Cars that you should AVOID In 2025
A lot goes into choosing your next vehicle. You want one that looks good, has the right options, and is enjoyable to drive. And while reliability is extremely important too, it’s a little bit harder to predict. But there are some vehicles that have a poor enough track record that avoiding them is an easy choice. The following is a list of some of the models you should probably avoid.
Nissan Frontier
Nissan is a long way off from being the most desired brand of truck, or the most popular, and a part of this is certainly the issue of poor reliability. It’s a problem that a number of lower-priced Nissan models suffer from, and the glacial pace at which Nissan updates models isn’t helping. Consider the Ford Ranger instead; it’s not just more reliable, but also more capable and packed with more and better features.
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Hyundai Kona
Hyundai does a good job of giving frequent styling updates to its vehicles, and the low price of the Kona is always an appealing feature. But a lot of that appeal is lost when you consider that the Kona, and Hyundai as a brand, aren’t great for reliability. If you’re looking for a stylish subcompact SUV that’s also affordable and well-equipped, the Buick Envista is a much better choice.
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Jeep Wrangler
The Wrangler is a mainstay of the off-road world, one that can trace its roots back to WWII. But it seems as though the downside of this notoriety is that Jeep doesn’t feel they need to work very hard to get people to buy their vehicles, and the Wrangler doesn’t fare so well in the reliability department. Ford actually put in the effort for the Bronco, and this more reliable off-roader is also better equipped, including more off-road equipment.
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Jeep Grand Cherokee
Jeep has never been stellar when it comes to reliability, and this is unfortunately most true of the brand’s most popular models. The Grand Cherokee might have helped boost the popularity of SUVs a few decades ago, but there are a lot of much better and more reliable options available now. The GMC Acadia will do everything you want a Grand Cherokee to do, but better. It’s the clear choice for this segment.
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Tesla Model S
Even if you can get past the positively ancient styling and the car’s connection to the company’s owner, the Tesla Model S is plagued by several major problems. The Model S and the rest of the Tesla lineup have very poor ratings for both safety and reliability. Compounding this problem is the fact that it can be difficult to get a Tesla serviced. Even those who live near a service center face long wait times to gain access to overworked service teams. The Porsche Taycan looks better, performs better, and is much more reliable.
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Rivian R1T
It’s common for EV startups to suffer from build quality issues that lead to reliability issues. And while Rivian does a number of things better than a lot of competing startups, it’s dead last for reliability. The R1T also doesn’t do truck stuff nearly as well as the electric trucks from more experienced truck-building companies. The Ford F-150 Lightning is a superior truck in every way, including a much more appealing price.
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Volvo XC60
The XC60 might be Volvo’s best-selling model, but it also happens to be the Swedish automaker’s least reliable. That’s unfortunate, to say the least, and the fact that the current generation is getting more than a little long in tooth doesn’t help anything. Fortunately, a much better alternative can be found in the Lincoln Corsair, which is also available in either gasoline or plug-in hybrid form.
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Genesis GV80
We already mentioned the reliability issues that plague Hyundai’s lower-priced models, but it’s important to note that things don’t get a whole lot better when looking at the automaker’s luxury brand Genesis. The GV80 in particular suffers from a lot of reliability issues. A better choice would be a Cadillac XT6, which also offers a more spacious third row of seats as a nice bonus.
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BMW X5
The BMW X5 is a popular model thanks to its versatility, being offered with a wide range of drivetrain options. Unfortunately, BMW doesn’t have a stellar reputation for reliability, and the plug-in hybrid version of the X5 in particular lags behind the competition for reliability. The Porsche Cayenne doesn’t suffer from these problems, and is also available with a plug-in hybrid drivetrain. It’s a lot more fun to drive as well.
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Audi Q7
Audi’s flagship SUV isn’t quite as massive as some of the offerings from other German luxury brands, and this makes it seem perhaps a bit more practical than it really is. Because when a vehicle is unreliable, as the Q7 is, you can’t really call it practical. If you’re looking for a three-row luxury SUV that won’t let you down, the Acura MDX is a real standout. There’s even a high-performance Type-S version.
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