I'm a Car Expert: 6 SUVs Families Want To Avoid
Not every SUV delivers what its price tag promises. Some look impressive on paper but rack up repair bills, shed value fast or simply ask families to pay for capabilities they'll never use.
So how do you know which SUVs are worth your time, and which will be more of a headache than they're worth — or worse, offer an unsafe ride?
Chris Pyle, an auto expert at JustAnswer, shared the six SUVs he tells families to avoid and the specific reasons behind each one.
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1. Jeep Grand Cherokee
Pyle's concerns here go beyond one problem. The Grand Cherokee is known for engine issues and widespread failures across various features throughout the vehicle. Parts and trim pieces wear out faster than they should, leaving a car that looks aged and rough well before its time. For a family planning to own a vehicle for years and put real miles on it, those durability issues add up quickly in both repair costs and depreciation.
2. Infiniti QX80
The QX80 keeps getting more expensive year after year and Pyle said the interior complexity is part of the problem, not the appeal. The vehicle is loaded with high-end accessories that fail over time and carry steep repair bills when they do.
Resale value is another issue — the QX80 depreciates faster than most luxury SUVs in its class, which means families who buy one take a loss when it comes time to sell or trade in.
3. Toyota Sequoia
This one surprises most people, given Toyota's reputation for reliability. Pyle said the Sequoia stands as an exception to that rule, flagged for engine failure concerns that are unusual for the brand. There are multiple recalls associated with the model, which is worth researching carefully before purchase.
The practical limitations compound the mechanical concerns: Despite being a three-row vehicle, the third row offers very little real space, while ensuring the cargo room behind it is essentially unusable for a family with any gear to haul.
4 & 5. Land Rover Discovery and Range Rover
Pyle was direct about the value proposition problem here. Both models market themselves heavily on off-road capability — and almost no one who buys them ever uses that capability. Families end up paying for a specialized suspension system, enhanced drivetrain components and off-road technology they will likely never engage. Beyond the up-front cost, maintenance on Land Rover vehicles is consistently expensive and the ownership experience tends to be unpredictable. You're paying premium prices for features built for terrain most owners never see.
6. Cadillac Escalade
The Escalade has the same core problem as the Land Rovers in a different form. It's engineered to tow, with a heavy-duty frame, transmission and engine built for serious hauling work. In practice, Pyle said, it's rarely used for any of that. Families paying Escalade prices are mostly funding capability that sits completely idle while fuel economy suffers as a result of all that heavy hardware. The fuel mileage is poor for everyday driving; though Pyle noted it becomes more competitive with other large SUVs when actually towing. For a family using it as a daily driver and grocery-run vehicle, the economics don't hold up.
This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.
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