Table of Contents
Luxury vehicles, by their nature, tend to come with high expectations and an assumption of reliability. If you’re spending that kind of money on a car, it’s reasonable to demand a level of quality commensurate with the price — but not every luxury car lives up to its hefty price tag.
Some people may find that owning a luxury car is more trouble than it’s worth due to reliability, hard-to-find components, expensive maintenance, and high gasoline prices. Some are made by manufacturers who take short cuts and rely on their well-known brands to do the hard work.
Also see luxury cars that make you look like a millionaire.
5 Luxury cars that mechanics experts advise buyers to avoid these luxury duds.
Audi Q4 e-tron
This all-electric small SUV is a surprisingly affordable entry into the luxury market, with a starting manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of $49,800, thousands cheaper than rivals like Lexus and Cadillac. Reviewers have praised the Q4 e-tron for its spaciousness and stylish looks, although its range and charging speed are slow for comparable vehicles. It has also been named a Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
It’s a new model for Audi, with the first production cars hitting sales floors in 2022, though buyers may be hesitant.
Jacob Carter, creator of the automotive repair website EngineRevUp, has over 20 years of mechanical experience. He cautions against adopting modern models too quickly, especially when it comes to electric cars.
“With new EV platforms, it takes years to iron out the bottlenecks,” he said. “Let those with extra cash explore the frontiers of innovation. Performance will undoubtedly impress, but good luck paying for advanced maintenance later.
Check Out: 4 Cars That Cost More Used Than New
BMW 7 Series
With its MSRP starting at $96,400, this full-size luxury sedan has long been BMW’s flagship vehicle. This puts it among the most expensive sedans in this class; Comparable models from other manufacturers such as Lexus, Audi and Genesis have MSRPs between $70,000 and $80,000.
To be fair, the 7 Series packs a lot of punch and delivers legendary BMW handling and performance.
LamboCars Editor-in-Chief Andrew Cutto is not a fan of the 7 Series. His logic? He claims that the high price and high maintenance costs make the 7 Series an unsatisfactory purchase.
“BMW in general and the 7 Series in particular are known for their expensive parts and labor costs,” he said.“They often require specialized care, which can add up over time.”
Jaguar XF
Another choice for a luxury sedan from British carmaker Jaguar is the XF, which has an MSRP of $49,800 if you opt for all-wheel drive. The rear-wheel drive version is somewhat less expensive but has a less powerful engine. Although the XF offers a lot of basic features for the price, you can end up spending more money overall if you’re not careful. In fact, the XF is ranked dead bottom among premium automobiles by automotive marketplace CarEdge.
“The XF is no different from Jaguars, which have a reputation for being unreliable,” said Lipu Da Maxim, CarsAmazing editor and blogger. “If you own one, be prepared to spend some serious cash on maintenance because it’s also expensive.”
Land Rover Range Rover Evoque
The Range Rover Evoque, known as a subcompact luxury SUV, has an MSRP of less than $50,000. Most cars in this class are much less expensive, with models from Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Audi starting around $40,000. The Evoque stands out from the competition thanks to its impressive off-road capabilities, yet despite its compact size and 22 mpg fuel rating, it’s surprisingly frugal.
The Evoque’s track record for reliability is similarly abysmal.
“The Evoque may have a sleek and fashionable look, but owners have complained about everything from the infotainment system to the engine,” said Maxim. “And you can get a more reliable car from another brand for what you pay.”
Tesla Model X
The Model X is a massive luxury SUV that starts at $79,990. Tesla also offers a $10,000 upgrade to the more performance-oriented Tartan variant. For an electric car in its class, this model’s 348-mile range on a single charge is exceptional. The spacious cabin is equipped with the amazing driving and infotainment technology that Tesla is equipped with, and the “falcon wing” rear doors add a special touch of style.
Despite the attractiveness and capabilities of Tesla’s cars, there are significant safety concerns. A government investigation into Tesla’s Autopilot technology found that it caused users to lose control of their vehicle, prompting a recent recall of nearly all of its models made in the United States vehicles.
Tesla has a track record of assembly-related quality control issues.
“The Model X is no exception to Tesla’s notoriously inconsistent build quality,” commented Maxim. “Falcon-wing doors are prone to problems and, despite their nice appearance, are not very practical.”
READ | Pontiac GTO: 5 things only serious automobile enthusiasts know about the 1967 model
READ | Why did the 1964 Pontiac GTO become an iconic figure in muscle car history?
3 thoughts on “5 Luxury Cars that experts don’t recommend”