Warranty Direct’s unique reliability index takes into account how often vehicles break down, their average repair cost and time spent in the garage, to calculate the overall reliability of any vehicle. The lower the Reliability Index number, the more reliable and cheaper it will be to repair your car.

If you are thinking of buying or leasing a new 4×4 or SUV, the top-10 models are dominated by Japanese and Korean cars. The Warranty Direct study looked at over 16,000 three-to eight-year old 4x4s and SUVs. It is important to choose the right manufacturer and model as Warranty Direct revealed that this vehicle category is also the most expensive type of vehicle to run.

While some of the models below have been replaced by newer vehicles, it does give you an idea of which manufacturer offers you the best reliability and running costs, especially if you lease and opt for a non-maintained contract. Honda scores particularly well in the study with a Reliability Index score of 6.

Further details of the Reliability Index can be found at www.reliabilityindex.co.uk

Top Ten rated 4×4/SUVs 

Audi NSU range

Audi has just celebrated the 40th anniversary of its famous “Vorsprung Durch Technik” brand which advertising agency BBH brought to life back in 1971. It translates as “advancement through technology” and this perfectly encapsulates what the Audi brand stands for now, just as it did 40 years ago.

The Audi NSU range with its rear-engined air-cooled NSU 2-and 4-cylinder cars, the iconic Audi Quattro, the Audi 100 and the NSU RO80 rotary engined car are just some examples of the brand in action.

Today Audi has 32 models in its line-up with innovations like their TFSI engines, lightweight Audi TT (aluminium and steel hybrid bodied) all-LED lighting, head-up displays, Google mapping functionality plus the all-aluminium R8 as examples of Vorsprung Durch Technik. If you are interested, we have Audi contract hire prices on all 32 models on the site now from Sportbacks to SUVs or Hatchbacks to Avants .

Subaru Forester

The Subaru Forester has been awarded “Crossover of the Year 2010″ by 4×4 Plus magazine, a leading specialist title in Belgium and was awarded the title due to its winning performance in reduced emissions, efficiency and value for money.

It was also praised for its safety, handling and functionality and also for its permanent all-wheel drive system which although increases fuel consumption slightly when compared to other two wheel drive vehicles, it does offer significant safety benefits.

The Crossover award was added in 2009 in response to vehicle changes in the market and to avoid confusion over larger vehicles being classified as SUVs (Sports Utility Vehicles).

Moving Motor Show

This year’s 2010 Goodwood Festival of Speed will now  have a one-day extension called the “Moving Motor Show” where new car buyers can preview a selection of models and even try them out, (strictly at the invitation of the car manufacturers attending). Most sectors of the new car market will be represented at the Moving Motor Show on Thursday the 1st July, from economy hatchbacks to MPVs, family saloons to SUVs and prestige limousines to supercars.

Manufacturers who have confirmed attendance include Alfa Romeo, Ferrari, Porsche, Mercedes-Benz, Honda, Jaguar, BMW, Abarth, Morgan, Volvo, Mazda, Rolls-Royce, Ford, Nissan and Alpina. The Festival of Speed attracts over 150,000 visitors every year over the three days and the cars from the manufacturers above will undertake hundreds of runs on a special evaluation route.