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They may offer luxury, off-roading prowess, and reliability, but, some of these sport-utes are best avoided.

Thanks to the utility they offer, SUVs have grown in popularity over the years. SUVs in 2022 offer much more than the traditional higher ride height and tons of passenger/cargo space that SUVs are known for. They offer more comfortable rides and plenty of infotainment tech to keep the passengers entertained. For those moments when you veer off the beaten path, modern SUVs become truly indispensable. Their off-roading and towing capabilities are often enhanced with appropriate driving aids.

Some models, built like tanks, rarely break down and can be counted on to keep going even when the going gets tough. The issue of dependability is an important one. This is why most manufacturers stop at nothing to ensure that the reliability of their SUVs is bulletproof. Unfortunately, some modern SUVs suffer from poor build quality which translates into expensive maintenance/repairs and frequent breakdowns. Here are five modern SUVs that rarely break down and five we wouldn't touch with a 10-foot pole.

The Buick Envision competes in the luxury compact SUV segment where it impresses with a low starting price and plenty of standard safety features. Under the shapely hood, lies a fuel-efficient 2.0-liter turbo-4 engine that churns out 228 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque.

It has roomy seating for five passengers and offers a comfortable ride quality. Buick is known for building reliable cars, and the Envision is not an exception. J.D.Power gives it a great predicted reliability rating of 85. With the recommended regular maintenance, it will provide long-lasting service to the owner.

Though it may not match the luxury of its midsize SUV rivals, the Explorer offers many safety features and a decent towing capacity. Thanks to the powerful engine options it hides under the hood, there is no shortage of motivation.

However, models built between 2002 and 2005 were plagued with so many expensive build quality issues. Apart from total transmission failure, there were complaints about difficulty in shifting. Many owners also complained about roaring noise from the rear differential and the failure of the 4X4 to engage in AWD.

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Like all Hondas, the CR-V is a product of excellent craftsmanship and high-quality materials. This is why it can last for as much as 300,000 miles if it is properly maintained. It ranks high in J. D. Powers' and RepairPal's reliability rating. Other areas it excels in include comfortable rides and great gas mileage from its 190-hp power source.

Furthermore, its stylish and upscale cabin, one of the best in the segment, offers class-leading passenger and cargo space. Few compact SUVs match the CR-V's blend of good qualities.

Debuted for the 2000 model year and produced across four generations, the Ford Escape is a popular compact crossover SUV. Certain model years like 2008, 2013, and 2014 have been outstanding with their long lineup of build quality issues.

Just a few months after the 2013 Escape was launched, it was slapped with three recalls, twice for engine fires. In its lifetime, this troubled model has been recalled a whopping 17 times. Plagued by power steering failure, premature excessive rust, stalling engine, in broken door latches, the 2013 Escape is best avoided.

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The Hyundai Tucson is an excellent and practical compact SUV that is designed to suit the modern lifestyle. It comes with a long list of safety features and an intuitive infotainment system with a sharp/responsive touchscreen. Passengers are treated to comfortably padded seats in a spacious and quiet cabin.

Thanks to excellent driving dynamics and quick steering, the Tucson is well suited for city driving. As proof of its superior build quality, it is backed by a long warranty. Moreover, J. D. Power gives the latest Tucson a predicted reliability rating of 88 out of 100.

Produced across five generations, from 1994 to date, the RAV4 has been a consistent best-seller crossover SUV. This is thanks to its practicality, affordability, great styling, and solid build quality. Unfortunately, the 2007 RAV4 is one of the few models that should be avoided by all means.

It was notorious for engine problems like burning massive amounts of oil and engine failure. A defective steering shaft produced a clunking noise when turning the steering wheel. The suspension, transmission, drivetrain, electrical system, and brakes all got their fair share of issues.

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The Telluride arrived in the 2020 model year and took the industry by storm and ended up on several "best" lists. Of particular interest is the swanky and well-built cabin with roomy seats for up to eight passengers. It offers 87 cubic feet of cargo space if all the rear seats are folded down.

For safety, it boasts an impressive lineup of driving aids that includes a head-up display and stop-and-go adaptive cruise control. With little more than routine maintenance, this excellent family hauler will last for up to 200,000 to 250,000 miles.

Fully redesigned for 2022, the Nissan Pathfinder is a good midsize SUV with an upscale cabin and many infotainment/driver-assist tech. However, its past models have not fared too well in terms of reliability. Alongside the 2005 and 2017 models, the 2013 model has worse-than-average reliability.

Between march 2013 and June 2022, it has been recalled 11 times for malfunctioning hood hatch, faulty airbags, and brake switch malfunction among others. Common problems include transmission jerking and failure to engage. Also, the engine consumed excessive oil and would stall while driving.

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The Ford Bronco Sport is a compact SUV with outstanding off-road capability. Still relatively new on the market, it is engineered and well-kitted for the great outdoors. It comes with a standard AWD system, locking rear differential, decent ground clearance, and skid plates with steep approach and departure angles.

Although it doesn't offer much rear legroom, the front seats are supportive and roomy. J. D. Power gives the sturdy and dependable little SUV a predicted reliability rating of 82 on a scale of 1-100. If it is properly maintained, the Bronco Sport will last up to 200,000 miles.

The Jeep Grand Cherokee may have stellar offroading capabilities, but it is not the most dependable midsize SUV. Although CarComplaints.com pegs the 2011 model down as the worst year, the 2014 model was pretty awful too. For its questionable build quality, it got 18 recalls and close to 2,000 complaints.

According to NHTSA, most of the complaints were about the electrical system and the powertrain. Other issues that plagued the 2014 Grand Cherokee include hesitating/jerking when trying to accelerate and shifting problems. In addition, there were issues of the engine stalling while driving and engine surge when braking.

Jay Moren is a car enthusiast who loves everything with an engine. When he's not writing about cars, he plays the saxophone and keyboard. He also plays as a goalkeeper for a non-league side in his native Nigeria