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MotorFiable

The most reliable Small SUVs

Ranked by the MotorFiable Score of the whole car, out of 10: half comes from its engines and the other half from the rest of the car (gearbox, suspension, brakes, electronics…). Only Small SUVs with solid evidence are included: at least three sources and five documented faults, each backed by its sources.

Of the 34 Small SUVs with solid evidence, the one with the highest score is the MG ZS I (7.3/10), followed by the Dacia Duster II (7.2) and the Volkswagen Taigo (7.2). The one with the lowest score is the Citroën C3 Aircross I (4.2/10), mainly because of oil-bath timing belt degradation.

How we work

34 cars

Each label is that part's score out of 10. Only parts with documented faults or MOT inspection data are shown.

  1. Rank 1
    MG ZS ISmall SUV · 2017–2024Medium severityThe infotainment screen freezes and the rear camera fails(electronics)Engine 8.0Gearbox 8.6Suspension 8.3Brakes 9.0Steering 7.2Electrical 9.1Lights 6.3Electronics 7.9Bodywork 6.0
    7.3 out of 10Overall score
  2. Rank 2
    Dacia Duster IISmall SUV · 2017–2024Medium severityWear in steering ball joints and track rod ends on the Duster II(steering)Engine 8.2Gearbox 7.4Suspension 8.5Brakes 8.2Steering 7.5Electrical 8.6Lights 7.0Bodywork 7.5Security 7.7
    7.2 out of 10Overall score
  3. Rank 3
    Volkswagen TaigoSmall SUV · 2021–todayCritical severityPassenger airbag: the gas generator housing can burst (2022–2025)(security)Engine 8.2Electronics 9.3Security 6.4
    7.2 out of 10Overall score
  4. Rank 4
    Jeep RenegadeSmall SUV · 2014–todayHigh severitySaturated diesel particulate filter (DPF) from incomplete regenerations(1.6 and 2.0 MultiJet II engine)Engine 6.9Gearbox 8.6Suspension 8.0Brakes 7.9Steering 0.0Electrical 7.9Lights 6.9Electronics 9.3Bodywork 7.6Security 7.5
    7.0 out of 10Overall score
  5. Rank 5
    Renault Captur IISmall SUV · 2019–todayHigh severityMulti-mode gearbox failure (risk of breakage)(E-Tech Híbrido engine)Engine 7.0Gearbox 8.4Suspension 8.6Brakes 8.2Steering 7.0Electrical 8.6Lights 8.5Electronics 7.9Climate control 9.3Bodywork 8.2
    7.0 out of 10Overall score
  6. Rank 6
    Citroën C3 Aircross IISmall SUV · 2024–todayCritical severityGQ8 recall: brake pedal and brake circuit(brakes)Engine 8.0Gearbox 8.9Brakes 7.1Steering 7.9Electronics 9.3Security 9.3
    6.9 out of 10Overall score
  7. Rank 7
    Nissan Juke IISmall SUV · 2019–todayCritical severityRecall over the rear seat backrest latch(security)Engine 7.6Suspension 7.6Brakes 8.4Steering 7.6Electrical 7.1Lights 8.6Electronics 7.9Bodywork 7.6Security 7.1
    6.9 out of 10Overall score
  8. Rank 8
    Audi Q2Small SUV · 2016–todayCritical severityThe electric parking brake could apply inappropriately(brakes)Engine 7.7Gearbox 7.3Suspension 8.8Brakes 7.7Steering 8.8Lights 8.5Bodywork 7.4Security 8.9
    6.8 out of 10Overall score
  9. Rank 9
    Hyundai BayonSmall SUV · 2021–todayMedium severityRear shock absorbers with noises or premature loss of effectiveness(suspension)Engine 7.1Gearbox 7.8Suspension 8.6Electrical 8.6
    6.8 out of 10Overall score
  10. Rank 10
    Škoda KamiqSmall SUV · 2019–todayHigh severityFaulty seat stitching that could affect the side airbag (campaign 74D7)(security)Engine 7.7Gearbox 7.3Suspension 8.2Brakes 7.4Steering 3.4Lights 7.8Electronics 9.3Bodywork 7.4Security 6.8
    6.7 out of 10Overall score
  11. Rank 11
    Mazda CX-3Small SUV · 2016–2021High severityOil dilution with diesel during DPF regenerations(Skyactiv-D engine)Engine 6.0Suspension 8.5Brakes 7.5Steering 8.7Electrical 8.6Lights 8.3Climate control 7.9Bodywork 7.9Security 8.6
    6.6 out of 10Overall score
  12. Rank 12
    Nissan Juke ISmall SUV · 2010–2019Critical severityExcessive oil consumption and engine failure(1.2 TCe engine)Engine 6.5Gearbox 7.0Suspension 7.2Brakes 8.4Steering 4.6Lights 7.7Climate control 8.6Bodywork 8.3
    6.6 out of 10Overall score
  13. Rank 13
    Chevrolet TraxSmall SUV · 2013–2015Critical severityDriver's airbag inflator with degraded propellant(security)Engine 6.8Brakes 8.6Security 6.6
    6.5 out of 10Overall score
  14. Rank 14
    Opel FronteraSmall SUV · 2024–todayCritical severityElectric power steering wiring harness damaged between two bolts on the Frontera (2025)(steering)Engine 8.0Brakes 5.7Steering 7.1Electrical 7.1Electronics 9.3
    6.5 out of 10Overall score
  15. Rank 15
    Renault Captur ISmall SUV · 2013–2019Critical severityExcessive oil consumption and engine failure(1.2 TCe engine)Engine 5.5Gearbox 8.1Suspension 7.5Brakes 7.7Steering 8.9Lights 7.3Electronics 9.3Bodywork 6.3
    6.4 out of 10Overall score
  16. Rank 16
    Toyota Yaris CrossSmall SUV · 2021–todayCritical severityHybrid system shutdown without fail-safe mode (loss of drive)(1.5 Hybrid engine)Engine 5.6Suspension 7.3Brakes 8.0Tyres 7.9Steering 7.6Electrical 8.6Lights 8.2Electronics 8.4Bodywork 7.5
    6.4 out of 10Overall score
  17. Rank 17
    Volkswagen T-CrossSmall SUV · 2018–todayCritical severityWelding defect in the curtain and head airbag gas generator(security)Engine 7.7Gearbox 7.3Suspension 7.6Brakes 7.4Steering 1.8Lights 8.4Electronics 9.3Bodywork 7.6Security 6.1
    6.4 out of 10Overall score
  18. Rank 18
    Hyundai Kona ISmall SUV · 2017–2023High severityDCT7 dual-clutch gearbox: jerkiness and cases of premature failure(gearbox and clutch)Engine 6.5Gearbox 7.3Suspension 8.6Brakes 7.6Steering 8.1Electrical 7.9Lights 7.8Electronics 8.6Bodywork 7.5
    6.3 out of 10Overall score
  19. Rank 19
    Fiat 500XSmall SUV · 2014–todayCritical severityTiming chain stretch and tensioner failure(1.3 Multijet engine)Engine 6.2Gearbox 7.1Suspension 8.9Brakes 8.2Steering 0.0Lights 7.3Electronics 8.6Bodywork 8.0Security 7.9
    6.2 out of 10Overall score
  20. Rank 20
    Ford PumaSmall SUV · 2019–todayCritical severityDegradation of the timing belt running in oil(1.0 EcoBoost engine)Engine 6.2Suspension 7.5Brakes 7.7Steering 7.8Electrical 9.3Lights 7.9Electronics 7.9Bodywork 7.6Security 7.1
    6.2 out of 10Overall score
  21. Rank 21
    Jeep AvengerSmall SUV · 2023–todayCritical severityOil-bath timing belt degradation(1.2 PureTech engine)Engine 4.8Gearbox 8.6Steering 8.6Electrical 8.6Electronics 9.6Security 8.6
    6.1 out of 10Overall score
  22. Rank 22
    Opel Mokka ASmall SUV · 2012–2019Critical severityEarly engine failure from a cracked piston(1.4 Turbo engine)Engine 5.9Gearbox 7.9Suspension 6.1Brakes 8.5Steering 7.2Lights 7.9Electronics 8.9Climate control 9.3Bodywork 7.7Security 6.6
    6.1 out of 10Overall score
  23. Rank 23
    Dacia Duster ISmall SUV · 2010–2017Critical severityWear and seizure of the big-end bearings(1.5 dCi engine)Engine 5.0Gearbox 7.9Suspension 8.4Brakes 7.2Tyres 8.9Steering 8.6Lights 6.7Electronics 9.3Bodywork 8.6
    6.0 out of 10Overall score
  24. Rank 24
    Kia Soul IISmall SUV · 2014–2019Critical severityLoose joint between the steering column and the steering box: three recalls(steering)Engine 6.1Suspension 8.7Brakes 7.5Steering 7.8Lights 7.8Bodywork 7.7Security 7.1
    6.0 out of 10Overall score
  25. Rank 25
    Suzuki SX4Small SUV · 2006–2014Critical severitySteering column incorrectly connected to the steering gear on 2011-2012 vehicles(steering)Engine 6.2Gearbox 9.6Suspension 7.2Brakes 7.2Steering 8.4Lights 7.3Bodywork 9.0
    6.0 out of 10Overall score
  26. Rank 26
    Ford EcoSportSmall SUV · 2014–2022High severityNoise and premature wear of the manual gearbox, and clutch wear on the Powershift automatic(gearbox and clutch)Engine 6.1Gearbox 6.5Suspension 7.5Brakes 8.3Steering 8.3Electrical 8.6Lights 6.7Bodywork 6.8Security 8.6
    5.9 out of 10Overall score
  27. Rank 27
    Seat AronaSmall SUV · 2017–todayCritical severityThe centre rear seat belt can also unfasten the left one(security)Engine 6.9Gearbox 7.3Suspension 7.9Brakes 7.3Steering 0.0Lights 8.2Climate control 9.3Bodywork 7.5Security 5.7
    5.8 out of 10Overall score
  28. Rank 28
    BMW X1 E84Small SUV · 2009–2015Critical severityRear timing chain stretch and breakage(BMW N47 engine)Engine 3.9Gearbox 6.6Suspension 8.8Brakes 8.6Steering 8.9Lights 8.7Electronics 8.6Bodywork 8.4
    5.5 out of 10Overall score
  29. Rank 29
    Toyota Urban CruiserSmall SUV · 2008–2014Critical severityExcessive oil consumption from piston wear(1.33 Dual VVT-i engine)Engine 4.9Suspension 9.5Brakes 7.3Steering 8.2Electrical 7.9Lights 7.3Bodywork 7.8Security 7.1
    5.3 out of 10Overall score
  30. Rank 30
    Peugeot 2008 ISmall SUV · 2013–2019Critical severityOil-bath timing belt degradation(1.2 PureTech engine)Engine 3.6Gearbox 8.9Suspension 8.4Brakes 7.6Steering 7.6Electrical 9.3Lights 6.5Electronics 9.3Bodywork 7.8Security 8.6
    4.9 out of 10Overall score
  31. Rank 31
    Opel Mokka BSmall SUV · 2020–todayCritical severityOil-bath timing belt degradation(1.2 PureTech engine)Engine 3.6Suspension 7.0Brakes 6.9Tyres 8.9Steering 8.1Lights 8.0Electronics 8.2Bodywork 7.5
    4.8 out of 10Overall score
  32. Rank 32
    Peugeot 2008 IISmall SUV · 2019–todayCritical severityOil-bath timing belt degradation(1.2 PureTech engine)Engine 3.5Gearbox 8.1Suspension 6.9Brakes 6.7Steering 7.7Lights 8.3Electronics 7.9Bodywork 7.6
    4.7 out of 10Overall score
  33. Rank 33
    Opel CrosslandSmall SUV · 2017–2024Critical severityOil-bath timing belt degradation(1.2 PureTech engine)Engine 2.9Suspension 7.7Brakes 6.4Tyres 6.4Steering 8.3Electrical 7.1Lights 8.2Bodywork 7.8
    4.3 out of 10Overall score
  34. Rank 34
    Citroën C3 Aircross ISmall SUV · 2017–2024Critical severityOil-bath timing belt degradation(1.2 PureTech engine)Engine 2.9Suspension 7.6Brakes 6.5Steering 7.8Lights 7.3Bodywork 8.0
    4.2 out of 10Overall score

The least reliable Small SUVs

The three with the lowest scores and the fault that weighs most in each.

  1. Citroën C3 Aircross I · 4.2/10Oil-bath timing belt degradation (1.2 PureTech engine)
  2. Opel Crossland · 4.3/10Oil-bath timing belt degradation (1.2 PureTech engine)
  3. Peugeot 2008 II · 4.7/10Oil-bath timing belt degradation (1.2 PureTech engine)

How it is calculated

The score combines the risk index of its engines and that of the rest of the car, calculated from the most serious documented faults (severity times frequency). Faults that the manufacturer fixes free of charge under a recall carry less weight. A high score does not guarantee that a particular car will not fail: it means we have found fewer serious, frequent documented faults. More recent models have been on the road for fewer years and may have fewer documented faults: preferably compare cars from the same period. Full methodology