Over the years, SUVs have grown in popularity. Most carmakers around the globe now have an SUV in their lineup, including supercar manufacturers like Lamborghini and Ferrari. While the new offerings offer multiple upgrades to entice customers, European versions provide the best luxury.
The luxuries include all kinds of creature comforts, a healthy dose of powerful engines, and finely tuned suspension systems. These European SUVs can comfortably ferry the entire family and their cargo while towing equipment. However, not all of them offer the reliability of their Japanese counterparts. Here are ten European luxury SUVs that nobody wants to be associated with.
10 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque
The Range Rover brand offers multiple status symbol vehicles. The brand provides vehicles of sumptuous luxury and plenty of off-road capability. While it’s still an expensive SUV, Range Rover makes for it with an eye-catching exterior design.
The 2015 Evoque is one of the lowest-rated models. It has a J.D. Power quality and reliability rating of 60 out of 100. The 2015 model also had one recall for the powertrain. Some vehicles had faulty transmission sensor clusters that could shift the Evoque to neutral.
9 BMW X3
The X3 is an impressive SUV with a composed ride, sporty handling, a nicely finished interior, and an 8-speed automatic. However, the reliability of the 2013/14 models was well below average, with very low owner satisfaction.
The 2014 model had three recalls, two of which involved hydraulic brakes. The X3 had a faulty brake vacuum pump, resulting in a loss of braking power. Owners also had multiple problems with the electrical system, suspension, body integrity, engine, and fuel system.
8 Jaguar F-Pace
The F-Pace is a practical and fun-to-drive SUV. It boasts modern styling and a well-built cabin with enough room for four passengers and cargo. Jaguar offers a long list of powertrains, making the F-Pace a versatile vehicle.
Despite being a fantastic vehicle, the car has had a few ups and downs. For example, the 2018 model year had three recalls, with the major one involving a fuel leak. Due to such problems, the 2018 F-Pace has a low J.D. Power quality and reliability rating of 66 out of 100.
7 Land Rover Range Rover Velar
When introduced in 2017, the Range Rover Velar was among the most stylish SUVs on the market. It helped usher the brand into a modern future with its tapering roof and slim headlights. The Velar also had a plush interior, with two new touchscreen displays that drastically reduced the cabin’s hard button count.
Despite being an impressive European luxury SUV, the 2018 Velar had three recalls for exterior lighting, fuel system, and visibility. The 2018 model also had a J.D. Power quality and reliability rating of 56 out of 100, with multiple owners complaining about its AC system, rear visibility, and acceleration.
6 Audi Q5
The Q5 is a sporty, styling, and fun-to-drive SUV. It boasts a plush, quiet cabin that’s comfortable for all five passengers. Besides being a fun-to-drive SUV, the Q5 delivers handling agility that inspires confidence. The only undoing is that the Q5 has subpar reliability.
One model with a poor reliability rating is the 2013 Q5. It has multiple problem areas, including the electrical system, fuel system, engine cooling, and engine. The 2013 Q5 had five recalls, most of which were major, like fuel leaks and melted wires.
5 Land Rover Discovery Sport
Land Rover is synonymous with offering luxury and off-road capable SUVs. One of its most affordable models is the Discovery Sport. It allows the masses to enjoy everything that Land Rover has to offer. For the 2020 model year, the Discovery Sport also received a refreshed design.
The Discovery Sport had low J.D. Power quality and reliability, driving experience, and dealership experience ratings of 62, 64, and 68 out of 100, respectively. Owners also complained about its low-than-average economy, user experience, and power.
4 Volvo XC90
The modern XC90 is a great vehicle, thanks to its comfortable and flexible interior. It boasts a seven-passenger seating capacity and multiple safety features. However, like all cars on this list, reliability isn’t a strong suit.
The 2017 model is one of the least reliable models, with six recalls. Owners also experienced different problems like premature wear of brake pads, steering wheel vibration at highway speeds, faulty ground wire, and much more.
3 Mercedes-Benz GLE
The GLE offers a luxurious cabin and a good selection of powertrains in a handsome package. It’s a good Mercedes off-roader and a huge improvement over its M-class predecessor. However, that’s not to say it’s perfect.
While the 2020 GLE aimed to outperform rivals like the Volvo XC90, Lincoln Aviator, and BMW X5, it compromised in a few areas like ride comfort and interior ergonomics. The 2020 model also had 33 recalls, making it one of the models to avoid from Mercedes-Benz.
2 Audi Q7
The Audi Q7 combines a handsome design, fun-loving chassis, and a technology-rich cabin like most of its Audi siblings. Thanks to the three rows of seats, it offers room for the whole family. Audi offers the Q7 with a few engine options that are reasonably powerful.
While the Q7 seems like a reasonable family vehicle, the 2022 model year had a J.D. Power rating of 72 out of 100. That’s a good enough rating for a German SUV. However, the quality and reliability rating was lower at 68 out of 100. The rating and the fact that the 2022 Q7 had two recalls don’t instill much confidence.
1 Land Rover Range Rover Sport
The Range Rover Sport is a more agile version of its larger sibling, the Range Rover. Both models share the same interior, powertrain, and chassis. They also get all-wheel drive as standard, but the Sport is more fun to drive.
While the Range Rover Sport is a well-rounded package, the 2020 model is one to avoid. It had four recalls for the exterior lighting, tires, and two for the electrical system. The 2020 model also had a low quality and reliability J.D. Power rating of 65 out of 100.
