Forget The Toyota Highlander, This 2026 Subaru Is The Most Dependable

While the Toyota Highlander has been a popular and longstanding fixture in the contemporary SUV market for well over two decades, another Japanese make and model has earned the favor of reviewers in recent months. In February 2026, JD Power released its 2026 Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS), and gave the Subaru Crosstrek the No. 1 slot in its roundup of the most dependable small SUVs. The Crosstrek was the only Subaru model to earn the top spot in any of the nine categories featured in the report, unseating the Nissan Kicks from the top spot in 2025 — though both models remain among the vehicles more reliable than a Honda CR-V. This accomplishment isn't surprising, as the Crosstrek was also the best-selling Subaru model for all of 2025, selling 191,724 units — a 5.5% improvement from 2024.

The 2026 Crosstrek starts at $26,995, and comes in five gas-powered variants and two hybrid trims starting at $33,995. Its base trim gets a competitive 26 miles to the gallon in cities and 36 on highways, while the hybrid models boast fuel economy of 36 miles per gallon across the board. As fuel prices continue to rise in the wake of the Iran war, this fuel economy only adds to the Crosstrek's value. Notably, JD Power isn't the only publication to laud the Crosstrek in recent years: Consumer Reports also considers it one of the most reliable best-selling cars on the market.

The most expensive 2026 Crosstrek model — the Crosstrek Limited Hybrid — lists for $34,995, giving prospective drivers an $8,000 range of models to choose from. Though that's more expensive than other competing small SUVs like the Toyota Corolla Cross and Honda HR-V, the Crosstrek features competitive towing capabilities that can help it appeal to a wider array of drivers.

Additionally, the Crosstrek's price range extends dramatically once you factor in the used market, with JD Power estimating that a 2023 Crosstrek starts at less than $20,000 while offering nearly identical fuel efficiency — and a strong reputation for reliability. While more affordable for buyers, the fact that a three-year-old Crosstrek still sells for that much is also a testament to how well these cars retain value. CarEdge estimates that a base-model Crosstrek bought new in 2026 will only depreciate roughly 34% over the first five years of ownership — placing it in the top 20% of models on the market. 

It's also important to remember that Crosstreks often make it to 200,000 miles or more. The Federal Highway Administration reports that the average U.S. driver travels around 13,500 miles per year, meaning that Crosstrek owners could get well over a decade's worth of use out of their vehicle before needing to consider upgrading or reselling.