Only 1 SUV is Declared the Worst Midsize Luxury SUV by Car and Driver
The SUV market is booming, and automakers have a lot of SUV options on the market for car shoppers to pick from. The midsize luxury SUV segment has also been growing, and while there are many good options in that segment, there is one bad option too. Here’s a look at the one SUV that is the worst option in the midsize luxury SUV segment.
The 2022 Lexus GX is the worst midsize luxury SUV
According to Car and Driver, the GX is currently the worst midsize luxury SUV on the market right now. This shouldn’t be too surprising for luxury car shoppers as the GX is still in its second generation, which means that it hasn’t received a significant update since the 2010 model year. As a result, this Lexus SUV has some positives in terms of its reliability, especially in regard to its standard 4.6-liter V8 engine.
On the other hand, the GX isn’t a cheap SUV, and it doesn’t provide that much for its price tag. It starts at about $57,000, and the top trim can cost upwards of $65,000. Since Lexus hasn’t given the GX a significant update in over a decade, its cabin design is dated. The seats themselves are comfortable, but some of the materials Lexus used in the cabin are low-quality for the price tag.
It has three rows of seats if folded down. The Lexus SUV gets a max cargo capacity of 64.7 cu-ft. This is less space than what its competitors currently offer. In addition to having a subpar interior, the GX’s engine isn’t very efficient. It gets 301 hp but only 15 mpg in the city and 19 mpg on highways, for 17 mpg combined. That’s a worse fuel economy than many other options in the segment.
The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus is also a bad midsize luxury SUV
While the GX is the worst midsize luxury SUV at the moment, the Lincoln Nautilus isn’t far behind. The Nautilus is essentially a refreshed MKX, and it also has some issues regarding how it drives. Lincoln offers two engines, and the Nautilus starts with a 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder that gets 250 hp. The Nautilus also has an optional 2.7-liter twin-turbo V6, which gets 335 hp.
The standard engine gets about 22 mpg combined, while the V6 option gets 21 mpg combined. The Nautilus starts at about $45,000, but the Lincoln SUV doesn’t handle it well. As Car and Driver wrote, it’s also “bouncy when hustled.” Furthermore, if folks get the optional V6, it’ll have another issue, as the V6 has some torque steer.
The 2022 Genesis GV80 is the best midsize luxury SUV
The best midsize luxury SUV right now is the Genesis GV80. It’s a reasonably new car from a luxury brand that hasn’t been around for a while, but Genesis did a great job making the GV80 a compelling choice. It starts at $51,000 and has a well-designed and well-built interior. It starts with a 2.5-liter turbo four-cylinder that gets 300 hp, and the South Korean automaker offers an optional 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 that gets 375 hp.
The standard engine gets about 23 mpg combined, and all-wheel drive is standard across all trims. In terms of its interior, Genesis uses many fancy materials and has a simple but elegant design. The seats are spacious and comfortable and can be equipped with a massage feature. The GV80 also comes with a 14.5-inch touchscreen and a long list of smart safety features.
