Which are the SUVs with the most deal-breaking flaws? Consumer Reports has identified the SUVs to avoid. Check out the complete list here before you make a costly mistake.
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Have you ever purchased a vehicle and then realized you made a big mistake a few weeks in? You are not alone. You can't possibly know a vehicle's good and bad characteristics from a short 30-minute test drive at the dealer.
You spend most of your time trying to figure out how to adjust the mirrors, seat adjustments, and the vehicle's in-vehicle technology. You are concentrating on driving a completely unfamiliar vehicle, and your attention is divided. It's easy to miss its flaws.
What About Online Car Reviews?
Reviews can help you learn about a vehicle's features and new model upgrades. But you won't discover a vehicle's deal-breaking flaws by reading a vehicle's online review from a journalist who spent 200- 300 miles behind the wheel. It takes hours of seat time.
How do you find an SUV's deal-breaking flaws? You let Consumer Reports do the heavy lifting for you. I've pulled information from CR's report (by subscription) by breaking down their data. When I dug deeper, I found some interesting things about which car brands have the most models you may want to avoid.
Consumer Reports says, "That's why Consumer Reports' auto experts drive each car, SUV, and truck for a lot of miles—2,000, in fact—before we even begin to test it."
"By doing this, we live with and use the cars in everyday situations, just like you do. Add partners, spouses, and children into the mix, and you get a unique take on what works and what doesn't when driving and living with a vehicle. And that's before each vehicle goes through 50 objective and subjective tests."
I've compiled a list of the subcompact, compact, and midsize SUVs that received the lowest scores in CR's evaluations for quietness, visibility, easy-to-use controls, and rear-seat comfort. All can be deal-breaking flaws and models you may want to avoid.
Through their evaluations, CR identified four categories where deal-breaking flaws could make a buyer regret a purchase: how the controls work, visibility from the driver's seat, rear-seat comfort, and cabin noise.
There are quite a few models listed here, so find the vehicle category you are most interested in, such as subcompact, compact, or midsize SUV, and check the models you should avoid buying. In the end, I'll list the best models in each segment that Consumer Reports says are "stress-free SUVs that you'll love driving and owning."
Here are the SUVs in each category and vehicle segment that received the worst scores. Consider avoiding these models. I wanted to find out which car brands had the most models on the list. It's not what I expected.
Car Brands With The Most Models On The List
Surprisingly, the German luxury automaker Mercedes-Benz had the most models, with five. You'd think that a luxury car would be flawless or near perfect, but it's not. Luxury brands Tesla and Land Rover had three models that were on the should avoid list, along with Toyota and Mazda, which also had three models.
Usability and Controls
Subcompact SUVs
Ones to skip:
- Mercedes-Benz GLA
- Mercedes-Benz GLB
- Volvo XC40
Compact SUVs
Ones to skip:
- Genesis GV70
- Tesla Model Y
- Volvo XC60 PHEV
- Maserati Grecale
- Land Rover Range Rover Evoque
- Mercedes-Benz GLC
Midsize SUVs
Ones to skip:
- Tesla Model X
- Mercedes-Benz GLE
- Rivian R1S
- Genesis GV80
- Acura MDX
- Toyota Venza
- Mazda CX-90
Outward Visibility
Subcompact SUVs
One to skip:
- Mazda CX-30
Compact SUVs
Ones to skip:
- Kia EV6
- Land Rover Range Rover Velar
- Mini Cooper Countryman,
- Alfa Romeo Tonale
- Dodge Hornet
- Land Rover Range Rover Evoque
Midsize SUVs
Ones to skip:
- Jaguar I-Pace
- Tesla Model X
- Alfa Romeo Stelvio
- Jaguar F-Pace
Rear-Seat Comfort
Subcompact SUVs
One to skip:
- Mazda CX-30
Compact SUVs
Ones to skip:
- Lexus UX
- Mercedes-Benz GLB
Midsize 2-Row SUVS
Ones to skip:
- Ford Bronco
- Jeep Wrangler
Cabin Quietness
Subcompact SUVs
One to skip:
- Kia Seltos
Compact SUVs
Ones to skip:
- Toyota RAV4,
- Toyota RAV4 Hybrid,
- Dodge Hornet
Midsize 2-Row SUVS
Ones to skip:
- Ford Bronco
- Jeep Wrangler
OK, Which Are The Best Models?
Here are the top-ranked SUVs in each category and vehicle segment that were the best in class for not having flaws and you won't regret buying them.
The Best Usability and Controls
Subcompact SUV
- Honda HR-V
Compact SUV
- Honda CR-V
Midsize SUV
- Honda Pilot
The Best Visibility
Subcompact SUV
- BMW X1
Compact SUV
- Honda CR-V
Midsize SUV
- Subaru Outback
Read about the 2024 Subaru Outback's visibility in a report here.
The Best Rear-Seat Comfort
Subcompact SUV
- Kia Seltos
Compact SUV
- Hyundai Tucson
Midsize 2-Row SUV
- Ford Edge
Midsize 3-Row SUV
- Hyundai Palisade
The Best Cabin Quietness
Subcompact SUV
- Subaru Crosstrek
You can read about the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek's quiet cabin in a report here.
Compact SUV
- Hyundai Tucson Hybrid
Midsize 2-Row SUV
- Ford Edge
Midsize 3-Row SUV
- Kia Telluride
There you go, you've been warned about the models with deal-breaking flaws. And the "stress-free SUVs that you'll love driving and owning."
We want to hear from you. Have you purchased a vehicle with deal-breaking flaws? Also, tell us about a model you've owned that you would buy again. Click the red Add New Comment link below and join the discussion.
I am Denis Flierl, a top Torque News reporter since 2012. I’ve invested over 13 years in the automotive industry in a consulting role, working with every major car brand. I am an experienced Rocky Mountain Automotive Press member. You'll find my expert Subaru analysis here. Follow me on my X SubaruReport, All Subaru, WRXSTI, @DenisFlierl, Facebook, and Instagram.
Photo credit: Freepiks
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