Choosing the most reliable car among compact crossovers

Mazda CX-5

Mazda CX-5. Mazda photo

The Japanese crossover, in its current latest generation, has been produced since 2020 and was immediately recognized as one of the most reliable cars in its class. The Five received a completely different corporate design compared to its predecessor, and a good level of equipment and safety.

Under the hood of the crossover there are gasoline engines of 2.0 and 2.5 liters. Both are members of the SkyActive family and produce 150 and 195 hp. respectively. There are versions with manual and automatic transmission, with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive.

Kia Sportage

This car belongs to the category of the most reliable SUVs for a reason. It is among the top 5 purchased crossovers in the world. The car combines good dynamics, handling, comfort, and 150 horsepower. The main feature is a wide range of power units. The client can choose a version based on financial capabilities and preferences. The equipment of this vehicle is practically in no way inferior to its European counterparts.

Main characteristics of the Kia Sportage:

• The volume of the standard gasoline engine is 2.0 l;
• gear shift unit – manual transmission 4×2 configuration;
• acceleration speed to 100 km – 10.5 seconds;
• approximate price – from 1.3 million rubles.

The advantages include high quality interior finishing and interior spaciousness, good noise insulation and “stuffing”. Among the shortcomings are weak off-road performance, longitudinal rocking, ground clearance of 182 mm.

Audi Q5

Audi Q5. Audi Photos

The German competitor of a similar model from Mazda also turned out to be a very reliable car. The crossover was also released in 2020 and since then has been consistently ranked among the most problem-free models with a minimum of serious breakdowns. This SUV has a strict, but stylish and technological design, befitting the premium class.

The crossover is powered by three powertrain options, including one gasoline engine and two diesel engines. The base Q5 has a 2.0-liter turbodiesel with 190 hp. Next come the “top” 249-horsepower two-liter gasoline engine and a 3.0-liter turbodiesel of the same power.

Mazda CX5

This crossover from Japan stands out with its bright, recognizable design, which in its design and aerodynamics is ahead of many competitors. High-quality materials (genuine leather, soft plastic) are used in interior decoration. This car is ideal for connoisseurs of comfort and beauty. The suspension and chassis of the car perfectly feel the asphalt and country roads.

Parameters of the Mazda CX5 SUV:

• petrol engine displacement – ​​2 liters;
• power value – 150 l. With.;
• transmission unit – manual transmission 4×2;
• ground clearance - 19.2 cm;
• “appetite” – 8.7 l/100 km;
• dialing hundreds - 10.4 seconds;
• estimated cost – from 1.5 million rubles.

The owners include excellent dynamic characteristics, excellent equipment, and an informative and comfortable suspension as advantages. Among the disadvantages are the not very spacious interior, low ground clearance for its class, and not suitable for driving on obvious off-road conditions.

Mercedes-Benz ML

Mercedes-Benz ML. Mercedes-Benz Photos

Another German premium crossover appeared on the market in 2011 and remained on the assembly line until 2020. The third generation, despite its “moral” age of almost 10 years, looks no less stylish and modern than its “colleagues” according to the most reliable rating, which came out five years later. An excellent level of comfort and safety is guaranteed, whatever one may say, this is a Mercedes.

A very wide selection of power units was offered for this model, including gasoline and diesel modifications. Among the “civilian” versions, diesel modifications have power from 200 to 250 hp. Gasoline engines have output from 250 to 410 horsepower (we are not talking about AMG versions).

Note that all three models are still quite “fresh”, especially considering that this is far from a budget class, so each of the mentioned crossovers will last at least another five years without any problems.

Peugeot 3008

The French crossover is included in the category of “most reliable SUVs” due to its compact dimensions and excellent dynamics. Along with its attractive exterior features, the car has excellent maneuverability in traffic. The Peugeot 308 version is not available with all-wheel drive, but has an anti-slip system. The vehicle is aimed at suburban and local trips by large families. Among the advantages are the spaciousness and ergonomics of the interior, decent quality of finishing components, and well-adjusted suspension. The main drawback is the rather weak off-road capability.

Parameters of the most affordable configuration:

• engine displacement – ​​1.6 l (135 hp);
• transmission system – 4×2 automatic transmission;
• road clearance - 21.9 cm;
• cost – from 1.4 million rubles.

Mitsubishi ASX

This car is one of the best small SUVs in the world. For the first time, the restyled version was presented at the international automobile exhibition in New York; not so long ago, the model appeared on the official Russian market.

After the update, this car received a radically redesigned front segment. A bumper of a different configuration appeared at the stern, as well as a “shark fin” antenna. In addition, Japanese designers have significantly increased the noise insulation properties of the car. In the interior, significant improvements include the presence of a touchscreen multimedia system with a seven-inch display.

Characteristics:

• power unit – 1.6-liter gasoline engine with a power of 150 “horses”;
• manual transmission (4×2);
• road clearance - 19.5 cm;
• fuel consumption – 7.8/100 km;
• acceleration to hundreds - 11.4 seconds;
• estimated cost – from 1.1 million rubles.

Pros: reliability, ability to quickly start in any weather, efficient air conditioning, informative suspension. Disadvantages - difficult acceleration, weak predisposition to overtaking.

Volkswagen Tiguan

We will continue our review of SUVs with the practical German model Volkswagen Tiguan. Manufacturers literally stuffed this car with advanced technologies. A DSG-type robotic gearbox is responsible for the operation of the transmission. Thanks to its characteristics, the SUV received high levels of dynamism and efficiency.

Below are the parameters of this crossover:

• engine volume - 1.4 l;
• power characteristics – 125 “horses”;
• clearance value - 20 cm;
• average gasoline consumption – 8.3/100 km;
• cost guide – 1.4 million rubles.

Disadvantages of the Tiguan: low protection of the engine compartment from dust, poor cross-country ability, expensive options. Advantages - attractive and interesting exterior, comfortable interior, acceleration to 100 kilometers in just 10.5 seconds, excellent handling and a wide range of power units.

The most reliable compact SUVs: top 16 models according to German experts

Journalists from the German publication Auto Bild joined forces with the Technical Supervision Organization TÜV (Technischer Überwachungsverein) and compiled a rating of the most reliable crossovers with a mileage of 100,000 km.

This list includes only those models that are officially sold in Europe, while it turned out that the Mazda CX-3 is the least susceptible to breakdowns, in which only 2.7% of cars fail within the specified mileage, and even their breakdowns are minor - replacements require only individual suspension components (shock absorbers and springs).

The Audi Q3, which is in second place in the rating, is only slightly inferior to the “Japanese” (2.9%). The weak point of used German crossovers is again the springs, and the brake mechanisms of this model also often rust.

Auto Bild journalists gave third and fourth places to the Suzuki SX4 S-Cross and Vitara all-terrain vehicles (3.3% and 3.8%, respectively). The main troubles of these cars are oil leaks, although Vitara also suffers from problematic lighting technology. Rounding out the top five most reliable used crossovers is the Opel Mokka (3.9%), which may experience oil leaks from the engine and transmission.

Regardless of the generation, the BMW X1 (4.4%) and Mitsubishi ASX (4.6%) models are considered reliable, and these cars are mainly characterized by problems with the brakes. But used Renault Captur (4.6%) and Nissan Qashqai (5.4%) may have problems with the chassis and steering, while the “French” is also characterized by breakdowns of drive shafts.

The tenth most reliable Mini Countryman (5.5%) suffers from problematic lighting technology, and it is no stranger to oil leaks. The next Renault Kadjar (5.5%) is often let down by its brake discs. Problems with brakes and oil leaks are also observed on the Skoda Yeti (5.8%).

The weak link of the Ford EcoSport crossover (6.0%) is the light, although owners of American cars often complain about losses of lubricant. In turn, used Nissan Juke (6.0%) often suffer from problems with the suspension and the same oil leaks. Peugeot 2008 is also the last to sin, which can also upset owners with a breakdown of the exhaust system.

Last in the ranking is the Dacia Duster II (11.7%), which often has problems with brakes, steering and lights during operation, plus it often leaks oil.

Disadvantages of Crossovers

When buying such a car, we first of all expect excellent cross-country ability from it. However, you need to understand that a regular crossover, which only has plug-in all-wheel drive, will not be able to provide cross-country ability at the level of a full-fledged jeep, which has a permanent all-wheel drive transmission, transfer case and other systems that improve the vehicle’s off-road performance. However, many buyers approach a crossover with high expectations, and, after going off-road for the first time, they are seriously disappointed in the choice they made. It is necessary to understand that such a car can easily cope with a country road, but not with a full-fledged off-road vehicle.

Increased fuel consumption. Such cars are equipped with powerful engines, and a high body does not improve aerodynamics. Accordingly, in the city and on the countryside, fuel consumption figures will be several liters higher than most sedan and station wagon models. Today, in a crisis when fuel prices are constantly rising, such a disadvantage can become decisive when choosing a particular car.

Poor reliability of such cars. This is a rather controversial point, since the reliability of a particular machine will largely depend on the manufacturer and the technologies used. And yet, most experts are inclined to believe that full-fledged SUVs will still be better in terms of reliability than classic crossovers. This is explained by the fact that transfer case and CV joints bear an increased load, which provokes frequent breakdowns and the need for expensive equipment repairs.

Problems with transporting heavy loads. Many of us, when buying such a car, consider it primarily as a workhorse. However, such a vehicle, especially mid-size and compact parquet crossovers, is not intended for transporting large-sized cargo. If the crossover can still handle a washing machine and other similar equipment, then it’s no longer worth using such a machine to tow a heavy trailer with a yacht.

Car owners have high expectations. When choosing a crossover, many of us hope to buy a truly versatile car that will be good on country roads, when traveling on country roads and off-road. However, miracles do not happen. A crossover is just a high-quality car that has an all-wheel drive system and an enlarged body. It has average handling characteristics at high speed and can only cope with relatively light off-road conditions. If you need a car for high-speed travel on the highway, then it is better to buy a sports sedan, and if you need transport for frequent trips out of town on broken roads, it is best to pay attention to classic jeeps.

03.04.2018

Which engine is preferable for a crossover?

This is also a matter of taste. But you need to take into account the following factors: gasoline is more voracious, but the sound of the engine is quieter and there is less vibration.

The engine size also needs to be chosen according to your pocket. The lower the horsepower, the lower the road tax and fuel costs.

Diesel requires more attention and higher maintenance costs. It is noisier than a gasoline engine, but has a greater torque, that is, its traction at low speeds is much higher.

Diesel is unpretentious in operation, more economical, with equal engine volumes. But most importantly, the engine resource is much longer.

So the choice is yours.
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