Ever since 2014 rolled around, North America got the official title as becoming SUV-obsessed. This was because SUV and truck sales finally matched the sedan market, which in itself is quite a statement. Only a couple of years later the LA Times reported that SUV sales overtook sedans, and represented well over 60% of all vehicle sales across the continent.

We should not be too surprised given how far SUVs have come, delivering better and better fuel-efficiency, great styling, increased performance, a plethora of technology and several size options. So vast is the interest in the segment that the industry has even introduced a compact SUV niche. Whether it’s Honda’s HR-V, Nissan’s Qashqai (Rogue Sport in the U.S.) or luxury variants like the Mercedes-Benz GLA and BMW X1, everyone seems to want an SUV, regardless of the size. To that end, even Audi has plans to release the Q2, making it their smallest SUV, hitting roads in early 2020.

Given the vast demand for SUVs, it is clear that in a bid to win over market share some manufacturers have either botched the job, or customers simply did not take too kindly to some models. Who can blame them given the plethora of options out there?

Here's a list of 15 SUVs automakers probably regret making, and another 15 that have been worth every penny.

30 Regretted it: BMW X2

via netcarshow.com

OK, so this may be a bit harsh considering that BMW only just released the subcompact X2 SUV in 2017. One of the biggest problems I have is the platform is based on the UKL architecture, which is shared by MINI models. That’s not a great foundation for an SUV, even the subcompact kind.

In a segment that already has the excellent Volvo XC40, Cadillac XT4, Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class, and all-new Lexus UX, BMW may have dropped the ball with this one. Just take the pricing model, where the X2 starts at $38,400. Having to justify paying $5,000 more for a car only slightly bigger than its younger sibling the formidable X1 is questionable. That size difference from a passenger volume perspective is a mere 7 cu.ft. of space! I'd stick to the BMW X1 and drop the $5,000 on options instead of getting a base BMW X2.

29 Regretted it: Chevrolet Trax

via netcarshow.com

Chevrolet first introduced the Trax, a compact SUV back in 2012. The car was solely being manufactured by GM Korea and GM Mexico for most global markets, with GM Shanghai soon to produce the car for the Chinese market.

The car is based on the legacy Chevrolet Aveo/Sonic platform.

The compact SUV ranks low in the segment, with several far superior options available. Among the issues plaguing the SUV are limited engine power with only 138-hp to propel the car forward, a rough ride and low fuel economy ratings. By comparison, you can opt for a number of SUVs from the Hyundai Kona, Honda HR-V, Mazda CX-3, and Kia Niro. Even the all-new Nissan Rogue Sport (Qashqai in other markets) offers customers more than the Trax.

28 Regretted it: Dodge Journey

via netcarshow.com

For some reason, people still buy this car—no, really. Global sales for the Dodge Journey continue to increase steadily since its inception in 2009. Despite this, there has been virtually no notable change to the vehicle still the first-generation. While the Journey possesses plenty of interior storage space and is available at a bargain price, there's plenty wrong with this car.

For starters, the interior is old—not 2009 old but 1990s old, with the exception of a fairly usable infotainment unit borrowed from other FCA vehicles. Handling is also sub-par and the exterior design has failed to keep up with the times. Perhaps it’s only winning argument is its $24,000 price tag but with lease and finance loans continuing to get more attractive, it's only a matter of time before customers realize there is a heck of a lot more out there for just a fraction more money.

27 Regretted it: Fiat 500X

via netcarshow.com

Fiat made the decision in 2015 to grow up, and so it looked to Jeep, another brand under the Fiat Chrysler Automobile (FCA) umbrella, for help. Together, they designed the Fiat 500X and the Jeep Renegade, sub-compact series of SUVs that shared the same platform.

Fiat maintained its well-known and loved design language but unfortunately for them, that's about all the 500X has to offer.

The cabin is extremely small and the rest of the interior is very poorly detailed, especially given the price point. A well-equipped 500X can easily hit $32,000. For that price, a Mazda CX-5 or Honda CR-V offers far superior features, size, and overall value.

26 Regretted it: Ford EcoSport

via netcarshow.com

Ford introduced the EcoSport compact SUV in 2003 but only made its way to North America in 2017. It was previously built exclusively in Brazil for their respective population. While it was later manufactured in other parts of the world, the North American debut was underwhelming, to say the least.

Sales for the car, even abroad have been slowly waning. Take Thailand for example, their sales halved between 2014 and 2017. For starters, the car is just bland all around, from driving dynamics to interior and exterior looks. The base engine offers only 123-hp, which is about the lowest in the segment.

25 Regretted it: Ford Flex

via netcarshow.com

Not many would know this but Ford still manufactures the Flex mid-size SUV. It’s been around for a decade, and now in its second generation. Apart from a mainstay at car rental agencies, not too many people opt to buy this awkward-looking SUV. It does some things well though, like that powerful twin-turbo V6, an enormous cabin, and useful infotainment system.

Unfortunately, the seating, while plentiful are highly uncomfortable, gas mileage is poor as is build quality inside the cabin.

Even the styling is quickly becoming dated. Sure it was fine in 2008, strikingly unique but times have changed. Perhaps a revival is on the cards seeing as though the Taurus, a platform it shares will soon be retired. This will give Ford enough investment dollars to refine this aged beast.

24 Regretted it: Jeep Compass

via netcarshow.com

At the time the Jeep Compass offered a great price tag as an entry-level compact crossover. Americans took to dealerships with the first two years seeing 18,500 and then nearly 40,000 units in sales. Subsequent years saw numbers decline, in part due to the alternatives in the market for only slightly more money.

Some of the issues with the Compass, which was otherwise a decent car, were a less-refined drive than its competitors, lots of road noise, and cheapish looking interior. The powertrain was decent and the $21,500 price tag is envious, but for just $3,000 more you can get the larger, sportier, more premium-feeling Ford Escape. If that’s still too much extra money for you, take the Hyundai Tuscon or Kia Sportage which are only $1,000-1,500 more and are much better rated in the segment.

23 Regretted it: Land Rover Discovery Sport

via Cargurus

This one’s sure to draw some criticism. Land Rover’s Discovery Sport is the British manufacturer’s second attempt at the compact SUV segment, launching in 2015. Not to be confused with the Land Rover Discovery LR4, which is its elder mid-size SUV brother, the Sport replaces the outgoing Land Rover Freelander.

While the Discovery Sport is a more handsome car than its predecessor and is an excellent off-road performer, it lacks in virtually all categories for on-road driving.

For starters, its 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder suffers from some serious turbo lag. Next up is the nine-speed transmission, which provides uncomfortably delayed downshifts. Finally, it has poor reliability ratings and as a result, suffers seriously in the resale market. Unless most of your driving is off-road, this SUV is just not primed for the average daily driver.

22 Regretted it: Lexus GX

2018 Lexus GX
via Lexus

What happened to the Lexus GX this past generation is a real shame. For a car that packed high reliability, tons of luxury touches and Toyota’s workhorse V8 has waned this past generation. The numbers speak for themselves. The first generation was comfortably selling in the 30,000 range per year across the United States, however, since 2008 those numbers dropped down to an average of 12,000 annually.

Somewhere, somehow Lexus simply lost interest with this SUV. Acceleration has waned, fuel economy numbers are poor and cabin materials simply haven’t kept pace with more modern luxury refinements. US News’ Cars site had consistently ranked the GX in the high 8 out of 10, while the current generation manages a low-7 rating. BMW’s X5, Porsche’s Cayenne, and even Lexus’ own RX outsells the GX. It’s perhaps time to call curtains on GX.

21 Regretted it: Lincoln MKT

2010 Lincoln MKT
Via Buick

The Lincoln MKT was meant to be the more modernized Aviator, which had a very short-lived history from 2002 to 2005. After a 4-year hiatus in Lincoln’s mid-size SUV segment, the MKT finally hit the roads in 2009 but has failed to deliver. Sales average a measly average of 5,500 units per year.

The numbers just keep declining year over year. Last year, Lincoln sold just 3,000.

Among the top reasons for this lack of enthusiasm from customers is the car’s aged design, dull handling, outdated cabin, and virtually negligible third-row space. Even fuel economy is poor, rated at just 15 mpg in the city.

20 Regretted it: Mitsubishi Outlander Sport

via netcarshow.com

The Mitsubishi Outlander Sport (sold as the RVR in Canada) started out as an MVR, short for Multi-Purpose Vehicle but was reclassified as a compact SUV in later generations. Currently in its third generation, but technically its first as an SUV, there aren’t very many Outlander Sports out in the market. Sales numbers show an average of just 27,000 per year. Even the Jeep Compass sells considerably more.

The Outlander Sport doesn’t really offer much except for Mitsubishi’s stellar warranty coverage. Fuel economy is poor, the cabin interior is extremely outdated, the powertrain is noisy, steering feels very disconnected, and the CVT transmission is among the most poorly crafted in the industry.

19 Regretted it: Nissan Armada

via netcarshow.com

As far as full-size SUVs go, the Nissan Armada has been around since 2004 where the first generation was built on the Nissan Titan pickup truck platform. While the second generation sees more refinement borrowed from its luxury counterpart, the Infiniti QX80, the first was massively box-shaped and remained virtually unchanged for a run that spanned 12 years.

So poor was the Armada during that first generation that US News’ Cars site rated it as low as 6.6 out of 10 between 2010 and 2014.

The Armada has a very poor fuel economy of 12 mpg in the city, cheap cabin materials and despite its size offered less cargo space than its competitors. The Armada sits at the bottom of the pack in terms of sales with the likes of Chevrolet Tahoe, Ford Expedition, and GMC Yukon comfortably outselling it.

18 Regretted it: Nissan Juke

via netcarshow.com

What started out as a fun little compact SUV, the Nissan Juke’s unique styling only lasted a couple of years. The ride quality is rough, with every bump on the road feeling annoying driver and passengers alike. The rear seat and cargo area is among the smallest in its class. The interior quality is sub-par, with materials and knobs of a quality reminiscent of a car years older than it actually is.

Even the Chevrolet Trax outsells the Nissan Juke, despite being introduced several years later. The Trax is comfortably selling around 80,000 units in the United States while the Juke has now dropped under 20,000 after being in the near-40’s between 2011 and 2014.

17 Regretted it: Toyota 4Runner

via netcarshow.com

The Toyota 4Runner used to be an excellent SUV-alternative to its elder brother, the Land Cruiser. It offered a rugged style, impressive off-road performance and overall terrific reliability that Toyotas are known for.

However, they lost their way with rivals easily outselling them due to better fuel economy, interior quality, and even cargo space.

While the 4Runner’s off-road capabilities are unquestionable, on pavement the ride is unrefined and extremely bouncy. The interior even in the new generation is cheap-looking and all of that coupled with the 17 mpg in the city makes it a poor choice as a daily driver.

16 Regretted it: Toyota CH-R

via netcarshow.com

Toyota introduced the CH-R compact SUV in 2016 and for those interested, CH-R actually means something. It stands for Compact High Rider. Manufactured in Turkey for the North American market, the CH-R offers drivers a 2.0L inline-four engine making 144-hp and mated to a CVT transmission which has become an industry norm.

The Camry-fitted engine is decent for city driving but acceleration is poor, especially if you are looking to make those quick lane changes or zip off a stop sign or traffic light. Inside the cabin is cramped, laden with poor-quality plastics, and offers limited technology in a segment where others like the Honda HR-V offer so much more.

15 Worth it: Audi Q5

Audi Q5
Audi

The Audi Q5 is an SUV that's been around for a decade and has taken a series of tremendous steps to remain on the top of the segment. Starting at $42,000, the 2018 model boasts a tremendous amount of technology features yet continues to retain a chirpy yet efficient turbocharged 2.0L I-4 engine, making 252 hp.

That is quite a feat in itself considering most in-line fours make far less.

The Q5's interior rivals the likes of Volvo's SUVs with a world-class quality, technology, and luxury. It even offers a segment-first, a brilliant 12.3-inch Virtual Cockpit display. Also standard is the Bang & Olufsen 19-speaker audio system and a customizable heads-up display.

14 Worth it: BMW X1

2017 BMW X1 - Front Quarter
BMW

As far as compact SUVs go, the BMW X1 is absolutely brilliant. While the first generation was a bit questionable, especially the design, the refined styling since 2016 has made the diminutive SUV just gorgeous. It offers distinctly-BMW driving dynamics, thanks to a peppy 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces 228-hp. The eight-speed silky smooth shifting transmission is also an excellent pairing to the powertrain.

The interior is spacious, luxurious, packed with technology and navigates bumps and cracks on the road with minimal effort. The fact that BMW offers five trims for the X1 further exemplifies why so many flock to dealerships to get their hands on this fun-filled SUV.

13 Worth it: Chevrolet Equinox

via netcarshow.com

Now in its third generation, the Chevrolet Equinox has come a long way since the 2005-2009 and the 2010-2017 variants. The new generation offers plenty of standard features, a very high-quality interior with plenty of soft-touch materials, and very competent overall handling.

The base engine is a 1.5L turbocharged variant making 170-hp, which is peppier than the outgoing generation’s engine.

Most will opt for the more powerful 2.0L turbo which makes a highly impressive 252-hp, mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission. Other niceties with the Equinox are an easy-to-use 8.0-inch infotainment screen and several active-safety features like automated emergency braking and lane-keep assist.

12 Worth it: Ford Escape

via hdcarwallpapers.com

Ford Escape is one of the top-rated and top-selling compact SUVs in the market, and there’s little to argue with the strides they’ve made in this space. The Escape has great sports handling, a premium-feeling interior, plenty of technology, great safety scores, and plenty of cargo space for its class.

Unlike the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4, the Escape offers three engine options to choose from. The base engine produces 168-hp while the two turbocharged options make 179 and 245-hp, respectively. That is a long way from its Japanese competitors and has proven to be a massive difference.

11 Worth it: Honda CR-V

via carpixel.net

Honda’s CR-V launched back in 1995 and is now in its fifth generation. Sales continue to impress, with steady increases year-over-year to the near-400,000 mark, currently occupied by Toyota's RAV4. With the CR-V's latest styling, advanced technology, and that peppy turbocharged engine as standard you can expect this generation to make up some ground against Toyota.

For 2018 the CR-V has become a far more-refined SUV than its predecessor, offering a softer suspension, comfortable seating, and a far more luxurious cabin.

While the base engine is a 2.4L four-cylinder, making 184 hp the one most will want is the 1.5L turbo-four, approaching the 200-hp mark. The CR-V also offers a class-leading 33 mpg on the highway.