Some SUVs will never earn the title of most reliable, but that isn’t a problem Toyota has. One of the brand’s most reliable SUV models is already discontinued even after earning the title. The Toyota C-HR is recognized for its dependability, having the renowned reliability that the brand is known for. Its solid engineering and quality components contribute to its reputation, making it a trustworthy choice for those seeking a reliable SUV. However, while the C-HR excels in dependability, it falls short of being the best SUV due to a few factors. Some even called it the anti-Toyota SUV, so what gives?

What is the most reliable SUV?

The most reliable SUV depends on who you ask, but the Toyota C-HR was on the list. According to the J.D. Power 2023 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS), Toyota had many dependable options on the list. Overall, the most dependable model was tied to the Toyota C-HR and the Lexus RX. Both SUVs showed fewer problems than other models and improved over last year. In eight of nine critical categories, the C-HR and RX fixed issues and problems in a timely fashion.

J.D. Power uses a scale that shows how many problems per 100 vehicles occurred in the first three years of ownership. On average, vehicles have 186 problems per 100 (PP100) vehicles. This has improved over the years so that new cars have fewer problems overall, but no vehicle is without.

Toyota as a brand earned the most awards, with six models landing on the list of most reliable SUVs. Those six vehicles are the Toyota C-HR, Toyota Highlander, Toyota Sienna, Toyota Tacoma, Lexus NX, and Lexus RX. So why is the Toyota C-HR discontinued already? It might have earned some awards for value and dependability, but this compact Toyota SUV fell flat elsewhere.

Is the Toyota C-HR one of the most reliable SUVs?

The Toyota C-HR is one of the more reliable SUVs on the market, but it didn’t live up to expectations in many ways. The C-HR was only on the market from 2018 until 2022, when Toyota discontinued the model in the country. Toyota opted to keep the C-HR on the market in other areas, so the 2023 C-HR is on sale in Europe already.

Looking at how U.S. News scored the subcompact SUV gives a little more insight into why it didn’t last too long. It was very small, and C-HR didn’t have the comfortable ride most of the SUVs in the lineup are known for. Additionally, the funky shape did not improve visibility at all. With only 19.1 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row, the subcompact SUV lacked usable space. That increased to 37 feet with the second row folded, but most of the competition offers more room all around.

Toyota’s 2.0L four-cylinder only offered 144 horsepower and 139 pound-feet of torque. Even though the C-HR is small, it didn’t feel like enough power to move the vehicle around town. On top of that, the engine was loud, and the cabin did not block out that sound very well. This was one of the C-HR’s biggest weaknesses and arguably one of the easier to fix.

Is the reliable Toyota C-HR SUV discontinued?

While the Toyota C-HR landed on the list of the most reliable SUVs from J.D. Power, it fell short in many other areas. Having few problems with a new car is excellent, but the C-HR seemed to suffer from other issues that would make it hard to live with. Additionally, while distinctive, the C-HR’s unique exterior design could be a matter of personal preference and might not appeal to all consumers.

The C-HR isn’t a bad option if your goal is the most reliable SUV and nothing else. Since it is no longer on the market here, you might even find a good deal on a used one. However, a test drive is suggested before signing the paperwork for any new or used vehicle. While the Toyota C-HR has many good traits, it isn’t the best choice by a long shot.