7 Automotive Turkeys: The Least Satisfying New Cars

You can learn a lot from other’s regrets.

To measure owner satisfaction, the Consumer Reports National Survey Research Center each year asks Consumer Reports magazine and Web subscribers a key, revealing question, “Considering all factors (price, performance, reliability, comfort, enjoyment, etc.), would you get this car if you had it to do all over again?”

A model’s satisfaction score is based on the percentage of respondents who answered “definitely yes” to that question. A high percentage, of course, indicates high satisfaction. But the opposite is also true, and that is the valuable insight that can help prospective buyers avoid their own regrets.

Here are the least satisfying models in seven popular categories.

A few quick things to remember before buying your next new car.

Check the owner satisfaction ratings available on our model pages. And as the feedback from owners shows, there is real value in taking a thorough test drive, considering your needs now and down the road.

Generally, a car that excels in Consumer Reports’ road tests, earns top safety marks, and promises exceptional reliability has the odds in its favor for being a satisfying ride. Our Annual Auto Survey shows that models that take it a step further with personality, and in many cases good fuel economy, prove to be the true standouts.

The owner satisfaction score is based on based on the two or three model years of data. For models with an asterisk below (*), the score is owner satisfaction is based on one model year only.

Car: Kia Rio*

Definitely would buy again: 40 percent

Ranked as the least satisfying car overall in the latest survey, the Kia Rio fell well below other models in its class. In fact, the next-least satisfying non-sporty subcompact is the Nissan Versa Note, with 53 percent of respondents saying they would buy it again. Some owners thought the Rio was adequate for commuting, but there were criticisms for backseat, cargo space, and lack of features.

SUV: Jeep Compass*/Jeep Patriot

Definitely would buy again: 46 percent

The Jeep Compass and Patriot mechanical siblings represent the low point for SUV satisfaction. While some owners were pleased with it, there were others like a fellow from Texas who wrote that his Compass is “the worst vehicle I’ve ever driven.” Based on both owner feedback and our testing, there are far better small SUVs available for the same, or not much more, money. Jeep will discontinue both the Compass and Patriot in 2016.

Sporty Car: Hyundai Veloster

Definitely would buy again: 50 percent

Sporty cars, by their very nature, tend to get a lift in owner satisfaction from their styling, performance, and personality. Even still, the efficient three-door subcompact Hyundai Veloster saw only half its surveyed owners stating they would definitely buy one again. The comments from owners point to sore spots such as ease of access, response from a standstill, and a snug cabin.