I’m a Mechanic: 4 European Family Cars To Avoid in 2025
Written by
G. Brian Davis
Edited by
Cory Dudak
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Looking for family cars that balance performance, design, affordability and features?
Look elsewhere and avoid these European duds that cost more than they deliver.
Mini Countryman
- Starting Price: $40,075
While Mini enjoys a strong reputation, skip the Countryman if you’re looking for a family car.
“Sure, it’s relatively fun to drive and comes with character, but you’d be surprised at how high the maintenance costs are,” noted Alan Gelfand, mechanic and owner of German Car Depot. “With a small cargo area and rear seats, the Countryman isn’t exactly the most practical family car.”
Plus, the vehicle’s size isn’t reflected in its price tag, which starts above $40,000, according to Kelley Blue Book.
Alfa Romeo Stelvio
- Starting Price: $52,245
Granted, the Selvio comes with a certain Italian flair. But like most Alfa Romeo’s, it spends far too much time in the shop, and often proves expensive to maintain in the U.S.
Gelfand urged parents to skip the flashy Italian brand in favor of more traditional European automakers: “Alfa Romeo has failed to match the reliability of German, British and Swedish brands. In the case of the Stelvio, the cargo area is smaller than other compact SUVs, and it’s just not as practical.”
Audi Q7
- Starting Price: $61,795
Even if you’re looking to drop $60,000 to $80,000 on a midsize SUV, you have better alternatives than the Audi Q7.
Not least among its problems are maintenance and reliability issues. Melanie Musson, auto industry expert with AutoInsurance.org, pointed out that repairing the oft-glitchy Q7 gets expensive fast: “The Q7 has a lot of issues with electronic failures, which can vary from annoying to debilitating. If you buy a luxury SUV, you should expect to have problem-free, comfortable driving for years, and the Q7 does not live up to that expectation.”
Consider the BMW X5 instead as a worthy competitor.
Volkswagen Atlas
- Starting Price: $39,625
On the plus side, the Atlas does come with more room than most mid-size SUVs. But the interior cabin is ho-hum at best, and what lies under the hood is even less attractive.
Musson explained that reliability issues continue to plague VW, and the Atlas in particular: “Electronic issues cause a variety of problems. Some of the safety features are glitchy, like the automatic emergency braking system. The transmission is prone to shifting problems and even failure.”
In other words, parents who value safety and dependability can find far superior alternatives than the cars listed above.
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