Luxury cars to avoid: Escalade, EQE, Range Rover and more
Luxury cars to avoid: experts warn on Escalade, EQE, Navigator, QX50, Range Rover
Luxury cars to avoid: Escalade, EQE, Range Rover and more
Thinking of a luxury SUV? Experts flag Cadillac Escalade, Mercedes EQE, Lincoln Navigator, Infiniti QX50 and Range Rover for high costs and reliability issues.
2026-01-06T16:38:24+03:00
2026-01-06T16:38:24+03:00
2026-01-06T16:38:24+03:00
Luxury cars draw attention with their elegance, power, and prestige, but experts remind buyers that a high price tag doesn’t automatically buy reliability or a long service life. Big outlays can come with extra headaches and hidden expenses. Below are several models that specialists strongly advise prospective owners to avoid.1. Cadillac EscaladeAs one of the emblems of American carmaking, this SUV wins people over with its imposing size and crisp styling. The purchase price, however, is only a small slice of what ownership will cost. Maintenance and repairs are expensive, especially given the frequent attention the electrical systems demand and the high price of parts. Add in heavy fuel consumption and routine servicing—oil changes, brake pads, and tires that aren’t cheap either—and the numbers stack up quickly.2. Mercedes-Benz EQEPositioned as a next-generation electric car aimed at the Tesla Model S and BMW i4, the EQE looks convincing on paper with strong performance and a premium cabin. In practice, owners often report technical glitches. Issues touch electronics, onboard computers, and the battery management system, with charging hiccups and erratic infotainment behavior surfacing regularly. Handling and overall driving dynamics also fall short, lagging behind many rivals in the EV segment.3. Lincoln NavigatorThis massive SUV impresses with its presence and plush interior, yet it brings plenty of challenges. Its sheer size is impractical on city streets, especially when parking or maneuvering in tight spaces. High fuel consumption, paired with elevated tax rates, pushes running costs upward. Suspension and transmission repairs, along with replacing pricey components, demand substantial spending—turning ownership into an extravagance that’s hard to justify.4. Infiniti QX50The brand once stood out for reliability and build quality, but recent models, including the QX50, have been losing consumer confidence. Owners point to rapid depreciation, underwhelming interior materials, and problems with the engine and transmission. In design and equipment the car trails many modern alternatives, offering limited comfort and functionality for its class.5. Land Rover Range RoverLong seen as a premium off-roader that signals status, the Range Rover rarely meets that promise in everyday use: most owners keep it in the city rather than the places where it could truly shine. High service costs and frequent electronic faults make it a financial burden. Key elements such as the suspension, engine, and all-wheel-drive system can fail sooner than expected for a marque of this stature. As a result, many specialists consider it a better fit for collectors and enthusiasts than for ordinary drivers.
luxury cars to avoid, unreliable luxury SUVs, Cadillac Escalade problems, Mercedes EQE issues, Lincoln Navigator costs, Infiniti QX50 reliability, Range Rover maintenance, high ownership costs
2026
Michael Powers
news
Luxury cars to avoid: experts warn on Escalade, EQE, Navigator, QX50, Range Rover
Thinking of a luxury SUV? Experts flag Cadillac Escalade, Mercedes EQE, Lincoln Navigator, Infiniti QX50 and Range Rover for high costs and reliability issues.
Michael Powers, Editor
Luxury cars draw attention with their elegance, power, and prestige, but experts remind buyers that a high price tag doesn’t automatically buy reliability or a long service life. Big outlays can come with extra headaches and hidden expenses. Below are several models that specialists strongly advise prospective owners to avoid.
1. Cadillac Escalade
As one of the emblems of American carmaking, this SUV wins people over with its imposing size and crisp styling. The purchase price, however, is only a small slice of what ownership will cost. Maintenance and repairs are expensive, especially given the frequent attention the electrical systems demand and the high price of parts. Add in heavy fuel consumption and routine servicing—oil changes, brake pads, and tires that aren’t cheap either—and the numbers stack up quickly.
2. Mercedes-Benz EQE
Positioned as a next-generation electric car aimed at the Tesla Model S and BMW i4, the EQE looks convincing on paper with strong performance and a premium cabin. In practice, owners often report technical glitches. Issues touch electronics, onboard computers, and the battery management system, with charging hiccups and erratic infotainment behavior surfacing regularly. Handling and overall driving dynamics also fall short, lagging behind many rivals in the EV segment.
3. Lincoln Navigator
This massive SUV impresses with its presence and plush interior, yet it brings plenty of challenges. Its sheer size is impractical on city streets, especially when parking or maneuvering in tight spaces. High fuel consumption, paired with elevated tax rates, pushes running costs upward. Suspension and transmission repairs, along with replacing pricey components, demand substantial spending—turning ownership into an extravagance that’s hard to justify.
4. Infiniti QX50
The brand once stood out for reliability and build quality, but recent models, including the QX50, have been losing consumer confidence. Owners point to rapid depreciation, underwhelming interior materials, and problems with the engine and transmission. In design and equipment the car trails many modern alternatives, offering limited comfort and functionality for its class.
5. Land Rover Range Rover
Long seen as a premium off-roader that signals status, the Range Rover rarely meets that promise in everyday use: most owners keep it in the city rather than the places where it could truly shine. High service costs and frequent electronic faults make it a financial burden. Key elements such as the suspension, engine, and all-wheel-drive system can fail sooner than expected for a marque of this stature. As a result, many specialists consider it a better fit for collectors and enthusiasts than for ordinary drivers.
