Consumer Reports’ list of the 10 least satisfying cars to own features models from Jeep, Kia, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan and more. Image: The South African.
The 10 least satisfying cars to own right now
Buyer beware. Compact crossovers feature heavily in this customer satisfaction list of the 10 least satisfying cars to own
Consumer Reports’ list of the 10 least satisfying cars to own features models from Jeep, Kia, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan and more. Image: The South African.
According to independent surveys conducted by Consumer Reports, these are the 10 least satisfying cars to own right now. Of course, any satisfaction and reliability survey should be consumed with a pinch of salt.
10 least satisfying cars to own: Where to start?
Depending on the organisation running the survey, they’re often an exercise in heavy lobbying by manufacturers. Except, Consumer Reports is different, they’re a non-profit organisation based in the US. And while the environment is different, the trends their results throw up are interesting nonetheless. So, here it goes:
10. Kia Forte/Ceed
Kia’s distributors in South Africa had the good sense not to sell the equivalent Kia Forte/Ceed locally, identifying that it would have no shot at C-segment market share in South Africa. An astute move.
9. Nissan Altima/Sentra
Once again, not a car retailed in South Africa, but one that’s not far off the basic underpinnings of the Nissan Sentra which was available until recently. Survey responders said it was simply an “unremarkable car.”
8. Nissan Kicks
Oh dear, another Nissan at the bottom end of the 10 least satisfying cars to own list. The Kicks is a compact crossover that slots below the Qashqai and above the Magnite, it’s closest locally sold equivalent.
7. Volkswagen Taos
The first entry by the makers of peoples’ cars, the Taos is a sibling of the T-badged SUVs that includes the Tiguan and T-Cross. Essentially the segway between that and the smaller T-Roc – itself paired with the coupe-styled Taigo with underpinnings shared between Audi Q models.
6. Kia Seltos
The Korean firm makes the list of 10 least satisfying cars to own again with the Seltos crossover. Now, we do actually sell these in South Africa and we’re a little surprised by its inclusion. This could be due to the fact that Seltos’ in the US don’t have the torquey diesel engine we enjoy in the RS of A.
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5. Jeep Compass
Perhaps it’s because most Americans don’t consider the Compass a “proper Jeep” like the Wrangler, Cherokee or Grand Cherokee. Nevertheless, most non-trail-rated Jeeps are pretty forgettable.
4. Mercedes-Benz GLA
Yes, another compact crossover. As much as we tried to like it, the original GLA never really floated our boat. Now the new model is even less crossover-ish. It’s more like a tall-riding A-Class to make space for the more rugged GLB. Which we’ll talk about shortly.
3. Infiniti QX50
Before the luxury arm of Nissan pulled out of South Africa last decade, this compact crossover would have definitely been on their product list. Once again, owners were not satisfied with its practicality and fuel economy.
2. Mercedes-Benz GLB
Oh no, the new GLB crossover has done worse than the GLA it was introduced to support. We’ve never actually reviewed a GLB, despite numerous efforts to secure one from Mercedes-Benz. There could’ve been good reason behind that.
1. Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport
The big Volkswagen that’s never been in South Africa, the three-row Atlas, goes to show the grass is not always greener on the other side of the Atlantic. We always wondered how this Toyota Fortuner and Ford Everest competitor might fair. We need wonder no more thanks to this list of the 10 least satisfying cars to own.
