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30 New Cars That Aren’t Worth Their Shiny Price Tag

It really seems like cars are getting more and more expensive, right? It’s hard to drop tens of thousands of dollars on a car just to find out that it wasn’t worth the dough. Honestly, a lot of vehicles fit this description. Car manufacturers seem to have gotten into this rut of selling the same ol’ thing without making them any better.

If you’re in the market for a new car, try to avoid these vehicles. They’re shiny and beautiful (and oh-so-tempting), but are they worth paying that price tag? No, they really aren’t. While some have mechanical issues, others just fall short. After all, there are tons of vehicles on the market, meaning there’s a lot of competition.

Some of these will make sense, while others might be a huge surprise!

2024 Honda Ridgeline

2024 Honda Ridgeline

Starting at a base price of nearly $40K, the Honda Ridgeline is the epitome of overvalued junk. It has half the towing power of an F-150 or a Toyota Tundra and costs just as much as those two full-size trucks.

For the price of the Honda Ridgeline, you could get two Ford Mavericks, or at least save yourself $10K and get a Toyota Tacoma. And if you think you are getting yourself anything better quality by getting the Honda, you’re fooling yourself. The vehicle suffers in terms of performance and features, offering poor off-road ability and a dated interior – particularly the infotainment system.

eathpallie325, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

2024 Audi Q7

2024 Audi Q7

The 2024 Audi Q7 is a luxury midsize SUV with a refined interior, advanced technology, and all-wheel drive. However, its high starting price makes it hard to justify for some buyers. While it performs well with engines ranging from a turbocharged four-cylinder to a V6, competitors offer similar performance at lower costs.

The optional features quickly inflate the price, and its premium, cramped third-row seating, and limited cargo space do not meet expectations in this segment. Buyers will find better value in other luxury SUVs that provide more space and features without the hefty price tag.

(Image via Audi)

2024 Chevrolet Colorado

2024 Chevrolet Colorado

Chevrolet Colorado was once one of the best pick-ups you could buy, but not so much anymore. It’s fuel-efficient, but that’s where the good news stops. The Colorado’s reliability score and customer satisfaction have been on a downward trend over the last half-decade.

Consumer Reports gave it poor ratings, stating that it was noisy, rides were rough, the seats were uncomfortable, and the positioning of the steering wheel was terrible. Overall, these issues make the Chevy Colorado a bad buy. 

(Image via Chevrolet - Editorial)

2024 Jeep Wrangler

2024 Jeep Wrangler

The 2024 Jeep Wrangler is one of the most iconic SUVs around, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t overpriced. A top-of-the-line Jeep can cost nearly $90K, the cost of a luxury vehicle, but the Jeep Wrangler is anything but luxurious. 

It lacks features and performance in city and highway driving. It provides poor fuel economy ratings, is loud, and doesn’t handle well. Unless you drive most of your time on unpaved roads, you’ll get nothing noteworthy from your Wrangler experience.

“Kent Police Parking Compliance Jeep Wrangler - Ohio”/Raymond Wambsgans/CC BY 2.0 DEED/Flickr

2024 Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class

2024 Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class

The Mercedes-Benz GLB is essentially an overpriced RAV4 with a cramped interior and a clunky infotainment system. It also gets slightly worse gas mileage than the RAV4, and you’ll pay $10K more.

Even the features in the GLB are inferior to most non-luxury buys. You get a 7-inch touch screen, HD radio, and some safety features, which is the bare minimum for SUVs these days. Even the seats are nothing to write home about; they’re synthetic leather.

Tokumeigakarinoaoshima, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

2024 Toyota Supra

2024 Toyota Supra

The 2024 Toyota Supra is a sleek sports car with impressive handling, but its performance leaves much to be desired. It's also a lot less luxurious than you would expect at its price point. While it’s quick and fun to drive, its steep price does not align with the competition. 

 Additionally, it lacks the everyday practicality of more affordable sports cars, with minimal cargo space and interior room. For those seeking performance, more affordable alternatives like the Chevrolet Camaro or Ford Mustang offer similar thrills for less.

(Image via Toyota)

2024 Cadillac Escalade

2024 Cadillac Escalade

Once upon a time, the Cadillac Escalade was the symbol of wealth, and everyone who was anyone drove one. Well, things aren’t what they used to be. Now, the Escalade gets lower and lower ratings. Nowadays, experts wouldn’t even call the Escalade a luxury vehicle anymore.

Consumer Reports stated that the “Escalade simply floundered in our tests.” Even though it’s huge, the interior feels cramped – we’re not sure how that can happen. Plus, the seats are uncomfortable while the third row has little legroom. Many analysts have also said that the infotainment system is the worst in the auto industry. Ouch. 

Dinkun Chen, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

2024 Mini Cooper

2024 Mini Cooper

The Mini Cooper is a perfect example of looks over everything else. We can’t deny that it looks sporty and small – some would even say iconic. Well, that’s exactly where the issues lie. The Mini Cooper isn’t practical. U.S. News and World Report consistently lists the Mini Cooper as one of the worst cars to purchase.

The IIHS rated the Mini Cooper poorly for headlight visibility, meaning you’ll likely have a hard time seeing at night. Some of the biggest complaints are engine failure and other maintenance issues, which makes this car much more expensive than it’s worth.

Dinkun Chen, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

2024 Toyota Crown

2024 Toyota Crown

The 2024 Toyota Crown is a hybrid sedan that aims to bridge the gap between luxury and eco-friendly performance. While it offers good fuel efficiency and a smooth ride, its high starting price makes it less appealing than similarly equipped sedans or small luxury vehicles.

 The Crown doesn’t quite live up to the expectations set by its premium positioning, especially when Toyota's own Camry or Avalon provide many of the same features at a lower price. For those looking at hybrid sedans, options like the Honda Accord Hybrid or Hyundai Sonata Hybrid offer better value.

(Image via Toyota)

2024 Dodge Durango

2024 Dodge Durango

The 2024 Dodge Durango is a mid-size SUV with powerful engine options, including a 710-horsepower supercharged V8 in the SRT Hellcat trim. While its performance is impressive, the price tag for higher trims can be hard to justify.

The Durango's interior is dated, and its fuel efficiency is poor, particularly with the larger engines. Despite its strong towing capacity and available third-row seating, more refined competitors like the Kia Telluride and Hyundai Palisade offer similar features and space at a lower cost.

(Image via Stellantis)

2024 Land Rover Discovery Sport

2024 Land Rover Discovery Sport

Land Rover is a pretty reputable brand, so why is it on this list? Because of the Discovery Sport. Some analysts have claimed that Land Rover is slipping, and the Discovery Sport is the epitome of their theory. This vehicle cannot compete with others in the same class for a few reasons.

The first issue is that it has an underpowered four-cylinder engine. On top of that, the engine is uneven, while the transmission isn’t responsive. Overall, the Discovery feels less sporty (as the name suggests) and more sluggish. Finally, this SUV has poor reliability scores and resale value.

Dinkun Chen, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

2024 Toyota Mirai

2024 Toyota Mirai

At first glance, the Mirai looks pretty darn good. It's got sporty styling and is super sleek. It even drives well and has one of the longest ranges of any eco-friendly vehicle. On the surface, those aspects are pretty enticing, but there's just one problem...

You can only drive it in California, where there are some hydrogen fuel cell stations, because that’s what this vehicle runs on. And the performance is underwhelming. It takes over 9 seconds to get from 0 to 60 mph. And even if that doesn’t bother you, paying $50K for a car you can’t drive anywhere you want definitely should bother you.

Syced, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

2024 BMW XM

2024 BMW XM

The 2024 BMW XM is a high-performance plug-in hybrid SUV with a twin-turbo V8 engine producing 644 horsepower. While it delivers power and luxury, its eye-watering price tag puts it in direct competition with more luxurious and established high-performance SUVs.

Though it offers cutting-edge technology and performance, the XM’s unconventional design and heavy price don’t quite make sense compared to more traditional and better-value vehicles. Rivals like the Porsche Cayenne Turbo or Lamborghini Urus offer similar or better performance with more established prestige in the ultra-luxury SUV market.

(Image via BMW)

2024 Audi Q5

2024 Audi Q5

The Audi Q5 comes at a premium price and naturally promises a premium experience to go with it. However, the $45K compact SUV disappoints on many levels, similar to the Mercedes-Bens GLB.

The Audi Q5 features a small, cramped interior with limited cargo space. The design itself is rather dull and lifeless. While it costs nearly a thousand dollars more than last year’s model, the only feature that’s been added is a heated steering wheel.

“Audi Q5”/Karlis Dambrans/CC BY 2.0 DEED/Flickr

2024 Ford Bronco Raptor

2024 Ford Bronco Raptor

The 2024 Ford Bronco Raptor is an off-road beast with a turbocharged V6 engine producing 418 horsepower, designed for serious adventure enthusiasts. However, its price pushes it into luxury territory, and while it offers decent off-road capability, most buyers won’t even fully utilize its rugged features.

The Bronco Raptor also sacrifices on-road comfort, making it less suitable for everyday driving compared to less extreme off-road vehicles. For those who don’t need off-road capability, the standard Bronco will provide similar thrills at a significantly lower cost.

(Image via Ford)

2024 Lexus NX

2024 Lexus NX

The Lexus NX, like any other Lexus, is just a glorified Toyota at a premium price. Its closest counterpart would have to be the RAV4, except that the NX has 20 cubic feet less cargo space.

The Lexus NX and the RAV4 have the same horsepower output unless you pay extra and opt for the Lexus's turbocharged engine.

Dinkun Chen, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

2024 Jeep Grand Wagoneer

2024 Jeep Grand Wagoneer

The Jeep Grand Wagoneer is a big, expensive, and impractical SUV – even if you have a big family. It costs over $90K, but at least at that price, you get leather seats and a ton of features. It's like buying a top-of-the-line luxury vehicle without top-quality materials.

Worst of all, you’ll be spending a ton on gas with this model. The Grand Wagoneer with its twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine, gets just 14 mpg in the city and 20 mpg on the highway.

Alexander-93, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

2024 Tesla Model S

2024 Tesla Model S

The Tesla Model S has one of the blandest interiors you’ll ever find in a sports car. It has been stripped down to the bare minimum, with the exception of a giant, distracting, and complex touchscreen display.

Its outdated design, cramped seating, and low-quality interior make driving the Model S anything but a joy. Sure, you’ll be able to accelerate fast, but at what cost? At $65K, calling the Tesla Model S overpriced is putting it mildly. And to make matters worse, it offers lower range estimates than in 2022 – at 359 miles - fully charged.

“2023 Tesla Model S”/peterolthof/CC BY-ND 2.0 DEED/Flickr

2024 Dodge Hornet

2024 Dodge Hornet

The 2024 Dodge Hornet is a compact SUV marketed as a performance-oriented option with a turbocharged engine and aggressive styling. While it offers decent power, its pricing puts it at a disadvantage against more refined and well-rounded options in the segment.

The interior quality and overall refinement lag behind competitors like the Mazda CX-5 or Honda CR-V, both of which offer better comfort, tech features, and build quality at a lower cost. For a small SUV, the Hornet’s performance doesn’t quite justify its premium price, especially with more polished alternatives available for less.

(Image via Stellantis)

2024 Porsche Taycan

2024 Porsche Taycan

The Porsche Taycan costs about as much as a Model S, but it’s even worse. The base model with the basic battery has a range of just 208 miles, making it an impractical choice for commuters. Over time, as the battery degrades, you can expect even fewer miles.

Also, like the Tesla Model S, it’s reliant on touchscreen controls. The last thing we need from drivers is for them to focus on touchscreens instead of keeping their eyes on the road.

"024 Porsche Taycan Turbo S”/Mustang Joe/CC0 1.0 DEED/Flickr

2024 Volkswagen Golf GTI

2024 Volkswagen Golf GTI

The Volkswagen Golf GTI also suffers from a convoluted infotainment system, but that’s actually the least of its problems. It also has a cheap interior and limited features when you consider its price tag.

Fully loaded, the Golf GTI could cost well over $40K. The base model is around $33K, but if you don’t pay for the upgrade, you’ll miss out on features like a proximity key, a superior audio system, and a sunroof. However, regardless of what model you’d be considering, you’d be paying too much.

(Image via Volkswagen - Editorial)

2024 Polestar 2

2024 Polestar 2

The Polestar 2, a vehicle that only gets up to 276 unless you pay top-dollar for about 40 extra miles of range is not nearly worth the $50K that it costs. Performance is lacking, delivering a firm ride and there are few trim options, forcing you to pay most of its extras.

For a company that is narrowly staving off bankruptcy, they have a lot of audacity to be charging so much for their vehicles. Their hideously bland hatchback might appeal to the eco-friendly consumers out there, but it makes no effort to offer anything unique to its brand.

(Image via Polestar - Editorial)

2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV

2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV

There’s such irony in charging people more for electric vehicles, with the promise that you’ll be saving on gas when the reality is that you’ll be paying all that gas money you save towards the cost of the vehicle itself.

There’s no particular reason the Chevrolet Blazer EV needs to cost $56K other than corporate greed. It doesn’t offer exception performance, and its features are lacking too. The buggy infotainment system, lack of luxury features and cheap interior can’t justify its cost. And for some reason, Chevy has decided to alienate all iPhone users with the absence of a simple feature like Apple CarPlay.

Charles from Port Chester, New York, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

2024 Toyota RAV4

2024 Toyota RAV4

We’ve mentioned it a few times as a more affordable alternative, but that doesn’t also mean it's not overpriced. The RAV4 has been the same thing for practically an entire decade now, and there’s really no reason not just to go out and buy a used model in great condition. It wouldn’t be difficult.

At around $30K, you are paying for dated features and a decade-old design that lacks anything new to offer consumers. Toyota has been selling this model like hotcakes, taking advantage of its unsuspecting consumer base. It’s time for a redesign.

Dinkun Chen, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

2024 Jaguar F-Type

2024 Jaguar F-Type

The Jaguar F-Type looks cool on the outside, and that’s where our praise stops. You get two powerful supercharged V8 engine options, but almost nobody needs 500+ horsepower to drive a sportscar on American roads, considering driving over 20 is the criminal limit—but the F-Type makes it easy to do just that! Add to that a poor fuel economy, as you’d expect, and there’s no practical reason to own one.

The interior itself is disappointing. It has a dated design with an infotainment system from the Stone Age - as if it were made to appeal only to elderly British men. It also has a small trunk, making it utterly useless for hauling all your groceries or anything else you need during your day-to-day life. The starting costs for the F-Type range from around $80K to $90K!

Alexander-93, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

2024 Genesis G90

2024 Genesis G90

Before Genesis became its own brand, it was just Hyundai. And it's still just a Hyundai, which means nobody should pay $90K for one. The G90 ropes people into getting their vehicle fully loaded at the base trim level. The only other trim level offered provides all the same features, except it upgrades the engine to a supercharged version.

It might have a nice interior, but the G90 has one of the worst fuel economy ratings in its class—worse than a mid-size SUV. And nothing about that makes sense. While the turbocharged V6 engine delivers on acceleration, is it really worth sacrificing all practicality?

(Image via Genesis - Editorial)

2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee

2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee

Although the Jeep Grand Cherokee might offer a fairly upscale cabin, it still costs nearly the same as a luxury brand, around $40K. With the highest-level trim, you can expect to pay around $70K.

The Grand Cherokee offers adequate power, but the ride is firm, and the fuel economy is subpar for its class. Somehow, this is one of the best-selling SUVs, and we aren’t sure why. In our opinion, it’s overrated.

Alexander-93, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

2024 Infiniti QX80

2024 Infiniti QX80

The 2024 Infiniti QX80, a full-size luxury SUV with a powerful V8 engine, offers a comfortable ride and towing capabilities. However, its outdated interior design, lackluster technology compared to competitors, and steep price make it a tough sell.

With a starting price around luxury rivals like the Cadillac Escalade, the QX80 lacks the modernity and innovation seen in those models. Additionally, its fuel efficiency is poor, further diminishing its value. Buyers looking for luxury and performance will find better options with more advanced features and superior refinement.

(Image via Infiniti)

2024 Lucid Air Sapphire

2024 Lucid Air Sapphire

The 2024 Lucid Air Sapphire is an all-electric luxury sedan with astonishing performance, boasting over 1,200 horsepower and a price tag to match. While it offers blistering acceleration and long-range capabilities, the six-figure price makes it inaccessible to most buyers.

 While Lucid’s technology and luxury features are top-tier, the Sapphire trim competes with ultra-luxury and high-performance cars, where established brands like Tesla, Porsche, and Mercedes-Benz offer strong alternatives. The extravagant cost of the Air Sapphire isn’t justified when buyers can find comparable electric vehicles at a more reasonable price.

(Image via Lucid Motors)

2024 GMC Yukon Denali

2024 GMC Yukon Denali

The 2024 GMC Yukon Denali is a full-size luxury SUV known for its spacious interior and powerful engine options. While it offers upscale features, its high price point can be difficult to justify when compared to luxury rivals that provide a more refined experience.

Competitors like the Lincoln Navigator and Cadillac Escalade offer more advanced tech and higher-end materials for similar money. Additionally, the Denali’s fuel economy is subpar, and its size makes it cumbersome for daily driving. With better-equipped and more luxurious alternatives available, the Yukon Denali's premium price tag isn’t worth it.

(Image via General Motors)