For the past decade, the popularity of SUVs has skyrocketed. Today, more American families choose SUVs than sedan cars because they want more cargo space and legroom, and they need a more reliable, comfortable and safer vehicle. Unsurprisingly, SUVs outsold sedans two to one in 2019 in the United States. And some sport utility vehicles like the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V sold hundreds-of-thousands of SUVs in 2019. Just to put things into perspective, there were 450,000 units of Toyota’s RAV4 and 384,000 units of Honda CR-V sold in 2019 in the United States, according to Car Sales Base.
At the same time, IEA calculations highlight that the share of SUVs in total car sales in the United States climbed to 48 percent in 2018. Considering that 17.3 million new vehicles were sold in the United States in 2018, it is safe to say that automakers who bet big on SUVs had a stellar year. But in a competitive market, where automakers are constantly adding up new vehicles and models to their lineups, how can prospective buyers select the best and most reliable SUV model?
Making an informed decision is easier said than done, considering that many of the models look the same and have similar tech and safety features; thus, we have selected the most reliable 2018 SUVs to help buyers make an informed decision in the used car market. With that being said, buyers might want to consider an 2018 SUV if they don’t want to wait for months for a new build to order vehicle, which is delayed because of the global computer chip shortage.
The Two-Row 2018 Kia Niro
Motor and Wheels points out that Consumer Reports named the Kia Niro the most reliable vehicle in its 2018 survey. But what’s there not to like about Niro?
First, this small crossover is reasonably priced, with prices starting around $21,000 but the higher trims reaching $28,000. Second, it is a fuel-efficient option that has a combined fuel economy of 50 miles per gallon. Third, Niro is a very safe choice for families with children because it earned a Top Safety Pick (TSP) and Top Safety Pick Plus (TSP+) rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Voyles Automotive reports that the 2018 Kia Niro got a score of “good” in all six IIHS crashworthiness tests. More importantly, the 2018 Kia Niro is a reliable vehicle, being one of the best in its category. For instance, J.D. Power gave the Niro, 80 out of 100 point-score for quality and reliability and declared it the third best small SUV of 2018.
Meanwhile, Consumer Reports gave Niro a reliability score of 4 out of 5 in 2018. Lastly, potential buyers will love this small sport utility vehicle because it is practical and family-friendly; thus, you can even borrow or gift it to your teenage kids and rest assured that they will love driving it.
The Midsize 2018 Honda Pilot
In case the Kia Niro is too small for your family, and you need more cargo space and additional passenger space, the 2018 Honda Pilot is the perfect option. This midsize SUV has various competitive advantages that would win over even the most skeptical potential buyers. For example, the powerful 3.5 L V6 engine generates 280 horsepower and 262 -pound feet of torque. Meanwhile, the cargo space is very generous and perfect adapted for a large family. As such, the 2018 Honda Pilot has 16.5-cubic-foot cargo hold behind the third row, but this expands to 46.8 cubic feet with the third row laid flat and 83.9 with the second and third rows collapsed. As for fuel economy, this SUV is a winner, earning an EPA-estimated 19 MPG in the city and 27 MPG on the highway.
Regarding reliability, the 2018 Honda Pilot is a keeper. Owners reported only minor issues with the in-car electronics system and climate system. For instance, some owners exposed issues with the CD or DVD players and A/C compressor. Meanwhile, J.D. Power named the 2018 Honda Pilot the second-best vehicle in Midsize SUV category and gave it a “Great” score of 82 points out of a 100 for “Quality and Reliability.”
Evidently, there are other SUVs out there that get high scores for reliability, safety and comfort. But these two top-performing SUVs can easily compete with more acclaimed luxury sport utility vehicles like Lexus RX and Audi Q7 thanks to their safety and reliability ratings, fuel economy, performance and comfort. Buyers who are on the lookout for a solid, no-frills SUV that is perfectly adapted for family road trips might want to give the 2018 Kia Niro and Honda Pilot a try.