker, with half of the affected vehicles being put right in a day or less. Non-engine electrical systems and the sat-nav or infotainment system were the trouble points, and all issues were fixed for free.

2017-2023 Hyundai Kona used buying guide

Hyundai Kona review

4. Dacia Duster (2018-present)

Reliability rating 98.8%

• Most common faults: Brakes 2%, non-engine electrics 2%, sat-nav/infotainment system 2%

• Average repair cost: £0

• Typical time off road: 33% less than a day, 33% more than a week

The Dacia Duster may not be the plushest small SUV or the last word in handling prowess, but it's great value for money, undercutting most rivals and offering plenty of kit for the money. The mild hybrid petrol version is our pick of the range because it's a great all-rounder, but if you value off-road ability the pricier 4x4 models are a good choice.  

Only 7% of the Dacia Dusters we were told about had any issues, and they were mostly with the electrics and sat-nav or infotainment system. All affected cars could still be driven, two-thirds of problems were resolved in less than a week and, best of all, Dacia paid for all remedial work.

Dacia Duster review

5. Hyundai Kona petrol (2017-2023)

Reliability rating 98.7%

• Most common faults: Air-con 3%, exhaust 3%

• Average repair cost: £0

• Typical time off road: 50% one day to a week, 50% more than a week

The used Hyundai Kona is a decent small SUV that's good value as a secondhand buy. The 1.0-litre petrol version is both sprightly and economical and, like other Kona variants, it handles well.  The other good news is that it's proving robust, too. 

Not many petrol-engined Hyundai Konas went wrong (3%), and the air-con and exhaust were the only systems affected. Although the faults didn't render any cars undriveable, half of those that went wrong were out of action for more than a week, and the rest took up to seven days to put right. The good news is that Hyundai covered the cost of all repairs.

2017-2023 Hyundai Kona used buying guide

Hyundai Kona review

6. Volkswagen T-Roc (2018-present)

Reliability rating 98.4%

• Most common faults: Bodywork 3%, brakes 3%, sat-nav/infotainment system 3%

• Average repair cost: £0

• Typical time off road: 72% less than a day, 18% one day to a week

You don't need to push out the boat to buy a good Volkswagen T-Roc. In fact, we think the entry-level Life trim with the 1.0-litre, three-cylinder engine is the best bet because its engine has plenty of low-down shove and rarely struggles in everyday driving, and it comes with all the creature comforts most buyers will need. 

Only one in 10 of the VW T-Rocs in our survey had a glitch, with the bodywork, brakes and sat-nav or infotainment systems the main culprits. Volkswagen and its dealers fixed 72% of cars in a day or less, and paid for all the fixes so no owners were left out of pocket.

VW T-Roc review

7. Volkswagen T-Cross (2019-present)

Reliability rating 98.0%

• Most common faults: Exhaust 3%, non-engine electrics 3%, steering 3%

• Average repair cost: 67% £0, 33% up to £50

• Typical time off road: 33% less than a day, 67% more than a week

Although the T-Cross is smaller than the T-Roc, it has some advantages. The T-Cross is marginally faster and more frugal than its big brother, and importantly it's cheaper to buy and insure. The T-Cross also has a fairly roomy interior, with lots of storage cubbies and a sliding rear seat bench that enables you to prioritise boot or rear passenger space.  

Issues with the exhaust, electrics and steering were the main bugbears of the 10% of VW T-Cross owners who said their cars had gone wrong. While a third of issues were sorted out in a day or less, the rest took more than a week to fix. The car maker paid for 67% of remedial work, but owners who did have to pay were left with bills of no more than £50 per fault. 

VW T-Cross review

8. Suzuki Vitara (2015-present)

Reliability rating 97.7%

• Most common faults: Bodywork 7%, 12-volt battery 2%, non-engine electrics 2%

• Average repair cost: 83% £0, 17% £101-£200

• Typical time off road: 34% one day or less, 50% more than a week

The Vitara is a compact, efficient and well-equipped small SUV. In mild hybrid form, the Vitara is quite sprightly for a small SUV, nipping from 0-62mph in 9.5 seconds, which is slightly quicker than the entry-level Ford Puma and equivalent VW T-Cross. The only downsides are that its interior has some hard plastics and it can be noisy at motorway speeds. 

Overall the Suzuki Vitara is ageing well, with only 10% of owners complaining of issues with their cars, mostly regarding the bodywork. Most (83%) of fixes were paid for and none of the remaining bills topped £200. Repairs weren't always quick, though, with half of the cars reported on spending more than a week in the garage. 

Suzuki Vitara review

9. Honda HR-V (2015-2022)

Reliability rating 97.1%

• Most common faults: Air-con 6%, 12-volt battery 3%, exhaust 3%

• Average repair cost: 50% £0, 25% £50-£100, 25% £301-£500

• Typical time off road: 100% less than a day

The previous-generation Honda HR-V is pricey to buy compared with rivals, but it's a practical and reliable choice. As well as plenty of space up front for two people and a massive boot, it has rear seats that fold upwards, like cinema seats, to allow you to carry tall items in the space they vacate.

The HR-V is proving more robust than the latest model: 12% of older HR-Vs had a problem, compared with 18% of the latest versions. All issues were resolved in a day or less but only 50% of faulty cars were fixed for free, leaving the remaining owners with bills of up to £500. The main problem areas were the air-con, 12-volt battery and exhaust system.

2015-2022 Honda HR-V used buying guide

Honda HR-V review

10. Toyota C-HR (2016-2023)

Reliability rating 96.8%

• Most common faults: 12-volt battery 8%, non-engine electrics 3%

• Average repair cost: 73% £0, 9% £301-£500

• Typical time off road: 73% less than a week, 27% one day to a week

With angular, futuristic styling, the C-HR is a great car for anyone who wants to stand out from the crowd. It also has the substance to back up its looks, providing a well-judged, comfortable ride, tidy handling and plenty of standard equipment. It was offered with a 1.8-litre hybrid engine and a 1.2-litre petrol; we prefer the latter because it's more lively than the hybrid. 

The Toyota C-HR isn't as bulletproof in terms of build quality as larger Toyota models, with a fault rate of 14%. Electrical issues – in particular problems with the 12-volt battery – were the main concern of owners. Although all cars were back on the road in less than a week, 27% of the faults stopped the vehicles from being driven. Toyota paid for 73% of repair work, but that left 9% of owners with bills of up to £500 per fault.

2016-2023 Toyota C-HR used buying guide

Toyota C-HR review

Least reliable small SUVs

1. Nissan Juke (2019-present)

Reliability rating 50.0%

• Most common faults: 12-volt battery 13%, engine 9%, electric battery and charging 6%, brakes 6%, fuel system 6%, non-engine electrics 6%, air-con 3%, bodywork 3%, engine electrics 3%, exhaust 3%, gearbox/clutch 3%, steering 3%, suspension 3% 

• Average repair cost: 35% £0, 52% more than £1500

• Typical time off road: 30% one day to a week, 65% more than a week

The second-generation Nissan Juke is an affordable, smart and practical small SUV that comes with plenty of standard kit, but it lacks some polish in certain areas. It has a choppy ride, the hybrid isn't as frugal as rivals, and the interior looks smart, but it's slightly claustrophobic for rear seat passengers.  

Nearly a third (31%) of the Nissan Jukes reported on went wrong, with 80% of these rendered undriveable, some for more than a week. Nissan only covered the cost of remedial work in 35% of cases, with 52% of owners paying more than £1500 per fault.

Owner’s view “Nissan has been trying to fix my Juke hybrid for three months, and it’s not managed it yet.”

Nissan Juke review

2. MG ZS petrol (2017-2024)

Reliability rating 81.1%

• Most common faults: Non-engine electrics 29%, sat-nav/infotainment system 19%, engine 10%, engine electrics 10%, gearbox/clutch 7%, air-con 3%, 12-volt battery 3%, bodywork 3%, exhaust 3%

• Average repair cost: 89% £0, 8% £101-£200

• Typical time off road: 46% less than a day, 38% more than a week

If value and lots of standard kit are your priorities, the MG ZS is well worth considering. It has impressive performance, decent fuel economy, roomy rear seats and a big boot. However, it has an unsettled ride and there's too much road noise, especially at higher speeds. 

The petrol MG ZS is the most problematic MG model, with a fault rate of 58%. Electrical systems and the sat-nav or infotainment system gave the most grief, but engines and their electrical systems also played up. It took more than a week to fix 36% of faulty cars, but MG paid for 86% of work and no other repair bills topped £200.

MG ZS review

3. Skoda Karoq diesel (2017-present)

Reliability rating 87.6%

• Most common faults: Bodywork 15%, non-engine electrics 10%, air-con 5%, engine electrics 5%

• Average repair cost: 43% £0, 29% £501-£750

• Typical time off road: 43% less than a day, 28% more than a week

Although it's based on the same underpinnings as the Volkswagen Tiguan and Seat Ateka, the Karoq is slightly smaller than the Tiguan, and it is designed to be less sporty but more comfortable and practical than the Ateca. It's also good to drive, has loads of passenger space and a smart-looking interior. 

The bad news is that diesel versions of the Skoda Karoq are twice as likely to go wrong as petrols, with a fault rate of 30% (versus 15%). Bodywork and engine and non-engine electrical faults were the biggest headaches. Most affected cars were back on the road in less than a week, but only 43% of repairs were free, with 29% of owners facing bills of up to £750.

Skoda Karoq review

Reliability of small SUVs aged up to five years old

To read the reliability data for other car classes follow these links:

Most and least reliable cars overall 
Most reliable car brands 
Most reliable small cars 
Most reliable family cars 
Most reliable executive cars 
Most reliable luxury cars 
Most reliable family SUVs 
Most reliable large SUVs 
Most reliable seven-seaters 
Most reliable electric cars 
Most reliable electric SUVs 
Most reliable sports cars 
Most reliable diesel cars 
Most reliable petrol cars 
Most reliable hybrid cars 

How the survey was carried out

To compile the annual What Car? Reliability Survey, conducted in association with MotorEasy, we ask thousands of car owners to tell us how dependable their cars have been over the previous 24 months. The survey was open for six months and was sent out to whatcar.com readers and subscribers.

To assess the seriousness of any faults reported on by owners, we ask them to tell us how long each one kept the car off the road and how much it cost to fix. We use a combination of these two details to create a reliability rating for each model and brand. The latest survey had 29,967 responses, allowing us to report on 199 models (up to five years old) from 31 brands. 

About the report author

Claire Evans has been a motoring journalist for more than 30 years with a focus on consumer issues for much of that time. She was the advice columnist for Carweek magazine in the 1990s, and also spent six years working on motoring content for Which?.

Claire launched the What Car? Reliability Survey in 2017, and since then has helped thousands of buyers choose the most reliable new cars and SUVs, as well as the most dependable used cars.

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