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    Most Reliable 3-Year-Old Used Midsized SUVs

    Sport-utility vehicles blend space, affordability, and performance, and used models are a significant value

    2022 Toyota 4Runner
    2022 Toyota 4Runner
    Photo: Toyota

    A 3-year-old used sport-utility vehicle is likely to have many of the same features as a brand-new model—and even look very similar to it. But one thing it doesn’t come with is a price that’s as high. (Of course, 5-year-old used SUVs fall into this bucket, too.) That’s because the fundamentals of car pricing remain the same: New cars depreciate quickly during the first three to four years of ownership.

    This makes used cars a great value. And because these SUVs have already been around for a few years, Consumer Reports can tell you whether or not a model is reliable.

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    We’re able to do this because we use our exclusive survey data, including responses owners share about more than 330,000 vehicles, to identify the most reliable SUVs so that you can make a smart choice.

    The SUVs are listed in order of their reliability score within their vehicle category. We also identify whether active safety systems, including forward collision warning (FCW), automatic emergency braking (AEB), blind spot warning (BSW), and rear cross traffic warning (RCTW) are optional or standard.

    This article is available to CR members. If you need more help identifying the best kind of SUV for your needs, check out our ratings and buying guide. If you’re looking for more information on which midsized SUVs to avoid, we’ve flag some popular models that aren’t worth your time and money.

    Become a member to read the full article and get access to digital ratings.

    We investigate, research, and test so you can choose with confidence.


    Jon Linkov

    Jon Linkov is the deputy auto editor at Consumer Reports. He has been with CR since 2002, covering varied automotive topics including buying and leasing, maintenance and repair, ownership, reliability, used cars, and electric vehicles. He manages CR’s lineup of special interest publications, hosts CR’s “Talking Cars” podcast, and writes and edits content for CR’s online and print products. An avid cyclist, Jon also enjoys driving his ’80s-era sports car and instructing at track days.