'Consumer Reports' says to avoid these new cars

[lawren2 Malibu Beach Barbie & A Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close lawren2]

'Consumer Reports' says to avoid these new cars
James R. Healey and Fred Meier, USA TODAY 4:52 p.m. EST February 25, 2014
http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/...-cars/5797579/


Consumer Reports' annual auto report doesn't just recommend the best new cars to buy, based on its data. It also tells you the new cars it thinks you should avoid — no matter the deal or the bit of styling that appeals to you.

And it's perhaps a more interesting list than the menu of good cars. At least it can be a good place to start an argument.


Here are the cars to avoid, by category, with some of CR's comments on why they rejected them:

Subcompact cars

Smart ForTwo (tiny, two-passenger cabin, a herky-jerky transmission, an under-powered engine ... a dumb choice)
Scion iQ (rear seat is awful, the cabin is loud, acceleration is molasses-like)
Chevrolet Spark (ride is stiff, the dinky 1.2-liter engine is slow, and handling is lackluster)

Compact cars

Scion tC (lack of driving enjoyment, hard ride)
Mitsubishi Lancer (under-powered engine, noisy interior)
Dodge Dart (unrefined ... more expensive than most competitors)

Midsize sedans

Chrysler 200/Dodge Avenger (corporate cousins ... plenty of them on dealers' lots at a discount. Don't be tempted.)

Large sedans

Ford Taurus (ridiculously cramped for such a large car ... controls for its MyFord Touch infotainment system are complicated and distracting ... reliability has been sub-par)

Luxury sedans

Lexus IS (falls short — very short)
Lincoln MKS (doesn't cut it as a luxury sedan)
BMW 7-Series (a ponderous, technology-laden vehicle with ... ungainly handling)

Wagons & minivans

Honda Crosstour (ungainly handling ... unintuitive and complex touch-screen radio system)

Small SUVs

Jeep Compass (2.4-liter engine is rough and sluggish ... cabin is cramped, cheaply trimmed)
Jeep Patriot (compliant ride and mostly simple controls. But little else stands out.)
Jeep Cherokee with 2.4-liter engine (half-baked ... under-powered and not very fuel-efficient, and the nine-speed automatic transmission is unrefined and unresponsive)
Mitsubishi Outlander (handles clumsily, the ride is fairly stiff, and the interior feels cheap)

Midsize & large SUVs

Ford Edge (unrefined powertrain ... ride is jittery and road noise invades the cabin. And the MyFord Touch system is convoluted to use)
Nissan Armada (overall fuel economy of 13 mpg is abysmal, reliability is poor and ownership costs are the worst in the category)
Dodge Journey (below-average reliability ... lack of agility ... transmission is reluctant to downshift)

Luxury SUVs

Volvo XC90 (an old design that wasn't that competitive when new)
Lincoln MKX (handling is clumsy, the My Lincoln Touch control system is frustrating, and it has been unreliable)
Land Rover Range Rover Evoque (choppy ride, a noisy cabin, and disconcerting emergency handling)

[bigfrank Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close bigfrank]

I had ownwd 2 Lincoln MKS and IMO it was one of the best cars out there, I miss my old MKS

[T. R. Oglodyte Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close T. R. Oglodyte]

We used to have a Mitsubishi Outlander. I don't dispute any of the points made, but it also cost about 30% less than comparable SUVs. We figured that for that difference in price, we could live with less plush interior and a rougher ride, as long as the mechanical reliability was good. Which it has been on all of the Mitsubishis we've owned.

[chriskre Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close chriskre]

I had ownwd 2 Lincoln MKS and IMO it was one of the best cars out there, I miss my old MKS

I'm thinking of getting the MKX. It's so purrrettty.

We used to have a Mitsubishi Outlander. I don't dispute any of the points made, but it also cost about 30% less than comparable SUVs. We figured that for that difference in price, we could live with less plush interior and a rougher ride, as long as the mechanical reliability was good. Which it has been on all of the Mitsubishis we've owned.

Yeah, I'm surprised at the silly points they are making with these recommendations.
Used to be that they paid more attention to the mechanical reliability of the car.
Seems they are changing their focus.

But I do agree with them on the Jeeps.
Rented a Jeep Liberty in Arizona. What a piece of garbage.
And uncomfortable as hell. Never again a Jeep for me.

[Chap7 Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Chap7]

Have two more days to make a call on leasing a Dodge Durango, Ford Explorer or Chevy Traverse. My wife will be the primary driver so it's whatever she decides. At least none of them are on the "Avoid" list.

[easyrider Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close easyrider]

Have two more days to make a call on leasing a Dodge Durango, Ford Explorer or Chevy Traverse. My wife will be the primary driver so it's whatever she decides. At least none of them are on the "Avoid" list.

While I have always been a Ford fan so are many police departments. The Explorer is being used by many law enforcement agencies. While it doesn't bother me to drive a vehicle that looks "copish" it does bother many. My Expedition looks "copish", especially up in the mountains. Occasionally when I pull up to a fishing hole I see people scatter like roaches.lol

[bigfrank Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close bigfrank]

Have two more days to make a call on leasing a Dodge Durango, Ford Explorer or Chevy Traverse. My wife will be the primary driver so it's whatever she decides. At least none of them are on the "Avoid" list.

Ford is my Choice but also look at what costs lest to insure

[jerrry94087 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close jerrry94087]

I have Lexus IS for years, the best car I ever had. Never failed, very reliable. Didn't have even a minor problem.
Given what others in this thread said, I would say the report is a lie.

Who reads USA Today anyway? I thought this is what hotels shove under your door every morning, and then charge you the mandatory resort fee for. This is their business model.

[Chap7 Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Chap7]

She went with the Traverse and loves it so far.