2026 Q1 Best-Selling SUVs Ranked by Quality Complaints per Unit Sold

In Q1 2026, domestic SUVs (excluding imports) recorded a total of 7,775 valid quality complaints. During the same period, sales amounted to approximately 2.27 million units, covering 351 models. The average complaint-to-sales ratio stood at 34.3 per 10,000 vehicles—significantly higher than in Q4 2025—indicating a short-term deterioration in quality performance. Among the 351 models with available sales data, 92 exceeded the quarterly average sales volume of 6,467 units and were classified as best-selling models. Of these, 69 posted a better-than-average complaint-to-sales ratio, outperforming the segment average. SUV market sales in Q1 declined by about 33% quarter-over-quarter, reaching their lowest level in the past year. Quality complaints dropped 7.4% quarter-over-quarter and edged down 0.5% year-over-year. However, due to the sharp sales decline, the complaint-to-sales ratio surged to its highest point in the past year. By vehicle segment, large SUVs saw complaints rise 19.9% quarter-over-quarter while sales fell, causing a significant increase in their complaint-to-sales ratio and a rapid deterioration in quality performance. Midsize SUVs continued to post a complaint-to-sales ratio above the overall average, dragging down the market’s aggregate performance. Mid-large SUVs experienced a 13.1% quarter-over-quarter drop in complaints and a steep 41.5% sales decline. From a brand perspective, German brands increased their share of the ranking by 6 percentage points quarter-over-quarter; Japanese and American brands rose by 1.8 and 1.5 percentage points, respectively. Domestic Chinese brands saw their share fall by 9.3 percentage points, reflecting weaker performance. Geely led all automakers with seven models on the list—the highest number—while Changan had six models listed, most of which ranked near the top. The Zeekr 9X, launched just six months ago, topped the ranking, becoming the first large SUV ever to claim the No. 1 spot. The AION i60 ranked second, delivering standout performance. The FAW Toyota Corolla Cross re-entered the top ten. Some models saw notable declines in ranking: Xiaomi’s YU7 tumbled from No. 1 to No. 15, primarily due to a sharp short-term spike in complaints; NIO’s ES8 dropped out of the top ten entirely. Among premium brands, the Volvo XC70 plug-in hybrid climbed to No. 7—the first European model to break into the top ten. BMW Brilliance contributed three models (X5, X3, and X1), with the X3 and X1 being new entrants. Beijing Benz and FAW Audi each had only one model on the list.