Buyers remorse hits harder than a fender-bender, especially when it comes to new cars. Navigating the automotive landscape can feel like dodging potholes, which is why expert reviews are your GPS. But not all reviews are created equal, especially when the 2025 models are promising the moon but delivering moon dust. This list cuts through the BS to reveal the cars and SUVs that failed to live up to the hype, based on comprehensive testing from MotorTrend’s expert reviewers. Consider this your cheat sheet to avoid costly mistakes and ensure your next ride doesn’t leave you stranded on the side of the road—or worse, stuck with payments on a lemon.
8. Chevrolet Silverado EV Trail Boss (Exterior)
The EV that forgot how to trail.
Despite echoing the gas Colorado Trail Boss’s success, the Chevrolet Silverado EV Trail Boss failed miserably on off-road trails, according to MotorTrend testers. It’s like promising a five-star restaurant and delivering a gas station burrito—technically food, but not what you signed up for.
Chevrolet Silverado EV Trail Boss (Interior)
Instead of meaningful off-road upgrades, you get an EV that stumbles where its gas-powered sibling struts. The Trail Boss name becomes more of a “Trail Embarrassment” when lacking the off-road prowess that made the original Colorado version a hit. Anyone expecting dirt-trail dominance will find themselves disappointed by this electric pretender.
7. Infiniti QX60 Sport (Exterior)
Seven seconds feels like seven minutes when merging.
Want to feel like you’re driving through molasses? The Infiniti QX60 Sport accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in a leisurely 7.4 seconds, according to MotorTrend’s Eric Tingwall. It’s like waiting for your grandma to parallel park—you know she’ll get there eventually, but it’s gonna take a minute.
Infiniti QX60 Sport (Interior)
The problems don’t stop there. Tramlining on highways and an ill-programmed sport mode add insult to injury. That VC-Turbo engine paired with the nine-speed automatic transmission acts like it’s pondering the meaning of life instead of delivering power. The QX60 Sport’s performance is less “sport” and more “snooze.”
6. Buick Enclave ST (Exterior)
Luxury looks, budget feels.
MotorTrend’s Scott Evans called the Buick Enclave ST a “massive letdown,” and the details explain why. The powertrain is coarser than a sandpaper bikini, the steering is miserable, and body control feels more like body chaos.
Buick Enclave ST (Interior)
It’s as if Buick took a stack of press clippings that said “luxury” and glued them to something that handles like a tipsy rhino. Subpar materials compared to actual luxury SUVs complete the disappointment package. Looking the part isn’t enough when the ride feels like a demolition derby, especially against competitors like the Cadillac Escalade.
5. Toyota GR Corolla (Automatic) (Exterior)
When the transmission kills the thrill.
Automatic transmissions sometimes shift your dreams of fun into neutral. The automatic 2025 Toyota GR Corolla, while still rocking that rally-inspired vibe, suffers from an identity crisis thanks to its tall-geared eight-speed transmission that amplifies turbo lag on the I-3 engine.
Toyota GR Corolla (Automatic) (Interior)
The result? A dramatic pause when you’re expecting a peppy launch. The automatic version dulls what makes the GR Corolla so exciting—it’s like ordering a spicy margarita and getting watered-down limeade. The manual version remains the clear choice for anyone wanting the full GR experience.
4. Lucid Gravity Grand Touring (Exterior)
All that power, wasted on buggy software.
The 2026 Lucid Gravity Grand Touring packs an 828-hp chassis and fast charging capabilities, but software bugs like key recognition failures turn all that potential into frustration. It’s echoing the Air sedan’s rocky launch issues, proving some lessons take time to learn.
Lucid Gravity Grand Touring (Interior)
All that juice from the charger gets wasted if owners can’t drive the damn thing because of software gremlins, as MotorTrend testers discovered. Horsepower doesn’t matter when the code’s a mess—it’s like building a spaceship with a bicycle for a steering wheel.
3. Toyota RAV4 Hybrid (2026) (Exterior)
When hybrid efficiency meets driving misery.
The 2026 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid saves gas but might leave you wishing you hadn’t when that engine starts sounding like a garbage disposal. Compared to the Mazda CX-50 Hybrid’s refined experience, the RAV4’s problems pile up quickly.
Toyota RAV4 Hybrid (2026) (Interior)
MotorTrend reviewers cited engine noise, wonky handling that feels like piloting a boat in a bathtub, wooden brakes that feel like stomping on a sponge, and a plasticky interior that looks like recycled toys. The CX-50 Hybrid shows how it should be done, making the RAV4’s shortcomings even more glaring.
2. Lincoln Navigator (2025) (Exterior)
Luxury SUV or coach-class disappointment?
Anyone who’s spent a road trip crammed in a coach seat knows discomfort can ruin even the best views. The 2025 Lincoln Navigator aims to be your luxury chariot but features an uncomfortable driver’s seat—forgetting the pilot needs pampering too.
Lincoln Navigator (2025) (Interior)
The Navigator’s cabin is louder than expected, the ride quality is subpar, and materials lag behind rivals like the Cadillac Escalade and Jeep Grand Wagoneer. It’s like buying a penthouse apartment with a leaky roof—looks swanky until the flaws hit hard.
1. Jeep Cherokee (2026) (Exterior)
XJ inspiration meets underwhelming execution.
The 2026 Jeep Cherokee claims inspiration from the legendary XJ, but side-by-side, it’s like comparing lukewarm latte to a shot of espresso. Off-road, it’s about as convincing as a toddler in hiking boots—all Jeep badge, minimal action.
Jeep Cherokee (2026) (Interior)
Sloppy steering makes you feel like you’re driving with oven mitts, while weak hybrid and turbo acceleration disappoints anyone expecting mountain goat performance. When the Subaru Solterra outperforms your Jeep off-road, something’s seriously wrong. This Cherokee is strictly for mall crawling, turning off-road dreams into off-road nightmares.
