Knowing which five popular SUVs to avoid in 2026 starts with understanding why you should stay away from certain models. Rather than hinging on quality or reliability, our list of SUVs to avoid in 2026 highlights models with downsides like steeper depreciation, higher ownership costs, lower incentives, and price increases despite few changes. 

Understanding which SUV value traps to avoid in 2026 is especially important this year, given stubbornly high MSRPs, mixed incentives, and the disruption that comes with electrification.

Here’s a look at five SUVs to avoid in 2026 in order to protect your wallet. 

2026 Infiniti QX80

The Infiniti QX80 achieved record-breaking sales in 2025, moving 13,590 units. Following a 2014 model-year rebrand from the QX56, the QX80 has garnered a following for its robust powertrain, luxurious looks, and well-appointed tech. 

However, the QX80 is forecast to experience significant depreciation. Infiniti increased the QX80’s starting price from $74,150 in 2024 to $82,450 for 2025. In 2026, the price was bumped even higher to $83,750. Using CarEdge’s depreciation calculator, a new, $83,750 Infiniti QX80 is likely to depreciate by 69% over five years when driven 13,500 miles annually, resulting in a $25,576 resale value.

Luxury cars generally also depreciate faster, and the 2026 QX80 faces tough competition from rivals like BMW’s X7 while sharing a platform with cheaper alternatives, such as Nissan’s Armada. The 2025 QX80 was a complete redesign, so this year’s model means you’re paying more for a carryover. While Infiniti is replacing the QX80 Sensory trim with the Sport grade for 2026, the Sport doesn’t offer enhanced performance; just athletic looks. 

In fairness, luxury buyers are less concerned with depreciation. Still, plenty of shoppers in between price points consider splurging on something more premium, and these are the ones that are best off looking elsewhere.

2026 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy

Like the Infiniti QX80, the 2025 Hyundai Palisade set a sales record in 2025. The mid-size Palisade has maintained popularity thanks to its spacious three-row configuration and near-luxury design, especially in the top-tier Calligraphy trim. However, the Palisade Calligraphy received a 7% price hike for 2026. That means justifying the already high price tag will be a lot harder for shoppers moving forward.

Starting at $54,560⁠, the 2026 Palisade Calligraphy is far more affordable than three-row luxury models like the 2026 QX80 (class discrepancy noted), but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a smart buy. As the Palisade’s peak grade, the Calligraphy is full of luxury features that would be expensive to repair, such as massaging seats, a center console sterilization bin, and comprehensive advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS). You should also avoid the Palisade Calligraphy if you’re seeking a sportier luxury SUV with a more immediate throttle response.

2026 Honda Pilot

As we saw with the QX80, buyers have less incentive to shoulder price increases if the model is a carryover, but this isn’t the only time you should avoid price hikes. There’s also the problem of trim stacking, which is when manufacturers offer extensive trims to inflate prices for minor feature additions. 

The 2026 Pilot isn’t a bad mid-size SUV in terms of quality or reliability, but shoppers could benefit from Honda streamlining its seven-trim lineup.

Other popular Honda SUVs, such as the CR-V, have seven trims, but the CR-V includes distinct hybrid and pure gas grades. In contrast, the 2026 Pilot remains exclusively a pure gas model, so drivers end up paying more as they move up its trims, without significant perks like a hybrid option.

2026 Chevrolet Equinox

The Equinox consistently stands as Chevrolet’s top-selling compact SUV. Reasons for its popularity include a sub-$30,000 starting price, sharp design language, and ample connectivity. However, its base trim’s cost has crept up $200 despite carrying over from 2025’s redesign, and its value retention relative to comparable rivals is modest. 

For example, CarEdge’s depreciation calculator shows that an entry-level 2026 Equinox purchased for $28,800 and driven 13,500 miles annually is forecasted to depreciate by 52% over five years, resulting in a $13,792 resale value. If you buy a rival’s base trim, such as the 2026 CR-V’s starting at $30,920, it’ll depreciate 29% after five years under the same mileage, resulting in a resale value of $21,950.

For crossover buyers willing to pay a little more for a better equipped vehicle with higher reliability, the all-new 2026 Toyota RAV4 is a great option for just $3,000 more.

2026 Toyota Highlander Platinum

Starting at $53,225, the fully-loaded Highlander Platinum is one of the most expensive Toyota SUVs on the market. This is despite the fact that the similarly-equipped Highlander XLE is $8,000 less. After dropping 2025’s base LE trim and making all-wheel drive (AWD) standard, the Highlander’s entry-level price has increased by $5,000 in 2026. 

Jumps like these place the Highlander in a more premium market, but budget-conscious shoppers are more likely to overlook this, given the model’s popularity. Additionally, the Highlander’s popularity leaves fewer incentives available and motivates buyers to overpay for the fully loaded experience, which carries a higher depreciation risk.

Final thoughts

Our vehicle depreciation calculator isn’t the only free resource you can use to find your ibest value SUV in 2026. CarEdge’s free car-buying cheat sheets streamline shopping by teaching confident negotiation skills, supplying first-time buyers with key tips, highlighting must-know dealership language, and more. 
Prefer to have a seasoned professional negotiate your SUV deal from start to finish? We make it happen every day! Learn how it works.