10 MOST RELIABLE USED GERMAN SUVS WORTH BUYING

German car manufacturers are commonly known for producing some of the most reliable cars ever made in the automotive world. Their presence in the European market is hard to miss. They occupy more than half of the market share in Europe.

Reliability is always a main consideration when purchasing a car and this is a testament to just how reliable German cars are, especially in the popular SUV segment. With lots of reliable sporty SUVs to choose from, especially from the players such as BMW, Mercedes-Benz, or Porsche, it's not hard to find one that caters to your needs. These cars can have a hefty price tag attached to them when new; however, because they're known for being reliable, there are some excellent models in the used car market. Using data collected from J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, Edmunds, Vehicle History, U.S. News, and various other sources, we have put together some of the most reliable used German SUVs that are worth buying.

2017 Audi Q5

As far as compact luxury SUVs go, the Audi Q5 is a good option. It's a high-quality car that's very popular in the smaller luxury SUV segment. All-wheel drive comes as standard as does an eight-speed automatic transmission. Power comes by way of a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine producing 220 hp or a 3.0-liter V6 that gives 272 hp.

This 2017 Audi Q5 is a good family SUV that's reliable and gets an 82 reliability rating from J.D. Power as well as taking fourth place for best compact premium SUV of 2017. Owners on Edmunds give it an overall rating of 4.3 stars out of a possible 5 with many complimenting its build quality and giving it top marks for reliability. For a reliable used compact luxury SUV, this is worth buying.

2017 Porsche Macan

Like the Audi Q5, the Porsche Macan slots into the compact luxury SUV class. Its unique styling makes it stand out from the rest and being a Porsche, it's got sporty credentials to add to its levels of luxury. Power comes from a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine that generates 252 hp; however, there are bigger engines available. Porsche is well-known for offering superior build quality along with great performance, and it shows in the Macan. This is a luxury SUV that places more focus on sportiness.

The 2017 model is also one of the most reliable SUVs to buy. It gets high reliability ratings from J.D. Power with a score of 87 and an overall rating of 88 and also takes the top position for best compact premium SUV of 2017. Edmunds gives it an overall rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars. Similarly, owners on Kelley Blue Book rate its reliability at 4.7 out of 5. Some may wonder if the Porsche Macan is a reliable luxury SUV, and the simple answer to that is yes.

Related: The 2022 Porsche Macan T Is An Unstoppable And Fierce SUV

2016 BMW X3

There are plenty of things to love about the BMW X3 from its styling that is quite sports-like to how practical and reliable it is to how well it's built. The 2016 model is a compact luxury SUV that seats five and is more than capable of doing whatever it’s required to do, and do it in style. There's lots of safety technology, including blind spot warning, lane departure warning, and forward collision warning with emergency braking. In performance terms, it doesn't match up to its rival Porsche Macan, but then the X3 makes up for that with practicality.

As an all-rounder it does everything exceptionally well, and may well be the best used German SUV to buy, or at the very least it's a serious contender. Edmunds calls the 2016 BMW X3 'a winner from day one' and gives it an overall rating of 4.1 out of 5 stars. J.D. Power gives it a reliability rating of 86 out of 100. On top of that, U.S. News ranks it number one in its 2016 Luxury Compact SUVs category.

2017 Mercedes-Benz GLS

The 2017 GLS from Mercedes-Benz sits in the large luxury SUV segment of the market and ranks first place on J.D. Power's list of best large premium SUVs of 2017. It offers plenty of space as a luxury SUV with three-row seating, much like its rival Audi Q7 for example, but the Mercedes does have a better range of engines available.

It starts off with a 3.0-liter, turbocharged V6 that produces 362 hp then goes up to a 4.7-liter V8 and 5.5-liter V8. It's a big brute that is tough, capable, luxurious, and reliable. It gets an 81/100 reliability rating from J.D. Power. Edmunds gives it 4.3/5 stars overall, with many owners commending the build quality and technology of the GLS. Similarly, owners on Kelley Blue Book give the 2017 GLS 4.5 stars out of 5 for reliability.

2016 Volkswagen Tiguan

While there are some model years to avoid buying used, 2016 is a good year for the Volkswagen Tiguan when it comes to being reliable. Since its launch back in 2008, the Tiguan has gone on to be the best-selling SUV model for Volkswagen with over 6 million sales worldwide. People like the Tiguan, and for good reason. It's practical, comfortable, and reliable.

J.D. Power gives the 2016 Tiguan a rating of 84 for both reliability and overall score. Edmunds gives it an overall rating of 4.3 stars, while owners on Kelley Blue Book give it 4.2 stars for reliability. It can last a long time as well. According to Vehicle History, owners claim doing 200,000 miles and more with proper maintenance. It’s easy to see that the 2016 Tiguan is one of the most reliable used German SUVs that’s worth buying.

Related: Here's Why The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan Could Be The Best Selling SUV In The US

2018 BMW X5

In many ways, you could say the BMW X5 is one of the SUVs to have pioneered the era of luxury performance SUVs (something BMW did with the M5 and performance sedans). The 2018 model is technically a five-seat mid-size luxury SUV, but it does offer an optional third row making it able to carry seven. It comes with all the usual technology that you come to expect from a luxury car manufacturer with the added bonus of top-notch build quality, all of which goes towards how well it performs and how reliable it is.

The 2018 model is a particularly good year when it comes to reliability for the X5. It gets a 'great' reliability rating from J.D. Power with a score of 84. Edmunds made it one of their picks for best mid-size SUVs for 2018. U.S. News also ranked it second in their 2018 Luxury Mid-Size SUVs category. As a reliable luxury SUV, the 2018 BMW X5 is one that any gearhead should consider buying.

2017 Mercedes-Benz GLE

The 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLE is a five-passenger mid-size luxury SUV that you could say is perfect for both speedfreaks and off-road enthusiasts alike. It's a meaty monster with lots of capability. There are plenty of engine variations, depending on what you want from the GLE, so getting a used one with an engine that suits your needs isn't really a problem.

It's an impressive machine that's tough, rugged, and reliable. Kelly Blue Book, in their review, gives it an overall rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars, with owners rating it 4.6 for reliability. Similarly, out of a possible 5, Edmunds gives it a 4.4 stars rating. J.D. Power rated its reliability at 84 out of 100 as well as placing it in joint second position for the best mid-size premium SUV of 2017.

2013 Porsche Cayenne

Here's another offering from the infamous Porsche. The Cayenne is the bigger brother to the Macan and fits in the mid-size luxury SUV segment of the market. The 2013 Porsche Cayenne gives all the practicality of a mid-size SUV with the added bonus of performance. There are plenty of power trains to choose from and all come with all-wheel drive. Not only does it have sporty credentials, but it's also very reliable. Simply put, if you want something that looks fantastic, goes like a bat out of hell, and is dependable, then you should consider the Porsche Cayenne. J.D. Power gives both its overall score and reliability a rating of 87 and gives it the number one position for best mid-size premium SUV of 2013. On top of that, owners on Kelley Blue Book give the 2013 Porsche Cayenne a reliability rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars.

Related: How The Porsche Cayenne SUV Saved The Company From Bankruptcy

2021 BMW X7

The BMW X7 is the flagship luxury SUV that BMW offers, and it's the largest of their range as a full-size luxury SUV. In the automotive world, it's the new kid on the block, but that takes nothing away from it being the perfect luxury daily SUV. The 2021 X7 has three rows to seat up to seven comfortably. You get a choice of two different engines, a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-6 that gives 335 hp or a 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8 pushing out 523 hp. It looks like a beast and that's exactly what it is. Solidly built and loaded with plenty of technology. The fact that it's a reliable piece of machinery is like the icing on the cake. Owners on Kelly Blue Book give the 2021 X7 a rating of 4.8 stars out of 5 for reliability. J.D. Power gives it a 'great' rating of 83. Some owners on Edmunds comment on it being 'rock solid' and a 'great utility vehicle that drives like a sports car' that 'performs flawlessly'. As a used reliable German SUV, it is certainly worth looking at.

2020 BMW X6

When it comes to making a statement with appearance, the BMW X6 makes one hell of a statement with its bold styling. Its sloping roof may compromise rear headroom, but what it doesn't compromise is how this car performs and how reliable it is. Like its larger sibling, the X7, there are two power trains: a 3.0-liter turbocharged six-cylinder that pumps out 335 hp or a 4.4-liter turbocharged V8 that ups the power to 523 hp. Alongside that, it's loaded with all sorts of technological wizardry, the result of which is a luxury SUV that gets top marks from Edmunds as well as Kelly Blue Book for being reliable. To add to that, J.D. Power gives the 2020 BMW X6 an overall rating of 86 with a reliability rating of 90, which is near enough in the 'best' category. The long and short of it is the 2020 BMW X6 is great value for money and a reliable used luxury SUV.

2023-03-30T22:11:25Z dg43tfdfdgfd