Which compact luxury SUV to choose for reliability?
It's not the majority of consumers who turn to luxury SUVs to keep them for years to come. With this in mind, reliability is not as high a priority as comfort, technology, performance and safety.
Nevertheless, some put a lot of emphasis on this, which is wise given that maintenance costs can be high. If we look at the compact category, which includes a number of big sellers, which are the most reliable?
Genesis is a brand that features highly in studies and rankings such as those by Consumer Reports and J.D. Power, but its GV70 is still very new, having made its debut for the 2022 model year. With no major problems to date, it has yet to prove itself.
The Cadillac XT5 has been around since 2017 and is one of the most reliable compact luxury SUVs on the market, mechanically, electronically and otherwise. Unlike many rivals, who have adopted a turbocharged four-cylinder, it instead makes use of a naturally-aspirated 3.6-liter V6 that not only runs well but experiences few misfires.
The Acura RDX is another name for buyers looking for reliability to think about. Admittedly, the first two years of the current generation (2019-2020) have seen a few more problems, and the multimedia interface causes its share of frustrations, but overall, the RDX's track record is reassuring. Don't overlook the previous-generation models (2013-2018) with 3.5-liter V6 engines, which proved even more reliable.
As a third option, why not a hybrid model? The Lexus NX is certainly worth considering - and not just because it's now assembled in Ontario at one of the Toyota group's most award-winning plants in the world. A safe, solidly built vehicle, it features a proven, efficient powertrain. It has been renewed for the 2022 model year, changing its name from 300h to 350h.
Finally, if you're more attracted to German luxury compact SUVs because of their sportiness, go for the Porsche Macan or BMW X3, which are the more reliable models in general. Happy shopping!
