Drivers often look for reliability when buying a new SUV because a car that lasts longer makes for a better investment over time. If you’re looking for a quality SUV for long trips, iSeeCars.com recently released its ranking of the most reliable 5-passenger SUVs of 2026.
The methodology behind these rankings is based on three separate measurements: a reliability score that incorporates iSeeCars.com’s own research; a value retention that calculates the amount of depreciation compared to a vehicle’s MSRP over five years; and a safety score that uses the IIHS’ Top Safety Pick winners and NHTSA’s crash test results from the most recent five years. To summarize, iSeeCars.com rates each vehicle with a reliability score ranging from 1 to 10, and a quality score that combines each five-passenger SUV’s reliability, resale value and safety results.
The iSeeCars.com team analyzed more than 312 million vehicles through comprehensive research on the most durable cars and how much they depreciate over five years. Other iSeeCars.com projects have provided valuable data like this in the past, such as when the site revealed that Toyota was the oldest car brand in 2025. With all this in mind, we can now list the five top five-passenger SUVs according to iSeeCars.com. Each of these SUVs is made by a Japanese automaker, under four different brands.
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Fifth place – Mazda CX-5
Mazda CX-5 parked in a residential area front 3/4 view – Mazda
The Mazda CX-5 ranks fifth in iSeeCars.com’s ranking of the most reliable 5-passenger SUVs. The CX-5’s reliability score of 7.9 out of 10, combined with an 8.2 value retention score and an 8.0 safety score, gives the CX-5 an overall score of 8.0 out of 10. In addition, Mazda CX-5 also won multiple awards from iSeeCars, including first place among the 20 most reliable crossover SUVs under $30,000, first place among the 12 most reliable small SUVs under $30,000, and second place among the best value for money crossover SUVs.
Our reviewers found the all-new 2026 Mazda CX-5 2.5S to have plenty of space and technology but lackluster performance, starting at $31,485 (including destination charge). To that end, you get a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 187 horsepower, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission that drives all four wheels. Other standard equipment includes 17-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, an eight-speaker sound system, dual-zone climate control and a 12.9-inch touchscreen display.
The latest version of the Mazda CX-5 isn’t yet available for testing by the automotive press, but Car and Driver estimated its performance at 0-60 mph in 8.2 seconds and quarter mile in 16.5 seconds using the same basic drivetrain as the previous model. Cargo capacity is 34 cubic meters. 67 cubic feet of space behind the second row. ft., that row folds down.
Fourth place – Honda CR-V
Honda CR-V front 3/4 view on dusty road – Honda
In the iSeeCars.com rankings, the Honda CR-V ranks fourth. It had a reliability score of 7.9, the same as the Mazda CX-5, but scored higher in other categories (8.7 for value retention, 9.0 for safety), giving the CR-V a higher overall score of 8.5. Other iSeeCars awards received include first place among 66 Best Crossover SUVs, first place among 29 Best Japanese Crossover SUVs and first place among 19 Best Small SUVs.
While our review of the off-road-oriented 2026 Honda CR-V Trailsport found it to be rugged but a little too specialized, the Honda CR-V remains popular with five-passenger SUV buyers, starting at $32,370 for the FWD LX non-hybrid version. The 2026 CR-V comes in hybrid and non-hybrid models, with the latter powered by a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine good for 190 horsepower driving the front wheels or all four wheels through a CVT automatic transmission. A hybrid setup boosts power to 204 horsepower, and most models come with a choice of front- or all-wheel drive.
Car and Driver conducted performance tests of hybrid and non-hybrid versions of the Honda CR-V. The AWD hybrid accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in 7.3 seconds, hits quarter mile in 15.8 seconds at 86 mph, and has 0.79 g of skid-pad grip. The AWD gas engine model accelerates from 0-60 mph in 8.1 seconds, completes the quarter mile in 16.3 seconds at 89 mph, and weighs 0.82 grams on the skid plate. Cargo capacity is 39 cubic meters. 77 cubic feet behind the second row. When the row collapses down.
Third place – Subaru Outback
Front 3/4 view of Subaru Outback driving through desert terrain – Subaru
The Subaru Outback finished third in the iSeeCars.com rankings. Its reliability score was 8.0, slightly higher than the Honda CR-V’s 7.9. In terms of value retention, the Outback scored 8.1 points, while it also scored 9.0 points in the safety ranking, giving an overall ranking of 8.4 points. Other iSeeCars awards include No. 1 among 66 Best Crossover SUVs for Off-Road, No. 1 among 66 Most Reliable Crossover SUVs and No. 1 among 56 Best Crossover SUVs for Snow.
The 2026 Subaru Outback is all-new, and our reviewers say its interior is nice enough to overlook its otherwise striking exterior. This seventh-generation Outback sits higher on the ground than its predecessor and looks more like a traditional SUV thanks to its wider and longer body. Its powertrain options have been largely retained, with a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter boxer engine producing 180 horsepower in base form, and a turbocharged 2.4-liter boosting that to 260 horsepower. Both engines send power to all four wheels via a CVT automatic transmission, while the AWD system features X Mode for when you need to venture off the beaten path. Subaru Outback Premium starts at $36,445.
Car and Driver performance tested the Outback, and the turbocharged version sprinted from 0-60 mph in 6.0 seconds and completed the quarter mile in 14.6 seconds at 97 mph. Cargo space is 35 cubic meters. 3 feet behind the second row, there are 81 cubic meters of open space. ft., that row folded.
Second place – Toyota 4Runner
Front 3/4 view of Toyota 4Runner on dirt road in forest environment – Toyota
The Toyota 4Runner is a rugged, body-on-frame SUV with excellent off-road capability, ranking second in iSeeCars.com’s ranking of the most reliable 5-passenger SUVs. The 4Runner received a reliability score of 8.1, a value retention score of 8.9, and a safety score of 7.0. The overall ranking is 8.0. Other awards include No. 1 among 31 Best Midsize SUVs for Best Resale Value, No. 1 among 31 Most Reliable Midsize SUVs and No. 1 among Most Reliable Midsize SUVs Under $50,000. 4Runner’s entry-level, rear-wheel-drive SR5 base trim starts at $43,365.
Like many of today’s five-passenger SUVs, the 2026 Toyota 4Runner is available in traditional gasoline and hybrid trim level options; if you’re not sure which one you should choose, SlashGear has a handy guide to help you choose the right 4Runner. The gas engine model is equipped with a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that outputs 278 horsepower and is paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. A full-time four-wheel-drive system with a two-speed transfer case is an available option. The hybrid 4Runner uses the same engine and transmission, but adds an electric motor for a total output of 326 horsepower.
The performance of the Toyota 4Runner has been demonstrated by Car and Driver. The non-hybrid does 0-60 mph in 7.5 seconds, while the hybrid does it in 6.7 seconds. The gas engine model has a quarter-mile time of 15.7 seconds at 90 mph, and the hybrid has a quarter-mile time of 15.3 seconds at 88 mph. Both versions of the anti-slip mat have a grip of 0.74 grams. The five-seat 4Runner has a cargo-hauling capacity of 43 cubic meters. 83 cubic feet behind the second row. ft., second row folded.
First place – Toyota Land Cruiser
Toyota Land Cruiser front 3/4 view in desert landscape – Toyota
The Toyota Land Cruiser takes top honors in iSeeCars.com’s ranking of the most reliable 5-passenger SUVs. The Toyota Land Cruiser received a reliability score of 8.5, a value retention score of 8.6, and an overall score of 8.5, although the off-road vehicle has yet to earn a safety score. The Toyota Land Cruiser also took first place among the 55 best five-passenger SUVs, first place among the 33 best three-row SUVs, and first place among the 33 most reliable three-row SUVs, although that last award doesn’t apply to the latest model because it only has two rows. The 2026 Toyota Land Cruiser starts at $59,095, and the 1958 Land Cruiser starts at $59,095.
The Toyota Land Cruiser has a single powertrain similar to the 4Runner Hybrid, using the same 2.4-liter, 326-hp turbo engine and electric assist. It’s connected to the same eight-speed automatic gearbox but comes with a four-wheel-drive system that includes crawl control, hill descent control, low-range gearing and a locking center differential as standard. Our review of the Toyota Land Cruiser shows that not only is it truly capable off-road, it’s also cheaper than the older Land Cruiser.
Car and Driver testing of the Toyota Land Cruiser shows the vehicle can accelerate from 0-60 mph in 7.7 seconds and cover the quarter mile in 16.2 seconds at 86 mph. The grip on the non-slip mat is 0.69 g at 300 feet. The Land Cruiser’s cargo capacity measures 38 cubic meters. Feet behind the second row, more than doubles to 82 cu. When these seats are folded.
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Read the original article on SlashGear.
