4 Unreliable Luxury Cars To Avoid Buying in 2025
Written by
T. Woods
Edited by
Nicholas Morine
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Often, a new model year for a vehicle will debut in the fall of the previous year — meaning, for instance, that 2025 models of cars will begin rolling out in the quickly-approaching fall season of 2024. As such, if you happen to be in the market for a brand new ride, it’s time to start doing your research now before making a potential pricey (and even risky) purchase in the next few months.
Buying a car is a costly proposition regardless of your favorite model, but it’s especially costly if you prefer luxury models. The increased comfort, more advanced tech and the expected higher quality all come with steep price tags. If you’re going to pay extra, you deserve to know that you’re investing in a safe and reliable brand and model.
While reviews for upcoming 2025 luxury models are somewhat scarce at this point, one can look at the history of luxury makes and models to determine which names simply aren’t reliable in the luxury world. So if you’re planning on buying a luxury vehicle in 2025, keep reading.
Tesla Model 3
The first car on the list somewhat straddles the line between basic models and luxury cars, with CleanTechnica going so far as to describe it, somewhat derisively, as a “near luxury car.” That said, given their high tech and relative expensiveness, the Tesla Model 3 earns a spot on this luxury car list.
That said, while the Tesla is an electric vehicle and thus more environmentally sound, Finance Buzz noted the Tesla Model 3 “has also gotten a reputation for expensive repairs with lengthy delays.” The Model 3 doesn’t have a track record for reliability; rather, buying a Model 3 comes with the risk of a breakdown with a months-long wait for replacement parts.
Audi Q7
The Audi Q7 is a luxury sport utility vehicle that has been the flagship of Audi’s SUV line, and they look lovely on a new car lot. But before you hop inside for a test drive, know that the Q7 comes with a deeply unreliable history: Finance Buzz noted a long history of suspension and brake problems along with glitches in the electrical and air conditioning systems, while the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported hundreds of complaints in the model’s history regarding total engine failure.
Rivian R1T
The all-electric Rivian R1T is a luxury pickup truck known for its very high-tech interior, but it’s also known for a history of poor hardware issues — along with an unreliable drive system and climate control, per Norman Taylor & Associates.
Mercedes-Benz GLE
Like the Audi Q7, Norman Taylor & Associates also noted that the Mercedes-Benz GLE is another luxury SUV that looks great but comes with a checkered history. Specifically, as Finance Buzz indicated, the model has recalls in the double digits for unreliability with its body panels, electrical writing and electrical system software.
Doing your research is important before purchasing any new car, luxury cars especially so — with their steep prices, you should be completely sure about a model (and its history) before investing in a luxury ride.
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