13:16 20-03-2026
SUV reliability test results: top and bottom performers in long-term use
Discover which SUVs excel or falter in real-world durability tests after 100,000 km, based on AUTO BILD's rankings. Learn about top performers like Seat Ateca and worst records like Subaru XV.
How well do modern crossovers hold up in real-world use? AUTO BILD's long-term test provides the answer, putting each vehicle through 100,000 kilometers. Throughout this distance, every fault was recorded, from minor defects to serious breakdowns. After completing the mileage, experts from Dekra completely disassemble the cars to uncover hidden issues.
Since 2014, the results have been compiled into an overall ranking. Among the 35 tested SUVs, only a few have shown clearly weak performance. The worst record so far belongs to the Subaru XV, which received a rating of 4-. The car exhibited worn clutch components, signs of piston overheating, and corrosion on suspension parts. The Audi Q3 had a nearly identical result: despite fewer penalty points, failures of the lambda sensor, EGR system, and transmission prevented it from rising above a 4- rating.
The picture is entirely different for the ranking leaders. The top spot is still held by the Seat Ateca 1.4 Eco TSI, with just one penalty point and a final rating of 1. Second place goes to the VW T-Cross 1.0 TSI, with two points and also the highest rating of 1.
The Mazda CX-5 Skyactiv-D 184 AWD accumulated three points and took third place. The Audi Q5 Sportback, Kia Sportage 2.0 CRDi AWD, and Volvo XC60 D4 each received four points and a final rating of 1, sharing the fourth position.
The VW Tiguan 2.0 TSI and BMW X1 xDrive 20i showed five points each and a rating of 1-. The Hyundai Tucson, Mini Countryman, and Mazda CX-5 2.2 Skyactiv-D AWD scored between six and eight points, maintaining a high rating of 1-. The Peugeot 3008 Hybrid4 and Suzuki SX4 S-Cross also fell within this range.
The latest segment model to complete the test was the Audi Q5 Sportback, which received four penalty points and a rating of 1, securing fourth place in the overall ranking.
The main takeaway from years of testing is clear: most modern SUVs demonstrate a high level of reliability, but differences in design details and build quality still play a crucial role. Even popular models can vary significantly in the number of defects after 100,000 km. For buyers in the used car market, these results offer one of the most objective guides when choosing a crossover.