Provider of used car warranty cover for the UK, aptly named Warranty Direct, has come up with a top 5 list of SUVs according to its Reliability Index and there isn’t a Land Rover, BMW or Mercedes SUV in sight.

The top five cars were dominated by Japanese makes, unspectacular workhorses that will give you trouble free 4×4 equipped motoring during those ice cold winter months.

Using its scoring formula Warranty Direct measured the overall reliability, average mileage, age and repair costs. The lower the Reliability Index score (RI) means the car is super reliable.

Warranty Direct say repair costs for some SUVs have been in the ball park of nearly £16k, for one vehicle alone, although the company avoided naming the worst of these SUV offenders.

The company’s ode to geekdom actually comprises of the 10 most reliable SUVs and only two European manufactures were represented, the Volvo XC90 in 8th and the Citroën C-Crosser in 9th.

Warranty Directs top five most reliable SUVs are;

1.   Honda HR-V (99-06) RI Score: 38 Average repair: £305.15 Largest claim: £1,587.91

Hondas typically perform well in Warranty Direct’s reliability surveys, and the quirky HR-V is no exception. If you can’t wait for the new model, a used one should provide you with dependable motoring as well as the option of four-wheel drive.

2.   Suzuki Jimny (98-) RI Score: 48 Average repair: £233.77 Largest claim: £829.87

It may have been around for what seems like an age, but Suzuki’s mini SUV scores highly for simplicity and reliability. The Jimny’s Select 4×4 system enables the driver to switch between front and four wheel drive for genuine off-road ability.

3.   Suzuki Grand Vitara (05-) RI Score: 54 Average repair: £312.14 Largest claim: £1,374.40

The current generation Grand Vitara is not long for this world with a replacement just round the corner, but it is consistently reliable as well as being stylish to look at and well-equipped in a choice of a 3- or 5-door bodystyles.

4.   Honda CR-V (07-) RI Score: 58 Average repair: £355.11 Largest claim: £1,602.34

Another strong performance from the Honda stable, the CR-V crossover is an attractive and accomplished all-rounder with a versatile interior. Mechanically it is consistently dependable across the board.

5.   Mitsubishi Shogun Pinin (99-06) RI Score: 68 Average repair: £391.45 Largest claim: £978.41

The smallest Mitsubishi SUV is also the most reliable, beating its bigger brothers the Shogun and the L200. A strong engine and excellent ventilation system make a case for this as a compact off-roader for all seasons.