Some pretty bad cars have seen the light of day over the years, most of which seem to have been birthed out of questionable engineering and design. But what's in the past certainly has an effect on future events, because there are some really bad cars still being churned into the automotive market despite technological advancements - that especially goes for design and engineering. But what makes a car bad? Could it be its ugly exterior or a dreadful interior, lack of styling, horrible ride, or is it just a dismal combination of all these and other factors. A bad car is not just a vehicle with these negative characteristics, but, even worse, it doesn't have the redeeming qualities of what it is that makes a car great.
There are many examples of particularly bad vehicles both from the local and foreign fronts, and we scoured the internet just to put together the worst of the worst when it comes to foreign models. All car brands aren't created equal, and while you may hear a lot in the media on recalls, malfunctions and reliability of different models and brands, there's so much more going on, which is why Consumer Reports exists, to bring information to the surface and give an inside look into the state of today's car manufacturing.
We can't make this stuff up, so what follows is the list of the 20 foreign cars released after 2010 that the domestic market shouldn't touch ( because they're bad).
20 Scion xB
Scion xB hasn't been in the headlines for some time, and Topspeed notes that the boxy compact hasn't gained much either, except for a standard backup camera. However, Toyota pulled the plug on the wagon at the end of 2015, and sales hit an all-time low since its launch. The optional features within xB include a bespoke Inno cargo box and roof rack system. The standard features in Scion xB include keyless entry, multi-information display, power door locks and backup cameras. Before splashing out around $20,000 to buy this car, ask yourself if you can put up with its drawbacks, which include its poor fuel economy, outdated transmission that produce less power and lastly it isn’t that sporty.
19 Honda Element
From its boxy and distinctive design, the Honda Element was no doubt based on CR-V platform. The design was aimed at providing an attractive outdoor enthusiast. Honda Element features a spacious and more flexible interior having floor covered with a plastic which is quite easy to clean up.
For easy loading and unloading, the vehicle lacks pillars between front and rear hinged doors.
With all the distinctive feature, Honda’s rear-hinged rear doors can be a hassle while the thick roof pillars fitted on the vehicle can also interfere with view out. The Element also has a long reach steering wheel while its low payload capacity limits its utility. Despite having elements which handles well, Consumer Reports says this Honda is noisy and provides a choppy ride. It also lacks optional side airbags making it made it score poorly in IIHS side-crash test.
18 Toyota Venza (4-Cyl)
In a world with vehicles streaming in as time elapses, Toyota Venza couldn’t be the ultimate choice considering the number and types of issues it comes with. Some of the key problems common with the Japanese SUV is its factory installed alarm system that can at times sound with no apparent reason which can be so irritating. The other reason to avoid Venza, according to Repairpal, is the fact that it is prone to massive oil leaks and loss of oils pressure. The 2015 model of Venza offers a stale cabin design, low-rent interior materials. Despite the fact that it isn’t the best nor the worst in its class, Venza offers comfort ride and standard tech feature which include the straightforward infotainment system.
17 Subaru Impreza WRX
It would be wrong to say Subaru Impreza is the best car in its class or the worst. The only things to consider when thinking about buying it is how the pros and cons outweigh each other. This car is fitted with a race-bred engine – boxer engine that produce 305 hp and 290 pound-feet of torque. During acceleration, the engine offers a quick revival and the car can sprint to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds. The powerful engine is mated to a standard six-speed manual transmission. Within the Subaru is also a world class AWD system that come standard that enables it to acquire superior grip in all kinds of weather conditions. If you desire a car with automatic transmission then Impreza is not a choice for you. At the same time, while driving this car you should be ready to sacrifice a bit of ride quality to pay for its razor-sharp handling.
16 Volvo XC90
2018 Volvo xc90 is a midpack SUV that has been ranked position 10 in luxury midsize SUVs. The SUV features one of the best interior in its class with a lot of space and high quality materials. It also features a lot of standard technologies and safety equipment but US News says it has no blistering engine power together with driving dynamic s which its competitors has. Within the 2018 model there are new features which include standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert which is standard.
With its spacious interior, it has been considered as a family-friendly SUV.
Some of the xc90’s rivals include Audi Q7 and BMW X5 that both produce sport car like performance while Mercedes Benz GLE has a nicer interior compared to the Volvo.
15 Hyundai Genesis Coupe
The design and styling is surely breath-taking despite the fact it came within market with some of negative qualities. US News indicates that the Hyundai Genesis Coupe is ranked near the bottom of the affordable sports cars class since it is not nimble compared to its competitors. The sports car features a manual transmission that is long and also has poor fuel economy. The car's reliability is predicted to be around 3.5/5 which is average for a sports car. The 2016 model has once been recalled to address the issue with its brake indicator light which would fail from time to time. The sports car is powered by a 3.8 –litre direct- inject V-6 engine that produces 348 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque and is paired with either six-speed manual or Hyundai own eight-speed automatic transmission.
14 Mazda Tribute
With the emergence of many SUVs in the car market, Mazda brought up the Tribute that was made in association with Ford Escape in the early 2000s. The SUV is powered by a 4-cylinder or V6 engine and is also available as either an all or front-wheel drive. Tribute features amazing visibility, spacious interior and also exceptional driving experience. The SUV has split rear seat folds and liftgate glass which opens separately.
The 4-cylinder models are equipped with 2.3L Mazda MZR engine, which is unresponsive and may feel underpowered with full load.
Tribute offers a driving experience which is more than a truck. Despite having some road noise the ride is still comfortable. Some of the disadvantages that Tribute come with include expensive repairs, conservative styling and poor quality interior, Samarins notes.
13 Kia Sedona
Sedona is one of the versatile minivans loaded with standard features and exceptional performance on road. The 2017 model comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, automatic emergency braking, improved xenon headlights and finally an acoustically insulated windshield that delivers a quiet ride at any given speed. The minivan is powered by a 3.3 liter Lambda-11 V6 engine that produces 276hp and 248 pound-feet of torque mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. The transmission provides a fluid rev-matched downshift, and the minivan sprints to 60 mph in 7.9 seconds. Despite having some good qualities, Sedona has some disadvantages that will make you drop it from your list such as guzzling fuel since it has a high-powered powertrain. Other than the poor fuel economy, Sedona has issue with ride comfort hence going over large bumps in the road can be a bit annoying.
12 Nissan Titan (2WD)
Love it or hate it, Nissan Titan will always look unique even after decades. This truck comes with two different body styles which include 2015 Nissan Titan-King Cab and Crew Cab together with its different trim levels. Within the truck is a variety of equipment, comfort and luxury for its drivers. Its interior provide a usable space inside making excess plastic within it forgivable.
It is powered by a 5.6-liter V-8 engine that makes 317 horsepower and 385 pound feet of torque.
The power provides a considerate handle making the truck feel smaller and nimbler than it actually is with favorable low-speed maneuverability. Some of the reasons why you shouldn’t buy this truck, Car Connection notes, include unavailability of V6 engine option, has low safety ratings and also it guzzles gas faster than other V-8 trucks.
11 Volkswagen Routan
Despite having some likable features in it, Volkswagen Routan isn’t a holier than thou car. Some of the features that you won't like about it include its bulky transmission in the base package, unavailable all interior plastic and not forgetting its crude and inefficient base 3.8-liter pushrod V-6 engine. The engine is paired to a heavy base six-speed automatic transmission and produces 197 horsepower. Car Connection lists some of the standard features on this minivan including 144 cubic feet of storage with seats stowed and removed, ingenious power-folding third row seat, sliding doors and rolling windows from both sides. It has a German tuned suspension that adds to its composure with comfort. The interior isn’t that impressive, plus the material, switches and controls don’t look fine. The HVAC controls for instance are a morass of illegible black plastic buttons and needs more attention to adjust.
10 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe
A lot has been said about how luxurious Mercedes is besides its performance and styling which are both exceptional. The E-class is powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.0 liter V-6 engine that makes 329 horsepower and 354 lb-ft of torque, and is paired to a ubiquitous nine-speed automatic and optional rear-or all-wheel drive. The two-door sprints to 60 mph in 5.2 seconds, but, besides the great performance on road, the E-Class was designed to provide comfort too. Some of the features in the car include standard coil-spring with driver’s adjustable dampers, 20-inch AMG wheels, Pirelli rubbers and spacious rear seat for sufficient legroom. The E-Class market has significantly gone reduced and this might have been brought up with some of the problems associated with it. Some of the problems as noted by Repairpal include its camshaft adjuster that is prone to failure and this may lead to its engine failure to start.
9 Acura TL
Since its debut, Acura TL has received a fair share of critics from various users. Some test drivers considered this car to produce a firm ride at the same time having a precise steering which other people felt like it was a bit numb. That said, this car's interior is no doubt attractive with high quality materials such as soft-touch plastics and rich leather, the front seats are spacious and comfortable and the rear seats are also quite roomy for its class. Some of the standard features within this car include heated front seats, eight-way power adjustable front seats, leather upholstery, dual-zone automatic climate control and an eight-speaker stereo control. If the quality of Acura TL doesn’t amaze you then you can go for either 2012 Lexus ES or 2012 Audi A4.
8 Lexus GS
If you wish to have a car that offers both luxury and a sporty experience at the same time, then the Lexus GS would be it. However, Car and Driver notes that this car isn’t as fast as you might expect despite the fact its 311 horsepower and 280 lb-ft 3.5-liter V-6 engine that produces higher power rating.
The four seater sedan features refinements which are also present in the all the brand's vehicles.
The all-wheel version of this car features a six-speed automatic, but the car is slightly slower than its predecessor on the track, sprinting to 60 mph in 5.8 seconds – 0.3 seconds slower. The braking is strong, and the car sits on 19-inch wheels, offers easy-chair comfort and a safe room quiet interior. All is not well with this car though, as it experiences sleep-inducing demeanour, subpar handling and acceleration.
7 Infiniti G Coupe
It would be unfair for a coupe with a base price of about $33,755 to be noisy and have a lot of vibration, besides having an interior which mixes up messages. When the Infiniti G coupe is taken on the track, the fun of riding it definitely goes away not because of its wagging tail but owing to progressive front-end scrubbing. Edmunds notes that this coupe understeers at the boundary of its performance envelope but the good news is that it won’t interfere with your routine enjoyment of its footwork unless you view your daily commute as a time trial. Leaving alone the negativities, the coupe came in as an alternative to the expensive European sports car and gave ultimate thrills however it was discontinued in 2013 and now goes by the Q60. It comes with xenon headlights, keyless ignition, leather upholstery and automatic climate control. Its power comes from3.7-liter V6 with 330 horsepower and is paired to six-speed manual transmission.
6 BMW 135i
BMW 135i is a sports car powered by 3.0-liter inline six cylinder engine that is efficient and fun to drive. The engine offers a better throttle response and has a better fuel efficiency at the same time makes 300hp and 300lb-ft of torque. The engine is paired to a DCT 7 speed Double Clutch Transmission and dedicated paddles for up and down shifting.
However, Repairpal notes that the engine often suffers from waste gate issues which become worse with normal driving and common with harsh driving conditions.
For a more comfortable ride, 135i has been fitted with air conditioning, which when operated, a droning type of noise will be experienced. Another drawback that come with this car is that its power folding mirrors might fold out past the standard position.
5 Mini Cooper Convertible
Mini Cooper convertible is definitely one of the nice cars to take a ride in with its top down, as it won't have any blind spots at all though when the top has been closed those on board will experience a super dark interior, especially because it lacks a lot of windows. The black plastic cover makes the rear view kind of a hell to do with, notes North American Motoring. Despite the fact that the convertible is fun to drive around with on calm weather with no rain, it has a lot of noise from the winds. Either way the Cooper offers a lot of power which is good of a smaller car like it- 170hp and can sprint from 0-60 mph in 7.4 seconds. The interior is well fixed with high quality materials and also acquiring it isn’t that tough since it is relatively cheap.
4 Audi A6 (3.0T)
Germans are known to produce some of the luxurious cars the world has ever known and Audi A6 hasn’t disappointed since its first debut in 1995. It got some major upgrades in 2005 which included its bigger grille, 3.2-liter V-6 engine fitted with direct fuel injection but was later replaced by a 3.0T supercharged V-6 in 2009. However, it later made its next debut in 2012 with a lighter body, more advanced technology, improved fuel economy and power, but with unchanged performance. Despite the changes, Repairpal notes taht the A6 isn’t that engaging during the ride making it boring, citing the reasons to cross it off your list such as failure on the digital display, multi-link suspension components that might wear prematurely, and lastly, nobody would wish to have a car prone to engine oil leaks.
3 Mercedes SL
According to Autocar, the Mercedes Benz SL is a 'fascinating, enduring, and exquisite contradiction of a sports car.
The two seat convertible has ranked among the fastest and most powerful roadsters thanks to AMG's work.
It is revered for its opulent luxury, refinement, and unparalled usability, and Mercedes added body strengthening, weight saving and powertrain overhaul to the car. However, from user reviews as noted in Autoexpress, the car is expensive when it comes to servicing, has problems with seals around the folding roof and starter problems, water leaks and recalls. depreciation fuel and servicing, and costly maintenance in general.
2 Porsche 911
Porsche 911 first made its debut in 1960 and since then it received great upgrades over the years while remaining loyal to its roots. Regardless of the model, the 911 still ranges a powerful flat-six engine paired to either a six-or seven-speed manual transmission or a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. This car is offered in convertible and targa body styles that adds to the coupe. The advantages that this car has includes the incredible performance in all forms and also offers a ride full of excitement with a well-built interior. All those said, one thing that you should put in mind is that when you don’t have money you shouldn’t touch this car, as it is very expensive with a base price of around $90,000. Apart from the price, Motortrend says Porsche features a manual transmission which is geared too long together with lots of buttons on centre console and dash which are so complicated.
1 BMW M5
According to Jalopnik, this is a great car, with a fantastic experience what with the 'unique combination of the superb handling along with the V10 makes the E60 M5 pretty special.' It has smooth power delivery, the engine revs so quickly, you can easily overlook its flaws. Repairpal notes some of the problems this car has such as a rubbing noise during tight, slow speed turning, likely coming from the clutches in the limited slip differential. Additionally, a squeaky noise is noticeable from top of the front or rear doors when windows are fully up, possibly by decay of the flocking material on the door seals. The E60 M5s are also known to have issues with the clutch, throttle actuators, oil pump, electronics failure, and when something breaks, it’s expensive to fix. The iDrive infotainment system in this M5 is horrible to operate, with a convoluted menu you can't even comprehend changing the air conditioning vent settings or checking tire pressure status.
Sources: consumerreports.org, repairpal.com, cnet.com, msn.com, cars.usnews.com, thestreet.com, wheels.ca, jalopnik.com