Consumer Reports Most and Least Reliable Small Crossovers
Aug 5, 2015
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- Image Credit: Jeep
Most- and Least-Reliable Small Crossovers
Chances are, if you're in the market for a small crossover or SUV, you're keenly interested in knowing how reliable your brand-new vehicle will (or won't) be. It's only natural to expect good reliability in 2014, but some manufacturers always seem to do a better job when it comes to making vehicles that last.
For 2014, Consumer Reports polled its readers to find out which small crossovers and SUVs proved the most reliable, and we've compiled the top three and bottom three performers. Scroll through our gallery to find out which small utility vehicles are the best, and which are the worst. Many of these crossovers are still available in 2015, and their reliability isn't likely to get worse for the new year. -
- Image Credit: Subaru
Third Most-Reliable Small Crossover: Subaru XV Crosstrek
MSRP: $21,995 to $24,995
Invoice: $20,876 to $23,178
Fuel Economy: 23 City / 30 Highway
The Subaru XV Crosstrek is the third-most-reliable small SUV for 2014, according to Consumer Reports. Based on the popular Impreza hatchback, the Crosstrek sits a bit higher off the ground, giving it a commanding stance, and since it's a Subaru, that means it's been blessed with all-wheel-drive traction as standard equipment.
Owners also had good things to say about the car's fuel economy and low starting price.
Research the 2014 XV Crosstrek
Subaru XV Crosstrek Overview
Subaru XV Crosstrek Reviews
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Subaru XV Crosstrek Best Deal Price -
- Image Credit: Subaru
Second Most-Reliable Small Crossover: Subaru Forester
MSRP: $21,995 to $32,995
Invoice: $20,811 to $30,836
Fuel Economy: 24 City / 32 Highway
Subaru knows how to make good, reliable crossovers. Coming in second place in reliability, right ahead of another Subaru, is the 2014 Forester.
There's considerably more space inside the all-wheel-drive Forester than the smaller XV Crosstrek, and it also scored well in the fuel economy category.
Just one small crossover proved more reliable overall than the Forester. Click next to find out what it is.
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Subaru Forester Overview
Subaru Forester Reviews
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- Image Credit: Mitsubishi
Most-Reliable Small Crossover: Mitsubishi Outlander Sport
MSRP: $19,470 to $23,995
Invoice: $18,648 to $22,982
Fuel Economy: 24 City / 30 Highway
The 2014 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport was judged the most reliable small crossover by readers of Consumer Reports. Although it didn't score well enough in the magazine's testing to earn a Recommended rating, its choppy ride and uninspiring handling has nothing to do with its reliability.
If you're looking for what may be the most trouble-free small crossover sold in America in 2014, the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport should be on your list.
Research the 2014 Outlander Sport
Mitsubishi Outlander Sport Overview
Mitsubishi Outlander Sport Reviews
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Mitsubishi Outlander Sport Best Deal Price -
- Image Credit: Jeep
Third Least-Reliable Small Crossover: Jeep Patriot
MSRP: $16,395 to $26,395
Invoice: $16,252 to $25,388
Fuel Economy: 23 City / 30 Highway
And now we come to the poor performers, according to readers of Consumer Reports.
The third least-reliable small SUV or crossover sold in America in 2014 is the Jeep Patriot. Although the Patriot is better in 2014 than it has ever been before with the addition of a smooth new six-speed automatic transmission, which replaces the unloved CVT used in earlier models, its reliability apparently took a hit.
Research the Jeep Patriot
2014 Jeep Patriot Overview
2014 Jeep Patriot Reviews
Jeep Patriot Recalls -
- Image Credit: Jeep
Second Least-Reliable Small Crossover: Jeep Cherokee
MSRP: $22,995 to $30,095
Invoice: $22,636 to $29,069
Fuel Economy: 22 City / 31 Highway
The second least-reliable small crossover or SUV, as rated by readers of Consumer Reports, is the 2014 Jeep Cherokee.
We're not terribly surprised to see the brand-new Cherokee on this list, as it is a completely new model for Jeep, and it's packed with lots of new technologies, a high-tech nine-speed automatic gearbox and plenty of electronic gadgets that allow it to go further off-road than any other SUV in its class.
If you don't have any need to venture too far off the beaten path, perhaps another, more reliable small utility vehicle would serve you better.
Research the Jeep Cherokee
2014 Jeep Cherokee Overview
2014 Jeep Cherokee Reviews
Jeep Cherokee Recalls -
- Image Credit: Ford
Least-Reliable Small Crossover: Ford Escape
MSRP: $23,100 to $30,850
Invoice: $21,772 to $28,769
Fuel Economy: 22 City / 31 Highway
According to readers of Consumer Reports, the Ford Escape is the least reliable small crossover or SUV sold in America in 2014.
Although it gets good marks for driving entertainment, the latest Escape is plagued by the poor usability scores of its infotainment technology, which includes the much-maligned MyFord Touch.
Other complaints by CR's readers included poor fuel economy from the 1.6-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder engine or the standard 2.5-liter engine.
Research the Ford Escape
2014 Ford Escape Overview
2014 Ford Escape Reviews
Ford Escape Recalls
