German SUVs have long been a go-to option for those wanting a jack-of-all-trades with luxury, performance and advanced technology to match. But their engineering excellence doesn’t mean you should spend a fortune on any German SUV. Cars from German automakers are generally known to be quite expensive to buy and maintain, so it’s important to look for a reliable model to keep repair costs manageable.
One way to accomplish this as a potential buyer is to consult reliability surveys conducted by reputable organizations such as Consumer Reports (CR), which rate reliability based on how bad the vehicle’s problems have been over the past 12 months. The survey polls hundreds of thousands of CR subscribers about various problem areas (think engine, transmission, electrical system) and their experiences with the vehicle. It then provides a reliability score on a scale of 0 to 100. And so, to help you get an idea of this year’s top German performers, we analyzed Consumer Reports data for more than 100 models to identify the most reliable German SUVs.
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BMW X3 2025
BMW X3 M50 xDrive driving on an asphalt road next to a rock formation – BMW
The current fourth-generation BMW X3 might be about the weirdest X3 ever made, but it’s also one of the most reliable German SUVs you can buy new. It ranks among the top three luxury compact SUVs with the highest reliability ratings, with a score that puts it within touching distance of the 2025 Lexus NX Plug-In Hybrid and NX Hybrid. That means the X3 did better than the gas-powered Lexus NX, as well as the well-regarded Porsche Macan, Acura RDX and Infiniti QX50.
The X3’s reliability is greatly helped by its choice of engine. The compact luxury crossover is available with the B48 inline-four and B58 inline-six engines, which are among the most reliable BMW engines offered today. The entry-level X3 30 xDrive uses a turbocharged 2.0-liter B48 four-cylinder with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system that develops 255 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. Stepping up to the M50 xDrive gets you the B58-powered X3 M50 xDrive with the same 48-volt mild-hybrid system, producing 393 hp and 428 lb-ft.
And while it’s the smallest SUV on this list, the X3 is roomy enough for a family of five, offering decent head and legroom and up to 67.1 cubic feet of cargo space—you’ve got 31.5 cubic feet with all seats in use. Equipment-wise, base models come with electrically adjustable and heated front seats, as well as a 14.9-inch touchscreen accompanied by a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, navigation, wireless charging for devices, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and a 12-speaker audio system.
2025 Audi Q7
Waitomo Blue Metallic 2025 Audi Q7 parked on a gravel surface with mountains in the background – Audi
The fact that the Q7 is the only non-BMW SUV on this list suggests that Audi’s efforts to improve quality are paying off. It finished third behind the Lexus TX Hybrid and a German rival in Consumer Reports’ ranking of the most reliable three-row luxury SUVs, while earning more points than the rugged-looking Lexus TX, Volvo XC90 and Lexus GX. As with the BMW X3, two engines are offered and benefit from 12 and 48 volt hybrid systems.
The base engine is a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that connects to a 12-volt hybrid system and produces 261 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque. The available 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 and its 48-volt hybrid system bump up to 335 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. As well as being reliable, our experience with the facelifted Audi Q7 shows it does a lot of things well, including delivering steering response that’s well-judged.
2025 BMW X5 xDrive50e Plug-In Hybrid
Front 3/4 photo of a BMW X5 xDrive50e – BMW
Back to the Bavarian, the impressive BMW X5 xDrive50e Plug-In Hybrid is another reliable SUV option to consider if you’re in the market for a German car. The electrified SUV combines the B58 engine and an electric motor for 483 total horsepower and 516 lb-ft. The EPA cites an all-electric driving range of 39 miles and combined fuel economy of 58 miles per gallon equivalent (MPGe) with a fully charged battery. Fuel efficiency on gas alone averages 22 mpg. When Car and Driver tested the mechanically similar 2024 X5 plug-in hybrid, it went from 0 to 60 in just 3.9 seconds. That’s nearly a second faster than BMW’s estimate of 4.6 seconds.
When it comes to reliability, the X5 Plug-in Hybrid is the fourth most reliable midsize luxury SUV out there, according to Consumer Reports. That means it ranks higher than competitors such as the Porsche Cayenne, Genesis GV80, the petrol-powered Lexus RX and the Mercedes-Benz GLE. In fact, only the Lexus RX Plug-in Hybrid, RX Hybrid and one other German vehicle fared better than the 50e in the entire luxury midsize SUV segment.
BMW X7 2025
3/4 front-left action shot of a BMW X7 – BMW
It was only a matter of time before BMW’s stalwart SUV made it onto this list. The three-row luxury SUV has been one of the most reliable options in its segment for years, and it doesn’t seem to want to shed that reliability image. For 2025, it ranks as the second-highest-scoring three-row luxury SUV behind the class-leading Lexus TX Hybrid.
But of course, given that this is BMW’s largest and most luxurious SUV, you’ll get more than solid reliability. The vehicle is available with numerous goodies including heated steering wheel, electrically heated and ventilated front seats with massage, heated front armrests, five-zone automatic climate control, multi-colour interior lighting and Merino leather upholstery. Other available features include a 16-speaker Harman Kardon stereo, a 20-speaker Bowers & Wilkins stereo, power soft-close doors, an Alcantara headliner, rear-wheel steering and more.
BMW X5 2025
3/4 front view of a BMW X5 Silver Anniversary Edition – BMW
Not only is it the top-rated German SUV for reliability, but the 2025 gasoline-powered BMW X5 is also the only German SUV to win the top spot in its segment. It’s the best-performing midsize luxury SUV, finishing first with a score that’s higher than the Lexus RX Plug-in Hybrid and regular RX Hybrid models.
Again, that’s thanks in no small part to the B58 turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six, which produces 375 horsepower and 398 ln-ft of torque in the base xDrive40i. If that’s not enough, there’s the X5 M60i, which has a twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 that produces 523 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque. All this could allow the beastly M60i to crash to 60 mph in just 3.6 seconds and clear the quarter mile in 12.1 seconds at 113 mph. Of course, there’s the more aggressive X5 M for those who want even more power. It produces an astounding 617 horsepower and 553 lb-ft from its twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8.
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