The SUV market has exploded in recent years, with manufacturers rushing to cash in on the trend. But not all sport utility vehicles are created equal. Some are downright dreadful, leaving drivers wishing they’d opted for a nice hatchback instead. From shoddy build quality to woeful reliability and questionable design choices, these SUVs have earned their spots on the automotive hall of shame. Buckle up as we take a bumpy ride through the 20 worst SUVs that sensible motorists steer clear of at all costs.
1. Pontiac Aztek
The Pontiac Aztek is often called the ugliest car ever made. Its bizarre styling and odd proportions made it a laughing stock. Despite clever features like a built-in tent, the Aztek’s looks were too much for most buyers to stomach. It’s no wonder production lasted just five years.
2. Ssangyong Rodius
The Ssangyong Rodius looks like it was designed by a committee that couldn’t agree. Its ungainly proportions and mismatched styling cues resulted in a truly hideous vehicle. To make matters worse, it was plagued by reliability issues and poor build quality.
3. Hummer H2
The Hummer H2 embodied everything wrong with early 2000s excess. It was enormous, inefficient, and impractical for everyday use. Despite its tough looks, the H2 was actually based on a Chevy Tahoe and lacked true off-road capability.
4. Chrysler Aspen
The Chrysler Aspen was a half-hearted attempt to enter the luxury SUV market. It was essentially a rebadged Dodge Durango with a fancier grille. Poor fuel economy and lacklustre build quality meant it struggled to compete with established rivals.
5. Fiat Freemont
The Fiat Freemont was a lazy rebadging of the Dodge Journey for European markets. It inherited all the Journey’s flaws, including a cramped interior and outdated technology. The Freemont failed to resonate with buyers and was quietly discontinued.
6. Isuzu Vehicross
The Isuzu Vehicross looked like it drove straight off the set of a sci-fi film. Its futuristic styling was polarising, to say the least. While it had decent off-road chops, the Vehicross was impractical and expensive, leading to poor sales.
7. Lincoln Blackwood
The Lincoln Blackwood was a bizarre luxury pickup truck that lasted just one model year. Its tiny, carpeted bed with faux wood panelling was utterly useless for actual work. Priced at over $50,000, it found few takers.
8. Acura ZDX
The Acura ZDX tried to blend coupe styling with SUV practicality, failing at both. Its sloping roofline severely compromised rear headroom and cargo space. Buyers stayed away in droves, and it was axed after just four years.
9. BMW X6
The BMW X6 kicked off the controversial “coupe SUV” trend. Like the Acura ZDX, it sacrificed practicality for questionable looks. While it’s found some sales success, the X6 remains a poster child for form over function.
10. Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet
The Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet was the world’s first convertible crossover SUV. It was also one of the ugliest vehicles ever made. The compromised design led to poor structural rigidity and a sky-high price tag.
11. Suzuki X-90
The Suzuki X-90 was a tiny two-seat SUV that looked like a child’s toy. Its limited practicality and poor performance made it a tough sell. Unsurprisingly, it lasted just three years before being discontinued.
12. Chevrolet Trax
The Chevrolet Trax was a subcompact crossover that felt cheap and underpowered. Its cramped interior and lacklustre driving dynamics left much to be desired. While it sold reasonably well, it was far from class-leading.
13. Dodge Nitro
The Dodge Nitro tried to stand out with bold styling, but it fell short in almost every other area. Its interior was cheap and dated, while its ride quality was poor. The Nitro failed to make much of an impact and was axed after just one generation.
14. Jeep Compass (First Generation)
The first-generation Jeep Compass was a disappointment to the brand’s loyal fans. It lacked true off-road capability and felt cheap inside and out. Reliability issues and poor performance further tarnished its reputation.
15. Ford EcoSport
The Ford EcoSport struggled to compete in the fiercely competitive subcompact SUV segment. Its tiny boot, dated interior, and underwhelming engines left buyers cold. Ford eventually pulled it from the US market due to poor sales.
16. Tata Aria
The Tata Aria was an ambitious attempt by the Indian manufacturer to create a premium crossover. However, it was plagued by quality issues and reliability problems. Poor sales led to its discontinuation after just a few years.
17. Dacia Duster (First Generation)
While the Dacia Duster offered good value, it cut too many corners. The first-generation model had a spartan interior and questionable safety ratings. Its crude driving dynamics and noisy engines didn’t help matters.
18. Mitsubishi Outlander (Second Generation)
The second-generation Mitsubishi Outlander was outclassed by its rivals in almost every way. It felt cheap inside, lacked refinement, and suffered from poor reliability. Mitsubishi’s financial troubles at the time didn’t help matters.
19. Volkswagen Touareg V10 TDI
The Volkswagen Touareg V10 TDI was a mechanical nightmare waiting to happen. While its massive diesel engine offered impressive performance, it came with eye-watering repair costs. Owners faced potential bills in the tens of thousands for issues like failed injectors or turbochargers. This maintenance money pit quickly earned a reputation as a vehicle to avoid.
20. Land Rover Discovery 3/LR3 (Early Models)
The early model years of the Land Rover Discovery 3 (known as the LR3 in North America) were plagued by severe reliability issues. While incredibly capable off-road, these SUVs were often let down by electrical gremlins, air suspension failures, and engine problems. The complexity of its systems meant even minor issues could result in costly repairs, making it a risky used car purchase.
18 Everyday Things Amish Women Aren’t Allowed to Do
The Amish culture is known for its simple way of life and adherence to traditional values. While this lifestyle may seem appealing to some, there are certain restrictions that Amish women face that most modern women do not. Take a look at these things that we take for granted that are off-limits to Amish women.
Read More: 18 Everyday Things Amish Women Aren’t Allowed to Do
16 American Foods Brits Can’t Stand
Food preferences can vary wildly across cultures, and what’s considered a delicacy in one country might be seen as downright bizarre in another. This cultural divide is particularly evident when comparing American and British cuisines. While the two nations share a common language, their tastes in food can be worlds apart. From overly sweet concoctions to processed cheese products, there are certain American foods that many Brits find hard to stomach.
Read More: 16 American Foods Brits Can’t Stand
17 Old Wives’ Tales That Are Actually True
Old wives’ tales have been passed down through generations, often dismissed as mere superstition. However, many of these age-old beliefs are rooted in truth. From health tips to weather predictions, these stories from the past can surprise us with their accuracy. Here are 17 old wives’ tales that are actually true.
Read More: 17 Old Wives’ Tales That Are Actually True
I'm Danny, a home maintenance pro who loves to write about some of the weird, wacky, and downright dangerous things I've seen in all my years on the job. And I enjoy helping folks avoid making costly mistakes with simple home maintenance tips and hacks.
