Great show guys. You can tell you guys love cars and give your honest opinion. Very entertaining. From some of the comments I learned that bean counters must know how to drift cars cause I have seen u guys do it!
my dad is borrowing a 7-series while we shop for a new car and I can say I'm not surprised it made this list. compared to the 2007 S550 we had the 2013 750Li is noisy, the trunk is smaller, it is the worst interior in class and my opinion it is just plain ugly.
This is from their website as being the WORST OF THE WORST: Audi A6 Allroad Audi A8 BMW 330i, 335i BMW X5 (V8) Buick Enclave Buick Rendezvous (AWD) Buick Terraza Cadillac SRX Chevrolet Blazer Chevrolet Colorado (4WD) Chevrolet Cruze (1.4T) Chevrolet S-10 (4WD) Chevrolet Uplander Chevrolet Uplander, Venture Chevrolet Venture Chrysler Pacifica Chrysler PT Cruiser Chrysler Sebring convertible Chrysler Town & Country Chrysler Town & Country (AWD) Dodge Grand Caravan Dodge Grand Caravan (AWD) Dodge Journey Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500 (diesel) Ford F-250 and F-350 (diesel) Ford Fiesta GMC Acadia GMC Canyon (4WD) GMC Jimmy GMC S-15 Sonoma (4WD) Jeep Grand Cherokee Jeep Wrangler (4-door) Kia Sedona Land Rover Discovery, LR3 Mazda RX-8 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class Mini Cooper S Mini Countryman Nissan Pathfinder Oldsmobile Bravada Oldsmobile Silhouette Pontiac Aztek Pontiac G6 (V6) Pontiac Montana, Montana SV6 Porsche Cayenne Saturn Outlook Saturn Relay Volkswagen Cabrio Volkswagen CC Volkswagen GTI Volkswagen Jetta (V6) Volkswagen New Beetle (turbo) Volkswagen Passat (V6, FWD) Volkswagen Tiguan Volkswagen Touareg Volvo XC90 (6-cyl.)
The Taurus is better than a charger. I am 6'3 and can not sit in the front passanger seat of the charger. For a big car, this inside is super small. The 2014 accord interior is way more roomy than a charger.
car makers can only offer so much to buyers, I believe it's always up to the buyer to decide as we all have our own opinion of what's a good or bad car. In my eyes all cars are created equal as they went through all series of test before it goes out to the market. If a consumer knows what ride quality and driving dynamics he/she wants then there is always a car for him or her.
Best thing to do is actually LOOK at vehicles at a dealership and test drive a few. Pay attention to the room inside, the visibility, seats. handling, etc. Look at the car critically; can I actually drive and park this without a spotter, is there room inside to carry more than a golf bag, does it need premium gasoline, can I see the traffic signal without stopping halfway down the block? These are things you have to ask yourself when buying a car. Payment books are long things, and these will typically outlive your positive feelings for a car. Find the features you need and want with as few negatives as you can for what you can afford. I would be leery of Fiat and Chrysler products, save for the Ram line.
That transmission in the smart car is awful, like insanely bad. I remember driving one of those for work and thinking aw crap this trans is about to blow and then I looked at the odometer and it had less then 15k miles on it. Couldn’t believe it. Transmission even worse going up hills in SF were I drove it.
Rentals are always base models with less quality interiors, so while they can give you an idea of what the vehicle is like, unless you're comparing base models to base models you might need to look at some slightly upgraded packages.
I have a 2012 manual Lancer and from my point of view Its a good car, good and sporty looking, reliable and good size too. But Mitsubishi made a car with the worst paint ever put in a car, it scratches just by looking at it and also the interior is cheaped out with boring bad plastics. Also, I heard the CVT engine its terrible over time, unresponsive, slow and just bad. Get a manual
Fair enough the regular Spark is total crap. What's totally crazy is that a good Spark actually exist, it's the Spark EV. Yet, not sold anywhere else but California and for fleets. Blows my mind that you can have such a great product and not sell it anywhere.
My gf lives in Brooklyn, New York and has a smart car. I am telling you that smart car is the best car to park in NYC! You can park whereverr you want! I admitted the transmission sucks, but space wise, if you live in the city and want to drive and park, smart car is the best choice!
Yes, for hopping around a tight urban area without worrying about parking the Smart is definitely a unique proposition, even if everything else about it is sub par.
Thanks this was very helpful! I have a 1995 Isuzu Trooper with 173,000 miles. I think it might die soon and I'm nit sure what good mid size SUV to get. I'm looking at the Toyota highlander at least an 08. I don't want to spend more then 20,000 thanks again if you have any thoughts that would be great!
I don't know if I'm the first, but I think I agree completely with your list. But I must add that there are other vehicles that could be on the list as well.
great insights and opinions you never hear from other reviewers. This is the kind of honesty and consumer-advocating that we need more of. People work hard for their money and deserve to go into products with eyes open and informed. There are some glaring inconsistencies sometimes. For example, you guys did an early review of the Honda FIT, and kept recommending it despite saying it was a noisy vehicle. Later, you guys totally trashed and dismissed the FIT. Which one is it? Personally, I think Honda has lost it's way. I would like to see more on the quality of construction and long term durability. I will pay more for solid construction and high quality materials and engineering. Lots of bells and whistles is NOT quality engineering. Software is NOT quality engineering. I'm talking about how well finished and how high quality is the construction? I've been turned off by a lot of luxury models (Mercedes CLA) that are total crap. Poorly put together and cheaply done. Pay for quality, not bling. Thanks for the great Talking Cars episodes. Look forward to the weekly segments
These guys don't have to park their cars on the streets of Manhattan. City cars will fit in spots that other cars won't fit into and save a lifetime of circling around the block until a large enough spot opens up.
True, but others do. I worked with a woman that lived in Manhattan and worked in suburban NJ. Mass transit was not feasible for her. My uncle lives in LIC and is a coffee salesman, traveling all over NYC. And those living in Jersey City, Hoboken, Kearny, and elsewhere in NJ drive to NYC and would find it easier to park a city car. Yeah you could take mass transit but the way the toll vs. fares breakdown the moment you have 2 or more people going then driving is more cost effective. In other words, it's a bit unfair to take city cars into the suburbs and call them crap. That's not their target. That said, NYC would be a much nicer place with 50% fewer cars and more transit options.
Theybsaid The Accord Crosstour good at anything LMAO, but they honestly should've discontinue that car although some older people find it useful, and the Scion IQ would've been more useful as a EV, because the fuel economy was not competitive for the segment it was sent to begin with
How is the new Nissan Rogue doing in CR testing? I don't want to spend 30,000+ for a three row SUV when I would only use it on occasion. The new Rogue has the optional third row, which is just what I need. Plus I would get small SUV gas mileage.
I love The Smart Car. It's quite solid of a car. But it's not for everyone but it's a great car! I've spent considerable time driving the car on the highways and city streets and the back roads and I love it! Although I don't own one I wouldn't mind. My current car is a 2000 Golf with a 2.0 with a supercharger and a full suspension and I have no problem in driving The Smart. If you're a good driver and learn to love the transmission you'll eventually love the car. One of the things I love about The Smart is the characteristics of the car. Driving The Smart you'll be reminded about the motoring experience that's lacking in so many desensitizing cars on the market. Please don't bash The Smart.
Apparently the worst thing about the Fiat 500L is the autoshift trans, a dry clutch one like the Focus but a lot worse. I read that a normal torque converter automatic is coming but I don't know when. For me the design philosophy of both 500's is really coo., but the Soul is awful although apparently the new one is a much better vehicle than the old one. I would just never own a Soul, even if the speakers are able to change colors with the music or whatever stupid thing it does.
As soon as I started the video, I could tell that it was an RLX in the background and I knew that the poor RLX was in for it again. :-) At its sticker price, it is hardly a best buy, largely the fault of a decision to build the car 100% in Japan. They never meant to sell a lot of them (maximum factory capacity is 12,000/year). I admit that I own an RLX Advance, and I cannot imagine the reason for its existence. I wouldn't have considered it except the dealing STARTED with 10,000 off the sticker price. With that kind of deal, if you're looking for a very reliable and very comfortable long haul daily driver...this could be it. I drive about 120 miles/day on average, and I do not baby the car. After 8,000 miles the lifetime average is 25.5 mpg...and, again, I do NOT baby the car. The suspension is very strange and complicated. Multiple ball joints, reactive shocks, and multiple-composition A arms means it has nothing in common with other Hondas and Acuras unless you know something about the upcoming NSX. You didn't talk about the rear wheel steering as if you believed in it. After a few thousand miles, I can testify that under duress it serves to flatten out the suspension and eliminate understeer in a convincing way. It's no substitute for all wheel drive on snow and ice, and having gone through a bad winter here in Virginia, I can say that this is not a snow and ice car the way that my TL 6-6 SH-AWD car was. Not even close. But in rain or dry, the RLX handles a lot better than you seemed to hint. Even at deep discounts, I have to admit that most people shopping for an Acura would be better served by the soon to be released TLX in one of its three or four iterations. Unlike the RLX, the TLX is an American built car, designed by Americans for Americans, and I think they probably have a good selling car with that one. Thanks very much for having the guts to produce a report about what cars NOT to buy. Your comments for the most part are spot on and much appreciated, even if I think you don't actually "get it" with the RLX. :-)
CR always bashes MyFord Touch. The newer iterations of it have improved quite a bit. It is still sluggish but a lot more reliable. And the features are good.
Thank you for another great episode. I don't get the impression of bias from you as I've heard praise and criticism for a variety of auto makers. Heck, I own and love a car that you wouldn't recommend, Saab 9-5. I understand why though. I wouldn't suggest that car to anyone who doesn't know how to work on cars. 😃
Remember, this is based on a reliability test and surveys done at Consumer Reports. I would consider the SHO over the conventional Taurus if I have $45k (MSRP).
I agree with the interior volume disappearing act though. How does a huge over 4000 lb. car feel so small inside? The SHO has just gotten to heavy. I would love a Fusion SHO.
I have to disagree with the assessment on the Soul being a better vehicle than the 500L. I test drove the Kia and though I love the concept and styling, I found it to be utterly lacking: undersized interior feel, horrible road noise, and not fun to drive. I then test drive the Fiat 500L Trekking (with a manual transmission). The interior room felt much larger (at 6'4" I can fit comfortably in any seat whereas I felt cramped in the Soul), And the driving experience was leaps and bounds better. I even found the infotainment system and stereo to be better than he Soul. I must admit that the dual-clutch is unresponsive and disappointing but CR is being misleading by not mentioning other trim levels/options to make better comparisons. After 11 months of ownership, and 25,000 miles (with no issues), I still love my decision to get the Trekking! As a side note: Kia's warranty is much better and they have more service centers available in the event of an issue.
I bought an XB manual. Not a single problem. Just oil changes. How had the 500L? I loved the sightlines, some interior parts felt like they would be done in 10 years (headliner and a few bits). The crash tests were my Deal Breaker and reliability concerns. Such a neat car, though. No Regrets. Its still worth 13500, and the Fiats sell for $7000 or less with same miles I have.
Wish you could put down your choices of cars in a list so I wouldn't have to go thru all this video. Sometimes it gets boring watching a long video and all I wanna see is the list of your cars you want us to avoid. Thanks!
I hardly ever watch panel discussions because the commentators always seem to be interrupting each other to get their thoughts heard. Consumer reports with these three guys are no different. More like a bull session than any useful information.
What happened to the car that you guys said was the bane of all existence? Mitsubishi Mirage Mitsubishi Mirage Mitsubishi Mirage Mitsubishi Mirage Mitsubishi Mirage Mitsubishi Mirage Mitsubishi Mirage.........
They have egg on their face because they couldnt of been more wrong lol. Mirage sales is a huge success story for Mitsubishi. The secret is out, its an efficient, affordable, reliable, honest vehicle. Great value.
i find their comments one sided like they are paid to say shit about one car... I have had a 2010 ford Taurus for about 3 years and I have taken it 100 mile trip every 2 weeks the car is awesome I am 6'5" tall and I fit fine with room for someone to fit behind me ... I also find the car very fun to drive it had quite a bit of power for it being that big of a car it can move... I believe that the Taurus is a very nice car and I also have never had any trouble with the ford sync system.
Mirages sold fantastic, over 50% of what they were projected to sell for. Simple, reliable, honest cars, I know, I own two. 2014 hatchback and a 2017 G4 sedan both CVTs. I pay half of what I was paying in gas in my old Subaru. Check out owner reviews, Mirageforum.com, complete opposite of what these hack reviewers say.
I'm honestly still shocked that CR does not like the IS. I, for one, value reliability, quality, and durability even in a luxury sports sedan. Think past BMW's 5 years of free maintenance; the Japanese marques (especially Lexus) will still be as solid and durable as it was on the showroom floor. My IS250 is going on seven years old and has never given me a hint of trouble, and still puts a smile on my face. I also net an AVERAGE of 27 mpg--not bad for a 205 hp RWD sedan. I fail to see where you get the "85%" figure as for 250 AWD sales. I highly doubt that gobs of snowbelt inhabitants are swarming in to pick up a small sports sedan. Nearly every IS in the IS' primary markets (sunny states) are RWD. I can count on one hand how many AWD's I have seen. Not "everyone" buys what you buy. Additionally, the 3rd generation IS is even larger than my second generation! It may be a compact vehicle but the buyer knows that. It's ironic that the IS clip you show is a 350 F Sport since you're bashing the "common" model. To sum up my rant, you'd buy an IS because you place value on your dollar and might like to see your car last. My, what a concept that is.
dammit it's a great quality car and it depends on the buyer there just saying you're looking for performance, compared to competition it isn't that great it's a good performance car but if you're coming from a three series it just doesn't match up, and I've saw other reviews say the same thing because it understeers which is a little unusual for a rear will drive with an eight speed transmission, and the fact that this car is 3800 pounds almost is outrageous by the way I'm at Toyota/Lexus fan and don't understand why this car weighs more than in Avalon
My brother had an ISF. I know the F makes it a racier car, but the F also meant that the ride was so intolerable that 2 hours actually put my back out. The breaks needed replacing after 12000 miles and they cost a whopping 4000. Yes that's dollars. The tires lasted less then 16000 miles and cost over 2000 to replace. He sold it within a year, begged them to take it back early on a lease. Again, not the IS so that car might be a lot better I guess.
brorowcarwiz i agree i DOUBT 85% are going for AWD on that, but it is a bit underpowered in the IS250, because its HEAVY(near3600-3700ibs),, which is probably why they now have the 255hp IS300 and the 240hp is200t now
I got to say i love how you guys really break down all the nitty gritty about so many cars, and how they compete against each other. That all said please don't put down an entire class of cars in super compacts. That "european city" market, is a real thing in america. we have a few cities where some of us live in very dense populations. I think a few people live in New York City perhaps. And for those few people with odd schedules who live in the far reaches of the city, where transit isn't so easy, and neither is parking, an ultra compact is the only choice.
The butt-hurt people here; you need to understand these "avoid" models are their opinions of cars that are underperforming vs. the competition in the segment. Some cars noted I know aren't all that bad, but it's just that they're sub-par vs everything else. This is one of the few times I agree with CR ratings. I agree that the 500L, Old Chrysler products, Acura RLX, BMW 7er and some others are just pure rubbish. Some aren't that bad; I think the RR Evoque isn't that bad, but is on the small side so it's good for the hip city cruiser. The Ford Taurus is decent overall, but the lack of space is notable in the "large sedan" category.
Not impressed with these gentlemen reviewers. They're a bit condescending and their inside jokes (constant giggling) aren't really funny. I just love their references to people who aren't on the show and most of us have no idea who they are yet once again, they too are included in the inside jokes. They seem to take a real interest in repeating their comments as if they enjoy hearing themselves talk. On the whole, I'd rather read a number of reviews rather than take Consumer Report's word for everything automotive. Not a fan!
You guys do not pay attention. They are talking about the PRICE of the Acura compared to it's competition(BMW, MERCEDES, AUDI,). The Impala is not it's direct competition, but it compares well IF the acura was priced the same as the impala. There are better options out there for $60G.
fsugrad03 For $60k, you get a lot however in todays time, what cars are not overpriced. The new 2015 GM trucks are now available and a top trimmed Suburban cost $70k. That right there is beyond overpriced so that just proves everything is pricy.
Chrysler does have a terrible reputation for building very crappy cars in their past. Simply put, for the money you could spend on most Chrysler's, you could get a car from another manufacturer that was more reliable, has more features, and drove better.
When the Taurus came out it was easily the best full size car out there, but the competition caught up very quickly. I owned an SHO for a while and it was seriously fast and very well equipped. If it hadn't been such a reliability problem I'd still have it. Lesson: Don't buy used first model year cars.
I'm not a fan of the smart car, but the electric one might also feel better on the highway due to the battery weight the electric version is 2115lbs and the regular smart is 1800lbs. That might help if feel more planted in the wind.
Winter is Coming the new Outlander is better than the last one, but not quite good enough... i hope their new Lancer will be more competitive. losing the Evo (if they have to pull out of the NA market like Suzuki did) would be a tragedy to the automotive world i think.
nickolastiguan Having not driven either model I can't comment on specific driving dynamics. I can comment on the v6 still requiring premium and the new design looking much worse than the previous generation.
Winter is Coming they spend all of their $100 on making the car more aerodynamic,and no money left for new engines and design. #Mitsubishi to be fair, the new Outlander is safe #IIHS
The only car on your list I don't agree with is the Volvo XC90. I'll be honest, I've never driven or even been inside an XC90, but one of my family members owns an older S60, which has a special, indescribable feel about it. It's almost as if you could drive that car through Armageddon and it would arrive on the other side unscathed. Plus I'm sure great deals can be had on the XC90 right now, and Volvos tend to hold their value and will last a very long time, especially in the case of the XC90, which is so old they are bound to have had ample time to work out any kinks. For me, the most important aspect of a car is the ultimate livability. Infotainment systems and whiz-bang gadgets are trumped by whether the car is comfortable, reasonably pleasant to drive, and able to hold up to the rigors of daily use.
CR bashed the Fiat 500 Abarth 24:55 but lauded by TFL in the episode, 10 Best Bang for the Buck New Cars. This is disconcerting because I am a fan of these two experts on cars.
My parents have a 2008 Armada and looking at the 2015 Nissan Armada it looks like the Armada has had only minor updates since 2008. With that in mind it becomes clear that buyers should avoid buying this car when there are better alternatives that are more modern.
Who is surprised a FIAT made the no-buy list? The only country that is worse at building cars is France. My parents had French cars when I grew up. Every ride felt like a punishment for not having eaten my peas or something. A FIAT would feel the same way if you could fit in it.
Hey! Quite belittling the Trabant! I'll have you know, that there is a burgeoning grey market for a clean example. Even though every part of the car has to be replaced to meet crash and emissions standards, a pristine example can easily command the price of, say, the exhaust tip of a Ferrari GTB-4.
The Jeep Cherokee is super popular and is selling like crazy. I was buying a Grand Cherokee and there were two people putting in an order for the Cherokee.
I have to disagree with you on the Jeep Cherokee I got a fully loaded Limited one and don't have a complaint. I test drove all cars in the Cherokee's segment even Audi and BMW models, and they just don't offer the features of the Cherokee for the price. My local dealer can't keep the Limited ones on the lot. Look at sales figures before you put your personal opinions into the review, most other car reviews are very positive on the Cherokee, you always seem to bash the Jeep brand, especially Tom. Tom what do you have against Jeep? Did the piss you off and now you hold a grudge.
The only other car (other than Chrysler) that has a ZF 9 Speed is Range Rover Evoque. I was going more for features and price I paid $36k for min MSRP of $39k and sure if I wanted a basic Audi I could have got one, but my Limited one has everything except for the Active Drive II and the tow package, oh and the engine block heater and the CD player. I ordered mine.
I speaking on only the zf 8 speed. Yes I knew the new Cherokee and range rover even the new Chrysler 200 have the same 9 speed. Acura is supposedly going to use it for the new tlx.
I drove an XC90 a few weeks ago, and indeed it did feel dated, but i think the third row was ok, the seats up front were extremely comfy, it drove like a car (although it did feel very heavy). the only thing is the 5 cylinder diesel engine sounds like a tractor, which doesn't suite an otherwise luxurious car and the automatic transmission was terrible...if you can find one with a manual get that. The kick-down on the auto was crap and it always went to 5th og 6th when going uphill...and it never held the gears when going downhill...so get the manual
i have to agree with the IS and its AWD hump, and the interior isn't very lexus. as far as interior quality goes, Cadillac's interior fit and finish is better, i was very surprised.
I take issue with a few things in this review. First regarding the Dodge Dart. When you call the 2.4l engine the volume engine it is clear that your opinions are based on preconceived notions and not actually testing. The 2.0l engine (the volume engine) gets rear world better economy than an Elantra and many people will really enjoy how solid the car feels. They could use a mid life refresh to sort out tranny issues but apart from that there is a lot of value in a Dart. Secondly with the outlander, when you admit to not having driven a car and clearly have nothing to elaborate on but blast it as terrible, you don't look trustworthy. The outlander is at the lower end of the pack when it comes to smaller suv's but the sound system in it will attract certain buyers plus it has a pretty advanced 4wd system not an awd system which some people may like and its interior is probably nicer than a Rav4. Not my choice but don't out right avoid it.
Re Outlander: You can get a Subaru Forester, which is what they recommended. Subaru has a very effective full-time AWD system in it, and its nicer on the inside.
I was saying the outlander had a 4wd system, not an Awd system. The 4wd preferable for off roading will have a draw too it. Plus cheaper than the forester.
Yeah, I'm calling BS on the IS slam. The IS is, by far, the best sedan in its segment (AND tons of people buy the 250). The sales numbers speak for themselves.
Im sorry but i feel like the kia soul should have been on this list. Mainly for reliability i have seen far to many on the side of the road or in shops to make it worth the price. I grew up with the idea that kia is cheap and will wreak easily and i feel the soul follows that idea. Ljke you said there are far better cars in the same class.
Honestly, my wife has the Crosstour and we love it. Very versatile and you'd be surprised what we've been able to stuff into it. IMHO it's great, but everyone is different.
+jijhikjlkljkljkll we test drove the Venza. It was nice for sure...but the driving experience was benign. The VETC of the Crosstour was a nice difference. Now...I must be honest, we loved our Ridgeline also, but honestly we gave both crossovers a fair shake and the Crosstour came out on top and we still (after 5 years) don't regret our decision. But, as I said before...to each their own.
Many of your comparisons, you say "You could get..." but then quote vehicles that are either in a different price range where often the top of one MSRP isn't even next to the bottom of the other's MSRP you're comparing it to ; or you're pointing to another vehicle that isn't much of an improvement according to most other sites (WTF Kia Soul , as just the next rung on the quality ladder far from the top !?!) . At least have some internal validity to your list if it's supposed to be "within their respective market segments", other than matching by shape and info-tainment system.
You must be lost. This is not a fashion video, it's about cars... You might as well comment on the fact that they need new kitchen knives, it's equally as irrelevant.
The Smart car is for city driving and parking. They keep talking about it on the highway. The need to be critical of it for their own agenda, whatever that is. They are very snide about cars that they don't approve of.
+johnnyedify yes, you cant get a smart with cruise control for a reason, they are not meant to be driven above 50 mph, my smart after 65 starts to wander around when big rigs pass, now my fiat 500 is fine and weighs about the same, i drive fiat 85 mph and no issues.
Martin Smith Motorcycles aren't small cars.... What about buses? What about trains? What about walking? They're not comparing motorcycles, they dealt *only* with small cars as small cars. Motorcycles are fun to drive, they offer zero storage or safety, and don't *pretend* to offer any storage or safety. You drive a motorcycle because you love them, but small cars offer none of the fun and joy of a motorcycle. They're just small, unsafe, with no storage. And that's the point they're making. As cars, those small little micro-cars offer nothing when compared to other bigger small cars.
Traded in my Range Rover Evoque for a Kia Sorento SXL-V6. The kia is far better in quality, reliability, drivability, comfort, room, it even felt more luxurious. Far more features and less money. The Evoque was what my other 2 Land Rovers were- UNRELIABLE as hell. It even broke down driving off of the dealer lot the day I was taking it home. I love the feel and drive of the Land Rover products but they are as miserable to own as they were 20 years ago. They are like a moving sculpture. You put wheels on a sculptor and it would fall apart in just a few feet. Why can't the English make good cars.? Even the women are bitchy. For that matter, why can't the Italians make good cars. FIAT (fix it again Tony) is still the moniker of a lousy car brand that over a 40 year period of time that I've known them, still can't drive on a long trip without worrying about it's dependability. Really sucks because they are also a pretty nice car. These CR guys are great, excellent reviewers and a lot of fun to watch. Best of all, they are truly honest and don't advertise any brand. That makes CR invaluable.
matthew von First off, I said "Japanese," and not "asian," as you say but I think even then they still win. Chinese cars are horrible and still generations away from competing globally or even in China. South Korea has some great options from the now single company that produces Hyundai and Kia cars. Kia is especially starting to put out some cool cars lately but nothing exciting form a performance standpoint. Who excites you? Toyota sucks, especially since they don't even make the LFA anymore. Their cars are slow and boring as shit, even the ones they try to market as sporty. Mitsubishi is alright but as I've said they've gone downhill a lot. Their interior/extorier quality just isn't good/interesting anymore. They do have some nice sporty options but they're all severely overpriced for the level of performance they give you. No one buys Suzuki cars, they are really low quality and nothing exciting anyway. Mazda has some nice cars but again, not interesting from a performance standpoint. Subaru has some nice performance options, but their cars aren't of great quality and for the price their sports car options aren't that competition in my opinion. I like Honda the most, I think they have the best Japanese/Asian sports car in the NSX. The Civic Si is a joke, but the Civic Type R is actually a nice little sports car, although even it is overpriced. I hope for the next generation CRZ they actually make it more sporty and offer a cheap factory turbo option with it instead of an aftermarket factory one. I thin kToyota has the greatest sports legacy of them all but they produce some of the most boring, albeit reliable, cars on the planet.
I can appreciate these three clowns experience for entertainment purposes, but, really we're supposed to make decisions based on their opinion. Suggesting that instead of spending money on a small new car they don't like but buy a good certified car instead is really bad. I've gone down that road twice and got screwed both times. The ford dealer kept blowing me off until the "certified" warranty rant out and the Chevy dealer just plain denied there was ever a problem. I opted to get a new city car since thats where I live. So I bought a smart car. I know I got a lot of laughs. I smile when I drive this thing and I don't experience any fears the 3 stooges here proclaim. Of course a small car is never going to perform like a larger car, thats a no-brainer. Really. Test drive and buy what you like.
Great show guys. You can tell you guys love cars and give your honest opinion. Very entertaining. From some of the comments I learned that bean counters must know how to drift cars cause I have seen u guys do it!
my dad is borrowing a 7-series while we shop for a new car and I can say I'm not surprised it made this list. compared to the 2007 S550 we had the 2013 750Li is noisy, the trunk is smaller, it is the worst interior in class and my opinion it is just plain ugly.
This is from their website as being the WORST OF THE WORST:
Audi A6 Allroad
Audi A8
BMW 330i, 335i
BMW X5 (V8)
Buick Enclave
Buick Rendezvous (AWD)
Buick Terraza
Cadillac SRX
Chevrolet Blazer
Chevrolet Colorado (4WD)
Chevrolet Cruze (1.4T)
Chevrolet S-10 (4WD)
Chevrolet Uplander
Chevrolet Uplander, Venture
Chevrolet Venture
Chrysler Pacifica
Chrysler PT Cruiser
Chrysler Sebring convertible
Chrysler Town & Country
Chrysler Town & Country (AWD)
Dodge Grand Caravan
Dodge Grand Caravan (AWD)
Dodge Journey
Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500 (diesel)
Ford F-250 and F-350 (diesel)
Ford Fiesta
GMC Acadia
GMC Canyon (4WD)
GMC Jimmy
GMC S-15 Sonoma (4WD)
Jeep Grand Cherokee
Jeep Wrangler (4-door)
Kia Sedona
Land Rover Discovery, LR3
Mazda RX-8
Mercedes-Benz GL-Class
Mini Cooper S
Mini Countryman
Nissan Pathfinder
Oldsmobile Bravada
Oldsmobile Silhouette
Pontiac Aztek
Pontiac G6 (V6)
Pontiac Montana, Montana SV6
Porsche Cayenne
Saturn Outlook
Saturn Relay
Volkswagen Cabrio
Volkswagen CC
Volkswagen GTI
Volkswagen Jetta (V6)
Volkswagen New Beetle (turbo)
Volkswagen Passat (V6, FWD)
Volkswagen Tiguan
Volkswagen Touareg
Volvo XC90 (6-cyl.)
Maria Francisco Every model they have released ever
The Taurus is better than a charger. I am 6'3 and can not sit in the front passanger seat of the charger. For a big car, this inside is super small. The 2014 accord interior is way more roomy than a charger.
***** Yes it is and faster than it too unless you have the 3.5 ecoboost.
car makers can only offer so much to buyers, I believe it's always up to the buyer to decide as we all have our own opinion of what's a good or bad car. In my eyes all cars are created equal as they went through all series of test before it goes out to the market. If a consumer knows what ride quality and driving dynamics he/she wants then there is always a car for him or her.
Best thing to do is actually LOOK at vehicles at a dealership and test drive a few. Pay attention to the room inside, the visibility, seats. handling, etc. Look at the car critically; can I actually drive and park this without a spotter, is there room inside to carry more than a golf bag, does it need premium gasoline, can I see the traffic signal without stopping halfway down the block? These are things you have to ask yourself when buying a car. Payment books are long things, and these will typically outlive your positive feelings for a car. Find the features you need and want with as few negatives as you can for what you can afford. I would be leery of Fiat and Chrysler products, save for the Ram line.
That transmission in the smart car is awful, like insanely bad. I remember driving one of those for work and thinking aw crap this trans is about to blow and then I looked at the odometer and it had less then 15k miles on it. Couldn’t believe it. Transmission even worse going up hills in SF were I drove it.
I test drove a new one and it felt like driving a rocking chair. Couldn't believe it was a product backed by Mercedes.
My dad has a Crysller 300 its silver and he paid it off in I think five years or something like that. He loves that car.
Maybe I was expecting too much, but the Hyundai Elantra I rented was disappointing. A lot of outside noise and cheap materials inside.
Rentals are always base models with less quality interiors, so while they can give you an idea of what the vehicle is like, unless you're comparing base models to base models you might need to look at some slightly upgraded packages.
Acidicheartburn
Bullshit......
+Acidicheartburn1 lmao that's not how interior packages work
Who in their right mind would buy a Chrysler?
I have a 2012 manual Lancer and from my point of view Its a good car, good and sporty looking, reliable and good size too. But Mitsubishi made a car with the worst paint ever put in a car, it scratches just by looking at it and also the interior is cheaped out with boring bad plastics. Also, I heard the CVT engine its terrible over time, unresponsive, slow and just bad. Get a manual
Fair enough the regular Spark is total crap. What's totally crazy is that a good Spark actually exist, it's the Spark EV. Yet, not sold anywhere else but California and for fleets. Blows my mind that you can have such a great product and not sell it anywhere.
QX-Pi & English Royalty both drew out bellows of laughter. I always enjoy these shows.
shame on lexus for making the is250. Thank you Jake for telling the truth!
My gf lives in Brooklyn, New York and has a smart car. I am telling you that smart car is the best car to park in NYC! You can park whereverr you want! I admitted the transmission sucks, but space wise, if you live in the city and want to drive and park, smart car is the best choice!
Yes, for hopping around a tight urban area without worrying about parking the Smart is definitely a unique proposition, even if everything else about it is sub par.
Id buy a cheaper, more roomy, more efficient Mitsu Mirage
Thanks this was very helpful! I have a 1995 Isuzu Trooper with 173,000 miles. I think it might die soon and I'm nit sure what good mid size SUV to get. I'm looking at the Toyota highlander at least an 08. I don't want to spend more then 20,000 thanks again if you have any thoughts that would be great!
I don't know if I'm the first, but I think I agree completely with your list. But I must add that there are other vehicles that could be on the list as well.
I think the Chrysler town and country should be on the list too. !!!! Can you tell me why it isn'???
great insights and opinions you never hear from other reviewers. This is the kind of honesty and consumer-advocating that we need more of. People work hard for their money and deserve to go into products with eyes open and informed.
There are some glaring inconsistencies sometimes. For example, you guys did an early review of the Honda FIT, and kept recommending it despite saying it was a noisy vehicle. Later, you guys totally trashed and dismissed the FIT. Which one is it? Personally, I think Honda has lost it's way.
I would like to see more on the quality of construction and long term durability. I will pay more for solid construction and high quality materials and engineering. Lots of bells and whistles is NOT quality engineering. Software is NOT quality engineering.
I'm talking about how well finished and how high quality is the construction? I've been turned off by a lot of luxury models (Mercedes CLA) that are total crap. Poorly put together and cheaply done.
Pay for quality, not bling.
Thanks for the great Talking Cars episodes. Look forward to the weekly segments
+Cruz er That's why you ask customers, not reviewers.
These guys don't have to park their cars on the streets of Manhattan. City cars will fit in spots that other cars won't fit into and save a lifetime of circling around the block until a large enough spot opens up.
+John M Flores Having lived in Manhattan for many years, you really don't need a car.
True, but others do. I worked with a woman that lived in Manhattan and worked in suburban NJ. Mass transit was not feasible for her. My uncle lives in LIC and is a coffee salesman, traveling all over NYC. And those living in Jersey City, Hoboken, Kearny, and elsewhere in NJ drive to NYC and would find it easier to park a city car. Yeah you could take mass transit but the way the toll vs. fares breakdown the moment you have 2 or more people going then driving is more cost effective.
In other words, it's a bit unfair to take city cars into the suburbs and call them crap. That's not their target.
That said, NYC would be a much nicer place with 50% fewer cars and more transit options.
John M Flores buy a backup camera and you can fit in sone small spaces, im frm DC and squeeze a camry in spaces i couldnt without the rear camera
Theybsaid The Accord Crosstour good at anything LMAO, but they honestly should've discontinue that car although some older people find it useful, and the Scion IQ would've been more useful as a EV, because the fuel economy was not competitive for the segment it was sent to begin with
How is the new Nissan Rogue doing in CR testing? I don't want to spend 30,000+ for a three row SUV when I would only use it on occasion. The new Rogue has the optional third row, which is just what I need. Plus I would get small SUV gas mileage.
When I said that I would only us it on occasion... I mean't the third row.
Buy a Mitsu
I love The Smart Car. It's quite solid of a car. But it's not for everyone but it's a great car! I've spent considerable time driving the car on the highways and city streets and the back roads and I love it! Although I don't own one I wouldn't mind. My current car is a 2000 Golf with a 2.0 with a supercharger and a full suspension and I have no problem in driving The Smart. If you're a good driver and learn to love the transmission you'll eventually love the car. One of the things I love about The Smart is the characteristics of the car. Driving The Smart you'll be reminded about the motoring experience that's lacking in so many desensitizing cars on the market. Please don't bash The Smart.
Apparently the worst thing about the Fiat 500L is the autoshift trans, a dry clutch one like the Focus but a lot worse. I read that a normal torque converter automatic is coming but I don't know when. For me the design philosophy of both 500's is really coo., but the Soul is awful although apparently the new one is a much better vehicle than the old one. I would just never own a Soul, even if the speakers are able to change colors with the music or whatever stupid thing it does.
As soon as I started the video, I could tell that it was an RLX in the background and I knew that the poor RLX was in for it again. :-) At its sticker price, it is hardly a best buy, largely the fault of a decision to build the car 100% in Japan. They never meant to sell a lot of them (maximum factory capacity is 12,000/year).
I admit that I own an RLX Advance, and I cannot imagine the reason for its existence. I wouldn't have considered it except the dealing STARTED with 10,000 off the sticker price. With that kind of deal, if you're looking for a very reliable and very comfortable long haul daily driver...this could be it. I drive about 120 miles/day on average, and I do not baby the car. After 8,000 miles the lifetime average is 25.5 mpg...and, again, I do NOT baby the car.
The suspension is very strange and complicated. Multiple ball joints, reactive shocks, and multiple-composition A arms means it has nothing in common with other Hondas and Acuras unless you know something about the upcoming NSX.
You didn't talk about the rear wheel steering as if you believed in it. After a few thousand miles, I can testify that under duress it serves to flatten out the suspension and eliminate understeer in a convincing way. It's no substitute for all wheel drive on snow and ice, and having gone through a bad winter here in Virginia, I can say that this is not a snow and ice car the way that my TL 6-6 SH-AWD car was. Not even close. But in rain or dry, the RLX handles a lot better than you seemed to hint.
Even at deep discounts, I have to admit that most people shopping for an Acura would be better served by the soon to be released TLX in one of its three or four iterations. Unlike the RLX, the TLX is an American built car, designed by Americans for Americans, and I think they probably have a good selling car with that one.
Thanks very much for having the guts to produce a report about what cars NOT to buy. Your comments for the most part are spot on and much appreciated, even if I think you don't actually "get it" with the RLX. :-)
No scion tc?
CR always bashes MyFord Touch. The newer iterations of it have improved quite a bit. It is still sluggish but a lot more reliable. And the features are good.
Taurus is a large car for $25,000 real world pricing. Sniff at that, but some people could use one well.
Thank you for another great episode. I don't get the impression of bias from you as I've heard praise and criticism for a variety of auto makers. Heck, I own and love a car that you wouldn't recommend, Saab 9-5. I understand why though. I wouldn't suggest that car to anyone who doesn't know how to work on cars. 😃
I have a SHO...i love it. You guys need to stop complaining about MFT nothing is freaking wrong with it.
Remember, this is based on a reliability test and surveys done at Consumer Reports. I would consider the SHO over the conventional Taurus if I have $45k (MSRP).
The SHO is a beast of its own just for the ecoboost, however, the regular engines, horrible.
CR has panned the EcoBoost engines, especially the 3.5L V6. They really panned the V6 in the F-150.
DevPack I will admit they are bias.
I agree with the interior volume disappearing act though. How does a huge over 4000 lb. car feel so small inside? The SHO has just gotten to heavy. I would love a Fusion SHO.
Mitsubishis are reliable though.
I have to disagree with the assessment on the Soul being a better vehicle than the 500L. I test drove the Kia and though I love the concept and styling, I found it to be utterly lacking: undersized interior feel, horrible road noise, and not fun to drive. I then test drive the Fiat 500L Trekking (with a manual transmission). The interior room felt much larger (at 6'4" I can fit comfortably in any seat whereas I felt cramped in the Soul), And the driving experience was leaps and bounds better. I even found the infotainment system and stereo to be better than he Soul.
I must admit that the dual-clutch is unresponsive and disappointing but CR is being misleading by not mentioning other trim levels/options to make better comparisons.
After 11 months of ownership, and 25,000 miles (with no issues), I still love my decision to get the Trekking!
As a side note: Kia's warranty is much better and they have more service centers available in the event of an issue.
I bought an XB manual. Not a single problem. Just oil changes. How had the 500L? I loved the sightlines, some interior parts felt like they would be done in 10 years (headliner and a few bits). The crash tests were my Deal Breaker and reliability concerns. Such a neat car, though. No Regrets. Its still worth 13500, and the Fiats sell for $7000 or less with same miles I have.
Speaking of Neons I hate mine it's a 2005 it's so clunky unreliable but ok on the road
There are no talking cars in this video.
Ha ha...
Wish you could put down your choices of cars in a list so I wouldn't have to go thru all this video. Sometimes it gets boring watching a long video and all I wanna see is the list of your cars you want us to avoid. Thanks!
I hardly ever watch panel discussions because the commentators always seem to be interrupting each other to get their thoughts heard. Consumer reports with these three guys are no different. More like a bull session than any useful information.
Thank You CR! Love this episode!
What happened to the car that you guys said was the bane of all existence? Mitsubishi Mirage Mitsubishi Mirage Mitsubishi Mirage Mitsubishi Mirage Mitsubishi Mirage Mitsubishi Mirage Mitsubishi Mirage.........
They have egg on their face because they couldnt of been more wrong lol. Mirage sales is a huge success story for Mitsubishi. The secret is out, its an efficient, affordable, reliable, honest vehicle. Great value.
Well said.
i find their comments one sided like they are paid to say shit about one car... I have had a 2010 ford Taurus for about 3 years and I have taken it 100 mile trip every 2 weeks the car is awesome I am 6'5" tall and I fit fine with room for someone to fit behind me ... I also find the car very fun to drive it had quite a bit of power for it being that big of a car it can move... I believe that the Taurus is a very nice car and I also have never had any trouble with the ford sync system.
wrong about the 3 row suv the Dodge Journey was a 3 row suv in 2008
ffs, the automotive press raved about the Neon when it first came out.
WoW! I probably missed it, but the 2014 Mitsubishi Mirage should be in this list ...terrible lawnmower of a 'car'
Mirages sold fantastic, over 50% of what they were projected to sell for. Simple, reliable, honest cars, I know, I own two. 2014 hatchback and a 2017 G4 sedan both CVTs. I pay half of what I was paying in gas in my old Subaru. Check out owner reviews, Mirageforum.com, complete opposite of what these hack reviewers say.
Sorry volume engine on Dart is 2.0 aspirated l4
There are no mentions on Mercedes CLA and Infiniti Q50 in this issue. I thought you guys hate them.
great info,,good job guys...keep it up...thumbs up
I like to hear the truth from car guys, thanks.
+Prisoner Alex Actually hear the truth from customers.
My vote for big liars is Motor Trend, Car and Driver and Road & Track. Not Consumers Report
I'm honestly still shocked that CR does not like the IS. I, for one, value reliability, quality, and durability even in a luxury sports sedan. Think past BMW's 5 years of free maintenance; the Japanese marques (especially Lexus) will still be as solid and durable as it was on the showroom floor. My IS250 is going on seven years old and has never given me a hint of trouble, and still puts a smile on my face. I also net an AVERAGE of 27 mpg--not bad for a 205 hp RWD sedan. I fail to see where you get the "85%" figure as for 250 AWD sales. I highly doubt that gobs of snowbelt inhabitants are swarming in to pick up a small sports sedan. Nearly every IS in the IS' primary markets (sunny states) are RWD. I can count on one hand how many AWD's I have seen. Not "everyone" buys what you buy. Additionally, the 3rd generation IS is even larger than my second generation! It may be a compact vehicle but the buyer knows that.
It's ironic that the IS clip you show is a 350 F Sport since you're bashing the "common" model.
To sum up my rant, you'd buy an IS because you place value on your dollar and might like to see your car last. My, what a concept that is.
the new IS are great cars they are everywhere. So their beef with it is irrelevant
cr are bashing the Lexus Is. Dodge Dart. lincoin mks (Ford Taurus)
dammit it's a great quality car and it depends on the buyer there just saying you're looking for performance, compared to competition it isn't that great it's a good performance car but if you're coming from a three series it just doesn't match up, and I've saw other reviews say the same thing because it understeers which is a little unusual for a rear will drive with an eight speed transmission, and the fact that this car is 3800 pounds almost is outrageous by the way I'm at Toyota/Lexus fan and don't understand why this car weighs more than in Avalon
My brother had an ISF. I know the F makes it a racier car, but the F also meant that the ride was so intolerable that 2 hours actually put my back out. The breaks needed replacing after 12000 miles and they cost a whopping 4000. Yes that's dollars. The tires lasted less then 16000 miles and cost over 2000 to replace. He sold it within a year, begged them to take it back early on a lease. Again, not the IS so that car might be a lot better I guess.
brorowcarwiz i agree i DOUBT 85% are going for AWD on that, but it is a bit underpowered in the IS250, because its HEAVY(near3600-3700ibs),, which is probably why they now have the 255hp IS300 and the 240hp is200t now
My favorite of all time: Toyota RAV4
There is a lot of butthurting here.
I got to say i love how you guys really break down all the nitty gritty about so many cars, and how they compete against each other. That all said please don't put down an entire class of cars in super compacts. That "european city" market, is a real thing in america. we have a few cities where some of us live in very dense populations. I think a few people live in New York City perhaps. And for those few people with odd schedules who live in the far reaches of the city, where transit isn't so easy, and neither is parking, an ultra compact is the only choice.
My wife and I are tall and the IS350 was plenty roomy. Great seats. zero awd versions on lots here in the south
The butt-hurt people here; you need to understand these "avoid" models are their opinions of cars that are underperforming vs. the competition in the segment. Some cars noted I know aren't all that bad, but it's just that they're sub-par vs everything else.
This is one of the few times I agree with CR ratings. I agree that the 500L, Old Chrysler products, Acura RLX, BMW 7er and some others are just pure rubbish. Some aren't that bad; I think the RR Evoque isn't that bad, but is on the small side so it's good for the hip city cruiser. The Ford Taurus is decent overall, but the lack of space is notable in the "large sedan" category.
I wonder what their thoughts are on the Fiat 500 Abarth - I just test drove one and it was great.
Not impressed with these gentlemen reviewers. They're a bit condescending and their inside jokes (constant giggling) aren't really funny. I just love their references to people who aren't on the show and most of us have no idea who they are yet once again, they too are included in the inside jokes. They seem to take a real interest in repeating their comments as if they enjoy hearing themselves talk. On the whole, I'd rather read a number of reviews rather than take Consumer Report's word for everything automotive. Not a fan!
+Rick Rockey Why not just ask a customer or your friends? They're a much better resource than any reviewer.
impala over an acura? in your dreams!
i saw the new acura in the car show, i have to say, their interiors are pretty disappointing.
Acura over chevy anyday unless I need a duramax. No other need for one.
You guys do not pay attention. They are talking about the PRICE of the Acura compared to it's competition(BMW, MERCEDES, AUDI,). The Impala is not it's direct competition, but it compares well IF the acura was priced the same as the impala. There are better options out there for $60G.
fsugrad03 For $60k, you get a lot however in todays time, what cars are not overpriced. The new 2015 GM trucks are now available and a top trimmed Suburban cost $70k. That right there is beyond overpriced so that just proves everything is pricy.
6824096 You are right, everything is overpriced these days!
We are looking for quick information. A list with photos and bullets more than enough. This is not a report is a talk show!
Dont buy a fiat they are crap ! They wont last so long before they start braking up.Go buy a MINI you wont go far wrong.
Is it just me or do they seem to hate chrysler and dodge. It sounds really biased when half the cars on this list are from the same auto maker...
This goes back to the 1970s. Read Allpar(a Chrysler news & views website) and look up "consumer reports". Hope this helps.
Chrysler does have a terrible reputation for building very crappy cars in their past. Simply put, for the money you could spend on most Chrysler's, you could get a car from another manufacturer that was more reliable, has more features, and drove better.
Yet Chrysler are still here. Hmmmm. Must be the price. Also prestige car drivers often stay quiet when their cars don't live up to expectation.
When the Taurus came out it was easily the best full size car out there, but the competition caught up very quickly. I owned an SHO for a while and it was seriously fast and very well equipped. If it hadn't been such a reliability problem I'd still have it. Lesson: Don't buy used first model year cars.
I'm not a fan of the smart car, but the electric one might also feel better on the highway due to the battery weight the electric version is 2115lbs and the regular smart is 1800lbs. That might help if feel more planted in the wind.
How was the new Mitsubishi Mirage not on this list?
because it is not even worth mentioning? lol
nickolastiguan poor Mitsubishi, their entire lineup is just...dead. Is there no word on a new Lancer coming out in the near future?
Winter is Coming the new Outlander is better than the last one, but not quite good enough... i hope their new Lancer will be more competitive. losing the Evo (if they have to pull out of the NA market like Suzuki did) would be a tragedy to the automotive world i think.
nickolastiguan Having not driven either model I can't comment on specific driving dynamics. I can comment on the v6 still requiring premium and the new design looking much worse than the previous generation.
Winter is Coming they spend all of their $100 on making the car more aerodynamic,and no money left for new engines and design. #Mitsubishi
to be fair, the new Outlander is safe #IIHS
The only car on your list I don't agree with is the Volvo XC90. I'll be honest, I've never driven or even been inside an XC90, but one of my family members owns an older S60, which has a special, indescribable feel about it. It's almost as if you could drive that car through Armageddon and it would arrive on the other side unscathed. Plus I'm sure great deals can be had on the XC90 right now, and Volvos tend to hold their value and will last a very long time, especially in the case of the XC90, which is so old they are bound to have had ample time to work out any kinks. For me, the most important aspect of a car is the ultimate livability. Infotainment systems and whiz-bang gadgets are trumped by whether the car is comfortable, reasonably pleasant to drive, and able to hold up to the rigors of daily use.
I rented a Jeep Compass and it was actually a good mini-SUV. The console was sparse and did feel cheap because it used cheap plastics.
Great insight
CR bashed the Fiat 500 Abarth 24:55 but lauded by TFL in the episode, 10 Best Bang for the Buck New Cars. This is disconcerting because I am a fan of these two experts on cars.
Reliability and Quality isnt a thing with that channel.
My parents have a 2008 Armada and looking at the 2015 Nissan Armada it looks like the Armada has had only minor updates since 2008. With that in mind it becomes clear that buyers should avoid buying this car when there are better alternatives that are more modern.
the segment that Armada is in is dead, there's no point in updating it
Who is surprised a FIAT made the no-buy list? The only country that is worse at building cars is France. My parents had French cars when I grew up. Every ride felt like a punishment for not having eaten my peas or something. A FIAT would feel the same way if you could fit in it.
Hey! Quite belittling the Trabant! I'll have you know, that there is a burgeoning grey market for a clean example. Even though every part of the car has to be replaced to meet crash and emissions standards, a pristine example can easily command the price of, say, the exhaust tip of a Ferrari GTB-4.
Hyundai i10 2015 is a good car?
While I really appreciate this episode, does CR have any idea when you will have a verdict on the 2014 Toyota Highlander?
The Jeep Cherokee is super popular and is selling like crazy. I was buying a Grand Cherokee and there were two people putting in an order for the Cherokee.
I loved my XC90!
I have to disagree with you on the Jeep Cherokee I got a fully loaded Limited one and don't have a complaint. I test drove all cars in the Cherokee's segment even Audi and BMW models, and they just don't offer the features of the Cherokee for the price. My local dealer can't keep the Limited ones on the lot. Look at sales figures before you put your personal opinions into the review, most other car reviews are very positive on the Cherokee, you always seem to bash the Jeep brand, especially Tom. Tom what do you have against Jeep? Did the piss you off and now you hold a grudge.
The three cars you named actually share the same transmission. How ironic.
The only other car (other than Chrysler) that has a ZF 9 Speed is Range Rover Evoque. I was going more for features and price I paid $36k for min MSRP of $39k and sure if I wanted a basic Audi I could have got one, but my Limited one has everything except for the Active Drive II and the tow package, oh and the engine block heater and the CD player. I ordered mine.
I speaking on only the zf 8 speed. Yes I knew the new Cherokee and range rover even the new Chrysler 200 have the same 9 speed. Acura is supposedly going to use it for the new tlx.
Jules Loesch I always forget to distinguish the grand Cherokee from the Cherokee which has the 9 speed.
I would buy a year 2000 one over a newer one.
Chevy Cruze diesel is a great car! 55+ MPG a 100.ooo mile warranty. It is an amazing car! The price is low quality is high !
I drove an XC90 a few weeks ago, and indeed it did feel dated, but i think the third row was ok, the seats up front were extremely comfy, it drove like a car (although it did feel very heavy). the only thing is the 5 cylinder diesel engine sounds like a tractor, which doesn't suite an otherwise luxurious car and the automatic transmission was terrible...if you can find one with a manual get that. The kick-down on the auto was crap and it always went to 5th og 6th when going uphill...and it never held the gears when going downhill...so get the manual
Cons Reports' opinions and reviews are as relevant as the plot of a porn movie.
You gave the fiat a 52 for its driving experience?
i have to agree with the IS and its AWD hump, and the interior isn't very lexus. as far as interior quality goes, Cadillac's interior fit and finish is better, i was very surprised.
Nonsensical.......
I take issue with a few things in this review. First regarding the Dodge Dart. When you call the 2.4l engine the volume engine it is clear that your opinions are based on preconceived notions and not actually testing. The 2.0l engine (the volume engine) gets rear world better economy than an Elantra and many people will really enjoy how solid the car feels. They could use a mid life refresh to sort out tranny issues but apart from that there is a lot of value in a Dart.
Secondly with the outlander, when you admit to not having driven a car and clearly have nothing to elaborate on but blast it as terrible, you don't look trustworthy. The outlander is at the lower end of the pack when it comes to smaller suv's but the sound system in it will attract certain buyers plus it has a pretty advanced 4wd system not an awd system which some people may like and its interior is probably nicer than a Rav4. Not my choice but don't out right avoid it.
Re Outlander: You can get a Subaru Forester, which is what they recommended. Subaru has a very effective full-time AWD system in it, and its nicer on the inside.
I was saying the outlander had a 4wd system, not an Awd system. The 4wd preferable for off roading will have a draw too it. Plus cheaper than the forester.
Yeah, I'm calling BS on the IS slam. The IS is, by far, the best sedan in its segment (AND tons of people buy the 250). The sales numbers speak for themselves.
And tons of people buy the 250 because they don't know what car to buy. Huge sales doesn't always mean good car.
The people at Motor Trend just vapor locked. lmao
Im sorry but i feel like the kia soul should have been on this list. Mainly for reliability i have seen far to many on the side of the road or in shops to make it worth the price. I grew up with the idea that kia is cheap and will wreak easily and i feel the soul follows that idea. Ljke you said there are far better cars in the same class.
The Honda Crosstour. The answer to a question that nobody asked!
I agree. Just like the BMW X6 at three times the price!
Honestly, my wife has the Crosstour and we love it. Very versatile and you'd be surprised what we've been able to stuff into it. IMHO it's great, but everyone is different.
Michael Rex the toyota venza is still superior to the crosstour at the same price...
jijhikjlkljkljkll Since the Toyota Venza has also been discontinued like the Crosstour, your comment is pointless.
+jijhikjlkljkljkll we test drove the Venza. It was nice for sure...but the driving experience was benign. The VETC of the Crosstour was a nice difference. Now...I must be honest, we loved our Ridgeline also, but honestly we gave both crossovers a fair shake and the Crosstour came out on top and we still (after 5 years) don't regret our decision. But, as I said before...to each their own.
When's KITT going to be on this thing...get it? Talking Cars...get it?
Many of your comparisons, you say "You could get..." but then quote vehicles that are either in a different price range where often the top of one MSRP isn't even next to the bottom of the other's MSRP you're comparing it to ; or you're pointing to another vehicle that isn't much of an improvement according to most other sites (WTF Kia Soul , as just the next rung on the quality ladder far from the top !?!) .
At least have some internal validity to your list if it's supposed to be "within their respective market segments", other than matching by shape and info-tainment system.
These guys do not even know enough to know that the 7 series can be had with adaptive suspension and m sport pkg.
Car comments aside, these guys all need extreme fashion makeovers!
You must be lost. This is not a fashion video, it's about cars... You might as well comment on the fact that they need new kitchen knives, it's equally as irrelevant.
They are engineers, not GQ fashion models.
The Smart car is for city driving and parking. They keep talking about it on the highway. The need to be critical of it for their own agenda, whatever that is. They are very snide about cars that they don't approve of.
+johnnyedify yes, you cant get a smart with cruise control for a reason, they are not meant to be driven above 50 mph, my smart after 65 starts to wander around when big rigs pass, now my fiat 500 is fine and weighs about the same, i drive fiat 85 mph and no issues.
+z guyee man Yes, I have driven a Fiat 500 and was rather impressed with its road handling.
I love my 2015 jeep Cherokee V6.
Your argument against small cars doesn't hold up. What about motorcycles?
Martin Smith Motorcycles aren't small cars.... What about buses? What about trains? What about walking?
They're not comparing motorcycles, they dealt *only* with small cars as small cars. Motorcycles are fun to drive, they offer zero storage or safety, and don't *pretend* to offer any storage or safety. You drive a motorcycle because you love them, but small cars offer none of the fun and joy of a motorcycle. They're just small, unsafe, with no storage.
And that's the point they're making. As cars, those small little micro-cars offer nothing when compared to other bigger small cars.
nyak63RUS So is your argument: motorcycles are less dangerous because bikers like them and they're fun? I'm confused.
Martin Smith My argument is that one cannot compare micro-cars and motorcycles. Each has a totally different aim and execution to travel.
Traded in my Range Rover Evoque for a Kia Sorento SXL-V6. The kia is far better in quality, reliability, drivability, comfort, room, it even felt more luxurious. Far more features and less money. The Evoque was what my other 2 Land Rovers were- UNRELIABLE as hell. It even broke down driving off of the dealer lot the day I was taking it home. I love the feel and drive of the Land Rover products but they are as miserable to own as they were 20 years ago. They are like a moving sculpture. You put wheels on a sculptor and it would fall apart in just a few feet. Why can't the English make good cars.? Even the women are bitchy. For that matter, why can't the Italians make good cars. FIAT (fix it again Tony) is still the moniker of a lousy car brand that over a 40 year period of time that I've known them, still can't drive on a long trip without worrying about it's dependability. Really sucks because they are also a pretty nice car. These CR guys are great, excellent reviewers and a lot of fun to watch. Best of all, they are truly honest and don't advertise any brand. That makes CR invaluable.
I love the fiat 500l
They recommended IS 250 before the new model. The old model is smaller and junk compared to the new model. Do not listen to these paid shills.
Mitsubishi has really gone downhill. To be honest Japanese cars beyond a few Hondas don't really excite me.
lol out of all Asian cars you picked Honda ? clearly not a car person
matthew von First off, I said "Japanese," and not "asian," as you say but I think even then they still win. Chinese cars are horrible and still generations away from competing globally or even in China. South Korea has some great options from the now single company that produces Hyundai and Kia cars. Kia is especially starting to put out some cool cars lately but nothing exciting form a performance standpoint.
Who excites you? Toyota sucks, especially since they don't even make the LFA anymore. Their cars are slow and boring as shit, even the ones they try to market as sporty.
Mitsubishi is alright but as I've said they've gone downhill a lot. Their interior/extorier quality just isn't good/interesting anymore. They do have some nice sporty options but they're all severely overpriced for the level of performance they give you.
No one buys Suzuki cars, they are really low quality and nothing exciting anyway.
Mazda has some nice cars but again, not interesting from a performance standpoint.
Subaru has some nice performance options, but their cars aren't of great quality and for the price their sports car options aren't that competition in my opinion.
I like Honda the most, I think they have the best Japanese/Asian sports car in the NSX. The Civic Si is a joke, but the Civic Type R is actually a nice little sports car, although even it is overpriced. I hope for the next generation CRZ they actually make it more sporty and offer a cheap factory turbo option with it instead of an aftermarket factory one.
I thin kToyota has the greatest sports legacy of them all but they produce some of the most boring, albeit reliable, cars on the planet.
+Samuel Rs uh Mazda is making some great cars right now
The Forrester is not that spacious
oh crap!
Old farts from the midwest that are scared of little cars.
The xc90 is a great car. you guys dont know anything about cars
I can appreciate these three clowns experience for entertainment purposes, but, really we're supposed to make decisions based on their opinion. Suggesting that instead of spending money on a small new car they don't like but buy a good certified car instead is really bad. I've gone down that road twice and got screwed both times. The ford dealer kept blowing me off until the "certified" warranty rant out and the Chevy dealer just plain denied there was ever a problem. I opted to get a new city car since thats where I live. So I bought a smart car. I know I got a lot of laughs. I smile when I drive this thing and I don't experience any fears the 3 stooges here proclaim. Of course a small car is never going to perform like a larger car, thats a no-brainer. Really. Test drive and buy what you like.
so you are saying that the is is not sporty