Posted on Friday 29 February 2008
Yesterday Consumer Reports released its annual ‘Top Picks’ list of the best cars of 2008 and now we have a list of the worst contenders. Judges compared over 260 vehicles in this year’s evaluation and once again American SUVs dominated the field although there were a number of Toyota models, usually the strong players, at the bottom of the field as well.
The worst cars are as follows:
• Jeep Wrangler Unlimited
The Wrangler Unlimited was characterised by its poor ride and handling as well as its subpar fuel-economy, fit and finish.
• Hummer H3 five-cylinder
Poor performance and fuel-economy as well as a low rating for handling and reliability ensured the Hummer H3 was at the bottom.
• Jeep Liberty Sport
Rated poorly for fuel-economy, NVH levels and fit and finish.
• Chevrolet Aveo5
The Aveo5 only suffered from poor acceleration and handling but compared to its rivals the South Korean hatch was the worst performer.
• Dodge Nitro SLT
One of the worst cars in the field, the Dodge Nitro SLT was rated as having poor ride, handling, braking, NVH levels and fuel-economy.
• Toyota FJ Cruiser
A work horse SUV that requires premium fuel and suffers from poor fit and finish and subpar ride and handling.
• Toyota Yaris
The Yaris is one of the most popular subcompacts in the world but its poor acceleration and vague steering meant it was one of the worst cars in this year’s compare.
• Suzuki Forenza
The Suzuki Forenza was rated poorly because of its inadequate acceleration, fuel economy, ride, and low results in the IIHS sidecrash result.
• Jeep Patriot Limited
Another Jeep model made the list of worst performance, once again for poor acceleration, engine noise, driving position, visibility, front-seat comfort and fit and finish.
• Chevrolet TrailBlazer LT
Poor handling, braking and fuel-economy ensure the Chevrolet TrailBlazer is at the bottom of the list.
• Mercury Grand Marquis
The ageing Grand Marquis rounds out the list of the 11 worst cars of 2008, and was picked because of its rough sounding engine, poor ride and fuel-economy and low IIHS side-crash result.
Wow, this just proves how little they really know.
Jeep Wrangler - poor ride and handling, God-forbid that one of the best rock crawlers on Earth doesn’t have a suspension biased towards on road handling. Idiots.
Toyota Yaris - Who the hell buys one of those for for its acceleration and steering feedback? It’s not a sports car for God’s sack. No one cares about it’s performance potential.
Very true.
My sister has a new Wrangler Unlimited 4×4.
It is made like a Jeep Wrangler. It will probably last forever, but not of the highest quality, and when it’s off-road it is the best machine money can buy. When you consider that you probably wouldn’t want to scratch a Land Rover, the Jeep may be the best truly off-road capable vehicle, period.
i agree with superskyline89…. the yaris isn’t a “sports car for god’s sack”. The yaris isn’t a sports car at all, but if god’s sack did have a sports car….. it would probably be a corvette that runs on E85 bahahaha!
I am suspect reporter rating the Yaris. I believe Yaris should not in the list. Is a good car if compare to its category. And Yaris is not a sport car!!!! What performance issue have? As i own it, i am satisfied with it. 1500cc with 109bhp. 0-100kmh took only 9seconds.
It is good if reporter posting with full story, how Yaris is being rated and how is result produced.
9seconds? so, on the road may be you can chase my stock DC2…
0 - 100km/h time between 8-11 seconds doesn’t meant a lot… the accurate way to test a car is on a full track circuit. So, 9 secs, how great are you on track when comes to meet with DC2 stock…
Anyway, in compact car entry, Yaris can be consider a great car…! My family have 1 too…
cheers…..
Come on, DC2 hor… hahaha…. Where is your location, maybe we can friendly running… no offence. My yaris have just installed HKS turbo kits… and hits 6.7seconds only for 0-100kmh.
Wow, suddenly 9 seconds, suprise me again with 6.7 second… I really want to have this match then… name the venue… if i really lost, I need HKS on my v-tec too…
Haha. Then you may need HKS turbo kits. I from Japan, where you from? If japan too, let do it at Tsukuba circuit. I am VIP there!
The FJ Cruiser is a big waste of money. What a disapointment. I believe these vehicles should be recalled. Too many blind spots, horrible breaks, and premium gas. I recently drove to Las Vegas from Chicago. The visability issue put me in a dangerous situation. Please do not buy this car!
I traded a perfectly good 4-runner for this piece of crap. It makes me sick!