Find the Best Car Deals Near You ⤵
10 New Cars You Should Avoid Buying
December 6, 2012
Dodge, Jeep and Nissan are just a few of the manufacturers that have made it on a list of new cars to stay away from, according to a recent article on Forbes.com.
Cars such as the Dodge Journey, Jeep Wrangler, and Nissan Versa Hatchback are included on a list of 10 cars that were picked due to such things as below-par handling and performance, low marks for quality and reliability, and low crash testing ratings. Forbes used sources such as Consumer Reports, J.D. Power and Associates, the Highway Loss Data Institute, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to compile the results.
Below are the 10 cars Forbes.com suggests you avoid, along with a few of the reasons why.
Vehicle to Avoid | Why? |
---|---|
Dodge Journey | Base powertrain lacking, low marks for reliability and satisfaction |
Jeep Compass/Jeep Patriot | Below-par performance, marginal side-impact performance |
Jeep Wrangler | Clumsy handling, uncomfortable interior, hard to get in and out of, marginal crash performances |
Nissan Versa Hatchback | Below average quality, design/performance and reliability |
Nissan Xterra | Uncomfortable ride, low marks for quality and design/performance |
Smart ForTwo | Impractical, underpowered, requires premium-grade fuel |
Suzuki Grand Vitara | Below-par performance and handling, low marks for quality and reliability |
Suzuki Kizashi | Low marks for quality and reliability |
Suzuki SX4 | Slow acceleration, noisy cabin, uncomfortable ride, cramped interior, unimpressive fuel economy |
Volvo XC90 | Below-par handling, higher than average ownership costs, below average reliability |
Signup for The Weekly Newsletter

Each week, I'll keep you up-to-date on the latest car deals and news that might affect your purchase. This includes...
- Best Rebates, Incentives, and Lease Deals
- Latest Car Buying Scams and Tricks
- The Best & Worst Time to Buy a Car
- Which Cars You Should Avoid
About The Author

Latest Weekly Car Buying Tips
February 2025
- Top 100 Cheapest Lease Deals Feb 20, 2025
- Cars With the Largest Rebates Feb 20, 2025
- Real Prices of Pickup Trucks Feb 20, 2025
- Largest Hidden Dealer Rebates Feb 20, 2025
- All SUV Lease Deals Compared February 2025 Feb 13, 2025
- Biggest Discounts on New Cars February 2025 Feb 13, 2025
- Top 100 Cheapest New Cars Right Now Feb 13, 2025
- Real Prices of Midsize SUVs Feb 13, 2025
- Best 0% Finance Deals February 2025 Feb 06, 2025
- Best Bang for Your Buck Lease Deals Feb 06, 2025
- Best Electric, Hybrid Lease Deals Feb 06, 2025
- Price Comparison of Subcompact SUVs Feb 06, 2025
January 2025
- New Cars with the Most Available Inventory Jan 30, 2025
- Best Car Deals Around the Country Jan 30, 2025
- Best Used Cars Under $5,000 Jan 30, 2025
- Real Prices of Midsize Cars Jan 30, 2025
- Real Prices of Compact Cars Jan 23, 2025
- Cheapest Luxury Lease Deals Jan 23, 2025
- Real Prices of New Compact SUVs Jan 16, 2025
- Real Prices of Large SUVs Jan 09, 2025
- Best Car Deals by Category Jan 02, 2025
- Which Cars Better to Lease or Buy Jan 02, 2025
I welcome your car buying questions. Email Me and I'll be glad to answer them!