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    10 Least Satisfying Cars and SUVs

    These models stand out for how much they disappoint their owners

    blue Volkswagen Taos in front of garage of adobe colored home
    2024 Volkswagen Taos
    Photo: Volkswagen

    On paper it’s an easy task: To achieve a high owner satisfaction score, just deliver on what you promise. Year over year, the models that rise to the top of CR’s owner satisfaction rankings are ones that deliver what their automakers promise.

    Unfortunately, every year there are also models from automakers who talk a big game but can’t deliver the goods. And often, the same models find their way to the least satisfying list. Despite our warnings to approach the least-satisfying models with caution, a new crop of owners purchase these cars, SUVs, and trucks each year, only to realize how truly disappointing they are.

    More on Car Owner Satisfaction & Car Reliability

    CR analyzed data from our latest member survey to measure the current state of vehicle owner satisfaction. The owner satisfaction score—based on whether owners say they would definitely buy the same car again if given the choice—measures whether a car has lived up to expectations.

    Combined with CR’s ratings on testing and reliability, our owner satisfaction ratings give car buyers valuable guidance when they’re shopping for a vehicle. (Detailed information is available on our car model pages.)

    Below, we’ve ranked the 10 least satisfying cars based on our latest survey, presented in rank order, counting down to the least satisfying.

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    Nissan Altima: 48% Would Buy Again

    Volkswgen Jetta: 47% Would Buy Again

    Kia Forte: 47% Would Buy Again

    Mercedes-Benz C-Class: 46% Would Buy Again

    Kia Seltos: 45% Would Buy Again

    Nissan Kicks: 44% Would Buy Again

    Kia Sorento Hybrid: 42% Would Buy Again

    Nissan Sentra: 39% Would Buy Again

    Volkswagen Taos: 38% Would Buy Again

    Infiniti QX50: 25% Would Buy Again