5 German Luxury SUVs: Why Nobody Wants to Buy Them
German engineering and design are admired the world over. Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Porsche typically appear in conversations about the top luxury cars. That said, a few German luxury SUVs never gained the popularity expected of these brands.
Why are 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 have qualities not found in other cars. Models from the top four German luxury brands are typically fast and comfortable.
Let’s look at five models that nobody is buying.
2008 BMW X5
Most consumers avoid the 2008 BMW X5 because it’s one of the few model years of this popular German luxury SUV mired with problems. This midsize crossover suffers from coolant pump failure, engine issues, water seepage, and high repair costs.
2015 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class
The 2015 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class didn’t carry the torch for the vaunted brand as expected. This Mercedes-Benz SUV has had three NHTSA recalls for quality and reliability issues. J.D. Power gave it an “average” 78/100 reliability score — low for one of the top luxury brands. Another trouble facing this SUV is the transmission getting stuck in gear, which can lead to a costly repair.
2014 Audi Q7
The 2014 Audi Q7 is another German luxury SUV nobody is buying. J.D. Power gave this model year only a “fair” 69/100 in quality and reliability. It’s also among the most complained-about Audi SUVs. The 2014 Q7 faces issues with the brakes wearing out prematurely. Replacing the pads and rotors is expensive. Not helping matters: This Q7 also returns poor fuel economy numbers.
1st-generation Porsche Cayenne
Early Porsche Cayenne model years were important to the brand. The profits from this German luxury SUV’s sales helped save the company from bankruptcy and paid for the Carrera GT. The first-gen Cayenne brought impressive off-road capability and handling. Unfortunately, 2003 to 2010 models can be challenging to maintain and have fuel-thirsty 4.5-liter V8 engines. In addition, they face problems such as coolant pipe cracking, starter motor issues, and engine failure.
1st-generation BMW X6
The BMW X6 debuted in 2007. Most wouldn’t know that fact because this model wasn’t popular and even received snickers and sneers. Back then, a coupe-style SUV was unheard of and didn’t seem practical. But this weird BMW SUV persevered and has become popular among consumers looking for a sporty crossover. The first-generation X6 didn’t arrive to the thunderous applause BMW expected.
