The 4 Most Overpriced Cars and What To Buy Instead
Written by
Brooke Barley
Edited by
Amber Barkley
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Shopping for a car? Then you know it can be overwhelming. There are so many choices and so many reviews hyping up one brand and bad mouthing another. The truth is that some car brands are not worth the hype that surrounds them.
GOBankingRates spoke to automotive experts to find out exactly which cars are overpriced and why — and to get their opinions on what to buy instead.
Jeep Cherokee
- MSRP: $37,695
Though not a truck, the Cherokee is popular among those who like trucks, thanks to its 54.7 cubic feet of space when the rear seats are folded. It also has a cargo load floor, which can be handy for hauling large amounts. Nigel Tunnacliffe, the co-founder and CEO of Coastline Academy driving school, said the problem with the Cherokee is its dependability.
“[Jeep] scores relatively low on J.D. Power’s list of most dependable car brands, reporting 196 problems per 100 vehicles,” he said.
What To Buy Instead: Any Dodge Truck
“When it comes to alternatives, Dodge’s trucks are generally more reliable for the long term. Moreover, the brand offers a similar suite of features at comparable prices, making them a wise alternative,” Tunnacliffe recommended.
For example, the 2023 Dodge Ram 1500 Classic starts at $32,345 and offers 57.5 cubic feet of space with the 6 foot 4 inch box. You can also upgrade to an 8 foot box with 74.7 cubic feet of space.
Mercedes-Benz C-Class
- MSRP: $44,850
When it comes to the Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Tunnacliffe said you’re looking for luxury in all the wrong places.
“Like other foreign luxury cars, Mercedes-Benzes can be highly expensive to maintain in the event that they break down,” he said. “The sheer amount of specialty parts in these cars can lead to significant expenses down the road, adding extra cost to an already steep price tag.”
What To Buy Instead: Audi A4
- MSRP: $41,200
Not only is the A4 slightly cheaper than the C-Class, but it offers the same fuel economy — 26 mpg city/36 mpg highway — all-wheel drive, adaptive cruise control and multi-zone climate control. These are all features you don’t get with the C-Class.
“While the C-Class is an all-around solid luxury vehicle, it simply does not stack up to the Audi in dollar-for-dollar value,” Tunnacliffe said.
Cadillac Escalade
- MSRP: $81,895 and up
The Escalade is a symbol of luxury to those who pass it on the road. It has a gorgeous interior and exterior, plus it can hold a lot of cargo if you need to pack for a long journey. But, when it comes to other SUVs on the market, Mark Beneke, the owner of Westland Auto, Inc., said the Escalade is not worth the cash.
“You are paying a premium for the brand over any superior functionality or performance,” he said. “Not to mention that it undergoes major depreciation, as well.”
The Cadillac Escalade ESV loses 58.5% of its MSRP over the course of five years, according to a study by iSeeCars.
What To Buy Instead: Chevy Tahoe or GMC Yukon
- Chevy Tahoe MSRP: $56,200 and up
- GMC Yukon MSRP: $58,200 and up
For about $20,000 less, you can get a car that performs just as well as the Escalade, according to Beneke. “The Cadillac Escalade is nearly identical to the Chevy Tahoe and GMC Yukon but way more expensive.”
Volkswagen Jetta
- MSRP: $21,345 and up
Even though the Jetta is one of the cheapest cars on this list, Beneke said it’s still not worth it.
“The Jetta is often seen as a practical and efficient compact car, but newer models have seen a decrease in build quality,” he said. “The base model also lacks some features that come standard in other cars. When you include maintenance and repair costs, the cost of ownership quickly adds up, decreasing the overall value the Jetta provides.”
What To Buy Instead: Hyundai Elantra
- MSRP: $21,475
These two models are similar in price range, but the Elantra comes with a bigger screen size for the infotainment system, as well as additional safety features, like rear cross-traffic alerts.
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