Buying a car is one of the biggest purchases you make in your life — it shouldn’t be one of your biggest regrets.
According to data from TheStreet, 14% of your lifetime spending gets funneled into buying and maintaining your vehicle. That amounts to roughly $470,000 spent over your lifetime, if you buy an average of 10 cars before you die.
Luckily, telling your loved ones you bought a lemon isn’t the most common deathbed regret. According to a survey conducted by Psychology Today, Americans’ biggest regrets range from failed romances (19.3%) to family issues (16.9%), and not studying harder or going to college (14.0%) — and have nothing to do with the vehicle you drove off the lot.
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However, every year, enough car buyers report dissatisfaction with vehicle makes and models to cause the consumer watchdog group Consumer Reports to take notice.
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‘Least satisfying’ cars defined
In business since 1936, Consumer Reports’ (CR) mission is to educate consumers about products so they can make informed buying decisions. It does this through product testing, unbiased ratings, and surveys of its over six million members. It is considered considered by many to be the best website for car reviews.
More on Consumer Reports:
The safest used cars for teens & families: Consumer ReportsThe 10 cars with the most satisfied owners, according to Consumer ReportsUsed cars to avoid buying according to Consumer Reports
Every year, CR surveys its members to measure their satisfaction with the vehicles they own, asking owners whether or not they would “definitely buy” the same car again. It uses this data to create its owner satisfaction score, which is different from a reliability or safety score.
CR’s list of most-loved cars highlights vehicles that owners say they are highly satisfied with. These cars might not always have the best fuel economy, but they could offer intangible benefits that make their owners happy; for example, they could be exceptionally reliable, or create the most pleasant experience for drivers and riders alike.
Related: How to buy a new car in 2024: An 8-step guide with tips
The consumer watchdog also publishes its list of cars, trucks, and SUVs that people found least satisfying. These vehicles may suffer from issues with technology, or loud cabins, uncomfortable seats, or other interior design flows that make driving them unpleasant. And when owners say they are unhappy—they mean it: Only one out of 4 who bought an Infiniti QX50 this year would buy another.
Here’s the list for 2024:
10 least satisfying cars of 2024
These are the 10 least satisfying cars according to Consumer Reports members. In other words, most of these cars’ owners would not buy them again if given the chance to go back in time and make the decision over again
Less than half of the 2024 Nissan Altima’s buyers would repurchase their vehicle
Dinkun Chen, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
10. Nissan Altima 2024
Would buy again: 48%Price: $26,370 – $36,070
Owners were not too happy with the 2024 Volkswagen Jetta.
Dinkun Chen, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
9. Volkswagen Jetta 2024
Would buy again: 47%Price: $21,435 – $28,825
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The Kia Forte was one of three Kia models that made CR’s list of “least satisfying vehicles” in 2024.
Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
8. Kia Forte 2024
Would buy again: 47%Price: $19,790 – $25,190
The only Mercedes-Benz to land on the list of least satisfying cars in 2024 was the C-Class.
Dinkun Chen, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
7. Mercedes-Benz C-Class 2024
Would buy again: 46%Price: $46,950 – $83,900
Only 45% of 2024 Kia Seltos owners would repurchase their vehicle.
Alexander-93, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
6. Kia Seltos 2024
Would buy again: 45% Price: $24,490 – $30,090
2024 Nissan Kicks owners surveyed were not happy with their vehicles.
TTTNIS, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
5. Nissan Kicks 2024
Would buy again: 44%Price: $21,340 – $23,900
Related: The safest used cars for teens & families: Consumer Reports
The 2024 Kia Sorrento earned low marks from its owners.
Benespit, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
4. Kia Sorento Hybrid 2024
Would buy again: 42%Price: $31,990 – $59,200
The Nissan Sentra was another vehicle that generated owner dissatisfaction in 2024
Alexander-93, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
3. Nissan Sentra 2024
Would buy again: 39%Price: $21,180 – $24,270
Along with the Jetta, Volkswagens’ Taos made CR’s list of least satisfying cars in 2024.
Charles from Port Chester, New York, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
2. Volkswagen Taos 2024
Would buy again: 38%Price: $23,995 – $33,515
Only 25% of 2024 Infiniti QX50 owners would repurchase their vehicle.
Dinkun Chen, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
1. Infiniti QX50 2024
Would buy again: 25%Price: $40,850 – $57,900
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