Worst Luxury Cars: Steer Clear of These 9 Models

Everyone thinks that when you’re buying a luxury car, you’re getting the best of the best. The most advanced technologies, the best looks, the best performance, and great reliability are key features. But despite paying big money for a vehicle, you could be paying for one of the worst luxury cars currently on the market.When you’re looking for a luxury vehicle, there are some you should just avoid like Typhoid Mary. Here are nine of the worst luxury cars for sale right now.Lincoln MKTDress it up however you want. Pick the upper-end Reserve trim. It doesn’t make the 2018 Lincoln MKT any easier on the eyes. It's not that it doesn't look special, it’s actually ugly. For $50,000, there are dozens of vehicles that have more curb appeal than the Lincoln MKT.But the looks aren’t the only thing wrong with this vehicle. The interior feels disjointed and it isn’t overly spacious. It’s plenty powerful enough, with a 365-horsepower twin-turbo V6, but it’s certainly nowhere near as efficient as you might expect. Definitely, the Lincoln MKT is one of the worst luxury cars for sale right now.Infiniti Q70You have $50,000 to spend on a luxury car. Do you choose the Infiniti Q70? The car itself is pretty nice overall, with attractive looks for a sedan. It is shapely and has plenty of room inside. But the interior is less than impressive with fake-looking wood trim and an archaic manual gearshift lever. The control buttons look like something off your '90s Panasonic CD player.The base engine for $50k large is a 330-horsepower V6, or you can choose the gas-guzzling 420-horsepower 5.6-liter V8. Instead, you might choose a $35,000-dollar Chevy Impala with 305 horsepower and spend less on therapy for your feelings of regret.Lexus LSEver wondered how you can make yourself look filthy rich by making an extravagant purchase on something clearly not worthwhile? Yup, choose the Lexus LS. With base pricing anywhere between $75,000 and $81K, it has to be pretty outstanding to be worth the money. It isn’t.Don’t get me wrong. It’s a beautiful luxury sedan that will be a pleasure to own. Over 400 horsepower with 30 miles per gallon, acceleration from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.6 seconds, and a well-equipped interior are really nice qualities. But it’s nowhere near $75,000 nice, making it a really bad purchase to make.Mercedes-Benz SLC-ClassEver wondered what it would be like driving a $50,000 convertible? If you’re considering the Mercedes-Benz SLC Class, here’s some advice: don’t. Instead, choose a Mazda MX-5 Miata for $25,000 and throw the other $25k in the air as you’re driving. It will be more satisfying than driving the Mercedes-Benz SLC.Sure, the outside still has the Mercedes badging and it looks all right, but there’s hardly any substance to the style. The base 241-horsepower engine is lackluster and it doesn’t hold up to the high standards you expect from a Mercedes.Cadillac EscaladeThe Escalade is a really nice luxury SUV. Cadillac has done a great job giving the full-size SUV amazing curb appeal with awesome interior equipment too. Massive 20-inch wheels are standard, while 22-inch rims are available. Magnetic ride control and sublime heated and cooled seats give it one of the most comfortable rides you can imagine in a vehicle this size.The trouble is, you can’t drive it. Whether it is issues with the 420-horsepower 6.2-liter V8, electronics going on the fritz, or some other problem, it will spend more time in the shop than in your driveway.The Cadillac Escalade is notoriously unreliable, which is the only reason it hits the list of bad luxury vehicles. But it’s that big of a problem.Mercedes-Benz E-Class WagonSincerely, from the bottom of my heart, I don’t hate wagons. But when there’s a luxury brand that tries their hand at making a wagon it looks like an afterthought and has no chance of success right out of the gate.That’s the case for the Mercedes-Benz E-Class Wagon. It looks like a minivan that’s been put in a compactor and squashed down to a wagon size. If only the compactor would finish the job.You can do what you want with the rest of the car. Add 4MATIC AWD. Even toss in an AMG 603-horsepower engine. All the fine leather upholstery in the world and gadgetry won’t help the E-Class Wagon look any more attractive.Maserati GhibliThe trident emblem is as unique as Maserati normally is. On the outside, the Maserati Ghibli looks like a car that’s out of the ordinary too. The swooping body line that gives an athletic accent to the rear wheels is intriguing, and the engine choices from 250 up to 430 horsepower give it such promise.The interior starts off on a positive note. The seats are intricately upholstered and very different, yet classy. But the rest doesn’t fit the build. It’s like late-90s Chrysler plastic (maybe a bit better), but certainly not up to par with the price tag. Then, get ready to be disappointed on the drive. It has all the power you want with none of the control and comfort. It’s a letdown waiting to happen.Porsche PanameraThis is a tough one, and there’s going to be some disagreement for sure. The Porsche Panamera has all the makings of a great luxury car. It has 330 horsepower as base power and the driving feel of a Porsche coupe. It's a sub-six-second car. Inside, you get the same high-level interior you’ve come to expect from a German luxury brand.But like the Mercedes-Benz E-Class Wagon, there’s just something wrong with the look that can’t be looked over. The stretched-out hatchback might drive really well and have a wonderful interior, but the exterior is ghastly. It looks out of place as a four-door, and the hatch is a tough pill to swallow.Tesla Model SYou thought that electric cars would take over the world? Maybe one day, but not today. The Tesla Model S is a pretty slick number and it’s going to wow you with its driving experience. It’s faster than you expect, and it feels as luxurious inside as it is technologically advanced.But despite the Tesla Model S technology, it is still one of the worst luxury cars. It’s unreliable. There are reports of multiple drive unit replacements, water leaks (doesn’t go well with electricity), and bad brake rotor issues. Tesla has to work on their manufacturing before the Model S will slip off the worst luxury cars list.And, believe it or not, the Model S is getting a little long in the tooth. The vehicle was introduced in 2012. Isn't it time for more of an upgrade on the exterior?

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