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Although Leonardo da Vinci deserves plenty of credit for his 15th-century designs and models for transport vehicles, many historians regard German designer and engineer Karl Benz as the inventor of the world’s first modern automobile. The Benz Patent Motorcar Model Number 1 – completed in 1885 and patented in 1886 – was a three-wheeled vehicle powered by a single-cylinder, 4-stroke gasoline engine that produced 550 watts or 0.75 hp. Since then, Germany became a country of cars, represented in the industry by several great automakers like Mercedes-Benz, Maybach, BMW, Audi, and Volkswagen.
Today, German carmakers still have a reputation for building well-engineered mass-market and luxury models that showcase their makers’ ingenuity, innovativeness, and pursuit of perfection. German SUVs, in particular, have inherited these marques’ heritage of quality and reliability, and the American market has noticed. Based on US vehicle sales data, the Audi Q5, BMW X5, Mercedes-Benz GLC, and the Volkswagen Tiguan were all the best-selling models of their respective brands for 2022.
Most of the popular German brands in the US belong to the luxury segment – and their models’ showroom sticker prices are often higher than the average American car buyer’s intended budget. However, luxury vehicles tend to depreciate faster than mass-market models do, so if you’re keen to drive home an affordable German SUV, then the used car market is definitely for you. Of course, reliability is the most important factor to consider when buying a car, and this article will help you shorten your shopping list.
10 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan
Quality And Reliability Score: 84/100
The 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan is a compact SUV that uses the Volkswagen GTI’s spirited 2.0-liter turbo-four engine (200 hp, 207 lb-ft) along with optional sport-tuned suspension and 4Motion all-wheel-drive (AWD) systems to produce one of the most “fun to drive” experiences in the size class. For 2016, the Volkswagen Tiguan came with a new infotainment system, leatherette upholstery, and heated front seats as standard features.
2016 Volkswagen Tiguan Reliability
JD Power gave the 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan an 84/100 quality and reliability score, while KBB’s consumer reviews returned a 4.2/5 rating. Today, you can buy a used 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan for $12,624 to $17,009.
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Average Yearly Maintenance Cost
: $531 (RepairPal) -
Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years
: $7,644 (CarEdge) -
Total Recalls
: 2 -
Worst Tiguan Year To Buy Used
: 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan (13 recalls, 219 official complaints, “Urgent: Do not drive” alert from NHTSA, problems with airbags, electrical system, engine support, exterior lighting, seatbelts, body structure, weak suspension assembly, and sunroof)
9 2015 Audi Q3
Quality And Reliability Score: 85/100
The Audi Q3 slots in the small crossover SUV class – bigger than a sub-compact, but smaller than a compact. Nevertheless, the Q3 is the smallest member of Audi’s SUV lineup. During its debut in 2015, the Audi Q3 sported a 2.0-liter I-4 engine (200 hp and 207 lb-ft of torque), as well as an optional Quattro AWD configuration.
2015 Audi Q3 Reliability
The 2015 Audi Q3 garnered an 85/100 quality and reliability score from JD Power and a fantastic 4.9/5 consumer review score from KBB. Today, a used 2015 Audi Q3 still sells for $13,886 to $17,465.
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Average Yearly Maintenance Cost
: $885 (RepairPal) -
Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years
: $11,843 (CarEdge) -
Total Recalls
: 2 -
Worst Q3 Year To Buy Used
: 2022 Audi Q3 (5 recalls, 16 official complaints, problems with the fuel vent pipe, rearview camera, backover prevention, and rear windows)
8 2017 Audi Q5
Quality And Reliability Score: 82/100
The Audi Q5 compact crossover SUV is currently the best-selling model in Audi’s entire vehicle lineup in the US. The 2017 Audi Q5 was the last model year of the nameplate’s pioneer generation, and its upgrades over the previous year were mostly cosmetic. The 2017 Q5 drew power from either a 2.0-liter turbo I-4 mill (220 hp, 258 lb-ft) or a 3.0-liter supercharged V6 engine (272-354 hp, 295-346 lb-ft).
2017 Audi Q5 Reliability
JD Power gave the 2017 Audi Q5 an 82/100 quality and reliability score, and KBB consumer reviews tallied to a 4.4/5 rating. Today, the 2017 Audi Q5 costs $18,474 to $29,527 on the used car market.
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Average Yearly Maintenance Cost
: $928 (RepairPal) -
Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years
: $12,068 (CarEdge) -
Total Recalls
: 0 for hybrid variant, 5 for gasoline trims -
Worst Q5 Year To Buy Used
: 2012 Audi Q5 (6 recalls, 152 official complaints, problems with airbags, fuel system, and sunroof)
7 2017 BMW X3
Quality And Reliability Score: 86/100
The BMW X3 is a compact crossover SUV, or as the German luxury group likes to call it – a sports activity vehicle. For 2017, the BMW X3 came with minor updates, including an optional wireless phone charging feature, new infotainment controls, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The 2017 BMW X3 has 3 engine options: a 2.0-liter turbo I-4 mill (240 hp, 260 lb-ft), a 3.0-liter diesel burner (4 cylinders, 180 hp, 280 lb-ft), and a 3.0-liter turbo I-6 powerplant (300 hp, 300 lb-ft).
2017 BMW X3 Reliability
The 2017 BMW X3 received an 86/100 quality and reliability score from JD Power and a 4.4/5 consumer review rating from KBB. Currently, a used 2017 BMW X3 still sells for $18,434 to $24,213.
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Average Yearly Maintenance Cost
: $879 (RepairPal) -
Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years
: $17,711 (CarEdge) -
Total Recalls
: 5 -
Worst X3 Year To Buy Used
: 2020 BMW X3 (13 recalls, 36 official complaints, “Urgent: Do not drive” alert from NHTSA, problems with steering assembly, airbags, rearview camera, hybrid battery fire risks, brake assist, seatbelt sensors, seat welds, and front axle bearings)
6 2015 BMW X5
Quality And Reliability Score: 81/100
The X5 midsize SUV is currently the best-selling model in BMW USA’s stable, chalking up over 82,000 units sold last 2022 (roughly 25% of BMW USA’s total sales). The BMW X5 is no off-roader like the Jeep Grand Cherokee or the Land Rover Range Rover, but the midsize BMW crossover is a formidable force on paved roads. The 2015 BMW X5 came with a base 3.0-liter turbo I-6 gas engine (300 hp, 295 lb-ft), a 3.0-liter turbo-diesel I-6 mill (255 hp, 413 lb-ft), or a range-topping 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 block (445-567 hp, 479-553 lb-ft).
2015 BMW X5 Reliability
The 2015 BMW X5 received an 81/100 quality and reliability score from JD Power and a 4.3/5 consumer review score from KBB. Currently, a used 2015 BMW X5 still commands $17,646 to $22,595.
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Average Yearly Maintenance Cost
: $1,045 (RepairPal) -
Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years
: $18,148 (CarEdge) -
Total Recalls
: 6 -
Worst X5 Year To Buy Used
: 2010 BMW X5 (21 recalls, 131 official complaints, problems with airbags, battery cable, overheating, engine belt idler, fuel system, leaky brakes, and windshield bonding)
5 2016 BMW X4
Overall Score: 83/100
While the BMW X3 comes in a more traditional SUV form, the BMW X4 debuted in the compact SUV class in 2015 using a more unorthodox crossover layout. The two compact SUVs share a common platform, but the BMW X4’s design emphasizes the “sport” better than the “utility” in the SUV segment. For the 2016 model year, the BMW X4 used either a 2.0-liter turbo I-4 mill (240 hp, 258 lb-ft) or a 3.0-liter turbo I-6 engine (300 hp, 300 lb-ft).
2016 BMW X4 Reliability
The 2016 BMW X4 received an 83/100 overall score from JD Power and a perfect 5/5 consumer review rating from KBB. Currently, the 2016 BMW X4 lists for $19,826 up to $28,232 on the used car market.
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Average Yearly Maintenance Cost
: $988 (RepairPal) -
Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 5 Years
: $9,186 (Edmunds) -
Total Recalls
: 1 -
Worst X4 Year To Buy Used
: 2020 BMW X4 (9 recalls, 3 official complaints, “Urgent: Do not drive” alert from NHTSA, problems with faulty steering assembly, front axle swivel bearings, airbags, rearview camera, instrument cluster casing, loss of braking assist, and seat belt sensors)
4 2015 BMW X1
Quality And Reliability Score: 81/100
The X1 is the smallest and most affordable crossover SUV in the BMW lineup, but don’t let the diminutive stature deceive you, because the X1 still bears BMW’s DNA of luxurious performance. The 2015 BMW X1, for instance, has the same powerplant options that its contemporary BMW X4 has – a 2.0-liter turbo I-4 mill (240 hp, 260 lb-ft) and a 3.0-liter turbo I-6 engine (300 hp, 300 lb-ft).
2015 BMW X1 Reliability
The 2015 BMW X1 received a great 81/100 quality and reliability score from JD Power and a 4.4/5 consumer review rating from KBB. Currently, a used 2015 BMW X1 has a price range of $10,985 to $15,242, depending on the trim and options.
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Average Yearly Maintenance Cost
: $927 (RepairPal) -
Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years
: $17,516 (CarEdge) -
Total Recalls
: 3 -
Worst X1 Year To Buy Used
: 2014 BMW X1 (5 recalls, 78 official complaints, problems with airbags, battery cables, and brake failure)
3 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class
Quality And Reliability Score: 81/100
The Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class is a pint-sized crossover that looks more like a tall hatchback than a small SUV. For the 2015 model year, the Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class adopted the unibody platform and powerplants of its CLA sedan brother. The base GLA 250 packs decent power (208 hp, 258 lb-ft) from a 2.0-liter turbo-four, but the GLA45 AMG punches harder with 355 hp and 332 lb-ft using a similarly-sized, twin-scroll turbo I-4 mill.
2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class Reliability
JD Power gave the 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class an 81/100 quality and reliability score, while KBB’s consumer reviews tallied to a good 4.4/5 rating. Today, you can drive home a 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class for $13,673 to $21,723.
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Average Yearly Maintenance Cost
: $987 (RepairPal) -
Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years
: $13,781 (CarEdge) -
Total Recalls
: 4 -
Worst GLA-Class Year To Buy Used
: 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLA (11 recalls, 20 official complaints, problems with airbags, child seat, emergency call system, headlight aiming, seatbelts, seat covers, steering, and sunroof bonding)
2 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class
Quality And Reliability Score: 83/100
The Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class is a 2-row midsize SUV that replaced the similarly-sized M-Class after 2015. During its 2016 debut, the Mercedes-Benz GLE offered 6 engine options, including a base 2.1-liter twin-turbo I-4 diesel mill (201 hp, 369 lb-ft), a 3.0-liter twin-turbo plug-in hybrid V6 (436 hp, 479 lb-ft), and a 5.5-liter twin-turbo V8 (550-577 hp, 516-561 lb-ft). For the past few years, the Mercedes-Benz GLE has been one of the brand’s best-selling SUV models, often competing with the compact GLC-Class for the top sales in the Mercedes-Benz USA lineup.
2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class Reliability
The 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE received an 83/100 quality and reliability score from JD Power, as well as a convincing 4.5/5 consumer review rating from KBB. Today, the 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class costs $19,875 to $44,450 on the used car market.
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Average Yearly Maintenance Cost
: $1,074 (RepairPal) -
Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years
: $14,738 (CarEdge) -
Total Recalls
: 17 -
Worst GLE-Class
Year To Buy Used
: 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class (34 recalls, 47 official complaints, problems with airbags, rearview camera, emergency call system, electrical wiring, stability control, A/C drain hose, exterior lighting, brake assist, fuel system, drive shaft, seatbelts, seats, steering assist, window trims, rear cross member, shock absorbers, and windshield)
1 2011 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class
Quality And Reliability Score: 83/100
Before Mercedes-Benz’s naming convention change for its SUVs, the GL-Class was the brand’s flagship SUV model until the introduction of the Mercedes-Benz GLS for the 2017 model year. The 2011 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class was a 3-row, full-size SUV that featured interior appointments and exterior styling befitting MB’s top SUV nameplate. Three capable engines provide power to the 2011 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class: a 3.0-liter BlueTEC V6 turbo-diesel (210 hp, 400 lb-ft), a 4.6-liter V8 (335 hp, 339 lb-ft), and a 5.5-liter V8 (382 hp, 391 lb-ft).
2011 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class Reliability
The 2011 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class earned an 83/100 quality and reliability score from JD Power and a 4.1/5 consumer review score from KBB. Currently, the 2011 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class sells for $8,132 to $12,159 on the used car market.
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Average Yearly Maintenance Cost
: $1,315 (RepairPal) -
Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years
: N/A (CarEdge) -
Total Recalls
: 4 -
Worst GL-Class Year To Buy Used
: 2016 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class (7 recalls, 15 official complaints, problems with airbags, communication, control unit software, axle carrier bolts, steering, and suspension)
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