Midsize SUVs are easily some of the most popular cars at the moment. They offer comfort, interior space, and practicality. However, new cars are becoming increasingly expensive, and it is becoming harder and harder to be able to afford decent SUVs, which brings us to the used car market.
The used market is absolutely booming right now, and the number of affordable options out there is better than it’s ever been. One of the biggest concerns when buying a bigger, used SUV, is reliability. It's hard to justify spending less on a used vehicle when you’re going to have to shell out tons for repairs and maintenance.
We’ve taken a look at some of the best used midsize SUVs that money can buy, and we’ve ranked them from least to most reliable. We’ve taken a look at some of their specs and what you can expect for your money. We have found some of the best midsize SUVs with high-reliability ratings for your peace of mind.
In compiling this article, we have cross-referenced information for vehicle reliability, maintenance, and pricing from sources like Kelley Blue Book, Edmunds, RepairPal, Consumer Reports, and CarEdge to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible. All reliability scores in this article are sourced from J.D. Power and all pricing information was sourced from Edmunds.
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10 2012 Buick Enclave
Reliability Score: 86/100 - Average Used Price: $9,924
The Buick Enclave has been around for a while now and has consistently provided a practical and spacious interior with a ton of luxurious fittings. The Enclave remains a pretty underrated choice and has always been kind of overlooked. However, if you're looking for a safe, smooth SUV with tons of space, then the Enclave will serve you well.
Performance
Engine | 3.6-liter naturally aspirated V-6 |
|---|---|
Horsepower | 288 HP |
Torque | 270 LB-FT |
Transmission | 6-speed automatic |
Driveline | FWD |
MPG City | 17 MPG |
MPG Highway | 24 MPG |
MPG Combined | 19 MPG |
Buick has given the Enclave a sturdy and smooth V-6 that will run without problems for a long time. However, know that when the Enclave does encounter a problem, it isn't always the cheapest to sort out. CarEdge claims that the Enclave can cost around $8,660 to maintain in its first ten years.
9 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe
Reliability Score: 86/100 - Average Used Price: $22,581
Hyundai's Santa Fe has been getting a good amount of attention lately due to its recent redesign. While the new model is certainly impressive, the Santa Fe has always been a sturdy, well-valued midsize SUV. The 2020 model is not only super reliable but will also come with all the modern amenities that you could possibly want.
Performance
Engine | 2.4-liter naturally aspirated inline-four |
|---|---|
Horsepower | 185 HP |
Torque | 178 LB-FT |
Transmission | 8-speed automatic |
Driveline | FWD |
MPG City | 22 MPG |
MPG Highway | 29 MPG |
MPG Combined | 25 MPG |
The Hyundai Santa Fe has always offered a much higher quality experience than its price tag suggests and its base 2.4-liter inline-four is incredibly robust. CarEdge claims that you can expect to spend around $8,056 on maintenance for the Santa Fe in its first ten years, which isn't super expensive, but isn't particularly cheap either.
8 2020 Chevrolet Blazer
Reliability Score: 86/100 - Average Used Price: $24,787
The Blazer nameplate has been around for a long time, carrying Chevrolet's SUVs for what feels like decades. The 2020 model is a part of the newest generation and while it has its downsides, it is an incredibly reliable and cheap-to-own SUV that comes loaded with standard features.
Performance
Engine | 2.5-liter naturally aspirated inline-four |
|---|---|
Horsepower | 193 HP |
Torque | 188 LB-FT |
Transmission | 9-speed automatic |
Driveline | FWD |
MPG City | 21 MPG |
MPG Highway | 27 MPG |
MPG Combined | 23 MPG |
The Blazer's base powertrain is a 2.5-liter inline-four. It may not be the most powerful engine in a midsize SUV, but it gets the job done and is cheap to run. The maintenance costs on the Blazer are about average for the segment though, with CarEdge estimating that you'll fork out $8,780 in the first ten years.
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7 2018 Toyota Highlander
Reliability Score: 86/100 - Average Used Price: $26,282
The Highlander is the perfect example of Toyota's reliability, and the 2018 model is new enough that it also features plenty of modern tech. This three-row SUV is the ideal size, inside and out. Your bank account will be sure to thank you for all the money this car saves you. The 2024 model even won our midsize SUV of the year award.
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Performance
Engine | 3.5-liter naturally aspirated V-6 |
|---|---|
Horsepower | 295 HP |
Torque | 263 LB-FT |
Transmission | 8-speed automatic |
Driveline | AWD |
MPG City | 20 MPG |
MPG Highway | 26 MPG |
MPG Combined | 22 MPG |
Toyota's V-6 engine is notoriously reliable and the powertrain in the Highlander is no exception. On top of this, the maintenance costs of the Highlander are low. CarEdge claims the Highlander will cost around $5,771 in its first ten years, which is about $3,362 cheaper than the segment standard.
6 2010 Honda Accord Crosstour
Reliability Score: 87/100 - Average Used Price: $10,155
Before the Passport and the Pilot, Honda's main midsize SUV was actually a crossover based on the Honda Accord. It may not be the biggest or the most practical in its segment, but its fastback design definitely demands attention. It also wouldn't be a Honda without a bulletproof engine.
Performance
Engine | 3.5-liter naturally aspirated V-6 |
|---|---|
Horsepower | 271 HP |
Torque | 254 LB-FT |
Transmission | 5-speed automatic |
Driveline | AWD |
MPG City | 18 MPG |
MPG Highway | 27 MPG |
MPG Combined | 21 MPG |
The Accord Crosstour wasn't around very long, and it's difficult to find a model newer than the 2011 one. However, its spacious interior and its smooth V-6 make it a great choice for used car buyers.
5 2014 Toyota Venza
Reliability Score: 87/100 - Average Used Price: $13,911
The Venza isn't one of Toyota's more popular nameplates, hence why they're discontinuing it after the 2024 model year. While the current model houses a hybrid four-cylinder, it used to be powered by a robust V-6. As with many Toyotas, the 2014 Venza is pretty well-equipped as standard, and finding a used model with the features that you're looking for likely won't be too difficult a task.
Performance
Engine | 3.5-liter naturally aspirated V-6 |
|---|---|
Horsepower | 268 HP |
Torque | 246 LB-FT |
Transmission | 6-speed automatic |
Driveline | AWD |
MPG City | 18 MPG |
MPG Highway | 25 MPG |
MPG Combined | 21 MPG |
The Venza is a brilliant car if you're looking for a family run-around car. It's pleasant to drive, has tons of interior storage, and is super smooth. Its maintenance costs are also incredibly low, with CarEdge estimating that you'll spend around $5,652 on maintenance in your first ten years of ownership.
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4 2019 Kia Sorento
Reliability Score: 87/100 - Average Used Price: $18,387
Kia has been absolutely killing it in the last couple of years in terms of offering excellent value for money. The 2019 Sorento may not be the newest iteration of the Korean midsize SUV, but it still houses a ton of driver-assist technology and modern features while also being an absolute bargain on the used market.
Performance
Engine | 3.3-liter naturally aspirated V-6 |
|---|---|
Horsepower | 290 HP |
Torque | 252 LB-FT |
Transmission | 8-speed automatic |
Driveline | AWD |
MPG City | 19 MPG |
MPG Highway | 26 MPG |
MPG Combined | 22 MPG |
The Sorento may not be the largest three-row SUV on the market, but it makes up for this by offering a ton of features regardless of which trim level you pick up. It's not the cheapest SUV on this list to maintain, with CarEdge estimating ten-year costs to be around $7,953, but it still beats the segment standard by quite a bit.
3 2017 Toyota 4Runner
Reliability Score: 87/100 - Average Used Price: $32,035
The 4Runner's biggest problem for a long time has been that it has been without an update for years. For a 2017 model, the tech in the 4Runner is pretty outdated. However, there is a reason that it has held its value so well, and that is because there is no better overlanding SUV that you can buy. It is getting a major update for the 2025 model year, though.
Performance
Engine | 4.0-liter naturally aspirated V-6 |
|---|---|
Horsepower | 270 HP |
Torque | 278 LB-FT |
Transmission | 5-speed automatic |
Driveline | AWD |
MPG City | 17 MPG |
MPG Highway | 20 MPG |
MPG Combined | 18 MPG |
Despite being so outdated, the 4Runner is still a first pick among many off-roaders, and for good reason. Its performance off the beaten path is nearly unmatched. On top of its rugged reliability, it's also cheap to maintain, with CarEdge estimating that you'll spend around $5,825 in ten years.
2 2006 Toyota Highlander
Reliability Score: 89/100 - Average Used Price: $7,162
The Highlander makes this list twice, which won't be surprising to some. The 2006 model was pretty late in the first generation's life cycle, and it absolutely changed how people thought about SUVs. It could function like an SUV and go where other SUVs could go while still feeling as comfortable and nimble as a car.
Performance
Engine | 3.3-liter naturally aspirated V-6 |
|---|---|
Horsepower | 215 HP |
Torque | 222 LB-FT |
Transmission | 5-speed automatic |
Driveline | AWD |
MPG City | 16 MPG |
MPG Highway | 22 MPG |
MPG Combined | 19 MPG |
If the highest points on your priority list are functionality and reliability, the first-generation Highlander is a brilliant choice. While it's not going to offer you any fancy modern technology, it will get you anywhere you want to go without complaint. You can also pick clean examples of this midsize SUV on the used market for an absolute bargain. It is easily one of the best-used midsize SUVs out there.
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1 2013 Nissan Murano
Reliability Score: 90/100 - Average Used Price: $9,890
Nissan doesn't exactly have the best reputation in the current market. However, they used to be considered a brand that made some of the most robust and reliable cars you could get. The 2013 Murano is a perfect example, taking the top spot on our list as the most reliable used midsize SUV. The Murano still claims a spot among some of the most reliable Japanese vehicles on the current market.
Performance
Engine | 3.5-liter naturally aspirated V-6 |
|---|---|
Horsepower | 260 HP |
Torque | 240 LB-FT |
Transmission | CVT |
Driveline | AWD |
MPG City | 18 MPG |
MPG Highway | 23 MPG |
MPG Combined | 20 MPG |
The Murano is a highly overlooked SUV in its segment and the 2013 model came with a ton of standard tech, a spacious interior, and a cabin filled with high-quality materials. The Murano is also decently cheap to maintain, with CarEdge claiming that you'll spend around $7,577 in the first ten years of ownership.
