There are many, many options when looking for an appealing SUV, both on the new and used markets. Whether you opt for something Japanese like the compact Toyota RAV4 to ensure your vehicle is as dependable as possible, a mid-size Volvo XC90 to make sure you'll be as safe as possible, or even something German like the premium compact Mercedes GLC that has been engineered to within an inch of its life. If the latter option sounds appealing, Mercedes-Benz will be right up your street, but it's not the popular GLC we're talking about here.The marque has crafted a robust reputation for building intricately designed and engineered vehicles throughout its 100+ year history, as well as offering vehicles that are seen as classy by onlookers. That said, Mercedes' reliability record has been a little patchy, as shown by its 23rd place run in the 2025 J.D. Power Vehicle Dependability Study, making it somewhat risky if you fancy enjoying a slice of prestige for yourself. To help put these concerns to rest, this is the most dependable SUV it has built in the last 25 years.This article explores which is the most reliable Mercedes-Benz-manufactured SUV built over the last 25 years, including new and used models. UPDATE: 2026/04/07 08:40 EST BY GERHARD HORN Another Mercedes SUV AlternativeThis feature has been updated with additional information on the GLE 350, which is another alternative if you need something bigger. The Mercedes-Benz GLK Was The Brand's Luxury Crossover Challenger 2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK Black Front Angled ViewThe winner of this particular contest is the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK, one of the last model years of the vehicle prior to it being replaced by the GLC in 2015. The GLK first turned up in 2008 as essentially a miniature version of the GL SUV, the vehicle designed to take on the likes of the Audi Q5 and BMW X3 in the compact luxury crossover market. The GLK was built upon the same platform utilized by the W204 C-Class of the era, with its more rugged and high-riding SUV body also influenced to an extent by the C-Class.It was designed for audiences who spent most of their time around built-up areas like cities, but still wanted the extra practicality and high-riding nature of an SUV. The smaller GLK was therefore ideal, given its more palatable size meant it could be threaded through city streets and parked much easier than the likes of the larger M-Class and G-Class SUVs. At the same time, it boasted a more luxurious cabin than many more affordable crossovers prowling the streets. As it turned out, though, the GLK would also end up being one of the most durable Mercedes-Benz model lines offered over the last quarter of a century. Considering its aim of being thrown around cities, this is a handy attribute to have. The GLK Has An Impressive Reliability Record 2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK Black Front View DrivingThe 2013 version of the GLK is the best of the bunch, the variant that was the first of the facelifted GLK offered during its final three years of production. This means that not only does it get fresher styling cues, but it also profits from any changes being made to cure recurring problems found in earlier examples. One of these faults - the prematurely wearing sprocket on its M272 V6's balancer shaft, which often led to a $4k repair bill - was finally sorted by 2008, when the GLK appeared. Its robustness is illustrated by J.D. Power, which awards it a reliability score of 85/100, a score the consumer site classifies as "Great." It's also the highest-rated Mercedes SUV by the site in this regard. This performance is backed up by Kelley Blue Book, which reports that the GLK managed a reliability rating of 4.7/5 stars, which was achieved as the result of 155 owner reviews. The GLK Is Relatively Affordable To Run The good news keeps coming too, as RepairPal estimates that the 2013 GLK will cost you around $945 a year in maintenance. While this is more expensive than Japanese rivals from the likes of Lexus and Infiniti, it's still lower than that of most other SUVs built by Mercedes, which tend to exceed the $1,000 mark per year. The most common issue reported by drivers on the site is that the power steering pump's reservoir can crack and leak out fluid, though just five owners reported this.This sentiment is backed up by the US government-run National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which reports that just 139 complaints have been raised about the vehicle by its owners. Over the span of 12 years, this is pretty good going, especially as the bulk of them regard its airbags, which were recalled as part of the enormous Takata airbag scandal. Aside from this, the most common ailments to afflict the GLK are electrical in nature, though just six of these were reported, and all were unrelated to one another, which is always a good sign, as it doesn't indicate a common, recurring problem. When it comes to durability, the 2013 GLK's record speaks for itself. There Are Two Engine Options For The US-Spec 2013 GLK 2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK 3.5L NA M272 V6 EngineWhile the GLK was afforded a range of gas and diesel engine options in the European market, it came with one of each of these in the US. The GLK250 came with a turbocharged 2.1-liter inline-four diesel engine, which produced 200 hp. The GLK350 had a naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V6 that was mated to a seven-speed automatic transmission, which could also be controlled manually via a pair of steering-mounted shift paddles. You did at least get a choice of which wheels were driven, with base cars coming in a rear-wheel-drive configuration that could be upgraded to Mercedes' 4MATIC four-wheel-drive system at extra cost. The engine is fairly meaty too, with its 302 hp allowing it to reach 60 mph in a sporty 6.4 seconds. The GLK Offers Sumptuous Comfort Too Don't let the powerful engine fool you though, as the GLK is built primarily to offer comfort. Its all-around multi-link suspension setup is configured to offer a smooth and supple ride over bumps, while its leather seats are designed to keep their occupants comfortable during extended times waiting in traffic. Dual-zone climate control also comes as standard on the GLK, though trawl the used market, and you may be able to find an example with options like heated seats, a Harmon/Kardon sound system, and a panoramic sunroof. A Used GLK Is More Affordable Than You Might Think 2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK Black Front Angled View Dirt DrivingAside from being reliable and coming with a nifty cabin, the 2013 GLK is also pretty cheap on the used market. Both the GLK250 and GLK350 can be had for around $10,000 according to our search on the CarBuzz Marketplace. There are models going for as cheap as $7,000, but lower-mileage and better-looked-after versions can be had for $12k - $16k. At the time of writing, very few GLK 250 models were available, and those that were on sale, tended to cost a little less than the 350 variants.The majority of these used examples had high mileages, which only serves to underscore the reliability claim we make here. These SUVs are going strong even after 110,000 miles, and can still be sold for over $10,000. The highest mileage example on sale at the time of writing had nearly 165,000 miles on the clock, with an asking price of $6,997 - and featuring a full service history. A rare diesel variant with similar mileage and an even higher price was also available.This serves as proof that if you can find an example that comes with plenty of service and maintenance history, you'll have a practical and luxurious mini SUV that should function as a dependable family wagon for years to come. The Modern Benchmark: 2016-2018 GLE 350 Mercedes-BenzWhile the GLK is an incredible value, its compact footprint can be a dealbreaker for growing families. For those who need more "SUV" in their SUV, the 2016–2018 GLE 350 (W166) is widely considered the last of the "overbuilt" Mercedes mid-sizers. This specific window is the "sweet spot" for reliability because it represents the final evolution of the M-Class platform before the brand transitioned to the more tech-heavy, four-cylinder-dominant W167 generation in 2019.The secret to its longevity is the same 3.5-liter naturally aspirated M276 V6 found in the facelifted GLK. Unlike the turbocharged engines that followed, this V6 doesn't suffer from the same heat-related stress on plastic cooling components or complex turbocharger failures. In an era where 2.0-liter four-cylinders are being pushed to their limits, the GLE 350’s engine is under-stressed and famously durable, often sailing past the 150,000-mile mark with only routine oil changes and spark plug services.Mercedes-BenzJ.D. Power historically awarded the 2016 GLE a "Great" reliability rating of 83/100, mirroring the GLK’s success. Owners also benefit from a more modern interior than the GLK, featuring the updated COMAND infotainment system and, in later 2017-2018 models, standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. While air suspension (AIRMATIC) was an option that can be costly to repair as it ages, many GLE 350s were spec’d with traditional steel springs—the ultimate "set it and forget it" setup for long-term ownership. If you want the GLK’s bulletproof DNA in a package that can actually fit three car seats across the back, the late-model W166 GLE 350 is the definitive choice.Sources: Mercedes-Benz, J.D. Power, NHTSA, RepairPal, Kelley Blue Book.