10 Reliable Luxury SUVs That'll Last 500,000 Miles

May 03, 2023

Go the distance with these luxury SUVs that will give you comfortable and dependable driving for miles.

Since the SUV tag first appeared on the brochure paired to a 1974 Jeep Cherokee SJ, this car class has resonated with millions of car enthusiasts worldwide. The reason for this undying affection isn't far-fetched — SUVs are spacious, feature dynamic designs, denote reliability, and offer more bang for your buck than most automobile categories.

If you've got deep pockets, you can step things up a notch with luxury SUVs. Why? Associated cars are typically the hallmark of speedy engines, state-of-the-art technology, and high-end comfort.

But a question beckons — are luxury SUVs reliable? Although it might seem non-negotiable for these cars to go the extra mile due to their astronomical MSRPs, most luxury cars tend to develop issues when their odometers clock the 50,000 or 100,000-mile mark. Nonetheless, these values are considered fair, as a study affirms that only 1% of vehicles ever built yearly will make it past the 200,000-mile threshold.

Reliability in the luxury car segment depicts the "many are called, but few are chosen" tagline.

To curate this listing of luxury SUVs that can reach 500,000 miles with aplomb, we utilized reliability ratings from JD Power alongside data from RepairPal, CarEdge, and NHTSA.

If you're searching for an SUV for heavy lifting and comfortable seating, the 2016 Ford Expedition should top your listing. Why? It offers three-row seating that can seamlessly accommodate eight passengers, top-of-the-line towing capacity (9,200 lbs), and extensive cargo space (108.3 cubic feet) when the second and third rows are reclined.

What drives this beastly luxury SUV is a turbocharged V6 engine that goes through a six-speed automatic to make 365 horsepower and 420 lb-ft of torque. RealSafeCars gives the 2016 Expedition a 94% safety rating, with its tests confirming that the average driver has a 2.6% chance of getting injured if they drive the car in regular conditions for 15 years. To top it off, JD Power gives the 2016 Ford Expedition a decent 79% reliability rating.

RELATED: The Surprising 2022 Ford Expedition: Full Review

The 2020 Audi Q8 might not be as roomy as its relative — the Q7 — with a cabin that can seat just five passengers. Nonetheless, it makes up for this con with a well-sculpted exterior design that fields a sleek roofline, earning it the "high-performance SUV" tag. Furthermore, the 2020 Audi Q8 offers bump-free rides and a quiet interior at highway or city speeds.

Under the 2020 Audi Q8's hood lies a turbocharged V6 that churns out 335 horses and 369 lb-ft of torque when paired to an eight-speed automatic alongside the revered Quattro all-wheel drive (AWD) system. JD Power's reliability rating of 79% doesn't give the full picture of this car's resilience. On Edmunds, the Audi Q8 has a 4.2/5.0-star rating accumulated over 34 user reviews.

Tough, quick, and intrepid best describes the 2021 Land Rover Range Rover. From the alluring exterior to an interior that screams plush with fine leather and a real wood trim, the 2021 Range Rover is as luxurious as it possibly gets.

This SUV's top trim also makes a mark (performance-wise) with a 5.0-liter supercharged V8 engine (P565) that generates 557 horses and 516 lb-ft of torque. Previously, the Range Rover nameplate and reliability were tagged water and oil — they just couldn't mix. However, the 2021 model year ushered in a new beginning as the SUV earned an 80% reliability rating from JD Power. By maintaining this SUV adequately, you should reach the fabled 500,000-mile mark without difficulty.

The Cayenne nameplate is historic, as it represents Porsche's first-ever SUV. Since its 2002 introduction, the Porsche Cayenne has grown to become an SUV that offers the perfect mix of luxury and sportiness. Besides offering fun drives, the Cayenne has the power required to easily plow through highways on long road trips.

For 2012, the base Cayenne offered a 3.6-liter V6 rated at 300 horsepower (the top-spec Cayenne S had a twin-turbocharged 4.8-liter V8 engine that puts out a ridiculous 500 horsepower). The 2012 Porsche Cayenne ranks as one of the nameplate's most sturdy iterations, earning an 81% reliability rating from JD Power. If you're in the market for a reliable and speedy SUV that'll reach 500,000 miles without showcasing financially draining issues, the 2012 Porsche Cayenne is your best bet.

Toyota's reverence for reliability rubs on its luxurious subsidiary — Lexus. The 2021 Lexus NX 300 highlights this assertion, pampering occupants with a roomy cabin and suspension system that provides quiet rides even at elevated highway speeds. So, if you're on the lookout for a sleek and compact SUV that's decent for day-to-day transits and family trips, the 2021 Lexus NX 300 should check the boxes.

Compared to other cars featured on this listing, the 2021 Lexus NX 300 lags behind in terms of performance. However, its 2.0-liter inline-four engine puts out a manageable 235 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque when tied to a six-speed automatic transmission. Furthermore, the Lexus NX 300 received an 81% reliability from JD Power and a 4.3/5.0-star rating from 55 consumer reviews at Edmunds.

RELATED: Review: The Perfect Luxury Coupe Doesn't Exist? The Lexus LC 500h: "Hold My Beer."

People gravitating towards subcompact SUVs spurred BMW — one of the most reliable SUV brands — to create the BMW X1. Released in 2009 by the German automaker, this nameplate has its ups and downs. However, the 2013 model year ranked on the good side of the spectrum, and was revered for its impressive aerodynamics and fuel efficiency numbers.

The 2013 BMW X1 offers unfiltered driving pleasure with a turbocharged 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine (xDrive35i trim) that's rated at 300 horses when paired with a six-speed automatic. Security also takes center stage in the X1 as it incorporates safety-themed add-ons like anti-lock brakes, stability control, anti-whiplash head restraints, and seatbelt pretensioners. With an 82% reliability rating from JD Power, the 2013 BMW X1 should reach the 500,000-mile mark as long as you strictly adhere to its maintenance routine.

Although BMW is popular for its speedy sedans, the automaker has spread out to the SUV segment. And guess what? It's gaining traction. Among its popular luxury SUVs is the BMW X3 — a compact SUV that's not only plush, but sporty and unbelievably swift! The X3 sits comfortably between the mid-size X5 and the sub-compact X1.

Open the hood of the base sDrive30i, and you'll find a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four engine that makes 248 horses and 258 lb-ft of torque when linked to a ZF eight-speed automatic transmission. If you require even more pep, the X3 M comes with a TwinPower Turbo 3.0-liter inline-six that offers a staggering 473 horses and 457 lb-ft of torque (fitting the Competitive Package boosts performance to a mind-blowing 503 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque). The 2023 X3 receives a "great" 85% score for reliability from JD Power; as such, it should hit the 500,000-mile odometer threshold with proper care and regular maintenance.

Mercedes-Benz is one car brand that's known for manufacturing reliable SUVs. And the automaker's GLK-Class reemphasizes this commitment. Besides its head-turning exterior, the 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLK interior is laced with long-lasting MB-Tex upholstery made from vinyl — users had a choice to upgrade to 100% leather.

User-friendly technology also characterizes the 2015 GLK, with notable mentions like an all-purpose steering wheel and an automatic stop-start system that saves fuel in-between stop-and-go driving leading the charge. The 2015 GLK has a 3.5-liter V6 engine (350 trim) that unleashes 302 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque when paired with a seven-speed automatic transmission. Wielding an 85% reliability rating, you can rest assured that the 2015 GLK can take you 500,000 miles without its significant components disintegrating.

A luxury SUV with the underpinnings of a supercar? The Porsche Macan certainly fits this profile. Released in 2014, the Macan gleams from Porsche's great aesthetic, handling, and top-tier performance.

Although the Macan isn't the most reliable nameplate as some model years feature glaring frailties, the 2018 Macan stood out with an impressive 87% reliability rating from JD Power. Owners also affirmed the same on Edmunds, as the SUV scored a 4.6/5.0-star rating from 31 customer reviews. With most owners relishing their 2018 Macan even now, chances are it'll go all the way to 500,000 miles with routine maintenance.

RELATED: 9 Reasons Why The Porsche Macan Is Awesome

One SUV brand that lasts the longest is Lexus. But this shouldn't come as a surprise due to its part-sharing with Toyota (its parent company). Besides indoctrinating a sturdy and stylish exterior, the 2018 Lexus GX 460 fields an opulent cabin alongside add-ons that makes on and off-road driving seamless across the board.

The 2018 Lexus GX 460 is in a class of its own regarding reliability, with a stellar 91% score from JD Power. Performance-wise, the 2018 Lexus GX 460 stays in the conversation with a 4.6-liter V8 engine that goes through a six-speed automatic to churn out 301 horsepower and 329 lb-ft of torque. The perfect luxury SUV doesn't exist? The 2018 GX 460 begs to differ, with raw facts to boot.

Benson's love for automobiles isn't waning anytime soon. Having ghostwritten for multiple automotive-themed sites for the last three years, he's decided to pitch his tent at HotCars -- churning out stellar content bound to keep you immersed.