The modern automotive world is literally obsessed with crossovers. Yes, these are practical, versatile cars with better off-road performance than regular sedans, station wagons or hatchbacks. This is an option for those who want to sit higher and travel further.
Almost every automaker considers it their duty to release their own SUV, because they attract consumers and this is an excellent way to significantly increase their own profits. Therefore, it is hardly surprising that at first Porsche surprised everyone with the appearance of the first crossover in history, and now you are not even surprised at the presentations of SUVs from true manufacturers of purely sports cars in the person of Lamborghini and Ferrari.
But all this negatively affects classic frame SUVs. They are gradually literally choosing to replace frame structures with a load-bearing body. This does not prevent us from determining a list of the most reliable SUVs in the world, which were produced by various automakers.
Main features of frame SUVs
Before moving directly to the ranking of the most reliable used SUVs in the international arena, you need to understand the essence and intent of such cars.
For all its obvious advantages and capabilities, the demand for full-fledged off-road vehicles is gradually declining. Only a few people who are fans of the frame remain interested in them, or are simply forced to buy a car with increased strength in order to overcome the delights of the roads in their region.
It’s worth briefly talking about what attracts such cars, which are among the top among the most reliable and durable SUVs. First of all, this is their ability to confidently and without serious problems overcome not just bad, but downright terrible roads. Moreover, this is not uncommon for many countries, but a natural habitat. There are entire regions, including Russia, where an ordinary passenger car cannot pass. And the notorious crossover with all-wheel drive will have a hard time. But a frame SUV will go through there like a hot knife through butter.
Frames have a more durable, strong and reliable chassis design. Repairs may not be cheap, but to break this unit, you need to seriously try. Otherwise, just change consumables on time, and the car will serve for decades. This is how the most reliable and durable used SUVs are determined. Exclusively in real off-road conditions and at least several years of active use.
Also, frame cars are chosen by those who need to tow a trailer, drive in the most difficult conditions, travel off-road, etc. In this case, a high-strength frame will take on the main load. By locking the differentials, you will be able to go where almost any crossover would stop when approaching this section.
It is these cars that meet all these criteria that ended up in the final top 10 among the most reliable frame SUVs. Some models were discontinued, other cars changed generations, and also exchanged the frame for a monocoque body. There are not so many truly full-fledged crooks, even on the secondary market.
The most inexpensive SUVs
Of course, this rating will not include cars from Toyota or Jeep. And this is understandable. However, many cars can be called quite decent. They are large, comfortable and successfully overcome various obstacles that may be encountered off-road. Actually, let's move on to the rating.
Niva cars
Niva SUVs are time-tested. The most popular model from this series, of course, remains the VAZ-2121. Cars with such alphanumeric markings can be found in all countries of the world. Unfortunately, in some countries they have become living monuments to the power of the Soviet automobile industry. For example, many Nivas gather dust in garages and under sheds in Greece.
Once upon a time, the Greeks actively used the Niva for driving through their mountainous landscapes. The country's accession to the EU, which established clear requirements for the level of harmful emissions, transferred Nivas from the category of efficient vehicles to the category of museums on wheels.
Niva is characterized by:
- petrol engine, the volume of which is 1.7 liters. Power – 80 horses;
- utilitarian appearance and interior.
It is worth noting the main thing: the car successfully copes with its main task - off-road driving. Now the Chevrolet Niva is selling well in Russia, including on the secondary market. It is more comfortable than models 2121 and 2131, has airbags and certain power accessories, but is less reliable and efficient off-road. Still, the emphasis was on appearance and comfort.
UAZ - jeep from Russia
Of course, this subtitle is a cliche, but you can’t say it better or more accurately. The legendary model is the UAZ-469, which still faithfully serves as a special transport for police officers. The car has:
- plug-in all-wheel drive;
- A 2.7-liter engine capable of reaching 112 horsepower.
Now the Hunter model, which is a descendant of the UAZ-469, is more popular. This is not to say that there are many changes. The design has been slightly improved, power steering has been added and a spring suspension has been installed. It is possible to order a car with a diesel engine, which is nice considering current fuel prices.
Patriot is a UAZ that combines dynamics, a certain level of comfort and high cross-country ability. However, owners of such cars say that the Patriot needs some improvements. In particular, additional and thorough anti-corrosion treatment and crankcase protection would not hurt, and to see how much it costs, take a look at the automotive website mirdopov.ru.
Duster
To be honest, there are some doubts whether the Renault Duster should be considered a full-fledged SUV. The car does not quite meet the requirements declared for off-road vehicles. But, if Niva is in the rating, then perhaps Duster should be mentioned as well. The car is quite reliable and comfortable. All-wheel drive is connectable and operates in two modes: manual and automatic.
The configurations are different. The engine can be either gasoline or diesel. I can't help but be pleased with the price. It is comparable to the price of a Chevrolet Niva. At the same time, Duster seems to be a more reliable car.
Great Wall Hover H5
Another very popular car. And how can it not be popular if it can compete with Europeans and Japanese in design and interior decoration. In addition, off-road qualities are at the same level. The price, considering all the advantages, is very attractive.
After all, Chinese cars are now catching up to the level of cars from the world's leading automakers.
Suzuki Jimmy
Entire clubs of Japanese car fans are now forming in the country. It’s clear that all-terrain vehicles from Toyota or Nissan are quite expensive. But there is a way out of the situation when you want to buy a Japanese SUV at an inexpensive price. There is such a car in nature as the Suzuki Jimmy.
The car has good cross-country ability, but it does not have enough power. Just 85 horsepower. And the dimensions are quite small, which is certainly good for urban conditions. But in such a car, for example, you will have to go into the forest with a minimum amount of things. However, Jimmy has his fans in many countries around the world.
Nissan Terrano
The rating, which contains the most reliable and passable frame SUVs with mileage, opens with the Japanese car Terrano from Nissan. Just do not under any circumstances confuse the legendary frame car with the current crossover, created on the same platform as the Renault Duster. The only thing they have in common is the name.
In addition to all the listed advantages, the Nissan Terrano has another significant advantage, which allowed it to confidently enter the group of leaders. This is a low price on the secondary market. You can buy a Nissan Terrano in good condition and with fairly rich equipment for literally several thousand dollars on the Russian market.
If you are thinking about which SUV will be not only the most reliable, but also the most affordable, then in the current rating it is the Nissan Terrano that is a true budget vehicle. You don't have to spend a lot of money on its purchase and subsequent maintenance. Although no one will save you from the problem of high fuel consumption. This is a characteristic feature of all frame SUVs, including modern models, which should be considered a liability of such vehicles.
Which SUV is the cheapest to maintain?
The SUVs with the lowest price are listed above. The low price of a car does not always mean that the car will be cheap to maintain. For example, everyone knows the situation with the Chinese, which are not very expensive, but the spare parts for them are sometimes as if they were made of gold.
If you think logically, you can come to the conclusion that the cheapest SUVs to maintain will be:
- domestic cars;
- old cars.
Yes, you can argue that old domestic cars break down regularly. But spare parts for them are quite cheap. For the price required, for example, to overhaul a Toyota engine, you can make 10 VAZ engines. Of course, this opinion does not claim to be absolutely true. Among car enthusiasts there may be other points of view.
But, if you want to buy a cheap SUV that won’t be very expensive to maintain, then you should take a closer look at UAZs and Nivas.
Toyota 4Runner
Also deservedly included in the ranking of the best SUVs in terms of quality and reliability is a representative of another Japanese brand. The 4Runner model from Toyota is built on the basis of the Hilux pickup truck, which is quite popular in Russia and widespread in the world. At the same time, it cannot be said that the 4Runner itself demonstrates amazing sales results on the Russian market. But there are offers among used options; purchasing such a car is not a problem.
High-strength frame construction, meticulously thought-out suspension, comfortable interior, and a fairly impressive level of comfort inside. In fact, this is an all-terrain cruiser, capable of equally confidently overcoming difficult off-road conditions and maneuvering in dense city traffic.
The 4Runner's good economy also speaks in favor of it. The frame is very far from the level of modern urban crossovers, but compared to many competitors, its fuel consumption is really good. If you are looking not only for the most reliable and durable SUVs on the secondary market, but also want to get a good car for mixed use, including city roads, the Toyota 4Runner is definitely worth a look.
SsangYong Rexton
It is not difficult to determine which South Korean SUV produced by SsangYong is the most reliable, and also unpretentious in terms of maintenance and operation. This will definitely be a Rexton model.
One of the most underrated frames on the Russian market. Although the demand for the model even in Russia turned out to be impressive. This is a classic frame design, on the basis of which the Koreans managed to build a very comfortable and convenient interior. Rexton can be called a successful combination of a frame off-road vehicle and a modern urban crossover.
The car deservedly ranks among the best used used SUVs in terms of reliability. It is important to note that the SsangYong Rexton is based on the M-Class from Mercedes. Here, even in the engine compartment, there are power units manufactured under license from a leading German automobile brand.
In the history of the company, this is already formally the 3rd generation of the Rexton model. It’s just that for some reason one of the modifications was called a generation change, although in fact it was a deep restyling. An important feature is that even the latest generation, released in 2021, still remains faithful to the frame design. All these cars deserve attention in the secondary market and rightly end up in the garages of those who expect from the frame car not only high-level cross-country ability, but also comfort, dynamics and adequate fuel consumption. Rexton is also relatively inexpensive to maintain. Prices for cars on the secondary market are quite reasonable. This is a smart investment.
Which crossovers are the most inexpensive to maintain on the Russian market?
Traditionally, crossover cars are popular among buyers in the domestic market. These are versatile, powerful, stylish cars that are suitable both for fans of an active lifestyle and for people who choose a car for the whole family. It is not surprising that when purchasing such a car, many of us pay attention to the operating costs that every car owner will face in the future. Let's talk in more detail about the most economical and inexpensive to maintain crossovers on the market in Russia.
Kia Sportage is a mid-size crossover model popular among domestic buyers, which is offered at low prices, and the cost of annual maintenance for this car is perhaps the lowest. So, for example, the first maintenance will cost the car owner 6.5 thousand rubles, and the second visit to the dealer for a technical inspection will cost 10 thousand rubles. Even with independent maintenance of this car, annual expenses for car owners will not exceed 30,000 rubles. These are excellent indicators, taking into account the class of this car, its technical equipment and the engines, gearbox and transmission used here.
Honda CR-V. The Japanese automaker Honda traditionally offers its customers reliable cars that are inexpensive to maintain. The latest generation of the mid-size CR-V crossover is no exception, which is offered to customers at low prices, while the cars are distinguished by excellent technical equipment. In many ways, the low operating costs of this car are due to its excellent reliability. But the crossover service will still cost a hefty sum. Even in the absence of any breakdowns, the average annual cost will be about 40 thousand rubles.
Renault Duster. This is one of the most popular cars on the Russian market, which is offered to customers at prices starting from 600 thousand rubles. The machine not only has a low initial cost, but also does not require any expensive maintenance and repairs in the future. It is quite possible to meet the annual cost of 300 thousand rubles for the maintenance of this car. Even if equipment repairs are necessary, original spare parts for Renault Duster are affordable, which significantly reduces the car owner’s expenses for using this crossover. It is not surprising that taking into account all the advantages, excellent equipment, good performance properties, affordable cost and low costs, this machine is extremely popular on the Russian market.
The Toyota RAV4 is another best-seller on the market that offers excellent reliability and ease of operation. The latter especially applies to the previous generation of this car, which were offered to buyers in the early and mid-2000s. The car turned out to be extremely reliable, so its breakdowns are very rare. At the same time, servicing equipment is not particularly difficult and boils down to changing engine oil, brake fluid, pads and discs and checking the level of other technical fluids. Provided that these works are carried out independently, the car owner will spend about 30 thousand rubles annually on maintaining his car.
Lexus RX. This is a full-size crossover, which is very popular among buyers in the domestic market. Despite the high initial cost of this car, maintaining a crossover is not too burdensome for the family budget. And if with the latest generations of this car it will be difficult to carry out servicing and oil changes yourself, then with cars that were produced in the early 2000s, repairs and servicing can be performed by the car owner himself. On average, the costs, depending on the modification of the engine and gearbox used, will be 40-50 thousand rubles per year. For comparison, the cost of maintaining similar class cars from BMW and Mercedes will amount to at least 100 thousand rubles. Therefore, it is not surprising that this crossover is in excellent demand on the secondary market.
The Mitsubishi Outlander appeared in the offer of this Japanese automaker in the early 2000s and has always been popular with customers. The car turned out to be quite reliable and easy to maintain. Even the latest generation of this crossover has an increased service interval, and the maintenance regulations do not imply any complex and expensive procedures. Therefore, provided that it is properly maintained and there are no breakdowns, the average cost of owning this car will be about 40 thousand rubles per year.
Hyundai Tussan is a mid-size inexpensive crossover, which, due to its affordable cost and ease of maintenance, is very popular among buyers today. Servicing this car involves regular oil changes, also once every 60 thousand km. change the oil in the gearbox and perform other service work. Depending on the condition of this car, the presence of certain breakdowns and the use of original spare parts for a car service, it will cost from 20 to 40 thousand rubles.
Audi Q5. Many expensive SUVs and crossovers, which belong to the premium segment, not only have a significant cost, but will also subsequently require car owners to pay corresponding expenses for servicing the car. However, this does not apply to the mid-size Audi Q5 crossover. The car turned out to be quite reliable, and the use of Volkswagen components made it possible to significantly simplify the repair and maintenance of the car. The necessary oil changes and other service work can be performed at most service workshops whose specialists are familiar with servicing Volkswagen vehicles. Operating costs per year will be approximately 35-45 thousand rubles.
Volkswagen Tiguan. The first and second generations of this compact SUV are invariably popular in the domestic market. The car is well packaged, is offered to customers with various power units, and its ease of maintenance allows you to do some of the work yourself, significantly reducing the operating costs of car owners. The first generation can be completely self-serviced, and average annual costs will usually be about 30 thousand rubles. But the second generation of Volkswagen Tiguan, which appeared relatively recently, will still require appropriate service in specialized workshops. The cost of owning this car will be about 50 thousand rubles annually.
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Cadillac Escalade
A real frame monster, whose place among the top 10 most durable and reliable SUVs from all over the world is beyond any doubt.
This car only has one feature. It is extremely rare to go on real extreme off-road conditions. And the point is not at all that the machine is not capable of this. On the contrary, a powerful frame design, permanent all-wheel drive, gigantic ground clearance and a powerful engine allow you to storm the steppe and mountainous terrain. The Cadillac Escalade was simply not intended by the manufacturer to be an off-road conqueror.
This is a large, status car of a premium brand. It is renowned for its size, spaciousness, fantastic levels of comfort and exemplary safety. It is not for nothing that this model is widely used for government purposes in different countries of the world. Russia is no exception.
It is difficult to say who and why will decide to purchase such a frame on the secondary market. It will be downright expensive to maintain it. In terms of operating costs, this is the most expensive car included in the rating. But high demand around the world proves that the Cadillac Escalade has a whole army of fans who simply need such a body-on-frame SUV.
Exotic
Mobius Two is the name of the Kenyan SUV produced by Mobius. The car is absolutely utilitarian. But Kenya is a state where such cars are an ideal option.
The car is characterized by:
- Toyota engine;
- 5-speed manual transmission;
- permanent all-wheel drive.
Among the main features of the car: it has a ground clearance of 35.5 cm, can carry up to 8 people, its body is made of tubular metal. It seems that the car would be popular in our country if it had a winter package.
Hyundai Terracan
If you are looking for the most reliable, but at the same time relatively inexpensive SUV, take a closer look at the Korean Hyundai Terracan. The car has already been discontinued, but practically the demand still remains high.
Many have forgotten about this South Korean frame. But in vain. The car is really interesting. A project called Terracan was created as a car for travel, real adventures, trips to remote corners of different countries. This SUV is unlikely to suit those who are looking for a car for calm and quiet trips around the city.
The model officially ceased production in 2007. But at one time, the SUV gained great popularity in Asia, North America, Africa and even Europe. This car was not officially sold in Russia, but you can still find many interesting examples on the secondary market.
Like most Hyundai models, the Terracan SUV will not require a huge amount of money for its upkeep and maintenance. But it will give you maximum opportunities. Its all-terrain characteristics are beyond doubt. Plus it's a pretty comfortable car. If necessary, it can be used for mixed use.
Toyota Land Cruiser Prado
A representative of the Japanese automaker Toyota must be included in the ranking of the best used frame SUVs in terms of reliability and quality.
Land Cruiser Prado is one of the most popular and sought-after cars on the secondary market in Russia and the CIS countries. But many owners do not even use 50% of the potential of this SUV. For some reason, most people associate it not with an all-terrain vehicle, but with a car that emphasizes the status and importance of the person sitting behind the wheel. Therefore, Land Cruiser Prado can be found more and more often in the city, and less and less often in real off-road conditions. The Japanese automaker itself noticed this, gradually turning its legendary frame car into a parody of an SUV, more reminiscent of an ordinary urban crossover of enormous size.
A project called Land Cruiser Prado at the very beginning of its existence (this is 1987) was conceived as an all-terrain vehicle. It was created on the same platform on which the previously mentioned 4Runner was assembled. Only in the case of the car in question, the Japanese goal was to significantly increase the level of comfort.
As generations have changed, the convenience of the car has rapidly increased. At the same time, cross-country ability fell, and the price increased exponentially. Finding a used Land Cruiser Prado on the secondary market is now not a problem. These can be models from the late 80s, or completely new cars. It all depends on whether you want to get a comfortable city crossover that outwardly retains the features of an SUV, or a full-fledged frame all-terrain vehicle designed to overcome the most difficult obstacles in its path. This directly affects which generation is worth buying.
Nissan Qashqai
The Nissan Qashqai went on sale not so long ago - since 2006, however, thanks to its stylish design and good technical characteristics, it rightfully takes fourth place in the ranking.
This model showed good growth compared to the previous year. The number of sales increased by approximately 4.8%. In the past year, this figure reached 29,501 units.
Jeep Cherokee
When choosing fairly old, but at the same time the most reliable and strongest frame SUVs, it is definitely worth mentioning the Cherokee model. Moreover, there is also a Grand Cherokee. Only in this case we are talking more about a car with an increased level of comfort and richer internal equipment. It's a luxury SUV, while the basic Cherokee is a hard worker.
Jeep has one of the most successful history of off-road vehicle development. It’s not for nothing that the brand name has become a household word, and the concept of jeep is used as often as an SUV. Although in fact only Jeep cars can be called jeeps. But few people care about this.
In addition to excellent, and in some places exemplary, cross-country ability, these frame SUVs can also boast a high level of comfort.
Mitsubishi Outlander
This car is one of the most reliable SUVs. It went on sale relatively recently - in 2001. The roomy and comfortable Mitsubishi Outlander takes ninth place in the rating. Between January and October 2021, 23,781 vehicles were sold.
Mitsubishi Pajero Sport
Not a single list that provides examples of reliable frame SUVs, including this rating, is complete without the Pajero Sport model produced by the Japanese company Mitsubishi.
Pajero Sport is one of the few that has retained the frame structure at its core. The car has already gone through 3 generations. The latest version officially debuted in the summer of 2015. Quite an interesting and attractive car. This applies to both appearance and operational capabilities. When choosing Pajero Sport, there is no need to spend all your time exclusively off-road. Ramnik feels great in an urban environment. Moreover, with the advent of the new generation, fuel consumption indicators have noticeably changed in the direction of economy.
At one time, the first generation of Pajero Sport was built on the L200 pickup platform. This turned out to be a well-considered and correct decision on the part of Japanese engineers. The modern platform for the 3rd generation has been significantly modernized, but continues to remain a frame one. A true off-road conqueror, competently adapted to current operating conditions. This manifests itself in confident mixed driving in the city and far beyond the asphalt. In fact, the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport makes it possible to equally confidently go to a business meeting, and after it go to some wilderness remote from the city, where there is not even a road to go fishing or hunting. Just remember to drive past the car wash on your return.
Nissan Patrol
One of the most reputable SUVs, which has already changed several generations. The current version has turned into a fairly bright and pompous car with an increased level of comfort and spaciousness. If you are an ardent fan of big cars, then you will definitely like the new generation Nissan Patrol.
The current Patrol is no longer what it was before. Therefore, it makes sense to look at the secondary market and look for representatives of previous generations. They were conceived as real SUVs, all-terrain vehicles, striking in their reliability and cross-country ability.
Nissan Patrol is the ideal basis for creating your own off-road project. Numerous expeditions to the most remote corners of the planet are carried out on Nissan Patrol. The car can easily be upgraded; you can install winches, additional optics, increase ground clearance, etc. Manufacturers of spare parts took into account the increased interest in Patrol, offering many elements to improve and increase the already excellent all-terrain characteristics. If you are looking for a car for the harshest operating conditions, be sure to consider the Nissan Patrol model among the first candidates.
Opel Frontera
The highest rating among car enthusiasts and experts in terms of reliability and cross-country ability was won by a German car with Japanese roots. The Opel Frontera is one of the most popular body-on-frame SUVs in the world.
The basis for the creation of Frontera was the Japanese all-terrain vehicle Isuzu Wizard. Frontera production ceased in 2004, but the car continues to remain on the list of the most popular frames. The SUV boasts a long-travel suspension, low-range gearing, a solid rear axle and many other features that provide exemplary cross-country ability.
This car is quite old. But still, the Opel Frontera retains a fairly modern appearance and amazes true off-road fans with its all-terrain capabilities.
