{"id":726,"title":"The 10 Worst SUVs To Buy, Ranked In Order","slug":"the-10-worst-suvs-to-buy-ranked-in-order","lang":"en","description":"This article examines 10 SUVs identified as having low reliability in the cited Consumer Reports data, covering issues involving transmissions, electronics, EV batteries, brakes, leaks, and other components. It also explains how reliability scores are developed and why buyers should check data for the specific model year they are considering.","content":"

Not every new SUV holds up the way buyers expect. Each year, Consumer Reports surveys hundreds of thousands of owners to identify which models generate the most repeat trips to the service department. The organization studies 20 potential trouble areas, weighing minor annoyances like squeaky brakes alongside costly issues involving the engine, transmission, EV battery, and charging system. Based on that data, here are the 10 SUVs ranked from most to least troublesome. Consumer Reports

1. GMC Acadia — The redesigned three-row Acadia earned poor marks due to transmission-related faults, leaks that require gearbox removal, brake issues, and persistent problems with in-car electronics. Autoblog

2. Chevrolet Blazer EV — Reported issues included faults with the EV battery system, climate controls, electrical accessories, in-car electronics, and recurring noises or leaks. One owner even described a battery sensor disabling the system entirely. Autoblog

3. Mazda CX-90 Plug-in Hybrid — This three-row hybrid variant scored just above the Blazer EV in Consumer Reports' reliability rankings, landing among the ten worst vehicles the organization tested this year.

4. Genesis GV60 — Genesis stood out as the only luxury brand with models appearing in the least-reliable SUV categories, and the GV60 electric crossover was among the lowest scorers in its lineup. yahoo

5. Mazda CX-90 — Mazda's largest utility vehicle for the model year received a predicted reliability score of just 1 out of 5 from Consumer Reports. Autoevolution

6. Kia EV9 — This three-row electric SUV trailed most of its Kia stablemates, landing in the bottom ten of Consumer Reports' annual reliability rankings.

7. Kia EV6 — Kia's compact electric crossover shared a similarly low reliability score, reflecting a broader pattern of EVs and hybrids dominating this year's list.

8. Honda Prologue — Even a well-regarded brand like Honda wasn't immune, with the electric Prologue rounding out the bottom tier for reliability this year.

9. Chevrolet Equinox — CR named the Chevrolet Equinox as the least reliable model in the compact SUV category, with owners reporting issues with the transmission computer, severe fluid leaks requiring complete transmission removal, and recurring problems with the body control module. yahoo

10. Volkswagen Taos — According to drivers who took part in the reliability survey, the Taos is the least dependable subcompact SUV, with problem areas including the brakes, engine, in-car electronics, and noises and leaks. Yahoo!

Of the 26 brands ranked this year, 13 of the least reliable models are either an EV or a plug-in hybrid, while not a single hybrid model appears on that list — a signal that newer electrified platforms are still working out early kinks. Consumer Reports

FAQs

How does Consumer Reports determine these rankings?
Owners report on 20 trouble areas across their vehicles, and CR combines that data with road testing and safety records to produce a reliability score for each model.

Are electric SUVs more likely to have problems?
Based on this year's findings, EVs and plug-in hybrids made up a disproportionate share of the least reliable list, though that doesn't mean every electric model struggles.

Does a low reliability score mean the SUV is unsafe?
Not necessarily. Reliability reflects the frequency and severity of mechanical or electronic issues, which is separate from a vehicle's crash-safety ratings.

Should I avoid every model on this list entirely?
Not automatically. Individual model years and specific trims can vary, so checking the latest data for the exact year you're considering is worth doing before ruling anything out.

Conclusion

Reliability data changes from year to year, but this year's rankings make one thing clear: a flashy redesign or new electrified powertrain doesn't guarantee a smooth ownership experience. Buyers weighing any SUV on this list should dig into recent reliability reports for the specific model year in question, since even a single redesign cycle can shift a vehicle's standing dramatically.

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