The Japanese automotive industry is home to some of the biggest names in the global automotive scene. Japanese cars of manufacturers such as Toyota, Honda and Nissan have left indelible marks in the field of innovation. They are industry leaders not only in Japan but also globally. The majority SUV from Japan have state-of-the-art engineering and technology. They are also some of the most efficient and reliable SUVs on the market. SUVs like the Subaru Forester, Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 are shining examples of the superior quality of Japanese SUVs. But, when choosing an SUV, repair and maintenance costs should not be overlooked. It is just as important as considering the performance and features of a car.
Keeping a car in good condition requires costs. Is inevitable. Maintenance and repair costs depend on factors such as the severity and frequency of repairs. The age, mileage and location of the vehicle also determine how much the owner spends on maintenance. So while some SUVs cost little to maintain, others cost thousands of dollars in repair bills. In the ranks of Japanese SUVs, here are ten that could bankrupt you due to maintenance and repair costs.
10 Isuzu Trooper ($371/year estimate)
The Isuzu Trooper is a full-size SUV that Isuzu manufactured between 1981 and 2002. It started life as a capable but underpowered Japanese off-roader. Power came from a 1.9-liter 4-banger that sent 86 hp to a selectable 4-wheel drive system. However, Isuzu took care of the power shortage by introducing several engine options later in the first generation. With its boxy design, the Trooper had no shortage of passenger and cargo space.
In 1998, US-spec Troopers got a 215-hp 3.5-liter V6 engine. The Trooper was the ideal mountain goat in its heyday, with a rugged, no-nonsense build. So, whichever Trooper model you’re looking for, you’ll be impressed by its capability, versatility and charm. But you should also know that maintenance and repairs will not be cheap. Isuzu Trooper owners will have to pay more than $371 in repairs each year.
9 Toyota 4Runner ($514/year estimate)
The 4Runner is a rugged mid-size SUV that Toyota introduced in 1985. It’s an SUV that ventures where most of its peers can’t. However, Toyota 4Runner owners are calm about the fact that this exceptional off-road prowess comes at the expense of everyday life. Inside, the 4Runner features low-quality materials in addition to an outdated design. Although it has five seats as standard, a 7-seat arrangement is also available. It also offers ample cargo space.
In addition to the disappointing handling, the ride quality on pavement is a little uncivilized. The 4.0-liter V6 under the hood is mated to a 5-speed automatic transmission to produce just 270 hp and 278 lb-ft. But thanks to high ground clearance, a 2-speed transfer case and multiple skid plates, 4-wheel-drive 4Runners are very capable off-roaders. Unfortunately, you need deep pockets to keep the 4Runner in good condition. The annual cost of repairs for the 4Runner is $514, according to RepairPal.
8 Mitsubishi Outlander ($519/year estimate)
The Mitsubishi Outlander is a good compact SUV with a stylish design. While it’s not one of those compact SUVs that everyone regrets buying, it falls behind rivals in a few key areas. It comes with a number of problems that require expensive repairs. They include premature brake wear, chipped paint and transmission failure. Others are problems with the powertrain, suspension and electrical system.
According to RepairPal, owners will need about $519 each year to maintain their Mitsubishi Outlander. But it offers a fresh, modern cabin that seats seven passengers. Also, Mitsubishi didn’t skimp on standard and available infotainment features. It has a refined chassis and offers balanced handling with excellent body control. But the sole powertrain, a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine, offers lackluster acceleration. It has just 181 hp and 181 lb-ft of torque.
7 Mazda Tribute ($523/year estimate)
The Mazda Tribute is a compact SUV that Mazda produced over two generations from 2000 to 2011. Being a joint venture with Ford, it shared the Ford CD2 platform with the Ford Escape. But unlike the Escape, the Tribute had firmer suspension tuning for a sportier ride. Among the powertrain options available for motivation was a short-lived hybrid unit.
During its final model year, the Tribute had lower safety ratings and poor fuel economy. It also had slow performance and cheap interior materials. It also lacks the common infotainment features that many rival models offer. On the plus side, the 2011 Mazda Tribute offers class-competitive cargo capacity. Unfortunately, it has a higher repair frequency than most compact SUVs. So if you have one, get ready to write a lot of checks. The Tribute needs an average of $523 a year for repairs and maintenance.
6 Mazda CX-9 (est. $539/year)
The Mazda CX-9 is a mid-size crossover SUV that impresses driving enthusiasts with engaging road manners. It is Mazda’s largest SUV and seats seven passengers in three rows. Under the hood is a turbocharged 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine that puts out 250 hp and 320 lb-ft on premium fuel. In addition to quick acceleration, the CX-9 handles like a smaller SUV.
A stylish design and high-quality construction materials are some of the reasons why you should consider the CX-9. All CX-9s have Mazda’s easy-to-use infotainment setup with a 10.25 screen. Other standard infotainment features include voice recognition and four USB ports. The CX-9 also features a wealth of advanced driver assistance technology. But why is this big SUV here? It’s because of the average annual maintenance cost of $539. At the top of the CX-9’s list of problems are problems with the transmission, engine and electrical system.
5 Honda Pilot ($542/year estimate)
The Honda Pilot is a mid-size crossover SUV that debuted in 2002. It started with a standard 4-wheel drive system and shared most of its mechanicals with the Acura MDX. For 2003 and 2004, the Pilot got its motivation from an all-aluminum 3.5-liter V6 that made 240 hp and 242 lb.-ft. Across four generations, the Honda Pilot remains a family SUV that competes well with its rivals. But like any other vehicle, the Honda Pilot has its pros and cons.
The stylish and modern cabin has room for up to eight passengers with ample space for their luggage. Plus, there’s no shortage of standard and available infotainment features. For such a large SUV, the Pilot has well-rounded road manners. But it has issues like stabilizer link issues and warped front brake rotors. Others include power resistor failure and differential fluid rupture. The Honda Pilot consumes $542 per year in repairs and maintenance.
4 Nissan Pathfinder ($542/year estimate)
Arriving in 1985, the first Pathfinders were cheap and reliable off-roaders, riding on Nissan’s compact pickup truck platform. Now in its fifth generation, it’s a mid-size crossover SUV that seats eight passengers in three rows. It has a modern and well-insulated cabin with ample space for passengers and cargo. Although it looks relatively dated, the Pathfinder’s infotainment system is intuitive.
Under the hood, a 3.5-liter V6 engine produces 285 hp or 295 hp depending on the trim level. Acceleration is adequate for both city and highway driving. In addition to this, it offers balanced handling and smooth rides. In addition, the Pathfinder has a towing capacity of 6,000 pounds. But it also has issues that will require owners to dig into their pockets. According to RepairPal, Pathfinder owners will spend an average of $542 per year on maintenance.
3 Acura MDX ($571/year estimate)
The Acura MDX is a midsize luxury crossover SUV that arrived in 2000 as a 2001 model. Sharing a platform with the Honda Pilot, it was the first midsize luxury crossover to offer three rows of seating . The first generation cars had a 3.5-liter V6 engine and a 5-speed automatic transmission. In the second generation, a hybrid powertrain joined the lineup.
Now in its fourth generation, the Acura MDX continues to offer a comfortable and luxurious interior with many standard features. But maintaining the luxury SUV is also a costly affair. According to RepairPal, the average annual cost to maintain and repair the MDX is $571. This actual amount depends on the age of the vehicle and driving habits. Some of the common problems with the MDX include engine and transmission problems. Others are oil leaks and various electrical faults. Although the severity of these problems varies between vehicles, their costs add up over time.
2 Infiniti QX80 ($718/year estimate)
The Infiniti QX80 is a full-size SUV from Nissan’s luxury division. It is a premium SUV that offers a combination of comfort and performance. A spacious cabin with three rows of seats ensures there is room for the whole family. Under the hood hides a powerful 5.6-liter V8 mill that is mated to a 7-speed automatic transmission. The engine, which generates 400 hp and 413 lb-ft, guarantees no shortage of power for the large SUV.
In addition to the impressive output, the QX80 also offers a refined ride quality and a long list of modern technology features. But it is an expensive car to drive. Fuel economy ratings are poor even for large SUVs. Plus, you’ll need an average of $718 a year to keep the QX80 in good condition. Some problems that affect it are problems with the engine, brakes and suspension.
1 Lexus LX ($832/year estimate)
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The Lexus LX is the largest SUV in Toyota’s luxury division. It shares underpinnings with the long-running Toyota Land Cruiser. And like the Toyota, the luxury LX isn’t afraid to venture off-road. Motivation for the large SUV comes from a 3.4-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine that produces 409 hp and 479 lb-ft of torque. With the right gear, the LX can tow 8,000 pounds.
Depending on the level of equipment, it has capacity for seven passengers. It has a state-of-the-art infotainment system with 12.3-inch and 7-inch touchscreens as standard. Owners unsatisfied with the standard 10-speaker audio system can opt for the optional 25-speaker Mark Levinson stereo system. There’s also an impressive range of advanced driving aids to make every journey safe and memorable. But all these goodies come with high maintenance and repair costs.
