Spending a money on a luxury SUV is a pretty large investment, especially with the price of vehicles skyrocketing in the last couple of years. When you spend so much on a vehicle, the last thing you want is to constantly be sending it to your mechanic, which is why it is so important to pick something reliable.
Luxury brands haven’t always had the most impressive reputation when it comes to reliability, with extra technology and expensive equipment making them a nightmare to maintain. However, there are a couple of brands on the market right now that really excel at offering high-end performance, comfort, and built quality.
Exploring some of the most popular luxury SUVs on the market right now, we’ve found ten models which sit at the top of the stack when it comes to reliability. We outline how they stand out from their competition as well as what kind of maintenance costs you can expect and which model years you should stay away from.
In compiling this article, we have cross-referenced information for vehicle reliability, maintenance, and pricing from sources like TopSpeed, J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, Edmunds, RepairPal, CarEdge, and Consumer Reports to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible. Please note that we have ranked the following models from least to most reliable.
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10
2024 Audi Q3
Reliability Score: 82/100
Front 3/4 shot of a 2019 Audi Q3
The unlikely hero for Audi is their most affordable crossover, the Q3. The German brand’s most affordable SUV features a lot of trickle-down tech and features from the more expensive models as well, meaning it is really good value for money. While an updated model is on the horizon, Audi will continue selling the current model through 2025 as well.
Reliability
Audi’s reputation for reliability is on the lower end of the market right now, with many owners reporting a lot of issues throughout their lineup. The little Q3, however, seems to be immune to a lot of the complaints. It is also on the cheaper side when it comes to long term maintenance and repairs.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $915 (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $12,313 (CarEdge)
- Recalls: 1
- Worst Q3 Year To Buy Used: 2020
9
2025 Cadillac Escalade
Reliability Score: 83/100
Front 3/4 shot of the 2025 Cadillac Escalade
The Escalade is as much an icon in the luxury world as it is a vehicle. The 2025 model has taken this even further, with plenty of updates keeping the large SUV relevant in the modern, tech-focused world. A lot of its mechanical equipment has carried over, though, meaning it offers the same stoic performance as before.
Reliability
The Escalade is the ultimate luxury SUV and, as such, comes loaded with equipment. Despite this, it manages to hold on to its reputation for reliability, in no small part to the proven motors you can choose from. On average, you’ll also spend much less on maintenance than you would on comparable luxury SUVs.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $1,007 (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $13,358 (CarEdge)
- Recalls: 0
- Worst Escalade Year To Buy Used: 2007
8
2025 Acura MDX
Reliability Score: 83/100
Front 3/4 action shot of a 2025 Acura MDX
The MDX doesn’t always get the praise that it deserves, lost in a sea of really great options in the mid-size segment. However, if you’re looking for a spacious and comfortable crossover that delivers genuinely enjoyable driving dynamics, you won’t find many better deals than the Acura.
Reliability
Despite being the luxury wing of Honda, Acura doesn’t quite live up to expectations when it comes to reliability. Many of their models sit on the average or below average line. The MDX, however, excels, with very few owners reporting major issues. It is also particularly affordable to maintain for a luxury SUV.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $571 (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $10,160 (CarEdge)
- Recalls: 2
- Worst MDX Year To Buy Used: 2016
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7
2025 Porsche Macan
Reliability Score: 84/100
Front 3/4 shot of a 2025 Porsche Macan
Porsche sits in a class of its own when it comes to performance, and this reputation definitely extends to their lineup of SUVs. The Macan launched as an innovator in the realm of performance crossovers, reinventing expectations with seemingly impossible sporty driving dynamics. It continues to push the boundaries in this way today.
Reliability
Despite being one of the most performance-oriented automakers on the market right now, Porsche has an absolutely stellar reputation for reliability. This is great news, because owning and maintaining a Porsche is an expensive affair and having to deal with frequent issues would have the potential to drain your bank account.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $1265 (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $20,869 (CarEdge)
- Recalls: 1
- Worst Macan Year To Buy Used: 2017
6
2024 BMW X3
Reliability Score: 84/100
Front 3/4 shot of a 2022 BMW X3
The new 2025 model year of the X3 is just around the corner, but until we get some solid data on the new generation we can only go off the 2024 model year. The X3 is the perfect blend of utility, comfort, and performance, with some real driving verve and a cabin loaded with premium technology.
Reliability
As far as luxury brands go, BMW is one of the best automakers you can go with if you’re looking for a reliable vehicle. They have consistently ranked as one of the most reliable brands for the last couple of years, and the X3 is the perfect example of what they are capable of. Just be aware that there are plenty of recalls issued for the X3.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $1,034 (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $18,408 (CarEdge)
- Recalls: 5
- Worst X3 Year To Buy Used: 2013
5
2025 Alfa Romeo Stelvio
Reliability Score: 85/100
Front 3/4 action shot of a 2023 Alfa Romeo Stelvio
If style and class are what you are after, then there are few better choices than the Alfa Romeo Stelvio. Its curb appeal alone is enough to help it compete in the competitive compact luxury SUV segment. Throw in how thrilling it is to drive, and this is truly a crossover built for enthusiasts.
Reliability
Alfa Romeo’s reputation for reliability is perhaps one of the poorest records of any automaker on the market. However, a couple of their models more than exceed expectations, including the stunning Stelvio. There isn’t much data surrounding maintenance costs, but given Alfa’s rep, expect your bills to be high.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: N/A (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: N/A (CarEdge)
- Recalls: 1
- Worst Stelvio Year To Buy Used: 2018
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4
2025 Lexus UX Hybrid
Reliability Score: 85/100
Front 3/4 shot of a 2019 Lexus UX
Lexus walks a fine line between luxury and affordability, and does it better than most. The UX is the brand’s most affordable crossover and is value-packed. It features the signature ride quality you’d expect from the Japanese giant as well as plenty of features to make your daily commute as comfortable as possible.
Reliability
Lexus is considered to be one of the most reliable automakers in the world, even overtaking its mainstream cousin, Toyota. The UX is currently the brand’s highest-rated SUV, with a longstanding reputation for being solid. While the UX is a fairly new model and data surrounding maintenance costs is scarce, if it is anything like the other vehicles in the brand’s wheelhouse, expect repairs to be pretty cheap.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: N/A (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: N/A (CarEdge)
- Recalls: 0
- Worst UX Year To Buy Used: 2020
3
2025 BMW X4
Reliability Score: 87/100
Front 3/4 shot of a 2022 BMW X4
If you like the equipment that you get on the X3 but want something a little sportier, the X4 comes with a sleek roofline, cutting a more impressive silhouette. Not only does it stand out visually, but its performance is incredibly impressive for such a large SUV.
Reliability
Since the BMW X4 comes with many of the same mechanical components as the X3, its not surprising that they would both make this list. The X4 is significantly more expensive up front, but maintenance and repair costs are likely to be comparable to its cheaper, boxier sibling.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $988 (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: N/A (CarEdge)
- Recalls: 1
- Worst X4 Year To Buy Used: 2014
2
2025 Cadillac XT5
Reliability Score: 88/100
Front 3/4 shot of a 2020 Cadillac XT5
The XT5 is one of the older models in the Cadillac stable and would definitely benefit from a refresh. While it is spacious and features edgy and unique styling, it kind of prices itself out of being competitive. This is especially true when you consider how outdated its interior is.
Reliability
While the XT5 doesn’t score any points as far as value or luxury are concerned, we can’t deny how reliable the model has proven to be. It makes use of solid components used throughout the GM portfolio, including its turbo-four and V-6 engines. This also helps to keep maintenance costs in an affordable range.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $305 (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $9,657 (CarEdge)
- Recalls: 1
- Worst XT5 Year To Buy Used: 2017
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1
2025 Infiniti QX80
Reliability Score: 89/100
Front 3/4 shot of a 2025 Infiniti QX80
The new QX80 has been on the road for a little while now, enough that impressions have started rolling in. The brand’s new flagship SUV could potentially be a sign of great things to come, with Infiniti previously struggling to find their footing. It is sporty, spacious, and incredibly comfortable.
Reliability
The 2025 model year of the QX80 represents the start of a new generation, so only time will tell if it lives up to the reputation of previous model years. However, if it does, this could further bolster the value of this massive yacht on wheels. Historically, maintenance has also been fairly affordable.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $718 (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $11,864 (CarEdge)
- Recalls: 2
- Worst QX80 Year To Buy Used: 2014
