Consumer Reports Testers Ranked the Most Disappointing Cars of 2022
Consumer Reports prides itself on informing consumers of vehicles that will please drivers and those that will disappoint owners by sharing what the reviewers find in testing. On the site’s podcast, the hosts discuss what vehicle each reviewer found to be a favorite and which ones were the most disappointing cars for 2022. Here we’ll explore the vehicles that failed to impress the CR hosts.
What disappointed Consumer Reports about the Acura Integra?
As the hosts of the podcast on Consumer Reports explain the Acura Integra isn’t necessarily a bad car, because it does have some good points. It’s just that a few things made it a disappointment for this model year. The 2023 model, which they tested in 2022, is a resurrection of sorts of the Integra that we’re familiar with from decades ago.
The host that picked this vehicle as the biggest disappointment last year went into the review with high expectations from the impressive ’90s version with the powerful engine. However, this resurrected version didn’t quite live up to the predecessor Integra model.
With the price tag of $30,800 for the base version, the engine and the seats for that matter didn’t offer anything more than the Civic SI, which is about $3,000 less than the Integra. There’s nothing to make this vehicle stand out.
What knocked points from the Infiniti QX60?
Another perfectly decent car that disappointed one of the reviewers on the podcast was the Infiniti QX60. The reviewer explained that it seemed the model was no different than the Nissan Pathfinder, which has a luxurious version that you could get for a bit less money than the expensive QX60.
While the two models are the same when it comes to reliability, driving dynamics, comfort, and ride, the Pathfinder is the better deal due to its less expensive price. The Infiniti comes with a price tag of $49,045 for the base model, while the entry-level Pathfinder sells for just under $36,000.
Otherwise, the Infiniti QX60 was a perfectly decent vehicle with its luxurious features, like a panoramic moonroof, a 12.3-inch infotainment display, a heated steering wheel, and a powerful V6 engine. It just comes down to whether or not you want to spend the extra money for the QX60 for essentially very little more than what you get with the Nissan.
What’s wrong with the Rivian R1T?
One reviewer chose the Rivian R1T as the most disappointing car of the year. All the hype surrounding the electric truck increased the expectations of those evaluating the vehicle. When it dropped into the hands of the publication’s critics, it did impress, but there were a few things the reviewers didn’t quite care for.
The truck’s regenerative braking was one. EVs with this technology have the problem of motion while the regen is doing its thing, sending energy to the battery for more range. The movement in the car causes motion sickness in those riding along with you. However, some of these electric vehicles can either disable the feature or dial it down. The Rivian R1T apparently has no way to stop it when your passengers are uncomfortable during the ride due to the regen.
It does allow you to dial down the aggressiveness of it, but some passengers still feel the sickness even at the lowest setting. The reviewer felt the truck was undrivable because of the regen issue and the fact that you can’t seem to change it to alleviate what the passengers are feeling. According to users on the Rivian forum, you, as the driver, can learn to use the accelerator pedal differently to minimize the motion.
The other problem mentioned by the other reviewers dealt with its usefulness. The truck was designed more for luxuriousness and not so much for utility. Since most people buy pickups for utility, it seems odd that the Rivian EV truck wouldn’t put more attention to detail where that was concerned.
