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!
Land Rover Discovery
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.
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 Nissan, as usual, tends to devalue the importance of having a modern infotainment system with its outdated touchscreen interface and a lack of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connection.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.
Fiat 500L
As usual, Consumer Reports came in as the toughest critic when judging the 2019 Fiat 500L, and marked it with the cursed "Worst Overall" label that they seem to throw around more often than not. However, other reviewers weren’t too thrilled with the small wagon either. Besides plenty of interior passenger and cargo space and a relatively new touchscreen interface, the car was mostly criticized for having a cheap and plastic feel interior, a lack of modern safety features, and for the fact that the back seats cannot fold for extra cargo space (which is standard in such a small car).
Clearly disappointed that “the overall package just doesn't exude the sense of playfulness that makes the 500 such a charming car” Edmunds summarized their review with a recommendation to skip this one. “While the 500L offers a lot of utility at a low price, most other small wagons, hatchbacks, and crossovers are more enjoyable to drive and easier to live with.” they wrote.
Dodge Journey
When the Consumer Report publication reviewed the 2019 Dodge Journey, they described it as “Smaller than the typical mid-sized SUV … a dated and mediocre performer”. The vehicle was also placed as a contender in the “Worst Overall” and “Least Satisfying” categories. The main reasons cited for the vehicle’s poor reviews regarded its slow performance, high fuel consumption, a transmission that just doesn’t want to change gears, and a small third-row seat.
Kelley Blue Book, a California-based vehicle evaluator and automotive research company that is recognized by both consumers and the automotive industry, also deemed the Journey as a poor contender in the already crowded SUV market. Even though the car was hailed as a worse version of other great SUVs, it was still appreciated for some qualities such as ”comfortable seats, a forgiving ride quality, and many stowage areas to help keep trips bearable.”