The 5 Most Reliable 5-Seat SUVs, According to iSeeCars

Drivers tend to value reliability when buying a new SUV, as a vehicle with a longer lifespan makes a better investment in the long run. If you’re looking for a good SUV that will go the distance, iSeeCars.com recently published its ranking of the Most Reliable Five-Passenger SUVs of 2026.

The methodology for these ratings is based on three different metrics: A reliability score that includes research from iSeeCars.com; value retention, which calculates the amount of depreciation compared to that vehicle’s MSRP that occurs over a five-year period; and a safety score, which uses both the prestigious IIHS’ Top Safety Pick and the most recent five years of NHTSA’s crash test results. From all of this, iSeeCars.com rates each vehicle with reliability scores ranging from one to 10 and a quality rating that includes the five-seat SUV’s reliability, resale value, and safety scores.

The iSeeCars.com team ran over 312 million vehicles for their analysis in their extensive study of long-term vehicles and how much they depreciate over a five-year period. Other iSeeCars.com projects have provided this kind of valuable data in the past, such as when the website revealed that Toyota was the longest-lasting car brand in 2025. With all of this in mind, we can now list the top five passenger SUVs, according to iSeeCars.com. Each of these SUVs is made by a Japanese car company, with four different models represented.

The Mazda CX-5 took fifth place in iSeeCars.com’s Most Reliable 5-Seater SUVs rankings. The CX-5 had a reliability rating of 7.9 out of 10, which when added to its 8.2 for safety and 8.0 for safety, gave it a total score of 8.0 on a 10-point scale. In addition, the Mazda CX-5 has won many other awards from iSeeCars, including No. 1 of the 20 most reliable crossover SUVs under $30,000, No. 1 of the 12 most reliable small SUVs under $30,000, and No.

The new 2026 Mazda CX-5 2.5S, which our reviewer found roomy and tech-savvy but underpowered, has a starting price of $31,485 including destination charge. With that, you get a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 187 horsepower paired with a six-speed automatic gearbox and four-wheel drive. Other standard equipment includes 17-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, an eight-speaker audio system, dual-zone climate control, and a 12.9-inch touchscreen display.

The new version of the Mazda CX-5 is not yet available for testing by the automotive press, but Car and Driver rated its performance, using the same basic drivetrain used by the previous model, with an 8.2-second 0-60 mph run and a quarter-mile performance of 16.5 seconds. Cargo capacity is 34 cu. ft. behind the second row, which opens up to 67 cu. ft. with that line folded down.

Fourth place in the iSeeCars.com ratings went to the Honda CR-V. It received a reliable score of 7.9, the same as the Mazda CX-5, but higher marks in other categories (8.7 for value retention and 9.0 for safety) gave the CR-V a higher score of 8.5. Other iSeeCars awards won include No. 1 of 66 best crossover SUV, No. 1 of 29 best Japanese crossover SUVs, and No. 1 of 19 best small SUVs.

While our review of the road-oriented 2026 Honda CR-V Trailsport found it bumpy but very special, the Honda CR-V remains popular among five-seat SUV buyers, with prices starting at $32,370 for the non-hybrid FWD LX. The 2026 CR-V is available in both hybrid and non-hybrid versions, with the latter using a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 190 horsepower, front-wheel drive or a CVT automatic. A hybrid setup boosts power to 204 horsepower, with a choice of FWD or AWD on most models.

Car and Driver conducted a performance test of both the hybrid and non-hybrid versions of the Honda CR-V. The AWD hybrid did 0-60 mph in 7.3 seconds, the quarter-mile in 15.8 seconds at 86 mph, and a skidpad roadholding of 0.79g. The AWD gas engine model did 0-60 mph in 8.1 seconds, the quarter-mile in 16.3 seconds at 89 mph, and 0.82g on the skidpad. Cargo capacity is 39 cu. ft. behind the second row and 77 cu. ft. if that line is folded down.

The Subaru Outback took third place honors in the iSeeCars.com rankings. It earned a reliability score of 8.0, slightly higher than the Honda CR-V’s 7.9. In value maintenance, the Outback received an 8.1, while it also received a 9.0 in the safety rating, giving it an overall rating of 8.4. Other iSeeCars awards include No. 1 of 66 best off-road crossover SUV, No. 1 of 66 most reliable crossover SUVs, and number 1 of 56 best crossover SUVs in the snow.

The 2026 Subaru Outback is new, leading our reviewer to say that its interior is adequate to undermine its distinctive looks. This seventh generation Outback sits higher than its predecessor and looks like a classic SUV due to its wide and long stance. Its powertrain options are heavily loaded, with a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter boxer engine producing 180 horsepower, while a turbocharged 2.4-liter mill kicks out 260 horsepower. Both of these engines send their power through a CVT automatic and then to four wheels, while the AWD system includes X-mode when you need to go off the beaten track. Prices for the Subaru Outback start at $36,445 for the Premium trim.

Car and Driver put the Outback through a performance test, with the turbocharged version doing the 0-60 mph sprint in 6.0 seconds and the quarter-mile in 14.6 seconds at 97 mph. Cargo area up to 35 cu. ft. behind the second row, which opens up to 81 cu. ft. and that line is folded.

The Toyota 4Runner, a rugged body-frame SUV with excellent off-road capability, took second place in the iSeeCars.com Most Reliable 5-Seater SUVs rankings. The 4Runner earned an 8.1 reliability score, with an 8.9 for durability and a 7.0 for safety. Overall rating was 8.0. Additional awards included No. 1 out of 31 midsize SUVs with best resale value, No. 1 of 31 most reliable midsize SUVs, and No. 1 of the most reliable midsize SUVs under $50,000. Pricing for the 4Runner starts at $43,365 for the entry-level SR5 base trim with rear-wheel drive.

Like most five-passenger SUVs available today, the 2026 Toyota 4Runner offers a choice of regular gas and hybrid trim levels; if you’re not sure which one to decide on, SlashGear has a handy guide to choosing the right 4Runner for you. The gas engine comes with a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces 278 horsepower and is mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission. A full-time 4WD system with a two-speed transfer case is an available option. The hybrid 4Runner starts with the same engine and transmission, adding a 326-horsepower hybrid electric motor.

The performance of the Toyota 4Runner was revealed by Car and Driver. The non-hybrid does 0-60 mph in 7.5 seconds, while the hybrid does it in 6.7 seconds. Quarter-mile times were 15.7 seconds at 90 mph for the gas engine model and 15.3 seconds at 88 mph for the hybrid. Skidpad grip was 0.74g for both versions. The five-seat 4Runner’s cargo capacity is 43 cu. ft. behind the second row and 83 cu. ft. and the second row folded.

The Toyota Land Cruiser earned top honors on the iSeeCars.com Most Reliable 5-Seater SUV list. With a reliability score of 8.5 and a maintenance score of 8.6, the Toyota Land Cruiser received an overall score of 8.5, although the off-road safety score for this vehicle was lacking. The Toyota Land Cruiser also received awards for No. 1 of the 55 best five-passenger SUVs, No. 1 of the 33 best three-row SUVs, and No. 1 of the 33 most reliable three-row SUVs, though that last award does not apply to the latest, two-row-only model. Pricing for the 2026 Toyota Land Cruiser starts with the Land Cruiser 1958 trim at $59,095.

The Toyota Land Cruiser has the same drivetrain as the 4Runner hybrid, using the same 2.4-liter, 326-horsepower turbo engine with electric assist. It’s connected to the same eight-speed automatic transmission, but has a 4WD system that includes crawl-control, hill-descent control, low-range gear, and a locking center differential as standard. Our analysis of the Toyota Land Cruiser revealed that it was not only more capable off-road but also more affordable than the old Land Cruiser.

A car and driver test of the Toyota Land Cruiser showed the car capable of sprinting from 0-60 mph in 7.7 seconds, and the quarter-mile takes 16.2 seconds at 86 mph. Road grip on the 300-foot skidpad was 0.69g. The Land Cruiser’s cargo capacity is rated at 38 cu. ft. behind the second row, more than double that at 82 cu. ft. if those seats are folded down.