Only 2 Luxury Brands Made J.D. Powers’ Most Reliable Used SUV List
Buying a used luxury SUV is a great option for enjoying luxury features at a fraction of the price of a brand new SUV. But when you opt for a used car, it’s important you choose a reliable one. Luckily, among J.D. Power‘s most reliable vehicles of the past five years are two luxury SUVs: The 2017 Lexus NX Hybrid and the 2017 Buick Encore.
2017 Lexus NX Hybrid
Lexus’ luxury NX crossover SUV shares a chassis with the reliable Toyota RAV4. But as a Lexus it enjoys premium features, an opulent interior, and of course a luxury vehicle badge. The 2017 NX offered roomy seats and excellent handling. Its only rear achilles heel was that it had less cargo space than competitors. When it first came out, U.S. News awarded it an 8.0/10 overall.
When Toyota first built a hybrid RAV4, Lexus leveraged the same technology in its NX 300h. The resulting luxury crossover SUV offered excellent fuel economy, despite every 300h being an AWD. The 2017 hybrid NX 300h earned an 87/100 predicted reliability score from J.D. Power. It even landed on the IIHS’ top safety pick list.
If you’re hunting for a NX 300h, know that only certain trim levels came with Lexus’ driver aid safety software. While every 2017 NX 300h had a 7-inch infotainment screen, some of these crossovers shipped with a rotary dial controller which reviewers loved while others came with the “Lexus Remote Touch” system which many found distracting. The average 2017 NX 300h is reselling for $33,089.
2017 Buick Encore
The Buick Encore is a unique SUV. It’s an American-made compact crossover with a true luxury interior that stresses efficiency, comfort, and a quiet cabin over Detroit muscle. Fans of the Encore love its nimble handling and maneuverability. It was also ahead of its time with an easy-to-use infotainment system, complete with Wi-Fi hotspot. U.S. News originally awarded the 2017 Buick Encore an 8.2/10.
J.D. Power awarded the 2017 Buick Encore the same respectable safety rating as the Lexus NH 300h: an 87/100. All its engine options offer good fuel mileage. But its premium engine, a turbocharged I4, handles itself much better at highway speeds. It only makes 153 horsepower, but that’s more than enough to motivate the compact vehicle.
One way this little Buick led its market segment was by making Apple CarPlay and Android Auto standard in 2017. Buick may not be the first luxury brand you think of, but General Motors pulled out all the stops with the Encore, and the fit-and-finish of its interior is excellent. It even aced its crash test ratings. Overall, this reliable used luxury SUV is a bargain with used 2017 models going for just $18,617 to $23,774.
Alternative to used luxury SUVs
When U.S. News cross-indexed its vehicle ratings with the past five years of J.D. Power’s reliability scores, only two used luxury SUVs made the most-reliable list. But if you are having trouble finding one of these models you have some other options. The 2017 Toyota RAV4 hybrid, mechanically identical to the Lexus NX 300h, also won an 87/100 for predicted reliability. You can find it on the used market for $25,004-$28,908.
If you’re a General Motors fan and can’t get your hands on a used Buick Encore luxury SUV, consider the Chevrolet Equinox. It blew away most of its competitions with a predicted reliability score of 89/10. It goes for just $18,322-$24,988 on the uses crossover SUV market.
Next, see our review of the 2022 Chevrolet Equinox or see the 2017 Buick Encore for yourself in the video below:
