The Worst Luxury Crossovers on the Market Today

The Infiniti QX50 sounds good on paper, but it’s far from impressive in real life. The engine feels too weak, especially coming from a luxury brand like Infiniti. On the interior, the cabin looks fine at first glance, but quickly starts to feel dated if you spend too much time in it. The screens and buttons on the infotainment system just don’t feel modern, and many of Infiniti’s rivals offer much slicker setups. For the price you’re paying for the QX50, people expect more excitement and polish than the luxury crossover delivers. 

Cadillac’s XT4 tries way too hard to be a premium car. Instead, it ends up feeling small and overpriced. All you have to do is sit inside, and you’ll notice the tight space - especially in the back seats. The quality also disappoints, and it feels firm in a really bad way. Many people think the XT4 can’t decide if it wants to be sporty or comfortable, and for the money they’re paying, they’re expecting smoothness and quiet. It feels too busy on rough roads. It’s no surprise that people are taking their money elsewhere.

Lincoln is synonymous with class and comfort, right? Well, yes, but not the Corsair. This car has had too many reliability complaints that pop up more often than they should in this price range. Then there’s the infotainment system. It feels clunky and slow, which quickly kills that luxury vibe. When screens lag and menus confuse you, driving becomes annoying instead of relaxing. Lincoln aims for calm and smooth, but the tech hiccups and reliability worries make the Corsair feel a bit less trustworthy than people expect. 

The Acura RDX used to be a great pick, but time hasn’t been kind to it. Other brands improved fast, while the RDX stayed mostly the same. Step inside, and it looks okay, but it doesn’t feel soft or special anymore. The tech also feels old. Screens aren’t as clean or easy to use as newer rivals. It still drives fine, but luxury isn’t just about driving or looking just okay. These days, the RDX feels like it’s trying to keep up instead of leading the pack.

Jag’s E-Pace wears a pretty classy badge that makes it look fancy. But living with it is another story entirely, and most people say owning one is frustrating. It uses more fuel than you’d expect for a small luxury crossover. Inside, space feels tight, especially in the back seat and cargo area. That’s a letdown when you’re paying luxury prices. The ride feels firm, but not in a fun or sporty way. Buyers expect smooth elegance from Jaguar, but the E-Pace feels cramped and inefficient instead of polished and luxurious.

The Lexus NX is dependable, but it doesn’t spark much joy - and that’s what you want when you’re paying for a luxury crossover. The infotainment system is confusing and awkward, and even simple things turn out complicated. On the road, the NX is calm, quiet, and…. Dull. It doesn’t have the excitement of a Lexus, even when you push it. Yes, Lexus does reliability very well, but the NX feels too safe and almost too boring. Buyers wanting modern tech or fun driving feel like the NX is a missed chance. 

The Volvo XC40 Recharge looks super cool and promises a modern electric experience, but the range often disappoints, and owners are not happy. The real driving distance feels shorter than expected, which adds stress on longer trips, and the price also feels a bit too high for what you really get. Other EVs offer more range for less money. The design looks great, sure, and safety features impress, but many buyers feel they’re paying extra just for the name. As an electric crossover, it feels more average than exciting.

The Maserati Grecale definitely turns heads and sounds great, but owning one can be stressful. Reliability worries come up often, especially over time. Maintenance costs rise quickly, and repairs rarely feel affordable. That’s tough for a vehicle meant to feel relaxing and premium. Many owners love the style but worry every time a warning light appears. The Grecale feels like a gamble - you get beauty and drama, but not always peace of mind, and that’s not something you want to mess around with in a car. 

The Alfa Romeo Stelvio is one of those cars that wins your heart the minute you drive it. The steering feels quick and alive, and it actually makes curvy roads fun instead of boring. That part is hard not to love. The problem starts when real life kicks in. Reliability issues show up more often than they should, especially with electronics and mechanical parts. That turns excitement into anxiety. Many owners enjoy every drive but worry constantly about repairs. It feels like dating someone charming but unpredictable - fun, but stressful.

The Genesis GV70 makes a strong first impression. It looks stylish, the leather feels soft, and the cabin feels upscale when you first sit down. At first, it feels like a real luxury win. Over time, though, small issues can start to chip away at that feeling. Build quality doesn’t always feel consistent, and tech problems can pop up when you least expect them. Screens may freeze or behave oddly, which quickly gets annoying. Genesis has big potential, but these hiccups make the GV70 feel less polished than it should.

BMW’s X2 wears a luxury badge that it doesn’t quite live up to. To be honest, it feels more like a sporty hatchback that got dressed up for a fancy event. Inside, the space feels tight, especially for passengers in the back seat. The ride also feels firm, which makes those long drives way less comfortable. It does handle well, though, so driving can be fun. But the comfort takes a hit, and that’s what people complain about most. If you expect classic BMW luxury, the X2 will leave you disappointed. 

The Audi Q3 looks great from the outside, and it has strong brand appeal, but daily driving tells a different story entirely. The cabin feels smaller than expected inside. Performance, on the other hand, is fine, but not exciting. Buyers expect quicker acceleration and smoother power. Instead, it often feels average. Yes, Audi does design and image very well, but the Q3 doesn’t fully deliver on the luxury promise. Needless to say, owners end up feeling like they paid all that extra money just for the Audi badge. 

Merc’s GLA sounds super impressive on paper, but the interior is a surprise - and not in a good way. Some materials feel way cheaper than expected, which clashes with the luxury image. Moving to the back of the car, the cargo space also feels limited, making it impractical for everyday use. Inside, the tech looks modern, but it doesn’t hide the entry-level feel. Buyers who want a smooth and comfortable ride from Mercedes are left feeling disappointed with their starter model disguised as a luxury crossover. Simply put, they’re not getting what they paid for. 

The Land Rover Discovery Sport is meant to be an adventure car that’s capable and has a premium image. Sadly, reliability issues tend to follow it closely. Many owners report frequent problems that can become expensive very quickly. Even small repairs often cost more than expected. That takes away from the joy of owning a luxury vehicle. Instead of enjoying trips, drivers worry about warning lights and repair bills. The Discovery Sport may be rugged and stylish, but constant maintenance makes it hard to recommend for anyone who wants easy, stress-free ownership.

The Buick Envision tries a bit too hard to feel premium, but it never quite crosses the line or delivers on expectation. The interior is comfortable, but nothing stands out or feels special. The performance is also average, and driving it doesn’t leave the impression it should. For the price, buyers want something memorable and exciting. Instead, the Envision feels too safe and too predictable. It isn’t a bad car - it just doesn’t feel like it’s worth luxury money. We think it’s safe to say that many drivers walk away thinking it’s “okay.” And that says a lot.