Some SUVs are all about bold claims and rugged looks, but when it comes to real-world performance, they simply don’t measure up. Whether it’s sluggish acceleration, lackluster handling, or just an overall underwhelming driving experience, these 25 SUVs promised power but ultimately fell short. Here’s a look at those vehicles that couldn’t quite live up to the hype.
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Jeep Compass
The Jeep Compass was marketed as a versatile off-road SUV, with its rugged design and promise of adventure-ready capabilities. However, the 2.4L engine it often comes with struggles to provide sufficient power, especially during acceleration. While the Compass offers some solid off-road features like the Selec-Terrain system, its sluggish engine response and lackluster handling make it fall short of the power Jeep enthusiasts expect.
Ford EcoSport
The Ford EcoSport is compact and fuel-efficient, but it lacks the power that many SUV drivers seek. Equipped with either a 1.0L turbocharged three-cylinder or a 2.0L four-cylinder engine, the EcoSport’s output simply doesn’t live up to its sporty name. The acceleration feels slow, and even though it’s nimble in city driving, it struggles on highways and hilly terrains where more power is required.
Mitsubishi Outlander
Mitsubishi’s Outlander boasts a bold and modern design, hinting at performance that could match its aggressive looks. Yet, its base 2.4L four-cylinder engine is underpowered, delivering slow acceleration and lackluster performance in both city and highway driving. While it offers practicality and a third-row seat, the sluggish powertrain doesn’t align with what many expect from a vehicle in its class.
Chevrolet Trax
The Chevrolet Trax is small and ideal for city use, but its 1.4L turbocharged engine is underwhelming. With only 138 horsepower, the Trax feels sluggish during acceleration, particularly when merging onto highways or carrying a full load of passengers. Its power delivery doesn’t live up to the competitive subcompact SUV market, where other rivals offer more robust performance.
Honda Passport
The Honda Passport was revived to be a rugged, adventure-ready SUV, but its 3.5L V6 engine feels unimpressive in real-world driving conditions. Although it has decent horsepower on paper (280 hp), the Passport lacks the low-end torque and power delivery that drivers expect, making it feel sluggish when off-roading or towing heavier loads.
Nissan Rogue
The Nissan Rogue has become a popular family SUV, but its 2.5L four-cylinder engine with 181 horsepower lacks the muscle to support its sporty, adventure-ready image. The continuously variable transmission (CVT) doesn’t help either, as it makes the Rogue feel even more sluggish, especially during acceleration or when the vehicle is fully loaded.
Jeep Renegade
Jeep’s Renegade has a rugged design that suggests off-road toughness, but the reality is that its 1.3L turbocharged engine and base 2.4L engine leave much to be desired. Despite its compact size, the Renegade’s powertrain struggles, especially when pushed on more challenging terrain. It falls short of Jeep’s usual off-road pedigree.
Ford Edge
The Ford Edge delivers in terms of space and technology, but when it comes to performance, it falls flat. Even with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine that offers 250 horsepower, the Edge’s driving experience can feel dull, especially under heavy acceleration. Its heavier weight hinders the vehicle’s potential, making it slower and less responsive than expected.
Kia Sorento
While the Kia Sorento is a family favorite, its base 2.5L engine fails to excite. It delivers a modest 191 horsepower, but the lack of power is noticeable, especially when the SUV is fully loaded with passengers or cargo. Despite its sleek design and modern features, the Sorento’s underpowered engine can feel like a letdown.
Volkswagen Tiguan
The Volkswagen Tiguan is stylish and filled with tech, but its performance leaves something to be desired. Its turbocharged 2.0L four-cylinder engine produces 184 horsepower, which sounds fine on paper, but in practice, it feels underpowered, particularly when accelerating. The Tiguan’s sluggish response detracts from the otherwise well-rounded design.
Chevrolet Blazer
The Chevrolet Blazer’s aggressive styling suggests it has the power to match, but its engine performance tells a different story. Even the available 2.0L turbocharged engine feels underwhelming, struggling to provide the punch that drivers expect from a sporty-looking SUV. The lack of power is especially evident during spirited driving or when carrying extra weight.
Subaru Ascent
The Subaru Ascent offers practicality and excellent safety features, but its 2.4L turbocharged engine doesn’t deliver the power it promises. With 260 horsepower, it might sound powerful, but in practice, the engine feels sluggish, particularly when climbing steep hills or overtaking other vehicles. It’s a solid family SUV, but the performance leaves much to be desired.
Toyota Highlander
The Toyota Highlander is known for its reliability, but its 3.5L V6 engine delivers a somewhat disappointing driving experience. While it provides enough power for everyday driving, it doesn’t deliver the kind of thrilling performance you’d expect from a larger SUV, especially when compared to rivals in the same class.
Dodge Journey
The Dodge Journey was marketed as a versatile and capable family SUV, but its 2.4L four-cylinder engine offers poor acceleration and sluggish handling. The Journey’s outdated engine and transmission make it feel underpowered in almost every driving situation, from merging on highways to tackling hilly roads.
GMC Terrain
The GMC Terrain has modern features and a premium feel, but its 1.5L turbocharged engine is far from impressive. With only 170 horsepower, the Terrain struggles to deliver quick acceleration and falls short when competing with more powerful rivals. Despite its stylish looks, the lack of performance makes it a disappointment for those who value driving dynamics.
Hyundai Kona
The Hyundai Kona has a fun, funky design, but under the hood, the 2.0L four-cylinder engine doesn’t match the excitement. The base engine’s 147 horsepower leaves the Kona feeling sluggish, especially when accelerating from a stop. The lack of power holds back what could otherwise be a more spirited driving experience.
Mazda CX-9
The Mazda CX-9 stands out for its stylish design and premium interior, but its performance, especially with a full load of passengers, falls short. The turbocharged 2.5L engine offers 227 horsepower, which is adequate for solo driving, but the power deficit becomes noticeable when the vehicle is loaded, particularly during uphill driving or quick accelerations.
Acura MDX
As a luxury SUV, the Acura MDX promises a lot, but its 3.5L V6 engine doesn’t always deliver the expected level of performance. While the MDX is comfortable and well-equipped, its engine lacks the aggressive acceleration needed to stand out in the performance-oriented luxury SUV segment, leaving some drivers underwhelmed.
Cadillac XT5
The Cadillac XT5 is a luxurious midsize SUV, but its 2.0L turbocharged engine doesn’t match its premium feel. Even though it looks sharp and offers a plush interior, the XT5’s underwhelming acceleration and uninspiring handling make it a disappointment for drivers expecting more power from a Cadillac.
Infiniti QX60
The Infiniti QX60 offers plenty of space and comfort, but its 3.5L V6 engine feels underpowered, particularly for a vehicle in the luxury SUV market. While smooth and refined, the lack of low-end torque and overall punch leaves drivers wanting more when it comes to acceleration and responsiveness.
Lincoln MKC
The Lincoln MKC exudes luxury, but the 2.0L turbocharged engine fails to deliver a strong performance. Despite its premium styling and comfortable ride, the engine feels sluggish, especially when compared to other luxury SUVs in the same class. It doesn’t provide the power you’d expect for its price point.
Buick Envision
The Buick Envision offers a comfortable ride and a well-designed cabin, but the 2.0L turbocharged engine doesn’t quite live up to expectations. Its 228 horsepower doesn’t translate into the kind of performance some might expect from a premium SUV, especially when fully loaded or driven aggressively.
Land Rover Discovery Sport
Known for its off-road reputation, the Land Rover Discovery Sport disappoints with its engine output. The turbocharged 2.0L four-cylinder engine doesn’t provide the punch you’d expect from a Land Rover, and it feels sluggish during everyday driving. Its off-road capabilities remain solid, but the lack of power is hard to overlook.
Nissan Muran
The Nissan Murano has a sleek, stylish design, but its 3.5L V6 engine, despite producing 260 horsepower, often feels sluggish during acceleration. The engine’s power delivery is underwhelming for a vehicle with sporty aspirations, making it feel slow when overtaking or merging on highways.
Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross
The Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross features a bold design, but its 1.5L turbocharged engine struggles to deliver the expected performance. With only 152 horsepower, the engine feels underpowered, and its CVT adds to the sluggish response. The Eclipse Cross simply doesn’t live up to its sporty looks or the performance hype.
This article originally appeared in MyCarMakesNoise.
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