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Think your car has “check-engine anxiety”? You’re not alone. J.D. Power’s 2025 Vehicle Dependability Study clocked an industry-wide 202 problems for every 100 vehicles—a 6 percent spike that’s turning dashboards into light shows. But here’s the good news: ten models dodged the drama, shrugging off software bugs, battery blues, and the usual pandemic-era gremlins.
These rides don’t just sip fuel—they save weekends, wallets, and sanity, logging road-trip miles while the competition waits for parts. We cross-checked J.D. Power’s hard numbers with Consumer Reports’ 300-thousand-owner data dump to find the ironclad survivors.
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Ready to meet the cars that keep their cool long after the factory warranty expires? Buckle up—our countdown starts now, and your future repair bills might thank you.
10. Nissan Kicks — Small-SUV Giant-Slayer
Quick specs (MY 2025)
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- Engine: 2.0 L inline-4, 141 hp, CVT, FWD (AWD optional) (mysanantonio.com)
- EPA economy: up to 28 mpg city / 35 mpg hwy (31 mpg combined)* (nissanusa.com, nissanusa.com)
- Base price: from $21,830 (S trim, FWD) (mysanantonio.com)
- Cargo room: 25 cu ft seats-up; 53 cu ft seats-flat (mysanantonio.com)
*front-wheel-drive figures; AWD drops 1 mpg across the board.
Why it cracked the Top 10
J.D. Power’s 2025 Vehicle Dependability Study crowned the Kicks “Most Dependable Small SUV,” meaning owners reported the fewest problems per 100 vehicles three years after purchase. (usa.nissannews.com, bismarckmotorcompany.com)
That hard data—plus Nissan’s improving quality‐control scorecard—earned it the final berth in our reliability leaderboard.
High fives – what owners love
| 👍 Advantage | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Bulletproof drivetrain | The naturally-aspirated 2.0 L is simple, chain-driven, and runs on regular gas—nothing exotic to break. |
| Wallet-friendly MPG | Mid-30s highway economy puts it in hybrid territory without the hybrid price tag. |
| Safety Shield 360 standard | Six active-safety aids (AEB, BSW, RCTA, etc.) keep insurance premiums honest. |
| City-size footprint | 173 inches nose-to-tail makes parking in Boston or L.A. a stress-free flick-of-the-wrist maneuver. |
Caveats – where the shine dulls
| 👎 Drawback | What you give up |
|---|---|
| Modest muscle | 0-60 mph hovers around 9.5 s; merging takes planning. |
| CVT drone | The gearbox is reliable, but freeway hills unleash the “leaf-blower” soundtrack. |
| Towing? Nope. | Rated for exactly zero pounds—this is a commuter, not a camper hauler. |
| Hard plastics | Interior materials feel economy-class next to a Mazda CX-30. |
Verdict
The refreshed Kicks isn’t the flashiest subcompact crossover, but its “show-up-and-start” dependability, double-take fuel numbers, and sub-$22 k sticker make it the small-SUV equivalent of a Swiss Army knife. If your priority is owning, not wrenching, the Kicks deserves a place on your test-drive short-list—and a respectable No. 10 slot on our 2025 reliability ranking.
9. Cadillac XT6 — Upper-Midsize Peace-of-Mind
Quick specs (MY 2025)
- Engines: 2.0 L turbo I-4 (235 hp) or 3.6 L V-6 (310 hp), both with 9-speed auto (jdpower.com)
- EPA economy: up to 21 mpg city / 27 hwy with the four-cyl.; V-6 drops to 18 / 25 (jdpower.com, edmunds.com)
- Seats / cargo: 7 people, 78.7 cu ft max cargo with rows folded (edmunds.com)
- Towing: 4,000 lb (V-6) (edmunds.com)
- MSRP: starts at $49,195 (Luxury FWD) (edmunds.com)
Why it lands in our Top 10
The XT6 took first place in J.D. Power’s 2025 Vehicle Dependability Study for “Upper Midsize Premium SUV,” beating BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Tesla for fewest problems reported after three years. Cadillac also finished second-overall among premium brands, underscoring GM’s quality push. (news.gm.com)
High fives — owner-approved perks
| 👍 Advantage | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Three-row luxury for under 50 k | Few premium SUVs deliver genuine 7-seat space at this price point. |
| Safety tech standard | Cadillac Smart System (AEB, BSW, RCTA, Lane-Keep, Safety Alert Seat) keeps families and insurance agents happy. (jdpower.com) |
| Smooth, quiet ride | Active chassis damping and laminated glass turn road noise into background hum. |
| Easy-pack interior | Power-folding 3rd row and nearly flat load floor swallow bikes or IKEA trips with ease. |
Caveats — where the polish dulls
| 👎 Drawback | What you give up |
|---|---|
| Thirsty V-6 | 18/25 mpg trails hybrid rivals; premium fuel recommended. |
| Middling plastics | Dash and door trim can feel GM-generic beside a Lexus RX. |
| No electrified option | In a segment sprinting toward hybrids and plug-ins, XT6 stays gas-only. |
| Infotainment déjà-vu | 8-inch screen and UI lag a generation behind GM’s new Google-built systems. |
Verdict
Reliability usually isn’t the first word that jumps to mind with luxury three-row SUVs, yet the XT6 bucks that stereotype. By winning its J.D. Power segment and posting an 82/100 Quality & Reliability score (jdpower.com), Cadillac proves big can still be bulletproof. If you want upscale space for the family without inheriting your mechanic’s waiting-room chair, the XT6 is a sleeper pick that earns its No. 9 spot on our 2025 dependability roster.
