thinking about buying an SUV in 2025 here's something you need to know not all SUVs are created equal while some models promise luxury performance and reliability others come with shocking issues that can drain your wallet and your patience in this video I'll reveal three SUVs you should avoid at all costs these models may look good on the surface but their hidden flaws could make them some of the worst choices you can make this year but don't worry it's not all bad news I'll also introduce four incredible SUVs that combine style performance and value giving you
the best options for your money by the end of this video you'll have a clear idea of which SUVs to skip and which ones might just become your next ride ready to make an informed decision let's Dive Right In First up let's talk about the Volkswagen ton over the years it has gained a reputation for evolving with every generation but not always for the better despite its Sleek design and a starting price of around $330,000 many owners have expressed deep regrets about their purchase one major issue excessive oil consumption imagine having to top off your
oil multiple times between changes that's what many Tegan owners report according to Volkswagen this is considered normal but for buyers it's an unwelcome hassle another deal breaker is the third row seat while having extra seating as a selling point the space is so tight it's practically unusable for adults or taller passengers this lack of practicality can be a big turnoff for families who expect more from an SUV in this price rang the touchscreen interface doesn't help either drivers find it unintuitive and distracting which takes their attention off the road a serious safety concern and then
there's the engine performance many users complain that it's either too sluggish or overly sensitive making the Driving Experience unpredictable and frustrating if you're still not convinced listen to this one owner described their experience as a nightmare stating I had to add three quarts of oil between my first two changes never again even the EPA estimated 26 MP gallon combined fuel economy does little to redeem This SUV as other models in its class offer better efficiency and reliability for the same price so if the T is on your list you might want to think twice but
don't worry the Alternatives we'll discuss later are much better options stay tuned because the next SUV has even more issues that might shock you next on the list is the Ford Explorer XLT while it's marketed as a versatile family SUV many buyers have learned the hard way that its promises don't match the reality especially considering its Hefty price tag of over $40,000 one of the most most common complaints frequent mechanical issues owners report their vehicles spending weeks in repair shops due to a lack of spare parts leaving them stranded and frustrated for an SUV in
this price range this kind of inconvenience is simply unacceptable interior quality is another disappointment the materials feel cheap with limited durability and comfort particularly in the third row seats which are poorly padded and rigid for a vehicle aimed at families this lack of attention to comfort is a significant drawback the transmission in the hybrid version adds to the wo with many describing it as clunky and inconsistent handling issues are also frequently mentioned with rides feeling stiff and uncomfortable especially when equipped with larger wheels and then there's the cost to Value imbalance one buyer who paid
$70,000 for their Explorer XLT shared a gathing review the leather seats looked worn out within months it's embarrassing to drive a car that feels decades old inside especially at this price point the Explorer's EPA estimated fuel economy isn't much to brag about either 24 MP gallon for the rear wheeel drive version and just 23 MP gallon for all-wheel drive compared to other SUVs in this segment it's hard to justify these figures if you're looking for a depend Dependable familyfriendly SUV the Explorer XLT falls short in almost every category but don't worry there are far better
options out there which we'll get to soon first let's take a look at another SUV you might want to avoid the Hyundai Kona and trust me the issues with this one are just as surprising the Hyundai Kona may seem like a compact and stylish option at first glance especially with its affordable starting price however a deeper look reveals why so many owners regret buying this SUV despite its initial appeal the Kona is plagued with issues that make it a risky Choice one of the most significant problems is its short lifespan for parts and systems many
owners report frequent breakdowns with some having to resell their cars after dealing with ongoing anomalies for a vehicle marketed as reliable this is a major let down the ride quality doesn't Faire much better d drivers often describe it as shaky and jerky especially when driving over bumps or uneven terrain this lack of smoothness makes it uncomfortable for both the driver and passengers especially during longer trips another recurring complaint is the scarcity of spare parts owners have reported waiting weeks or even months for essential repairs because parts were backordered this downtime not only disrupts daily life
but also creates a frustrating experience for anyone relying on the Kona their primary vehicle interior usability is yet another issue the back lighting for the controls is poorly designed with dim lighting that makes it hard to see buttons and switches at night it's a small detail that ends up being a big annoyance for drivers one owner summed it up perfectly I regret buying this car more than anything parts are impossible to find customer service is non-existent and it's been nothing but recalls and frustration while the Kona does offer decent fuel economy 29 MP gallon City
and 34 MP gallon highway it's clear that the savings at the pump don't outweigh the headaches that come with owning one if you're considering the hyundi Kona you may want to look elsewhere speaking of Alternatives the next sections will introduce SUVs that not only outperform these troubled models but also deliver on their Promises of reliability and value stay tuned because the next SUV might just be the perfect fit for you now let's shift gear and talk about an SUV that's everything the previous ones weren't the Subaru cross Trek if you're looking for a reliable versatile
and affordable SUV this one stands out as a top Contender for 2025 one of the Cross Trek's biggest strengths is its standard all-wheel drive unlike many competitors this feature comes included at no extra cost providing better traction and stability in all driving conditions whether you're navigating slippery roads or venturing off the the beaten path the cross Trek is built to handle it all fuel efficiency is another highlight with an EPA rating of 28 MP gallon City and 34 MP gallon highway the cross Trek balances performance with savings at the pump making it a great choice
for daily commutes or weekend getaways inside the cross Trek impresses with its simple yet spacious interior the cabin feels roomy and comfortable offering ample space for both passengers and and cargo whether you're running errands or heading out on a road trip it's designed to make every Journey enjoyable but what really sets the cross trick apart is its off-road capability it outperforms many rivals in this category thanks to its higher ground clearance and advanced traction systems This SUV is more than ready to tackle rough terrain without breaking a sweat don't just take my word for it
here's what one owner had to say I was looking for a smaller SUV than my Rav 4 and the cross track was perfect it's smooth on the road the all-wheel drive is a lifesaver and the seats are so comfortable starting at just $ 26,5 40 the Subaru cross Trek offers incredible value for its price and with Subaru's latest safety Suite including standard emergency braking Lane departure warnings and adaptive cruise control it's also one of the safest choices in its class if reliability versatility and affordability are at the top top of your list the cross Trek
is a no-brainer but don't stop here the next SUV might be even more impressive for your needs the Toyota Rav 4 is a name that's been synonymous with reliability and practicality for years and the 2025 model doesn't disappoint This SUV continues to impress with its balance of comfort utility and fuel efficiency making it a standout option in its class one of the rav 4's biggest draws is its spacious interior it offers plenty of room for passengers and cargo alike making it an excellent choice for families or anyone needing versatility whether it's groceries luggage or sports
equipment the Rav 4 can handle it all without compromising passenger Comfort the ride quality is another High Point with its quiet cabin and smooth handling driving the Rav 4 feels effortless this level of comfort transforms daily commutes or long road trips into enjoyable experiences for both drivers and passengers safety is a priority with the Rav 4 as it comes equipped with a comprehensive Suite of driver assist features standard options include emergency braking Lane keeping assist and adaptive cruise control buyers can also add blind spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alerts for even greater Peace of
Mind fuel efficiency is where the Rav 4 really shines boasting an EPA rating of 28 to 30 30 MP gallon combined for an SUV of its size this is a huge plus especially for those who want to save on fuel without sacrificing performance one owner summed it up perfectly I've been driving my 2025 Rav 4 for a month and I can't find anything wrong with it it's comfortable smooth and has everything I need plus the acceleration is just fine for passing on the highway with a starting price of $3,250 the Toyota Rav 4 off offers
exceptional value across its wide range of trims making it accessible to a variety of budgets if you're looking for a Dependable comfortable and versatile SUV the RAV4 deserves serious consideration but don't make your decision just yet the next SUV might surprise you with its luxury and value when it comes to combining style luxury and functionality the koride has firmly established itself as one of the top SUVs on the market for 2025 the toride continues to impress with its spacious interior advanced technology and smooth performance making it a favorite among families and SUV enthusiasts alike one
of the toride standout features is its three- row seating it offers plenty of space for passengers and cargo ensuring comfort for large families or anyone needing extra room unlike many other SUVs the third row is genuinely usable for adults making it a practical choice for road trips and car pools performance-wise the tellides V6 engine delivers smooth and confident power while still maintaining an impressive towing capacity of up to 5,500 lb this combination of capability and refinement makes it versatile enough for both daily drives and heavier tasks the interior of the teluride rivals that of luxury
SUVs with premium materials plush seating and a well-designed layout it feels far more expensive than its starting price of $39,500 including forward Collision warning automated emergency braking and Lane keeping assist these intuitive Technologies enhance both safety and convenience making the tellu ride a pleasure to drive fuel economy is respectable with the front-wheel drive model rated at 20 m per gallon City and 26 MP gallon highway while not the most fuel efficient in its class the tellides other advantages more than make up for it if you're looking for a family SUV that combines luxury reliability and
practicality the koride is hard to beat but before you decide there's one more more SUV you absolutely need to hear about it might just be the perfect match for you last but certainly not least is the Mazda cx50 a compact SUV that stands out for its Sleek design powerful performance and premium features if you're looking for a vehicle that's both practical and fun to drive the cx50 should be on your radar in 2025 one of the CX 50's defining characteristics is its optional turbocharged engine which provides fast acceleration and impressive power this feature makes the
cx50 a joy to drive whether you're merging onto highways or taking on winding roads inside the cx50 offers a luxurious and refined interior with high quality materials like leather and aluminum accents the attention to detail in its design Rivals more expensive Vehicles giving drivers a premium feel without the premium price tag for those who enjoy Outdoor Adventures the cx50 boasts decent off-road capability for a crossover SUV its higher ground clearance and advanced traction systems make it well suited for light Trail exploration and weekend getaways one owner praised their cx50 saying the premium plus model I
bought feels like a high-end luxury vehicle it's comfortable powerful in sport mode and packed with Advanced Electronics it reminds me of my BMW but but at a fraction of the price the cx50 safety features are equally impressive with Advanced Technologies designed to protect both drivers and passengers standard equipment includes emergency braking Lane keeping assist and adaptive cruise control ensuring a secure and stress-free Driving Experience fuel efficiency is also solid with EPA ratings of 24 MP gallon City and 30 MP gallon highway making it a practical choice for Everyday Use starting at $35,200 the Mazda cx50
offers an incredible blend of performance luxury and affordability if you're seeking a compact SUV that excels in style capability and comfort the cx50 is a Top Choice now that we've explored all the options let's recap and help you decide which one fits your needs best so there you have it a deep dive into some of the best and worst SUVs for 2025 each of these recommended SUVs bring something unique to the table whether it's affordability luxury or versatility now the choice is yours which SUV caught your eye let me know in the comments and if
you found this guide helpful don't forget to like subscribe and hit the notification Bell so you don't miss more in-depth reviews and comparisons thanks for watching and I'll see you in the next video