Used Luxury SUVs to Avoid and What to Buy Instead Per Consumer Reports Update

Used Luxury SUV Warning

There’s at least one good reason why some first-owners of luxury SUV models don’t hang onto their SUVs as long as you would expect---after 5 years of use and the engine and powertrain warranty have ended, some popular luxury SUV models begin to burden owners with multiple and high repair costs due to reliability problems that surface as the car ages.

“…be careful not to buy the wrong model or you’re likely to deal with a very unluxury-like experience: an uncomfortable ride, maddening controls, a cramped interior, and expensive out-of-warranty repairs,” warns CR analysts.

However, this does not mean that you “…need to give up on your desire to own a luxury SUV; you just need to pick the one that won’t leave you fuming,” states CR analysts. Rather, it’s a matter of knowing which luxury cars have passed the test of time.

Models to Avoid, and Models to Buy

That said, here is a recent list from the good folks at Consumer Reports that points out not just those popular (when new) luxury models to avoid, but those proven as more reliable models to choose from as well as some under-the-radar alternatives that the majority of car shoppers might have missed that turned out to be exemplary.
Their choices come in part from data collected through CR members in their Annual Auto Surveys, that are used to tell you how many problems a model has had compared with the average problem rate for all vehicles of the same model year.

Please note that all “to avoid” models listed rate low on reliability; however, there are other factors such as comfort and handling owners had issues with as well. For a more detailed breakdown of the data, please visit the Consumer Reports website. Note that while access to some information requires a CR membership, the potential savings make it negligible in comparison when looking for the latest information to aid your car buying research.

Related article: Consumer Reports Says These 10 Vehicles Are the Least Reliable to Own

USED LUXURY CAR LIST

Popular SUV to Avoid #1
2014 BMW X3
Price Range: $11,475 - $13,875
Owner Reported MPG: 22 mpg

The Better Choice
2014 Acura RDX
Price Range: $14,100 - $15,175
Owner Reported Mpg: 23 mpg

The Under-the-Radar Alternative
2015 Lincoln MKC
Price Range: $12,975 - $15,725
Owner Reported MPG: 23 mpg

Popular SUV to Avoid #2
2019 Lincoln Nautilus
Price Range: $24,550 - $36,725
Owner Reported MPG: 23 mpg

The Better Choice
2019 Cadillac XT5
Price Range: $24,225 - $34,900
Owner Reported MPG: 22 mpg

The Under-the-Radar Alternative
2016 Lexus RX
Price Range: $24,250 - $31,050
Owner Reported MPG: 21 mpg

Popular SUV to Avoid #3
2019 Cadillac XT4
Price Range: $23,650 - $27,875
Owner Reported MPG: 25 mpg

The Better Choice
2017 Lexus NX
Price Range: $23,875 - $26,250
Owner Reported MPG: 25 mpg

The Under-the-Radar Alternative
2017 Buick Envision
Price Range: $16,100 - $20,250
Owner Reported MPG: 24 mpg

Popular SUV to Avoid #4

2017 Volvo XC90
Price Range: $20,525 - $35,775
Owner Reported MPG: 23 mpg

The Better Choice
2015 Acura MDX
Price Range: $17,000 - $18,975
Owner Reported MPG: 22 mpg

The Under-the-Radar Alternative
2015 Lexus GX
Price Range: $25,425 - $26,800
Owner Reported Mpg: 18 mpg

And finally…

For more about buying any used cars---luxury or not---here are some related articles for your consideration:

• Used Luxury Cars Shoppers Don’t Look For…But Should!

• Consumer Reports Warns Used Car Buyers About Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) Car Scams

• Toyota Dealership Shows What Really Happens When Previously Owned Cars Are Inspected and Certified

Timothy Boyer is a Torque News 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 new and used vehicle news.

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