When your car gets awarded the “Worst Overall” title category you know that there are probably a few problems with your vehicle. The 2019 Land Rover Discovery made its way to the list due to slow acceleration and very mediocre technology. “For a brand-new car, we expected better.” Said Edmunds magazine, “During our initial test of the Discovery, we had some serious issues with the boot-up of the audio system.”
Of course, Land Rovers are known for having above-average off-road capabilities and smooth driving, so not everything is bad. Land Rover fans still flock in droves to purchase this SUV, as the brand name alone is enough to cause a lot of them pleasure when driving around in one of these $60,000 Land Rovers.
1971 Chevrolet Vega
This car truly takes the cake for the worst blunder General Motors has ever made. The 1971 Chevrolet Vega was a broken piece of trash. with a myriad of problems, ranging from faulty engineering, complete lack of reliability, poor safety, high rusting rates, and an engine with a lifespan shorter than most butterflies. These problems were only later discovered by disappointed consumers, as the car initially sold fairly well. The Vega ruined both Chevrolet's brand as a reliable auto-maker and General Motors' reputation in general.
The Vega's engine was so poorly built, that it caused the car to shake excessively while driving. This shaking cracked the valve stems and leaked oil everywhere until there was nothing left in the oil tank within only a few hundred miles. The Vega was extremely prone to overheat and engine fires were not uncommon. When reviewing the Vega, American automotive enthusiast magazine Car and Driver said: "It was so unreliable that it seemed the only time anyone saw a Vega on the road not puking out oil smoke was when it was being towed." Ouch!
Nissan Pathfinder
The Pathfinder is considered a solid SUV with a solid all-around performance in all areas. Nissan, as usual, tends to devalue the importance of having a modern infotainment system with its outdated touchscreen interface and a lack of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connection. We can always ignore a slightly inferior ride quality, but how dare Nissan stop us from connecting our phone to the car!
Most reviewers found the car bland and neither exciting nor disappointing. Car and Driver gave it a 3 out of 5, saying that there was “nothing wrong, but nothing quite right.” about the Pathfinder. Some of Pathfinder’s weaker areas were “Sloppy driving dynamics, poor real-world fuel economy, and limited cargo space.” So if you’re into having a car that’s neither here nor there, the Pathfinder might be your choice. Otherwise, you’d be better off finding your path without it.
1981 DeLorean DMC-12
Despite being fondly remembered as the car Marty McFly used to travel back in time in the famous “Back to the Future” films, the real car was a horrible mess, both sales-wise and in-terms of performance. The car quickly became widely known for its disappointing lack of power and performance, which was very disappointing considering its high-price tag and Lamborghini style appearance. The car was only sold for about 3 years and sold less than 10,000 vehicles before production stopped.
The car suffered from many technical difficulties, one of which was the horrible battery. When driving the car with all lights and electrical options on, the battery wasn't able to supply enough power to charge the car, causing it to gradually discharge and eventually leaving the driver stranded on the road. The DeLorean has since gained a cult following, and to this day is considered one of the best cars of all time by some slightly obsessed individuals who appreciated its attempts to make you feel like you’re driving inside a spaceship.
Lexus IS
Whenever we’re looking to improve our critical skills, Consumer Reports provides the best materials for becoming a harsh critique. In their review for the 2019 Lexus IS, the publication says: “Lexus built the IS sports sedan to challenge the BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class. But we’ll cut to the chase: Forget it.” Unfortunately for the Lexus IS, it just can't stand in a fight with the equivalent BMW and Mercedes models at the same price range, offering neither the performance nor the luxury feels that the famous German makers provide.
Anyone who sits in the Lexus IS will tell you it’s the opposite of relaxing and luxurious and feels a lot more like a cramped and uncomfortable experience. If you’re in the market for this type of vehicle at the $40,000 pricing area, we recommend not wasting a moment and going directly to where the fun is at. Of course, we’re talking about none other than the vicious Audi A4 and the awesome BMW 3-Series.