It might be hard to find a bad vehicle in today’s market, but they are out there. In fact, if you’re asking, “what’s the worst SUV you can buy?” then you’ve come to the right place. You want to drive a vehicle that gives you confidence, provides you with the features you need and offers you the versatility that comes with driving SUVs on the road. Wasn’t this the point of transitioning away from sedans into crossover SUVs in the first place? Let’s look at the 10 models you need to avoid.
What makes an SUV show up in the worst of a category?
The 10 Sport Utility Vehicles, rated by AutoBizz, were reviewed for reliability, repair costs, and resale value. While these three factors don’t tell the entire story, it is a good place to start.
The Mitsubishi Outlander Sport creeps into the list
2022 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport | Mitsubishi
Tenth on this list is the Outlander Sport. This is a new generation model for 2022, which should make it one you want to drive, but that’s not the case. This Mitsubishi offers attractive styling, but the lack of power and repair costs put this vehicle out of the running when compared to the rest of the subcompact crossover class.
Avoid the Mini Countryman unless you must have the retro look
2022 Mini Cooper Countryman | BMW of North America, LLC
Maybe Mini shouldn’t have ever dipped its toe in the crossover market, but it did. The Countryman falls short with a low-powered three-cylinder engine. The style is recognizable, and you’ll find a large infotainment screen, but you won’t find standard Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. This is one of those vehicles that are all show and no go.
The Ford Explorer might be a surprise on this list
2021 Ford Explorer | Allison Barfield, MotorBiscuit
The Explorer finds itself in the eighth spot on the list of SUVs you want to avoid. This three-row midsize SUV has three powertrain options, available AWD, and plenty of interior space. Unfortunately, the cabin material appears to come out of the bargain bin, and the fuel economy is lacking for this class.
We’re not shocked to see the Jeep Renegade
Jeep Renegade ‘Dawn of Justice’ edition | Stellantis
Although the latest version of the Renegade brings you several packages and trim levels, it is still the oddly-shaped Jeep SUV that you love to hate. This Jeep will drive you crazy with the amount of wind noise you hear on the road and the lack of fuel economy, which is something you want in a subcompact crossover.
The final year for the Chevrolet Trax is not the time to buy
2022 Chevrolet Trax | Chevrolet
There might be some sweet deals out there for the Trax, and you might enjoy driving it, but it is among the worst SUVs in the market. You can fit five people and some cargo in this SUV, but it lacks safety features found in many of the competitors. This SUV will lose value in the upcoming years because 2022 is its final year of production.
Is the GMC Acadia an SUV you should avoid?
2022 GMC Acadia SLE & SLT | GMC
The 2022 version of the Acadia is a midsize crossover SUV that offers upscale interior design, the technology you desire, and a powerful V6 engine. That sounds like a pretty good formula, but there’s a glaring issue with this SUV. The Acadia has a small cargo area behind a cramped third-row. This means you got to make decisions to carry more than five people in the Acadia.
The Ford EcoSport is a newly-outdated SUV
2022 Ford Ecosport | Ford Media Center
Ford didn’t bring the EcoSport to the market too long ago, but it’s already an outdated model. Arriving in the fourth spot among SUVs you want to avoid, this SUV is also rated the worst in its class by Car and Driver. You’ll find an outdated infotainment system, lack of safety features, and poor fuel economy when you see the EcoSport.
Why did the Fiat 500X ever exist?
Fiat 500X | Fiat
Another brand similar to Mini that should have stayed out of the SUV game is Fiat. The Fiat 500X lags behind nearly every vehicle in the market in terms of cargo and passenger space. It doesn’t help that the 500X comes at a high starting price when compared to other models. You’ve truly got to love this crossover to make it the one you want to drive.
The Dodge Journey solidifies its place on this list
Red Dodge Journey | Dodge
While this is not a list any automaker wants to see their vehicles on, the Dodge Journey has been here for years. The Journey touts seating for seven, but it’s too small for seven adults. It has enough power to get you to 60 mph in 3-5 business days, and the fuel economy is below average. If you see this SUV, just keep on walking; it’s not worth your time.
The Land Rover Range Rover tops the list
2022 Land Rover Range Rover | Land Rover
Why should you avoid the Land Rover Range Rover? This SUV has high maintenance costs and low resale value, putting it in the top position on this list of SUVs to avoid. Otherwise, if you’re looking for a Land Rover to drive, the Range Rover offers powerful engines, excellent off-road capability, and an impressive interior area. You’ll simply have to keep it until it dies.
SUVs to avoid with better options offered.
Keyword: Don’t Hate What You Drive, Avoid These 10 SUVs