5 German Luxury SUVs: Why Nobody Wants to Buy Them
German engineering and the desire for perfection are admired the world over. Typically, if you’re talking about the top version of a luxury vehicle, the German brands of BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, and Porsche are somewhere in the conversation. That said, a few German luxury SUVs didn’t gain the popularity expected by these brands.
What makes German luxury SUVs attractive to well-heeled consumers?
Most consumers know that buying luxury SUVs from highly respected German brands comes with a tradeoff. These vehicles can be costly to maintain and repair, but they also provide several qualities not found in other vehicles. Models from the four top German brands are often fast and comfortable and include performance features not found in other brands.
Let’s look at some models that nobody is buying.
2008 BMW X5
One of the few model years of this BMW SUV that’s mired with troubles, many consumers avoid the 2008 X5 because of several issues. This luxury SUV faces coolant pump failure, engine issues, water seepage, and high repair costs, making it one of the few models of this BMW that consumers often avoid.
2015 Mercedes-Benz GL Class
The 2015 GL didn’t carry the torch for the Mercedes-Benz brand name as expected. This Mercedes-Benz SUV has been recalled by the NHTSA three times for quality and reliability issues. J.D. Power only gave this Mercedes-Benz SUV a score of 78/100, which is pretty low for one of the top luxury brands. Other troubles facing this SUV include the transmission getting stuck in gear, which can become a costly repair.
2014 Audi Q7
One of the German luxury SUVs that nobody is buying is this version of the Audi Q7. J.D. Power only gave this Audi a 69/100, which is on the lower side of things, especially considering the expectations of an Audi SUV. This model year faces issues with the brakes that tend to wear out prematurely. Replacing the pads and rotors on this Audi SUV is expensive, making for a terrible experience. It doesn’t help matters that this Q7 also returns poor fuel economy numbers.
First Generation Porsche Cayenne
The early models of the Porsche Cayenne were important to the brand. This German luxury SUV helped save Porsche from bankruptcy and brought us the Carrera GT, paid for by the Cayenne profits. The first-gen Cayenne brought impressive off-road capability and handling. Unfortunately, it can be tough to maintain, has a fuel-thirsty 4.5-liter V8 engine, and faces other issues, including coolant pipe cracking, starter motor issues, and engine failure.
BMW X6 First Generation
The BMW X6 dates back to 2007. Most wouldn’t know this because it wasn’t popular then and even received snickers and sneers. In 2007, a coupe-style SUV was unheard of and didn’t seem to be a smart choice. This BMW SUV persevered and has become a popular choice among consumers looking for a little more sport in their SUVs. The first generation of the X6 didn’t arrive to the thunderous applause BMW expected.
