5 New Luxury Cars To Stay Away From Buying
Written by
Tobi Opeyemi Amure
Edited by
Rebekah Evans
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Five-figure price tags and six-figure badges do not guarantee peace of mind, especially with the latest wave of high-tech luxury models. Many of today’s flashiest sedans and SUVs pack untested drivetrains, complex software and pricey repair bills that can turn ownership into a financial headache. For buyers who care as much about long-term value as bragging rights, it pays to look beyond the showroom shine and examine early reliability patterns carefully.
If you are shopping for a top-tier car this year, major reviewers and owner surveys warn these five new luxury models have reliability and tech issues.
Mercedes-Benz EQS
The Mercedes-Benz EQS is marketed as a flagship electric limousine, but reliability concerns and complex electronics make it a worrying choice. What Car? reported that around 28% of Mercedes owners saw at least one fault in year one, many involving electrical issues. For a tech-heavy electric luxury car, that unusually high fault rate should seriously concern cautious buyers.
CoPilot also highlighted EQS problems with electrical systems, seat belts and electronic stability control, all critical for confidence and safety. The outlet even labels several recent EQS model years as “years to avoid,” which is striking for such a new flagship. Given those issues and the costly, ultra-complex tech that may be expensive out of warranty, many shoppers may prefer to skip the EQS.
BMW i7
BMW’s i7 electric sedan aims squarely at traditional 7 Series buyers with cutting-edge tech, yet early recalls raise serious questions about long-term confidence. BMW of North America recalled certain i7 and other EVs over improperly assembled high-voltage battery modules that could lead to sudden power loss or even fire. In a six-figure highway cruiser, that kind of potential failure is far more than a minor inconvenience for everyday drivers.
DealerRater’s recall listings further showed 2023 to 2024 i7 models involved in campaigns affecting electrical systems and brake control modules, including driver-assist components. Those issues can demand repeated dealership visits, piling on time, stress and uncertainty for owners who expected seamless luxury. Add the complexity of a software-heavy cockpit and frequent over-the-air updates, and early adopters risk feeling like unpaid beta testers instead of pampered flagship buyers.
Cadillac Lyriq
The Cadillac Lyriq promises sleek styling and all-electric luxury, but real-world owners have reported major glitches with its screens, software and charging systems. Consumer reviews compiled by Cars.com describe episodes where the display goes dark, driver information disappears and key electronic interfaces require repeated dealer visits. For drivers relying on digital instrument clusters and camera views for everyday safety, those kinds of outages make the vehicle feel unpredictable and frustrating.
Consumer Reports’ reliability write-ups also captured complaints about the Lyriq’s infotainment performance and charging behavior, where fixes can take weeks in the service bay. According to owners quoted there, repeated software updates and hardware swaps sometimes still fail to eliminate glitches, which undermines trust in a brand-new platform. With EV-specific parts and tech concentrated in relatively few dealerships, all that downtime can turn what should be a premium experience into an expensive science project.
Maserati Grecale
The Maserati Grecale adds Italian style to the compact luxury SUV class, but long-term value remains questionable due to Maserati’s below-average reliability record. Consumer Reports noted this shaky reliability drags down an otherwise strong road-test score, raising concerns for buyers planning to keep it beyond a short lease. Paying a high price for a badge with a weak dependability history makes the Grecale a risky long-term commitment.
Testers also point to frustrating ergonomics, including hard-to-see gear selector buttons and oversized paddle shifters that interfere with basic stalk functions. Important safety assists like blind spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert are optional, which feels misaligned with the SUV’s premium pricing. When you add premium-fuel demands and potentially expensive maintenance, many shoppers may prefer to avoid this particular Maserati experiment.
Lexus RZ
Lexus is famous for reliability, but the RZ electric crossover undercuts that reputation with weak range and underwhelming performance for its price. Gear Patrol reported the RZ delivered only about 120 miles at 75 mph, and DC fast-charging took nearly ninety minutes in testing. For a supposedly road-trip-ready luxury EV, that combination can make the RZ feel like a dealbreaker rather than a minor compromise.
The Road Beat’s review also criticizes the RZ 300e’s modest 201-horsepower output and sluggish highway passing power under real-world conditions. According to that test, acceleration falls off sharply at typical freeway speeds, leaving the SUV feeling strained despite its upscale badge. Layer on high pricing, cold-weather range anxiety and a still-growing charging network, and many shoppers will likely find better value elsewhere.
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