Never Judge a Book by Its Cover...
Over the years, we've seen some wonderfully stylish luxury SUVs on the market. But never judge a book by its cover, folks. Certain vehicles aren't as perfect as they appear. So keeping that in mind, we're going to run through a selection of problematic SUVs from recent times right here. A few names might surprise you!
2022 Buick Encore
Is the 2022 Buick Encore nice to look at? Most definitely. But beyond that? Oh boy. The interior is severly lacking compared to its rivals, which isn't great news. Mind you, the worst is yet to come. The '22 Encore's engine is also very weak — it can just about reach 155 horsepower.
2022 Lexus UX
The 2022 Lexus UX has a lot going for it. It's fairly-priced, easy to drive, and has an excellent fuel economy. But there are issues here. The infotainment is pretty lame compared to other luxury SUVs, while the exterior design really divides opinion. The tailights continue to confound folks today!
2022 BMW X2
A seemingly perfect blend of power and beauty, the 2022 BMW X2 is an easy SUV to fall in love with. It does have its problems, though. The start-stop system is known to be unreliable, the air conditioning can be iffy, and the infotainment doesn't always work. What a bummer!
2025 Mini Countryman JCW
Undeniably stylish, the 2025 Mini Countryman JCW isn't without its issues. Let's start with the handling — it's not great! The weight of the body really hurts it here. And the interior? Yikes. Thanks to some lackluster seats, it isn't the most comfortable SUV to ride in. Are there better options on the market? You bet.
2022 Audi Q3
The 2022 Audi Q3 is a very nice motor. Its exterior is eye-catching for the right reasons, the interior's comfortable, and the infotainment system is excellent. So why's it on this list, then? Well, the '22 Q3's fuel economy is quite low compared to other luxury SUVs. It's a tricky thing to look past.
2022 Jaguar E-Pace
Roomy? Check. Good handling? Check. A nice body? Absolutely! Yep, there's much to like about the 2022 Jaguar E-Pace. But its issues can't be ignored. The engine is known to be unreliable due to a timing chain problem. In addition to that, the fuel economy could be a lot better as well.
2022 Cadillac XT4
With legroom to spare and excellent engine choices, the 2022 Cadillac XT4 is a very easy motor to like. It's not perfect by any means, though. The interior as a whole doesn't hold up when compared to rival SUVs. As for the brakes, they aren't as responsive as you'd hope.
2025 Acura ADX
It's hard to look away from the 2025 Acura ADX. Talk about a stunner! But when you finally get behind the wheel, some big problems start to crop up. The engine is a major issue — it's super weak. It can't even reach 200 horsepower. On top of that, the '25 ADX is a very noisy vehicle to ride in, too.
2022 Buick Encore GX
The 2022 Buick Encore GX is a slightly bigger model than the standard Encore. It's comfortable to ride in and boasts a very nice engine. So what's the problem here? Simple — the GX's rivals are only a touch more expensive with lusher features. If given the choice, you might want to spend a little extra for a better overall experience.
2022 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque
Arguably one of the best-looking SUVs on the road, the 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque can't do much more on the style-front. Performance-wise, though? That's a different story! This vehicle isn't particularly reliable, while the transmission is seriously disappointing. The high price stings as well.
2025 Cadillac XT4
How does the 2025 Cadillac XT4 compare to the 2022 model? Is it any better? Unfortunately not, folks. While it looks gorgeous, this SUV doesn't have the smoothest of rides. It's been labeled by some as "jittery" — yikes! Reliability is another big concern as well.
2025 Hyundai Kona
Visually, the 2025 Hyundai Kona looks like it belongs in a futuristic sci-fi movie. It's so unique! But it's not flawless. This isn't the most comfortable SUV to ride in. And the base engine? Oof. It struggles to hit the heights of its rivals on the road.
2025 Volkswagen Taos
Sporting a nice interior and an eye-catching body, the 2025 Volkswagen Taos looks like a solid SUV. But could it be better? Absolutely! The climate controls aren't the easiest to use, while the on-board touchscreens are smaller than expected. It's not the most exciting vehicle to drive, either.
2024 Dodge Hornet
Will the 2024 Dodge Hornet leave you buzzing? In frustration, maybe! Yep, this SUV does have some big plusses, but certain things really let it down. For instance, the fuel economy could be a lot better. Cargo space is a big problem, too. It can get quite cramped in the rear.
2024 Volvo C40 Recharge
Boasting a range of just under 300 miles on a single charge, the 2024 Volvo C40 Recharge is an excellent EV. It's a pleasure to ride in, too. Yet it does have issues. The cargo bay is way too small, while the rear pillars cut down your visibility.
2025 Hyundai Venue
From the outside, the 2025 Hyundai Venue looks like a very spacious SUV. That's not the case, though! The interior is surprisingly cramped, with little room to spare. And the Venue's engine also leaves a lot to be desired. It's really weak, barely passing 120 horsepower.
2025 Kia Seltos
There's much to appreciate about the 2025 Kia Seltos. It looks great, has excellent safety features, and boasts a comfy interior. It's not all good news, though. This SUV doesn't have the smoothest of rides, made worse by a noisy engine. The infotainment can be iffy, too.
2025 Mazda CX-30
A good-looking SUV that handles well? What's not to like here? Quite a bit, unfortunately. Yes, the 2025 Mazda CX-30 does have issues. There's not much space for the passengers in the rear, while the turbocharged engine option burns through gas fairly quickly.
2025 Chevrolet Trax
The 2025 Chevrolet Trax is a slick, roomy SUV with plenty of positive features. How about negatives, though? Well, it doesn't offer an all-wheel drive option, which is pretty disappointing. But the biggest problem is with the engine. It can only reach 137 horsepower!
2025 Hyundai Kona EV
In the main, the 2025 Hyundai Kona EV is a solid choice if you're looking for an electric SUV. But it's tough to look past some of its issues. The standard battery only has a range of around 200 miles — a number that could be better. The electric motor is also on the weaker side, barely surpassing 130 horsepower.
Through: MercurySable99