When purchasing a brand-new car, the one thing you desperately want to avoid is reliability issues. Whilst maintenance and servicing are a given for any successful high-miler, when deciding to spend upwards of $30,000, you want to start with the right base machine. This includes a robust engine, minimal electrical gremlins, and usually a pre-existing model that has been perfected and had its issues ironed out over the course of several years.
One of the most popular segments at the moment is entry to mid-level luxury SUVs. They are part of the SUV boom, have plenty of creature comforts and gadgets, but are affordable to a wider spectrum of people by usually staying under $50,000. Given that this class of car is high-selling and that buying brand new isn’t cheap, it is a smart decision to consult official reliability metrics before spending tens of thousands of dollars. We have collected seven brand new, mid-tier luxury SUVs that are both fairly posh and reliable.
Models are listed in ascending order based on their iSeeCars reliability score, from the least reliable to the most reliable.
7
2026 Mercedes-Benz GLA
Reliability Score: 7.8/10
Starting with Mercedes-Benz, with an iSeeCars reliability score of 7.8/10, the 2026 GLA-Class SUV nearly enters the 80+ tier of cars, which are usually home to high-mileage beasts like the Toyota Camry or brute heavy-duty pickup trucks. 78 is still impressive enough, garnering more than acceptable reliability accolades whilst being one of the cheaper cars on this list – and that is with the high-status Mercedes badge that comes with it.
Regular oil changes and routine servicing are, of course, the key to turning that fairly high reliability score into a car that runs on and on, making the very best of your $41,500, which the GLA costs. A little more investment in quality replacement parts and maintenance on the 2.0-liter turbo inline-four (mild hybrid) will allow for many years of hopefully non-eventful motoring.
2026 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class Specs
|
Horsepower |
221 |
|
Torque |
258 Ib-ft |
|
0 – 60 mph |
6.8 seconds |
|
Weight |
3,494 – 3,604 pounds |
|
MPG (combined) |
29 mpg |
Find 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class SUV and more cars for sale on our Marketplace
6
2026 Audi Q5
Reliability Score: 7.9/10
With the Audi only just edging out victory over Mercedes, there isn’t going to be a vast difference in the long-term usability of this car vs the GLA, if any at all. The most common issue with the Audi Q5 is software glitches, meaning engine lights showing up at random isn’t unheard of. But regular software updates and consulting the main dealer whilst in warranty on these issues should lessen the chance of any further bugs.
With that being said, treated correctly, it should also stand in good stead for high-mileage capabilities. Whilst not as robust as many Japanese offerings (we will see these later), if you are someone in the market looking for something sporty and dynamic, and an SUV that is luxurious for its class, this could be the one. The 2026 Q5 is very well-equipped for its segment, carrying on plenty of features from its larger brother — a 14.5-inch infotainment display with an optional passenger display, and class-leading safety as standard, which are commonly optional features on rivals.
2026 Audi Q5 Specs
|
Horsepower |
268 |
|
Torque |
295 Ib-ft |
|
0-60 mph |
5.8 seconds |
|
Weight |
4,373 pounds |
|
MPG (combined) |
25 mpg |
Find 2026 Audi Q5 and more cars for sale on our Marketplace
The Most Reliable Acura SUV In 2024
This Acura SUV is not only luxurious, comfortable, and intuitive, but also the most reliable SUV Acura offers in 2024—find out why it is so good.
5
2026 Acura MDX
Reliability Score: 8.0/10
The first Japanese entry on the list goes to Acura, with an impressive 8.0/10 iSeeCars reliability score, celebrating the start of a more exclusive 8.0+ club. The Acura MDX is an excellent car for this list in one particular way, and that is where it sits on the SUV-status ladder. If you aren’t familiar with this particular model, it fits more in line with the X5’s and Q7’s of this world in terms of intimidating size and practicality.
With seven seats at your disposal and a comparatively colossal 39.1 cubic feet of boot capacity behind the second row, this obliterates other candidates for sheer utility for around $50,000. The 2026 MDX includes complimentary scheduled maintenance for the first two years, giving it an early boost in realistic short-term reliability compared to rivals. The beefy 3.5-liter V6 isn’t as efficient as the Q5’s smaller engine, but it still supports a strong general reliability.
2026 Acura MDX Specs
|
Horsepower |
290 |
|
Torque |
267 Ib-ft |
|
0 – 60 mph |
6.3 seconds |
|
Weight |
4,268 pounds |
|
MPG (combined) |
21 MPG |
Find 2026 Acura MDX and more cars for sale on our Marketplace
4
2026 Mazda CX-5 (Full-Spec)
Reliability Score: 8.1/10
The Mazda CX-5 is the curveball of this list; all the other cars mentioned are base-spec models of more luxurious brands, but this particular CX-5 fits into the same, if not lower, price category as the other base-specs, but offers several fundamentals that are hard to ignore. Sure, this isn’t going to be as premium as a Lexus or as well-regarded as an Audi, but allowing for this model to be fully loaded on top of a car that closely competes in practicality, durability, and design makes this a unique and tempting offer.
This particular top-spec costs a very reasonable $39,000 and includes an AWD system and plenty of features that match, or even exceed, the equipment of other rivals — heated front and rear seats, ventilated front seats, panoramic sunroof, and individual seat and mirror position presets for different drivers. It even includes a similar, premium 15.6-inch touchscreen on this spec, furthering the idea that this really is a serious contender against a base-spec Audi or Volvo. And whilst the material quality isn’t quite as high, and the performance not as impressive, the 2026 CX-5 includes a tough, naturally aspirated engine which has proven to be a higher-mileage hero in older variants.
2026 Mazda CX-5 Specs
|
Horsepower |
187 |
|
Torque |
187 Ib-ft |
|
0 – 60 mph |
9.3 seconds |
|
Weight |
3,870 pounds |
|
MPG (combined) |
26 mpg |
Find 2025 Mazda CX-5 and more cars for sale on our Marketplace
10 Most Reliable Cars Ever Made
If you’re looking for reliable and dependable cars that can last you a lifetime, you simply can’t go wrong with the models on this list.
3
2026 Acura RDX
Reliability Score: 8.3/10
The MDX’s smaller brother, the Acura RDX, manages to win the contest in reliability with a very impressive 8.3/10. This is very exclusive territory. It loses out on the third row but still has an enormous boot, making the 2026 RDX a cheaper but still practical and well-equipped consideration in this contest. It also drops the V6 to a much smaller 2.0-liter inline-four, which, impressively, yields very similar results to the MDX’s 3.5-liter engine.
Like most brand-new cars, the weaknesses come from software glitches and electronics as opposed to any major mechanical concern, but these issues only affect a small portion of vehicles, and they are certainly less bank-breaking than any serious engine-related problems. A well-balanced, high-spec, roomy, and acceptably quick mid-tier SUV.
2026 Acura RDX Specs
|
Horsepower |
272 |
|
Torque |
280 Ib-ft |
|
0 – 60 mph |
6.3 seconds |
|
Weight |
4,014-4,045 pounds |
|
MPG (combined) |
23 mpg |
2
2026 Volvo XC60
Reliability Score: 8.3/10
The Volvo XC60 competes very closely with its European counterparts on this list: the Audi Q5 and the Mercedes GLA. All have a smaller inline-four engine, similar boot space, and are priced at $40,000- $50,000. The Volvo very nearly exceeds that price, at $49,700. But it is more reliable, which is the true priority of this list.
The Volvo’s equipment is very in line with other SUVs on this list, but includes some extra features such as a standard power panoramic roof and, fitting in with Volvo’s legacy, advanced safety tech as standard. This includes adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist. The 2026 XC60 has a terrifically solid build quality, and whilst not as durable as some of its Japanese competitors, it is still the European entry-level SUV to opt for if you care about reliability and safety.
2026 Volvo XC60 Specs
|
Horsepower |
247 |
|
Torque |
266 Ib-ft |
|
0 – 60 mph |
6.5 seconds |
|
Weight |
4,100 – 4,200 pounds |
|
MPG (combined) |
26 mpg |
10 Luxury SUVs With Surprisingly Affordable Maintenance Costs
Luxury SUVs don’t always come with sky-high upkeep. These 10 models deliver premium features with maintenance costs that won’t break the bank.
1
2026 Lexus RX 350
Reliability Score: 8.4/10
At the top of the list, it is no surprise that Lexus dominates. A brand that encapsulates this list’s intentions extremely well: the highest priority of reliability and luxury, which is right up Lexus’s alley. And whilst it isn’t quite the fastest here, or the most practical, the core principles of this list make the RX 350 a seriously worthy contender. Edging out Volvo and Acura for the top spot, Lexus continues its reign.
Lexus is Toyota’s more luxury-focused division, which means that not only is this car refined, well-equipped, and perhaps the most comfort-oriented car on the list, but means that it also inherits Toyota’s legendary powertrains and renowned quality control. Lexus is completely on the same page when it comes to the design philosophy of Toyota’s exceptional durability, which makes it easily possible for the 2026 Lexus RX to excel way beyond the 200,000 mark (with the right maintenance).
2026 Lexus RX 350 Specs
|
Horsepower |
275 |
|
Torque |
317 Ib-ft |
|
0 – 60 mph |
7.6 seconds |
|
Weight |
4,155-4,287 pounds |
|
MPG (combined) |
25 mpg |