Crossovers You Should Avoid Buying
The crossover SUV segment is the most popular one in America. There are different types of crossovers, from compact ones that share platforms with sedans to larger ones which are basically just small SUVs. Every brand has one or more, so we’re bound to find some that you should try your best not to buy. Whether it’s because of excessive mechanical issues or just plain poor design, these are three of the worst crossovers you should avoid buying.
Ford EcoSport – crossover SUV
The Ford EcoSport is being discontinued. Used EcoSport models should not be on your radar going forward. It is one of the most universally disliked vehicles in the segment, or anywhere. The three-cylinder engine puts it behind smaller crossovers like the Nissan Kicks or Kia Soul. The interior is, well, the opposite of spacious. A cramped cabin makes it a rough ride for everyone on board. The fuel economy is nothing impressive, with 23 city mpg and 29 highway. It really fails to live up to its name, as it’s neither sporty nor eco-friendly.
Though the EcoSport starts at just $21,990, we don’t think it’s worth that much. A lot of vehicles starting below or around that $20,000 mark may be worth the value, but this is one that really shows where it cut corners to reduce costs. U.S. News & World Report ranks it 15th for subcompact SUVs, and 58th for crossover SUVs. Both of these rankings are not unlike just about any other trusted vehicle review outlet.
Fiat 500X – subcompact crossover
The only Fiat model left in the United States market, the 500X fails to compete with other similarly sized crossovers. For starters, the vehicle is just plain ugly. Once someone looks at it, they’re usually not even interested in hearing anything else about it. It also starts at $26,840 which is quite a bit higher than other crossovers with similar specs. Its fuel economy is bad, there’s no passenger or cargo space on the inside, and there are just better options available.
The Hyundai Kona, Nissan Kicks, Kia Seltos, Mazda CX-30, Honda HR-V, Subaru Crosstrek, and many more provide better, well, everything for a similar or lower price. Kelley Blue Book ranks the 2022 Kia Seltos at the top of its class and that starts at $23,665. The Fiat 500X comes in dead last on that same list and costs more money.
Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross – compact SUV
The Eclipse Cross took a break for the 2021 model year but is returning for 2022 completely redesigned. As for the 2020 model year and earlier, we recommend steering clear. Though the 2022 refresh hasn’t helped much, it is an upgrade. It has a 152-hp inline-four engine and a CVT transmission, ensuring it’s about as plain and boring as possible. The lack of sportiness and fun drivability hits as even more insulting when you realize it takes the Eclipse name from the Mitsubishi sports car, which has been out of production for nearly a decade.
Though the Eclipse Cross gets a 9.3/10 safety rating from U.S. News, its other ratings are nothing short of bad. The critic’s rating is a 5/10, performance is a 6.1/10, and the interior is rated 6/10. Compared to other vehicles in the same class, that is quite the resume of poor rankings. KBB has its way down as number 12 on its list of best compact SUVs of 2020. The 2022 model year has not received official rankings yet.
Those are some of the crossovers that you should avoid buying if possible. For the most part, every model year in these vehicles’ history is the same. If purchasing a used crossover, these three models may be cheap and seem tempting, but do not fall victim. There are far better options out there than the Ford EcoSport, Fiat 500X, and Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross.
