Buying a new car can be a huge step, but it doesn't have to be a daunting one if proper research is done beforehand. Figuring out what the car will be used for, set a budget, and then figure out what cars fit both our wallets and if they can perform to our satisfaction. Shouldn't be so hard, right?

But sometimes the research itself gives us other problems; if it's a brand new model, how can we be sure there aren't any ownership headaches lurking in the future? And can we really trust what we read in magazines and blogs? After all, the journalists do get to use the press-cars for free, are they capable of keeping their integrity intact when reviewing it?

While you can never be sure of a new car's quality, you can look at the manufacturer's history and come up with a conclusion from that, just know that it won't be 100% accurate. When a new car is launched, it will most likely have the latest technology, and there's no way to tell if it's better or worse than the old tech until some time has passed.

As far as the second question goes, most automotive journalists report on any flaws if they find them. However, in most cases, they only drive the cars for a few days so they won't know if something will break down after six months.

Below are some cars that didn't live up to the hype.

25 Honda Odessey

The Odessey offers refinement, decent fuel economy, a powerful V6 engine, plenty of space, and an intuitive infotainment system. So what could the problems possibly be?

Well, it also offers enough problems to get on Consumer Reports magazine's "Do Not Buy" list. Some of the problems are the in-car electronics not working properly, the electric sliding doors malfunctioning, the brake rotors warping and causing vibrations, rear engine mount failure, check engine light coming on - possibly due to catalytic converter failure... The list goes on.

There are also several smaller issues - the seat cushioning loses firmness on longer drives, and the push-button gear selector being a nuisance when parking. The internet is overflowing with complaints about the Odessey, so it's probably best to leave it alone.

24 Chevrolet Trax

The Chevy Trax is a subcompact crossover with nothing remarkable to offer. While it does offer some nice features for its price and recently received some technology updates to the infotainment system and connectivity features, it's just not enough to justify buying it over some of its rivals.

The turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine is underpowered, making the Trax struggle with acceleration.

The interior is comfy, but there's a lot of wind noise, and the ride quality is poor and choppy. The steering feedback is also quite numb. For the money, there are other cars in the Trax's segment that offer a better driving experience, such as the Honda HR-V, Mazda's CX-3, or Hyundai Kona.

23 Acura ILX

The Acura ILX is a really affordable option when it comes to sporty luxury sedans, but in reality, it's not competitive when stacked up against Germany's finest from Audi, BMW, and Mercedes.

Compared to those cars the ILX offers a ride quality that's overly stiff, especially so with the optional 18-inch rims. In addition, the interior is not very refined - the front seats don't offer much support, which is strange for a sports sedan. There's a lack of headroom for anyone taller than average height, and the dual-screen infotainment system is confusing and an annoyance.

The ILX is not a worthy competitor in its class, but it might be worth considering for those who'd want a nicer Honda Civic.

22 Nissan Sentra

The Nissan Sentra is a practical car with an attractive price. That being said, there is absolutely nothing special about it.

The entry-level version with the base engine is one of the slowest cars in its class. There is a turbocharged engine available, but even with that engine, the Sentra's performance isn't as good as some of its competitors.

The same thing goes for the interior, there's nothing noteworthy going on, it's not bad, but there are other cars in its class that offer nicer interiors with more comfort and technology. Those who are looking to buy a car in this segment are probably better off considering the Honda Civic, or even the Kia Forte.

21 Mercedes-Benz GLA

The Mercedes-Benz GLA, based on the CLA sedan, is marketed as an active lifestyle car. However, if the plan is to use it for weekend getaways you better pack wisely. It only has room for a couple of pieces of luggage and isn't as spacious as one might think.

There are other issues in addition to the lack of room, the throttle and transmission are slightly hesitant and unresponsive, and the CLA suffers from a rather poor ride quality.

The suspension, in combination with the wheels and tires, makes the car feel harsh when driving on uneven surfaces.

As it is, the GLA just isn't good enough to justify the price close to that of a luxury compact SUV.

20 Dodge Grand Caravan

Two good things about the Grand Caravan; 1. It has a very competitive price. 2. Unlike other minivans, the rear seats can be folded into storage bins below the floorboards, creating an almost flat surface perfect for carrying large items. Other than that, there's nothing to write home about.

The last major redesign was 10 years ago, and the car both looks and feels dated - you'll immediately feel that the engine, transmission, and suspension aren't as refined as on other minivans. The interior is an ocean of cheap, low-quality plastic. It does have a touchscreen system, but it is ancient and outdated.

Unless the price is the main deciding factor there are plenty of better options available.

19 Jeep Compass

The Compass is far from competitive with its peers, such as the Honda CR-V and Mazda CX-5. It's powered by a sluggish and unrefined 180-hp, 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, with a nine-speed automatic transmission that's neither responsive nor smooth.

The handling is far from agile, but at least the Jeep is stable during cornering. As far as comfort goes, the ride is pretty stiff and jittery, and being a rear-seat passenger is an uncomfortable experience as the seat is too flat and low.

While the Compass has a name that suggests it should be able to do some exploring, it certainly isn't made to explore anything off-road. For those in the market for a compact SUV, one of the Japanese competitors would be a much better purchase.

18 Fiat 500

Italian car manufacturers are known to produce temperamental cars, both in a good and a bad sense. They deliver an exciting driving experience, but they also have a tendency to break down. This holds true both for the exotic supercars, and the cheap everyday cars, like the Fiat 500 - a car that has been unreliable since it was first introduced.

The Fiat 500 is prone to different problems, everything from the transmission and brakes to the infotainment system and other electronics are known weak spots. While the 500 is a fun car to drive, especially the more powerful Abarth versions, the risk of having something break down means it just isn't worth the money.

17 Volvo XC90

What the heck have you done Volvo? The brand that pretty much marketed themselves as selling road-legal tanks has built the XC90, which doesn't live up to the expectations we have of Volvo ownership.

The engine is adequate, nothing more. Those who have to climb hills or do a lot of highway commuting should consider something different. The Volvo is also lagging behind in the interior ergonomics and functionality department. The infotainment system has several features that are hidden so well they are impossible to find if you don't know where to look.

Simply put, there are other SUVs out there that get the job done.

16 Cadillac ATS

The ATS is the smallest model offered by Cadillac and it's facing some stiff competition from the Audi A4, the BMW 3 Series, and the Mercedes-Benz C-Class, but the ATS actually fares pretty well. It has an agile chassis and responsive steering, which is definitely needed in order to compete in this class, and the interior is quite comfortable.

However, the new infotainment system can be frustrating to use, and its new graphics are kind of bland. As far as interior space goes, the ATS offers a less spacious rear seat than most of its rivals, so make sure you call "shotgun" if you are going to be a passenger.

15 Honda Clarity

The Honda Clarity is on Consumer Reports' list of least reliable vehicles for a reason, there are plenty of problems, and ownership of a hybrid Clarity is probably best avoided. Let's start with the most serious; there have been several vehicle speed control problems, both uncontrolled revving, and loss of acceleration while driving.

The design of the interior is not very well thought through, with cup holders so small they are practically useless, and the wings on the center console extend into the driver's knee space, thereby also blocking the view to the storage area below.

In addition, the engine is noisy, and the car's computer is way too optimistic when indicating the remaining driving distance before running out of fuel.

14 Chevrolet Traverse

The Traverse offers a very comfortable ride, and responsive handling, all while the driver is cocooned in the quiet cabin. However, there are some severe problems that can potentially leave the joys of Traverse ownership in ruins.

There are known electrical issues, engines can develop rattles as well as experience a loss of power, faulty brake sensors and brake booster failure are common problems... and then there's the transmission. There have been reports of the car shuddering during acceleration, which apparently can be fixed by reprogramming the transmission. Then there those cases where the transmission broke down completely. All things considered, the Traverse just isn't a very good car.

13 Kia Cadenza

The Cadenza scores above average for its class, and deservedly so. It's a large, competent sedan, considerably bigger than the Optima. However, the ride quality kind of falls between two chairs, it's not particularly plush, neither is it sporty. There's just nothing special about the way the Cadenza is connected to the tarmac, which ends up making the driver feel isolated from the road.

Powered by a 3.3-liter V6 that puts out 290 horsepower and 253 pound-feet of torque, the Cadenza doesn't have the low-end pull of other cars in its class, luckily it has a smooth 8-speed automatic gearbox that responds quickly when accelerating. With some suspension tuning and more low-down power, the Cadenza would be the car the "experts" tell us it is.

12 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD/GMC Sierra HD

Most of the issues with the Silverado are minor problems, such as vibrations and noises, and the in-car electronics acting up. Also, if the car is to be used as an everyday vehicle the Z71 suspension can be way too stiff... unless you do a lot of off-roading.

The fuel system problems are more worrying. A dirty throttle body may cause the truck to stall, the fuel pump tends to fail, and the fuel level sensor in the tank has a tendency to give wrong indications of how much fuel is left.

Sure, most vehicles have some kind of problems, and the Silverado may not seem so bad just from reading this, but it is on Consumer Reports' list over the least reliable vehicles.

11 Buick Enclave

The Buick Enclave received a full redesign for 2018, it also got improved fuel economy more space and a bunch of new safety features. It has a good towing capacity, a quiet cabin, and provides a comfortable ride.

But there are a few problems lurking in the shade. The A/C has been known to stop working, or rather blow warm air, the engine can start making a droning noise. But worst of all is the transmission. Various transmission problems have been reported, such as slipping out of gear, rough shifts, and even seizing completely.

If Buick can sort out these problems the Enclave can become a serious contender in its segment, but at the moment it's not the car it should be.

10 VW Atlas

The 2018 Atlas is Volkswagen’s first attempt at a midsize, three-row SUV. It's comfortable, well-equipped, surprisingly agile, and offers plenty of towing capacity. However, there's also a darker side to Atlas ownership.

There are plenty of owners complaining about their brand new vehicle being in the shop for months. The main problems concern the engine, transmission, electrical system, and the brakes - The autonomous braking system and pedestrian warning sensors malfunction and slam on the brakes thinking there's an obstacle ahead. VW has not issued a recall for this, but there was another brake-related recall concerning loose brake caliper brackets.

In addition to the major faults, there are also a few minor niggles, like water leaking into the cabin, and various noises and rattling.

9 Tesla Model S

First of all, the German ADAC and the Heidelberg Institute released a report where they state that EVs of this size won't have any environmental benefits compared to a diesel-powered car until its driven 360,000 miles. So much for caring about the environment.

Other than that, the Model S still doesn't offer modern comforts that are available on German luxury sedans, such as massaging seats, or even Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Sure, the Tesla offers incredible acceleration. But after having spent a few days driving one, I found it doesn't really offer an engaging driving experience. Or in other words; The Model S is great for tech-freaks, being more of an app on wheels rather than a car.

8 Nissan Versa

The Nissan Versa has lots of room, gets good fuel economy, and is relatively comfortable, all at a very reasonable price. That's about all the good things that can be said of it.

The basic Versa has so little equipment that most buyers will most likely opt for the SV trim with the Special Edition package, which instantly increases the price to the norm in the subcompact class. This means the Versa is not really a bargain anymore.

With bland styling, a mind-numbingly boring driving experience, and an interior that constantly reminds you of its cheapness both in looks and quality, the Versa really doesn't come across as a great deal in any way, shape, or form.

7 Dodge Journey

The Dodge Journey is another one of those cars that sell because of the low price.

Hitting the market back in 2009, it has pretty much stayed the same ever since. And time really hasn't done it any favors.

Even with all the option boxes ticked, the Journey lacks several safety features that car buyers of today have come to expect.

The base engine is an asthmatic four-cylinder, this can be upgraded to a more powerful V6 - but even then the Journey can't keep up with its rivals. To make matters even worse, the engine is mated to an ancient four-speed gearbox, a combination that results in subpar fuel economy.

6 Ford Focus

The Focus has been on the Consumer Reports "don't buy" list for many years, mostly due to transmission troubles and other various annoyances. Other than that, what's wrong with the Focus?

Let's start with the interior. In addition to having an already outdated cabin, the Focus lacks rear seat space compared to its rivals, the display screen is tiny, and it's hard to differentiate the buttons at a glance. There's also a severe lack of storage, especially for anything larger than a credit card.

With the 1.0L turbocharged engine, the Focus is seriously underpowered. The throttle needs to be floored in order to keep up with traffic, so going for one of the more powerful options is adviced.