Consumer Reports’ Top 10 Least Satisfying Cars Have Some Real Stinkers

At the end of the day, owner satisfaction is the best way to figure out if a certain car model is worth buying. Although individual examples can vary, chances are, if thousands of people are satisfied with the car you want to buy, you will also be satisfied. Well, the inverse is also true; if thousands of people are dissatisfied with a model, chances are you might also be bummed with that purchase. Here are Consumer Reports’ top 10 least satisfying cars. 

Consumer Reports polled thousands of car buyers to find the least satisfying cars

Consumer Reports polls thousands of car owners for each model they test to determine how happy they are with their purchases. CR chewed through the responses from their most-recent polling to figure out which cars are the least satisfying. Thankfully there aren’t many surprises in this list. 

10) 2023 Kia Forte

• Price Range:  $19,490 – $24,890
• CR MPG:  Overall 34 / City 22 / Hwy 49 mpg

Only 51% of Kia Forte owners said they would buy the car again. Some reliability issues and one recall are likely to blame for the dissatisfaction. 

9) 2023 Nissan Altima

• Price Range:  $25,290 – $34,990
• CR MPG: Overall 31 / City 20 / Hwy 45 mpg

Only 51% of owners said they would buy another Nissan Altima. Unlike the Forte, the Altima scored really well on CR’s tests. Considering its consistent reliability and good fuel economy, buyers simply seem not to enjoy it. 

8) 2023 Nissan Kicks

• Price Range:  $20,290 – $22,850
• CR MPG:  Overall 32 / City 24 / Hwy 40 mpg

The Nissan Kicks has even fewer repeat takers. Only 49% of owners said they’d take that ride again. Again, reliability seems to be the cause of the low satisfaction.

7) 2023 Volkswagen Taos

• Price Range:  $24,155 – $34,535
• CR MPG:  Overall 26 / City 17 / Hwy 39 mpg

48% of owners say they’d come back for more Volkswagen Taos action. The abysmal reliability score is certainly to blame for this one. 

6) 2023 Kia Seltos

• Price Range:  $23,140 – $28,640
• CR MPG:  Overall 28 / City 20 / Hwy 35 mpg

The Kia Seltos also landed 48% buyer retention. This model is another example of a car that tested well, but owners just don’t love driving. 

5) 2023 Jeep Compass

• Price Range:  $29,995 – $35,745

The new Jeep Compass hasn’t been rated by CR yet. However, the polling showed that only 46% would buy again. 

4) 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLA

• Price Range:  $37,500 – $56,650
• CR MPG:  Overall 27 / City 17 / Hwy 40 mpg

It’s a bit more surprising to see a Mercedes on this list, but here it is. Only 45% of Merc GLA owners say they would buy again. Poor reliability may be to blame. 

3) 2023 Infiniti QX50

• Price Range:  $40,300 – $57,350
• CR MPG:  Overall 22 / City 15 / Hwy 29 mpg

Only 40% of owners would buy the Infiniti QX50 again. While predicted reliability isn’t great, it feels like the price point could be part of the sticking point with this model. 

2) 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLB

• Price Range:  $39,800 – $51,500
• CR MPG:  Overall 26 / City 17 / Hwy 38 mpg

Here’s another merc. Only 39% of buyers are stepping up to this Mercedes SUV again. Again, reliability isn’t great, but the price point and the high expectations of Mercedes might contribute to this low satisfaction. 

1)2023 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport

• Price Range:  $34,460 – $51,625
• CR MPG:  Overall 21 / City 14 / Hwy 30 mpg

Only 38% of owners are willing to buy another VW Atlas. This makes the 2023 Volkswagen Atlas the least satisfying car on the market, according to Consumer Reports’ polls.