15 new cars that you should never buy

This flagship sedan from BMW seems to have lost its popularity on the market in these last few years. Even though its style is aesthetic, we feel that this model is less sporty than the one in previous years; this hybrid model is costly and underperforms. According to Consumer Reports, the 7 series is “a heavy vehicle and charged with technologies with a bad handling”, and is included in the list of cars that have the worst overall value and the most expensive operating costs in its category.

According to Consumer Reports, the XTS has one of the worst value for money in the industry; the Chevrolet Impala is a good alternative for less money invested. The biggest Caddy also obtains low scores for the initial quality and its J.D. Power performance and a score of the resale value inferior to the average ALG (Automotive Lease Guide).

Dodge’s seven-passenger crossover SUV is long overdue for a redesign and tends to show its age in an unpleasant way. The 173-horsepower basic four-cylinder engine is paired with a four-speed automatic transmission. The Journey is better equipped with the optional 283 horsepower 3.6-liter V6 engine and a lighter six-speed automatic transmission. Although it offers new features, Consumer Reports mentions that its “below-average reliability, lack of agility and a transmission that is not responsive to downshifting”.

While the Fiat 500’s famous coupe and cabriolet exist as a great alternative worthy of the MINI Cooper for those looking for a small and practical urban transport, the four-door long L simply does not follow the compact crossovers. The 500L receives low initial and performance ratings from J.D. Power and a lower resale rating than the ALG average.

Recent aesthetic updates have helped boost sales of this compact crossover, but it remains a dull car into a crowded market segment. Its base engine is a 2.0-liter, 158-horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, and its 172-horsepower 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine does not work much better. Although the compass can be equipped with a 4×4 system “Freedom Drive II” that offers a modest off-road driving, it is still outperformed by the competition. CR says the passenger cabin is “cramped and cheap”. The initial quality, performance and reliability of J.D. Power give it poor ratings and ALG, a resale value below average.

Almost everything that was said in the previous paragraph about the Jeep Compass applies here, except that the Patriot assumes a more traditional Jeep exterior style. Consumer Reports says it has consistent driving and simple controls, but nothing else stands out. It also achieves poor performance and reliability from J.D. Power and a resale value below the ALG average.

While some claim that the iconic Wrangler and its four-door Wrangler Unlimited version are among the most successful off-road vehicles, they suffer from limited passenger comfort, difficult and erratic maneuvers, and excessive high-speed wind noise. True, they’re getting a lot of resale value, but the Wranglers rank among the worst-performing models in Consumer Reports tests, with the Unlimited also falling on the list of worst-performing vehicles; the original Jeep descendant also gets low marks for quality, performance and reliability from J.D. Power.

Continuing with a little more than mere cosmetic revisions since its debut in 2009, this full-size Ford Taurus model, in the words of Consumer Reports, “does not have the cut of a luxury sedan.” Powered by choosing a turbocharged or non-turbo V6 engine, it achieves a performance below the JD Power average and a residual value lower than the ALG average. CR publishers also cite it for having one of the worst price-quality ratios among new cars. Adding insult to injury, the MKS is equipped with the MyLincoln Touch multimedia operating system that confuses and distracts drivers at every turn.

The luxurious version of the seven-seater Ford Flex crossover SUV shares its engines and many features with the aforementioned MKS, and has been on the road for almost as long as the previous model without undergoing any major upgrades. It receives lower than average marks for the initial quality and reliability of J.D. Power and below-average ratings for the impairment of ALG.

The i-MiEV four-door small and strangely shaped car is an all-electric car that is rated at the equivalent of a horsepower of 66 horsepower with an estimated range of only 62 miles on a load (or less, depending on the speed of the vehicle, ambient temperature and use of accessories). Mitsubishi has not released the 2015 model information so far, but the automaker lowered the price by $6,000 last year, making it one of the most affordable electric vehicles on the market. Unfortunately, not only does ALG give it a minimal credit score, but Consumer Reports gives it one of the lowest overall performance scores in the report.

Widely forgotten, Mitsubishi’s return to the subcompact car market offers affordable transportation. It does not respond well, the least of which is the lethargic acceleration of its 74 horsepower three-cylinder engine. Not only does J.D. Power give it below-average performance ratings, but it’s also one of Consumer Reports’ worst-performing models.

Nissan’s large SUV is based on the full-size Titan truck: it is spacious and capable of towing a boat. The Armada, however, gets low ratings from J.D. Power for initial quality and reliability and ranks among Consumer Reports’ lowest scores. According to CR, “its overall fuel economy of 13 mpg is abysmal, reliability is low and property costs are the worst in the category.”

The Titan is valued both below the average residual value of ALG and in the performance of J.D. Power; it is also rated as one of the worst values in Consumer Reports.

Scion’s iQ is a small two-door sedan with strangely aligned seats that are said to accommodate three adults and a small child, although it’s best to do it solo, if at all. This car scores below average on ALG’s residual value and the initial quality, performance and reliability of J.D. Power. It’s also among the lowest-rated cars in Consumer Reports.

The ease of parking is undoubtedly the only virtue of this two-passenger micro-car. While saving on fuel, all the savings at the pump are offset by the car’s need for premium-grade fuel. The ForTwo is pretty affordable, but it is rated below average for depreciation. It is also among Consumer Reports worst new cars. According to CR, this car has a “tiny two-passenger cabin, a spiked gearbox and a malnourished engine.”

Source:

Forbes