A fresh reliability study of crossovers and SUVs, compiled by What Car? together with MotorEasy, delivered an unexpected yet confident leader: the 2018–2024 Hyundai Santa Fe. It earned a flawless 100% as surveyed owners reported no breakdowns over the past two years. The result is especially striking against the broader pattern, where electronics rather than engines tend to be the weak spot.

An equally eye-catching entry is the all-electric Kia EV3, which debuted in 2024 and also received a perfect 100%, with not a single respondent reporting a fault. In third, the Vauxhall Grandland scored 99.6%: only 4% of owners encountered issues, and those were tied to onboard electronics. Repairs were often wrapped up within a day and covered by the manufacturer.

Further down the list are the Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid with 99.2%, the Volkswagen T-Roc at 99%, as well as the Porsche Macan, Kia Niro PHEV, Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, Hyundai Kona Hybrid, and Audi Q2.

The takeaway is less about brand prestige and more about the signal the ranking sends: modern crossovers are increasingly tripped up by minor electrical and infotainment glitches rather than mechanical hardware. When buying, it pays to scrutinize not only the engine and transmission but the entire electronic architecture as well.