Buyer Beware! Vehicles to Avoid
Consumer Reports Survey Exposes Disappointing Cars, Minivans and Trucks. And, Believe It or Not, Jeep Wasn’t Spared
In a recent annual car owner’s satisfaction survey, many of the 300,000 Consumer Reports subscribers polled said they would not make the same car purchase again, if given the chance. Separated into seven categories — small cars, midsize sedans, small SUVs, midsize SUVs, minivans and pickups — the survey covered a wide range of popular car styles. If you are in the market for a new automobile, look at these results (as low-lighted in the video below) and perhaps learn from other’s mistakes.
In the small-car segment, the Dodge Dart received poor marks for its sluggish acceleration, lackluster A/C and other mechanical problems that required repairs. While it is unrealistic to expect a car in this category to be a rocket off the line, the owner of a new car should not have to make repeated trips to the shop for random repairs.
The Chrysler 200 did not fare well in the midsize-sedan category. Difficulty getting in and out, a rough ride, noisy cabin, and tiny backseat with little leg and headroom were the main complaints for this vehicle. While these problems might be tolerable in the small-car segment, consumers should expect more from a midsize sedan.
In the small-SUV category, the Jeep Compass did not get a vote of confidence from its current owners, as only 42% said they would buy the Compass again. The disappointing fuel mileage could be overlooked if this Jeep had some serious go, but its inadequate acceleration was cited as a major drawback, as well.
There was not much praise for the Nissan Pathfinder in the midsize-SUV category, as uncomfortable seats and lower-than-advertised fuel mileage were some of the main complaints. These negatives, coupled with unscheduled visits to the dealer for repairs, made this an SUV to avoid.
In the minivan category, the Grand Caravan fell short on aspects it is supposed to excel in, such as providing a comfortable cockpit for road trips, and hauling the family around town. With uncomfortable seats, a cheap interior, and the worst radio one reviewer had ever seen, there may be better options in this category.
Nissan is not known for creating quality pickup trucks, and this survey confirms that. With a noisy and stiff ride, poor steering radius, and uncomfortable seats, the Nissan Frontier is not well suited for long trips.
And the winner (or loser in this case) of the most disliked vehicle in this survey is the Acura ILX. Despite upgrades for the 2016 model, only 41% of respondents said they would buy the ILX again. Lack of quality was the key problem, but its rough ride, road noise, and uneven acceleration were also key factors in receiving low marks.
With so much information out there regarding which car to buy, the choices can be daunting. With this info in hand, you may not be any closer to determining which new car is right for you, but at least you know what cars not to get.