SUVs That Didn’t Live Up to Owner Expectations
SUVs are super popular right now. But it’s important to know which ones are good and which ones aren’t. We’ve put together a list of the 35 SUVs owners regret buying. Curious to see which ones made the list and what owners rated them? Read on to find out more.
Infiniti QX60
The QX60 looks super fancy on the outside. But, under the hood, it hides transmission issues. And those repairs are not cheap. For the price tag, owners just don’t feel like they’re getting the performance and reliability they expected the Infiniti to have.
Toyota Corolla Cross
You’d think a Toyota would be a safe, reliable bet, but this one is disappointing. The Corolla Cross has a weak engine, a noisy cabin, and a cheap interior. People who bought the Cross wish they’d bought something else instead. Something a little more reliable and comfortable.
Mazda CX-90 PHEV
Mazda usually makes cars that are fun to drive. But this plug-in SUV frustrated owners with an awkward driving feel, poor electric range, and a confusing infotainment system. Buyers walked away feeling more than just a little disappointed.
Volkswagen Taos
On paper, the Volkswagen Taos seemed like a stylish, affordable little SUV. In reality, owners complained about electrical gremlins, stalling, and an engine that feels rough. Repairs started piling up fast, and the many owners wished they’d bought something a bit more reliable.
Jeep Compass
Jeep’s Compass looked rugged, but owners felt trucked. It struggled with performance, the interior felt cheap, and it just wasn’t as reliable as owners thought it would be. For a Jeep, they expected an adventure spirit, but the Compass just didn’t deliver.
Ford EcoSport
The Ford EcoSport tries to be a cool city SUV. Sadly, too many owners have issues with the weak engine, a bumpy ride, and that annoying rear swing-out door that makes loading and unloading the car tricky in tight spaces.
Dodge Journey
The Journey hung around way too long, and by the end, it was outdated. It had a sluggish performance, a really cheap-feeling interior, and a lack of modern features. Sure, it’s affordable and roomy, but that outdated tech just wasn’t good enough.
Mitsubishi Outlander Sport
Mitsubishi’s Outlander Sport was one of the sportier-looking SUVs, but the drive didn’t quite match the looks. The engine felt underpowered, and the cabin was too loud. Owners regret buying it because it just didn’t hold up well over time.
Chevrolet Trax
The Trax was small and easy to park - and that’s where the positives end. Owners complained about the cramped back seat, weak acceleration, and noisy ride. It felt more like a budget car disguised as an SUV. It didn’t feel worth the price.
2021 Nissan Rogue
The Rogue looked like a solid family SUV. But owners of the Rogue were disappointed with the CVT transmission that felt clunky and sometimes failed. The fuel efficiency also wasn’t as good as promised. The Rogue ended up being a headache.
Chevrolet Equinox
The Equinox seemed like a solid choice until engine troubles popped up and oil consumption became the biggest complaint. Daily drives became frustrating, and owners were less than impressed with the reliability, too. It didn’t live up to Chevrolet’s promises.
2020 Ford Explorer
Ford’s 2020 Explorer had a lot of hype, but owners quickly saw problems with the build quality, misaligned panels, and rattling sound that came from the car when driving. Add in drivetrain and tech issues, and owners were let down with constant trips to the repair shop for some expensive fixes.
Buick Encore
The Encore tried to sell itself as a small luxury SUV. Needless to say, it missed the mark completely. The ride felt bouncy, the engine was weak, and the carbon felt a lot smaller and tighter. It also didn’t stand out in comfort or performance.
2023 Hyundai Kona
The Hyundai Kona came packed with features. But these were just not enough to disguise the rough ride, stiff seats, and noisy road that crept in. It was uncomfortable on long rides. People thought they were buying a fun, stylish car, and got a tired, boring ride instead.
2017 Nissan Armada
Owners ran into serious problems with the 2017 Nissan Armada. From brake failures to transmission troubles, people expected more from an expensive SUV. The cost of fixing these problems was so high that owners regretted ever signing on the dotted line.
2022 Lincoln Aviator
The 2022 Aviator was supposed to be a smooth, premium SUV. Many owners ended up disappointed instead. The Aviator came with reliability issues that resulted in many headaches and high repair bills. It wasn’t the peace of mind everyone thought it was.
Hummer H2
The Hummer H2 was one of those SUVs that looked cool in pictures, but was actually a nightmare to live with. Owners had countless issues with the awful fuel economy, electrical problems, and engine stalling. This flashy SUV was just impractical and expensive.
Pontiac Aztek
The Aztek is probably one of the most infamous SUVs ever. It didn’t just look strange - it had endless mechanical problems, too. It tried hard to be practical, but had reliability issues and a poor resale value that made it a big flop.
Toyota 4Runner
The 4Runner was tough and great off-road, but not every SUV buyer needs that. Owners who used it for city driving regretted the poor fuel economy and stiff ride. They realized a bit too late that they bought more SUVs than they really needed.
Jeep Wrangler Gladiator
Jeep’s Gladiator looked awesome with its mix of ruggedness and truck utility. But owners quickly complained about the fuel economy, the rough ride, and the poor reliability. Plus, it was expensive. Too many people bought it for its looks and regretted how impractical it really was.
2023 Kia Sorento
The 2023 Kia Sorento fell way short of drivers' expectations of a dependable family SUV. People wanted reliability, but got glitchy safety systems like lane departure warnings. The tech didn’t always work right, and that was frustrating - especially in a new car that promised quality and convenience.
2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE
When you’re paying Mercedes prices, you expect perfection. But the 2023 GLE had too many quality-control slip-ups. Owners had issues with the assembly, interior trim, and some electronics. Sure, the issues seem small, but they’re big disappointments when you’re paying such a high price.
2023 Volkswagen Tiguan
The Tiguan is one of the more stylish SUVs. But, dependability is a big problem. There have been issues with the transmission and other mechanical parts. And those repairs? Well, they’re not cheap. Owners regret buying an SUV that spent more time in the repair shop than on the road.
2025 Kia Seltos
Kia’s Seltos was modern and affordable. It’s a pity its driving experience wasn’t very fun. Owners of the 2023 model of the Seltos complained about the noisy ride, awkward lighting controls, and steering that just felt off. People expected more comfort.
2025 Nissan Kicks
The Nissan Kicks has always been cheap and fuel-efficient. And the 2025 model is no different - except this one has engine issues and a flimsy build quality. It’s shaky on highways, and the interior feels bare. Most owners regret not spending a bit more on something sturdier.
2025 Kia Sorento Hybrid
A hybrid Sorento sounds perfect, right? But the reality is anything but perfect. The third row is cramped, the infotainment is clunky, and steering issues bug owners. Those who bought it for practicality regret it, because it doesn’t feel as roomy or smooth as people hoped.
2025 Audi Q4 E-Tron
Audi fans expected a sleek, electric SUV when they bought the Q4 E-Tron. What they got instead fell flat. The cargo space is limited, and the steering feels a bit too twitchy. Owners also say it doesn’t drive as smoothly as other Audis.
Ford Escape
Mechanics warn people about the Escape. And owners agree that there are way too many issues with the Escape to make it a good buy. It has transmission and engine issues, and breaks down when you least expect it to. It’s a stressful SUV to own long-term.
Range Rover Evoque Hybrid
The Evoque Hybrid looked like a luxury ride. But owners found it unreliable. It broke down often, and extremely long repair times left owners frustrated. It’s not what you’d expect for such an expensive SUV, and many people regret buying it in the first place.
Fisker Ocean Extreme
The Fisker Ocean Extreme had a lot of hype. But that quickly died down when owners were hit with issues like warning lights, faulty key fobs, and tech systems that seemed outdated. Worst of all, the value drops fast. We’re talking nearly 80% in under a year. Ouch!
Jeep Cherokee
The Cherokee has a bit of a reputation for being unreliable, and owners can confirm this. It has electrical issues, a weak engine, and other problems that make it a money pit. People who want the Jeep name end up regretting it after buying a Cherokee.
Jeep Renegade
Jeep’s Renegade is cute, but owners complain that it's cheaply made. The reliability is shaky, and the ride is rough. The fuel economy? Well, that’s not great either. It’s often bought as a first-time SUV ride that owners regret later when the problems kick in.
Audi Q8 E-Tron
The Audi Q8 E-Tron has a luxurious vibe, sure, but there are too many issues with navigation and climate control to make it a good buy. Cold weather cuts the real-world range, and slow charging options make long trips stressful.
Land Rover Discovery Sport
Land Rover’s Discovery Sport is not as posh as it’s meant to be. Reliability scores are less than 50%, and too many owners say its performance is only average. It also needs a lot of maintenance, and we all know how frustrating that can be!
2025 Jeep Grand Cherokee PHEV
A plug-in Jeep that promises efficiency? Yes, please! But owners of the new Grand Cherokee PHEV complain about terrible fuel efficiency, and the ride isn’t as comfortable as they expected it to be. They also feel like they paid extra for very little in return.
