Everyone Regrets Buying These 10 SUVs

Jul 10, 2023

Buying these 10 SUVs will give you nothing but a headache and a big case of buyer's remorse.

For people who want seating for over six passengers and want a vehicle that is both practical and efficient, full-size SUVs are the ideal choice. Given its spaciousness over more conventional sedans and hatchbacks, full-size SUVs are becoming the ultimate pick for many families. Furthermore, with commanding driving positions, practical cabins, and ample luggage capacity, these family haulers make long journeys pleasant and adventurous.

Related: 10 Most Reliable Compact SUVs Of 2022

However, despite receiving a lot of attention over the past two decades, there have been a few offerings that have caused buyers to second-guess their purchase. Owners of these SUVs complained about the vehicles' fuel economy, performance, reliability, and need for frequent repairs. So here are the top ten SUVs that everyone regrets buying.

Cadillac entered the SUV market with Escalade in 1999. Over the period, it evolved into the renowned sports utility, we know today. Plus, this premium SUV has also risen in popularity among youthful buyers, celebrities, and affluent families.

The 2020 Escalade, though, is a letdown. It was good only for buyers who loved to flaunt their ostentatious wealth. This final of the fourth-gen Escalade model was troublesome for owners thanks to its malfunctioning powertrain, poor handling, and problematic service brakes. Additionally, it had a serious transmission problem with shifting delays.

The Toyota Sequoia is a famous full-size SUV that has been around for over two decades. It is loved by many and considered a solid family hauler. This massive SUV enjoys high resale value and has a potent engine. But, the 2008 Sequoia was such a bland offering that buyers started to repent their decision. It was also the year that received the most complaints.

The Japanese SUV disappointed its owners with a variety of problems. It exhibited sloppy handling, poor fuel economy, leaking camshaft towers, and premature rusting. The 8-seater SUV also had considerable cabin difficulties, like a squishy brake pedal, seat belts that wouldn't retract after use, and a radio system that would occasionally stop functioning.

Subaru is renowned for its sturdy vehicles and all-wheel drive as standard. It has gained the trust and allegiance of its customers throughout the years. However, it might surprise you to learn that not all Subaru models are created equal given this. The moniker's largest SUV, the 2019 Ascent model, deviated from the brand's reliability philosophy.

Related: Subaru Is Replacing Vehicles For 2019 Ascent Owners Impacted By Recall

This five-door SUV had severe reliability concerns. It was even named one of the top ten least reliable cars in Consumer Reports the following year. Moreover, it had many more problems, like an engine start issue, electrical problems, a windshield that cracked easily, and heavy battery drainage due to the tailgate. Its loud ride noise, defective climate system, and poor suspension, which made the ride stiff, also hampered the driver during the ride.

Many folks who are looking for a car believe that if it is pricey, it must be a fantastic model. Though this wasn't the case with the 2021 Land Rover Discovery Sport. The luxury sport-ute was simply awful, despite having an unrivaled brand legacy in the world of upscale off-road SUVs. Plagued with a slew of concerns, including poor ride handling, engine noise, and limited off-road abilities, forced buyers to second-guess their decision.

The high-riding hauler was impressive with its interiors and modern styling but had a lackluster performance. Its meager acceleration allowed it to sprint from zero to 60 mph in 8.6 seconds. It also had a serious durability concern and was poorly rated in Consumer Report's reliability category.

Ford built MKT under the Lincoln division from 2010 until 2019. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to call the Lincoln MKT a poor choice. The buyers' reactions to this three-row luxury SUV were quite revealing. It was so awful that several auto critics recommended avoiding its final model year.

Related: 10 Most Reliable Full-Size SUVs On The Market In 2022

The full-size sports utility, despite being marketed as a luxury SUV, never had that feeling. Although it featured an impressive 365-hp twin-turbocharged V6 engine, the SUV had terrible handling and agility. Additionally, its outdated cabin styling, premature tire wear, and subpar fuel efficiency further frustrated MKT owners.

The GMC Yukon is undoubtedly one of the most popular names in the full-sized SUV market. It is widely regarded as one of the finest and most competent SUVs. Since its birth in 1993, the bulky SUV has been moderately desirable thanks to its reasonable pricing and aesthetic appeal. Sadly, the 2022 Yukon was a very different story, making buyers regret their decision.

Yukon's buyers didn't receive the high-quality SUVs for which they paid hefty prices. Plus, its high step-ins, braking issues, poor reliability, and maneuverability further frustrated their selection. The American three-row SUV also had the worst fuel economy with a combined 17 MPG.

In 2007, just before the "Great Recession," Dodge unveiled Nitro. It was Dodge's only SUV until the Journey debuted in 2009. In addition to its wrong timing, it was also the worst sports utility vehicle that folks regretted purchasing.

Nitro possessed tons of difficulties, such as non-responsive handling, weird ride noise, horrible visibility, and mediocre off-road capabilities. This oddly designed boxy SUV also had an austere interior, a poor vehicle finish, and, to add more misery to the buyer, an underpowered engine. In a nutshell, Nitro epitomized cheapness.

Jeep is frequently regarded as the pioneer of the SUV. The brand enjoys success thanks to popular models like the Cherokee and Wrangler, which still rule the segment. However, the Renegade now has trouble living up to its moniker's legacy. Many Renegade owners have forfeited their love for the 2022 model. The Jeep Renegade lacks power, and its nine-speed automatic transmission is sluggish.

Related: The Worst SUVs To Buy In 2022

A 1.3-liter, four-cylinder engine in this five-door cranks out a mere 177 hp. Moreover, it also has a poor acceleration time of 10 seconds to hit 60 mph. Also, its poor gas mileage, unreliable climate control system, and hard braking system, made buyers' lives difficult. Even its interior is bare and made of inexpensive plastic and rubber materials.

There's no denying that Hummer is a one-time obsession for any SUV lover or auto enthusiast. Designed for extreme weather and rough terrain, the marque is synonymous with reliability. But it had a mishap with the Hummer H2, where owners were upset with the offering. Despite being credited with excellent off-road abilities, the H2 had dreadful issues like engine stalling, a gas cap problem, challenging rearward visibility, and a faulty turn signal switch.

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Surprisingly, there was also plastic finish on the inside. Owners also complained about a malfunctioning HVAC system brought on by a mode door actuator failure, loud knocking noises, an oil pressure concern, and a defective steering wheel position sensor. This led to frequent repairs and expensive maintenance.

Everybody remembers the Pontiac Aztek from its memorable appearance in the iconic web series Breaking Bad, where the lead character Walter White drives it around. Also, General Motors presented the sport-ute as a trendy and stylish model. As a result, a lot of consumers thought it was fun to drive and sporty, later realizing that it was total junk after purchasing it. Numerous SUV admirers dubbed the Aztek the worst and ugliest SUV ever, and it had nothing to

offer in response.

With its peculiar look and unreliable performance, it completely let down the owners. The cabin too was absolute crap with oddly patterned fabric seats and rubberized and cheap plastic accents. The 5-door SUV also made things worse by having terrible off-road and on-road handling. There were also multiple criticisms regarding the malfunction of the fuel delivery system and fuel leakage that led to the vehicle catching fire. Thanks to repeated recalls, the Aztek's resale value also dropped, leaving buyers furious.

Debidutt Tiwari is a car enthusiast who is fascinated with automobile research and writing about cars. He is Culers, a Formula One fan who even enjoys car designing and street skateboarding.