Consumer Reports Rates The Worst SUV Deals

Good Cars, Bad Prices

Earlier we covered the makes and models rated by Consumer Reports as good cars at a good price in a recent best new car deals list, that included small cars, sports cars, sedans and the ever-popular SUVs.

Today, we learn that CR analysts have also come out with a new list that rather than reports good SUVs at a good price, we are finding that the current new car market has resulted in a listing of good SUVs at bad prices.

According to Consumer Reports analysts:

Inflation, parts shortages, and a recovering economy have all thrown a socket wrench into the auto industry, putting a severe strain on the new-car market. So forget about getting a good deal on certain popular cars, SUVs, and trucks. Some are so hard to come by that consumers are paying well above sticker price for them. That includes must-have models or those essential for business, such as heavy-duty pickup trucks.

In fact, pricing for some of the more-popular models has gotten so bad that the Kelley Blue Book reported that the average price for new cars has climbed thousands in the past year---some reaching over $45,000 as of their September 2021 data.

Bad Prices, Hard Choices

As examples of how bad it has gotten---especially for customers wanting to buy particular SUVs---here are the top 6 worst SUV deals based on current pricing and sale that reveal customers having to pay anywhere from 16-20% above MSRP values.

#1: 2021 Kia Telluride (20% Over MSRP)
Price Range: $32,190 - $44,390
CR MPG: Overall 21 mpg / City 14 / Hwy 30 mpg
Rated #1 of 14: Midsized sport-utility 3-row

Specific Model: 2022 Kia Telluride EX AWD
MSRP: $39,790
Average spent over MSRP: $7,940
Average transaction price: $47,730

#2. 2022 Kia Seltos (18% Over MSRP)
Price Range: $22,490 - $27,990
CR MPG: Overall 28 / City 20 / Hwy 35 mpg
#6 of 15 Subcompact sport-utility vehicles

Specific Model: 2022 Kia Seltos S 2.0 AWD
MSRP: $24,190
Average spent over MSRP: $4,322
Average transaction price: $28,512

#3. 2021 Hyundai Venue (17% Over MSRP)
Price Range: $18,750 - $22,050
CR MPG: Overall 32 / City 23 / Hwy 41 mpg
#3 of 6 Subcompact cars

Specific Model: 2022 Hyundai Venue SE IVT
MSRP: $18,900
Average spent over MSRP: $3,264
Average transaction price: $22,164

#4: 2021 Kia Sorento (17% Over MSRP)
Price Range: $29,390 - $42,590
CR MPG: Overall 25 / City 17 / Hwy 34 mpg
#5 of 14 Midsized sport-utility vehicles 3-row

Specific Model: 2022 Kia Sorento LX FWD
MSRP: $29,490
Average spent over MSRP: $5,017
Average transaction price: $34,507

#5. 2021 GMC Yukon (17% Over MSRP)
Price Range: $51,000 - $71,600
CR MPG: Overall 17 / City 11 / Hwy 24 mpg
#6 of 8 Large sport-utility vehicles

Specific Model: 2021 GMC Yukon SLE 2WD
MSRP: $51,000
Average spent over MSRP: $8,132
Average transaction price: $59,132

#6. 2022 Hyundai Tucson (16% Over MSRP)
Price Range: $24,950 - $37,350
CR MPG: Overall 26 / City 18 / Hwy 35 mpg
#6 of 23 Compact sport-utility vehicles

Specific Model:2022 Hyundai Tucson SE AWD
MSRP: $26,450
Average spent over MSRP: $4,254
Average transaction price: $30,704

Contenders That Did Not Make The List, But May Soon

CR analysts included an additional 10 models that currently are “… transacting at 15 percent or more over MSRP…” that includes (in rank order) the Kia K5, Nissan Kicks, Nissan Versa, Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD, GMC Sierra 2500HD, Hyundai Palisade, Hyundai Sonata, Hyundai Santa Cruz, Nissan Frontier, and Nissan Rogue Sport.

Car Buying Options

This may prove to be one of those times where the saying “Patience is a Virtue,” is the best option for now in that experts in the automotive field are telling car buyers not to cave in or panic by paying more than what that new car is really worth. As recently posted, here is some recently summarized advice from a well-known YouTube channel Toyota car mechanic regarding what to do about inflated car prices:

Don’t feed the shark---right now many dealerships are taking advantage of the chip shortage problem by seriously over-inflating the prices of not just new cars, but used cars as well…the chip shortage will not last forever, but what will last forever is that regret you will feel after having paid too much for a vehicle that will eventually come down in price. The best advice is to stick to the MSRP pricing as your guide and learn how to deal with dealership salespersons when looking at a car on the lot.

And finally…

For an informative article that offers a used car option, check out this one titled “Consumer Reports Used Car Pick Finds From $40,000 to $7,000” when looking into buying a used car instead of a new one to hold you over until the market improve for new car buyers.

COMING UP NEXT: Why the Honda Fit is the Best Car for the Money

Timothy Boyer is an automotive reporter based in Cincinnati. Experienced with early car restorations, he regularly restores older vehicles with engine modifications for improved performance. Follow Tim on Twitter at @TimBoyerWrites for daily news and topics related to ICE and EV cars and trucks.