Yahoo Autos These Are Consumer Reports' Lowest Ranked Cars
Consumer Reports is a trusted resource among car buyers, having provided thorough and comprehensive car reviews for decades. In contrast to many automotive publications, Consumer Reports tends to focus on the average driver rather than the enthusiast. The outlet considers many factors that other reviewers don’t ascribe much value to, like predicted reliability and predicted owner satisfaction. CR scores are culminations of an array of tests, and the totals are all out of 100 possible points.
Consumer Reports tends to stick to objective rankings based on the needs and desires of the everyday commuter, so some of the vehicles on this list are enthusiast vehicles with specialized purposes that cause them to struggle in rankings. Purpose-built off-roaders like the Jeep Wranglerand Ford Bronco score low because of their lack of on-road refinement, but that might be exactly what a buyer is looking for, so take these scores with a grain of salt. This list compiles the lowest-scoring 2024 vehicles that Consumer Reports tested.
2024 Chevrolet Tahoe: 50/100
The Chevy Tahoe only scored a 50, which is the highest score of the low scores. It took a big hit in predicted reliability, with a bad score of 29/100. CR’s road test summary is actually pretty positive, with negative marks for the push-button gear shifter, bad fuel economy, lack of agility and high step-in height.
2024 Mercedes-Benz C-Class: 49/100
The new C-Class got awful predicted reliability scores of 19/100 and awful scores for predicted owner satisfaction with just 1/5. CR hated the overly complicated controls, spongy brake pedal and predicted reliability.
2024 Land Rover Discovery: 49/100
The only Land Rover products that are rated higher than the Discovery are the Range Rover Velar and the Range Rover Sport. Predicted reliability is low at 30/100, and owner satisfaction is also low at 2/5.
2024 Nissan Frontier: 48/100
Despite a recent redesign, the Frontier didn’t tickle Consumer Reports’ fancy. Testers disliked the truck’s rough ride, tight rear seat, and lack of a telescoping steering column. Predicted reliability is low at 23/100, and predicted owner satisfaction is also on the low side at 2/5.
2024 Volkswagen Taos: 47/100
The smallest Volkswagen SUV didn’t impress the Consumer Reports team. It’s hampered by crappy predicted reliability at 18/100, and crappy predicted owner satisfaction of 1/5. The biggest gripes with the car lie with its powertrain, which CR cites as having uneven power delivery.
2024 Mercedes-Benz CLA: 47/100
The current babiest of Benzes scored low in Consumer Reports testing, with predicted reliability slightly better than the C-Class, but still very low at 23/100. Owner satisfaction is predicted to reflect a similar storyline, with a score of 2/5 that is again low but slightly better than the C-Class.
2024 Land Rover Defender: 47/100
I’m surprised by the Defender’s low score; aside from low predicted reliability, I’d expect it to score higher than its other Land Rover brethren. Consumer Reports didn’t like the Defender’s frustrating controls, bad fuel economy, and high step-in height.
2024 Land Rover Discovery Sport: 46/100
Consumer Reports got a bit sassy when testing the Disco Sport, saying, “Winston Churchill said the British are ‘the only people who like to be told how bad things are.’ In that case, they’re about to get an earful about the Land Rover Discovery Sport.” The Discovery Sport suffers from middling performance, low predicted reliability and low predicted owner satisfaction.
2024 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque: 46/100
The Evoque hasn’t made many top lists since the model’s debut, and despite its slick looks the 2024 Evoque still disappoints. Average road test scores coupled with low predicted reliability and owner satisfaction are the three nails sealing its coffin shut.
2024 Ford Bronco: 46/100
The Bronco didn’t score very well, but it did nearly double the score of its closest competitor, the Wrangler. Compared to other midsize two-row SUVs, it lacks refinement and on-road agility, leading to its low scores. It also took a hit for long braking distances, bad fuel economy, loud interior noise levels, and a predicted reliability score of 37/100.
2024 Jeep Gladiator: 45/100
I’m not sure how the Wrangler scored 20 points lower than the Gladiator, but CR says the Gladiator’s shortcomings don’t negate it as an option for truck buyers. The Gladiator still got middling road test scores, a low predicted reliability score of 40/100, and middling predicted owner satisfaction.
2024 Jeep Renegade: 44/100
The Renegade is dying, but it’s still listed as a 2024 model so it counts for this slideshow. CR liked its looks and demeanor, but disliked much more including the stiff ride, clumsy transmission behavior, bad visibility, uncomfortable front seats and underwhelming fuel economy. Paired with dismal predicted owner satisfaction of 1/5 and bad predicted reliability at 33/100, there are better choices in this class.
2024 Polestar 2: 38/100
This placement really surprised me. I just had a Polestar 2 on loan and I don’t think it deserves this low of a score. Consumer Reports absolutely obliterated the Polestar 2's predicted reliability with a dismal score of 5/100. Testers also disliked the rough ride, confusing controls, and cramped interior.
2024 Mitsubishi Mirage: 38/100
Sorry Mitsubishi, but the Mirage is the butt of the joke. CR liked its low price and high fuel economy, but disliked the sloppy handling, loud interior, weak engine and bad driving position. Testers recommend buying a good used car instead of a new Mirage. Yikes.
2024 Jeep Wrangler: 25/100
Consumer Reports compares vehicles within size segments, and in the midsize two-row SUV class the Wrangler can’t match the refinement and civilized demeanor of car-based SUVs. It got bad marks for the stiff ride, loud interior, awkward ergonomics and bad fuel economy. It also has bad predicted reliability at 27/100, and a low road test score of 34/100.
