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2026 RankingsNHTSA recall & complaint data · Updated weekly

Best Used SUVs to Buy in 2026

15 suvs ranked by real-world reliability — recall counts, NHTSA complaints, and DBB's composite score. Prices shown for 3-year-old models.

🚙 SUVs🛻 Pickup Trucks🚗 Sedans👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family Cars
#1 Used SUV for 2026

2022 Mazda CX-5

Compact SUV  ·  Estimated $14,000–$19,000  · 49/100 reliability  · 0 recalls · 25 MPG combined

Years to AvoidRun Decision →

All SUVs Rankings

1

2022 Mazda CX-5

⚠ Use Caution
Compact SUV
$14,000–$19,000est. market price
Reliability
49/100
0 recalls83 complaints★★★★★ NHTSA25 MPG~$2,400/yr fuel
Check Price →Years to avoid
2

2022 Subaru Forester

⚠ Use Caution
Compact SUV
$14,000–$19,000est. market price
Reliability
36/100
1 recall137 complaints★★★★★ NHTSA29 MPG~$2,050/yr fuel
Check Price →Years to avoid
3

2022 Toyota RAV4

⚠ Use Caution
Compact SUV
$15,500–$20,500est. market price
Reliability
8/100
1 recall211 complaints★★★★★ NHTSA30 MPG~$2,100/yr fuel
Check Price →Years to avoid
4

2022 Honda CR-V

⚠ Use Caution
Compact SUV
$14,500–$19,500est. market price
Reliability
0/100
37 recalls309 complaints★★★★★ NHTSA29 MPG~$2,050/yr fuel
Check Price →Years to avoid
5

2022 Subaru Outback

⚠ Use Caution
Midsize Wagon/SUV
$14,500–$19,500est. market price
Reliability
0/100
7 recalls552 complaints★★★★★ NHTSA28 MPG~$2,175/yr fuel
Check Price →Years to avoid
6

2022 Kia Sportage

⚠ Use Caution
Compact SUV
$14,000–$19,000est. market price
Reliability
0/100
7 recalls67 complaints★★★★★ NHTSA25 MPG~$2,450/yr fuel
Check Price →Years to avoid
7

2022 Hyundai Tucson

⚠ Use Caution
Compact SUV
$13,500–$18,500est. market price
Reliability
0/100
7 recalls575 complaints★★★★★ NHTSA29 MPG~$2,050/yr fuel
Check Price →Years to avoid
8

2022 Kia Sorento

⚠ Use Caution
Midsize SUV
$15,500–$21,500est. market price
Reliability
0/100
16 recalls281 complaints★★★★☆ NHTSA24 MPG~$2,500/yr fuel
Check Price →Years to avoid
9

2022 Chevrolet Equinox

⚠ Use Caution
Compact SUV
$14,000–$19,000est. market price
Reliability
0/100
6 recalls216 complaints★★★★★ NHTSA27 MPG~$2,200/yr fuel
Check Price →Years to avoid
10

2022 Nissan Rogue

⚠ Use Caution
Compact SUV
$14,000–$19,000est. market price
Reliability
0/100
7 recalls341 complaints★★★★★ NHTSA31 MPG~$1,950/yr fuel
Check Price →Years to avoid
11

2022 Ford Escape

⚠ Use Caution
Compact SUV
$13,500–$18,500est. market price
Reliability
0/100
48 recalls311 complaints★★★★★ NHTSA27 MPG~$2,225/yr fuel
Check Price →Years to avoid
12

2022 Toyota Highlander

⚠ Use Caution
Midsize SUV
$18,500–$25,500est. market price
Reliability
0/100
13 recalls302 complaints★★★★★ NHTSA24 MPG~$2,650/yr fuel
Check Price →Years to avoid
13

2022 Honda Pilot

⚠ Use Caution
Midsize SUV
$20,000–$27,000est. market price
Reliability
0/100
35 recalls236 complaints★★★★★ NHTSA22 MPG~$2,700/yr fuel
Check Price →Years to avoid
14

2022 Jeep Wrangler

⚠ Use Caution
Off-Road SUV
$18,500–$24,500est. market price
Reliability
0/100
17 recalls638 complaints20 MPG~$3,000/yr fuel
Check Price →Years to avoid
15

2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee

⚠ Use Caution
Midsize SUV
$21,000–$28,000est. market price
Reliability
0/100
14 recalls473 complaints20 MPG~$3,550/yr fuel
Check Price →Years to avoid

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most reliable used SUV in 2026?▾

Based on NHTSA data, the 2022 Mazda CX-5 is our top-ranked used SUV for 2026, with a reliability score of 49/100 and 0 recalls on record.

Why are all the years the same?▾

These rankings show the sweet-spot year for each model — typically 3 years old, where the car has absorbed the steepest depreciation but isn't yet into elevated maintenance costs. For year-by-year breakdowns, see each model's years-to-avoid page.

How are these rankings calculated?▾

Rankings use NHTSA recall counts and severity, owner complaint volumes, and crash test ratings — all from NHTSA bulk data dumps, refreshed weekly.