13:16 22-10-2025

5 luxury SUVs Consumer Reports says to skip in 2025

Consumer Reports flags five luxury SUVs to avoid in 2025 for low reliability, clumsy controls, and weak safety or infotainment. See the models and reasons.

Drawing on recent testing, Consumer Reports has pinpointed several luxury SUVs it advises shoppers to skip, citing underwhelming performance, low reliability, or negative owner feedback. Here are the models and the sticking points that held them back.

Alfa Romeo Tonale

Reasons to pass on the Tonale include inconsistent powertrain behavior, middling handling, a noisy cabin, and low reliability scores. In a class that trades on refinement, that combination dulls the appeal fast.

Jaguar F-Pace

Despite eye-catching design and strong engines, Consumer Reports notes low reliability, a confusing multimedia system, and an air conditioner that doesn’t perform well. When everyday basics frustrate, style and speed struggle to compensate.

Land Rover Defender

Issues flagged for the Defender include generally low reliability, awkward controls, and a sluggish infotainment response. Its character is undeniable, but everyday use suffers when the interfaces get in the way.

Lincoln Aviator

The Aviator’s drawbacks include low reliability, an overly complex control scheme, and distracting cruise-control interfaces. In a family-focused SUV, that kind of attention drain is tough to ignore.

Cadillac Escalade

Although updated for 2025, Consumer Reports points out that the Escalade lacks important safety features in base trims, carries a high purchase price, limits outward visibility, and posts low reliability. Size and swagger don’t offset those fundamentals.