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Sometimes a good SUV on paper doesn’t translate to a dependable vehicle. These are some unreliable 2022 SUVs to skip over and a better sport utility vehicle suggestion for you to consider. You might be surprised to see popular Ford and Audi SUVs on this list, but these options fall short in a few areas.

The Ford Mustang Mach-E is an unreliable 2022 SUV to skip over

Unreliable SUVs to skip over include this new Ford Mustang Mach-E
A 2022 Ford Mustang Mach-E | Ford

U.S. News says the 2022 Ford Mustang Mach-E is the most unreliable SUV for this year. With an overall score of 60 out of 100, this electric SUV has had a few issues since it hit the market. That hasn’t stopped the popularity of the Mach-E, though. If you can find one, the Mach-E has a variety of configurations available to suit many buyers’ needs.

Using the J.D. Power Quality and Reliability scorecard, this score combines quality and dependability. Using the Initial Quality study and feedback from buyers after a few years of ownership, the Mach-E hasn’t proved itself yet. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued three safety recalls. One relates to the improperly manufactured rear axle shafts. The second recall is for an issue with the high-voltage battery overheating. Finally, one issue required the repair of the seat belts.

Price range: 43,895 – 61,995

What to buy instead: 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5

Audi’s e-tron is another unreliable 2022 SUV to skip over

U.S. News says the 2022 Audi e-tron is another SUV worth skipping over. While it is also an electric SUV, the Audi has had a few problems since it hit the market. It has a shorter range than some similarly-priced rivals and received low dependability scores.

J.D. Power wasn’t impressed with the 2022 e-tron and gave this SUV a reliability score of only 62 out of 100. Feedback from buyers helped give this electric SUV a low score. However, the NHTSA has no open recalls for it, which is a good sign. The Audi e-tron SUV comes with a four-year or 50,000-mile limited warranty, but it still made the list of unreliable 2022 SUVs to skip over.

Price range: $65,900 – 69,100

What to buy instead: 2022 BMW iX

You can skip the Audi Q5, according to U.S. News

While the 2022 Audi Q5 offers an upscale cabin and a modern infotainment system, it doesn’t meet some expectations. Audi’s Q5 lacks cargo space and doesn’t excel in any areas. While the Q5 made the list of unreliable 2022 SUVs, it still has room for five passengers and decent fuel economy.

For the Quality & Reliability score, the 2022 Q5 only managed a score of 63 out of 100. The NHTS has issued three recalls for the Audi SUV, including issues with the engine and ECU. Owners also reported problems with the gateway control module shutting down, which increased the crash risk.

Price range: $45,800 – $59,200

What to buy instead: 2022 Lexus NX

While one group of expert opinions is not the end of the world, it is worth considering. Some brands and SUVs have a better history of reliability than others. J.D. Power’s Initial Quality Study and Vehicle Dependability Study are excellent places to start, along with the suggestions offered here. You might be able to find a new 2021 version with similar features for a better price since semiconductor chip shortages have made vehicle production slower than usual.

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