GM's full-size hybrids still get lousy mileage (25 percent better than bad still sucks). The new Dodge Challenger weighs more than two tons. The new four-door Honda Accord is goofy looking. Subaru has thrown Harry Potter's cloak of invisibility over the WRX and raised the STI's price into the Porschephere. The Jaguar XF is not half as sexy as the concept. BMWs keep getting uglier and Audis continue to bloat. And then there's the new Scion xB. As Paul Niedermeyer's review points out, its hundreds of pounds heavier than its predecessor. The engine has nearly doubled in size. Combined gas mileage is down– way down– to about 26 mpg combined. And it doesn't look anywhere near as striking as the first generation love it or hate it boxy box. C'mon then, share your pain.
84 Comments on “QOTD: Which New Vehicle Disappoints You the Most?...”
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I think it’s a toss-up between the new Subaru Impreza performance models (both WRX and STI), and the Scion xB. I would consider the Subaru for myself, and an xB for a family member, but they took themselves out of the running for the reasons mentioned above (and the fact that the Subaru’s performance is reportedly not up to the previous model, which for the added coin, is absolutely inexcusable).
The Accords, coupe and sedan, look slightly goofy around the buttocks, but I don’t think it takes enough away from the car itself to make it disappointing. It’s not nearly as bad as the bubble-butt 03-04 generation sedan. And the XF, taken on its own, is still a mildly attractive design, but if you compare it to the concept, it’s extremely disappointing. The concept was positively striking in images, and I understand that in person it was even more delectable.
My vote is for the above-mentioned Subaru based on exterior styling alone. It’s a total departure of what had been a very well-styled design, though it was admittedly a little long in the tooth. They could have done better. I’d still give an organ to drive one to its limit.
Among the vehicles for which I had high hopes but that prove disappointing:
The new Impreza definitely makes the cut.
So does the Saturn Astra. It’s really too bad the only engine is the poor ecotec.
The Infiniti EX: instead of a nimble wagon, it’s a techno-wizarded small SUV.
The new 5-seires. Although I’ve never even been in one, I still cringe every time I see one, and long for the previous gen superb looks.
I’m not in the demographic for it, but what pains me to see is the Jetta. Whoever made the decision to design a car that combined the style of a Corolla with the reliability of a FIAT deserves to be on the receiving end of an unemployment check. If it’s not possible to make it bulletproof, at least make it worth looking at.
The Phaeton was a disappointment, if only because so much conscious effort was invested in building an albatross that would come close to destroying the company. Allowing ego to get in the way of brand management is never a good idea.
I suppose that the Sebring should be a disappointment, but it is Chrysler, you know.
Original xb was way underpowered. The new xb fixes the power problem but uglifies the design. Can’t very well go from a 1.5 to a 2.4 L without some loss in mpg. If they would have put in the new 4 cylinder with a mild refresh and added AWD as an option then that would have been sweet. As is they went too far with funkiness and strayed into frumpiness.
My vote would go for the Dodge Grand Caravan. Chrysler publicized the hell out of this vehicle and made most everyone in the industry believe their Kool-Aid.
The actual product is a complete letdown. Bland exterior styling, substandard interior components, it was supposed to be the vehicle that would bring Chrysler back from the brink. It has proven to be far less than that.
Sometimes I feel like the question is “what new vehicle doesn’t disappoint you?” Between stupid wannabe CUVs to bloated, overweight everything, I’m having a hard time thinking of a single new car that I actually would want. My short list is basically, corvette z06 or perhaps infiniti g37. I would love a good wrx wagon, but no such luck.
Both the new Challenger and the forthcoming Camaro are huge disappointments. Lardy, gas-sucking, platform engineered abominations. These cars are the last gasps of dying companies, window dressings on houses that are falling in on themselves.
Instead of building paradigm-shifting, high-tech sports cars for a new world both GM and Chrysler took the lazy way out and looked backward…”hey everybody, look how cool we used to be!” Give me a break. Once they sate the appetites of the Viagra-sucking, deluded, “it’s bound to be collectible” boomer males who are tapping their 401k’s to put deposits down on the fantasy their markets will vanish.
After that, all of those 2 to 5 year old pony cars will go back to being what they’ve always been – the cars of choice for that certain kind of guy. You know him, the one that chain-smoked in the high school parking lot instead of going to class and now runs a junkyard or a pool hall and has never been more than about 4 hours from your Midwestern home town. Coming soon to a trailer park near you – the 2009 Dodge Challenger!
Pontiac G8 – A great performance bargin compromised by a Rubbermaid quality glove box door and other interior materials, trunk release in the glove box (requiring you to touch aforementioned door), no sunglasses holder in the overhead console with a sunroof and other assorted minor annoyances that are so basic in a mass production vehicle that they shouldn’t have happened.
The new Subaru Forester.
Agreeing with PCH, I got a Jetta as a rental recently and it was nothing near as fun as previous models I had tried.
Mostly, I am miffed at BMW. The 6 could have been a great car, but instead it came out fat and ugly. They even made the X5 bigger with a third row. Argh. After high hopes for the 1, they are not giving us the hatch, which is at least bearable and better looking than the chopped up sedan. When will they all learn that hatches can sell if they are not ugly?
pharmer :
You know him, the one that smoked in the high school parking lot and now runs a junkyard or a pool hall and has never been more than about 4 hours from your Midwestern home town.
Is there something you’d like to get off your back? ;)
The XF was a huge disappointment. The concept was truly stunning but it seems like Jaguar’s styling department gave up once they learned they were up for sale. My wife’s Volvo is in the shop and we have had a loaner A4 Quattro for the past 10 days. The bloat is bad when compared to the last one I drove (admittedly a 2001) but not as bad as the steering, dead and vague. The V50’s steering feels much better and that is saying a lot. While Audi does deserve its reputation for the quality interiors the ergonomics leave a lot to be desired and the metal strip is ugly.
The Saturn Vue. Too big. Too fat. Consequently, too slow. Too thirsty. But, somehow, less cargo capacity than a Rav. Just as expensive (unless there are givebacks).
Runners up:
The Saturn Outlook. There’s nothing wrong with it, per se, except that it should not be a Saturn.
The Focus.
The Astra. No cupholders and a cuckoo clock from the BRD? Nothing says, “we don’t sweat the details” like the Astra.
The Routan (if and when…). It’s better not to compete in that segment (or any segment) than to rebadge a Chrysler. And for those who wax poetic over VW’s own design for a minivan/retrobus, VW only competes well in that segment when there’s no competition. The MicroBus was a bad vehicle. The Vanagon was a bad vehicle. The EuroVan was a worse vehicle. The MicroBus sold in any quantity at all only because there was nothing else. The retrobus might look cool but 3 months of ownership will surely reveal enough flaws to give anyone a fatal case of buyer’s remorse and strong incentiv to commit insurance fraud.
Ah yes the Grand Caravan…haven’t been inside one, but the rotating chairs look (even in the commercials) like you would have to be extremely comfortable with better than 1:1 genital-to-knee ratios. Or only use it for kids.
As for the original xB being underpowered…by adding 600 pounds, the lb/hp ratio isn’t drastically changed. Sure, they took it from 2415lb/103hp (23.44) to 3020lb/158hp (19.11), and they lost buckets of handling when you add 25% to the curb weight of the car. Additionally, the 0-60 time improved by what, a second? Sure a full second is pretty good, but going from 9.6 seconds to 8.6 seconds just isn’t a huge deal, when you’re giving up packaging, handling, and mileage. The 1.8l engine out of the Corolla/xD/Matrix/Vibe, while keeping the weight close to the original, would have kept the spirit of the vehicle intact. Now it is just that much more similar to so many other cars.
I’ll go with Steven Lang and the Chrysler Minivans. I actually like the styling but I am really let down by the super cheap interiors.
Of the rides we checked out at the Portland Car Show recently, the Jag XF definitely jumped out as a big flop. Tres Gauche…
I’ll reserve judgement to cars I’ve seen up close and in-person, and by far the Dodge Caravan/Chrysler TC. It makes the Venture/Terraza/ Relay/whatever the pontiac version was called look good and insightful. THAT’S no small feat. Granted, I’ve never liked the new Camry, but at least it blends into the horizon for the most part.
1. BMW 6-series. I fail to realize how a me-too “crossover” with a high center of gravity makes an Ultimate Driving Machine. Then they have the temerity to call the 4-door poseur a “coupe.”
2. Ford Focus. Another re-plasticking while Europe gets the goods.
3. Volkswagen van. One word: Rebadge.
4. Mini Clubman. For the price I could have an Audi A3 with four passenger doors.
Two more runners up for me:
The xB. A slick, utilitarian vehicle with timeless appeal turned into an aspirational style statement vehicle for the “I wear a beanie in the summertime” crowd. None of whom have any money, anyway. Although… they can buy the car as long as they lie about their income.
The Corolla. Toyota really should have held the line on size on this. Perhaps they had trouble getting people to buy it over the Yaris.
—
Memo to Toyota:
I don’t like what you did to the xB and the Corolla. Please don’t screw up the Prius, too.
Pharmers rant was very comical , even when he was describing me.
The latest yacht model Honda Accords, be it a coupe or sedan.
Pontiac Solstice. Gorgeous, so-so to drive, horrible as a daily driver (no space inside or in trunk, roof is a pain to raise and lower, etc).
The G8. I can step past a lot of things for that package at that price, but an automatic isn’t one of them.
The Subaru Impreza. Cheapo interior, so-so exterior styling (although I don’t hate it as much as some do), and a completely neutered drivetrain.
Chevy Malibu. Not nearly as impressive in person as in pictures. Bloated-looking and plain. Better than what they’ve been offering, but still not good.
Well…I like the Challenger but I don’t smoke, have a higher education, and don’t feel the need to stereotype. I still don’t know what people want out the the WRX/STI. The old one wasn’t all the attractive and I think the new one might be a bit better looking. But, no one buys these for their looks and from all I read it does beat it’s predecessor’s performance so it’s all good. The base price of the ‘08 STI is up $1,520 which I don’t like, but not that horrible. The car that I’m most disappointed by is the new Audi A4. I don’t see why it is so much bigger and blander. Why do they need to make it an A6? It’ll cost more but it isn’t the lithe sport sedan I think should have that badge. Oh well.
I own a 2008 xB and just wish they could have named it something else. Ignoring its predecessor it’s a great vehicle in its own right. While the overall look may not be to everyone’s taste the vehicle is great for toting my family and keeping me out of an SUV or minivan.
My vote for biggest disappointment would be the Impreza. Subaru has really lost their distinctive look and headed for blandness. Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad to see the demise of the “flying vage” but at least you knew it was a Subaru.
Joshvar :
The orginal xB equiped with an automatic was downright dangerous for highway merging with anything but only the driver aboard! Equiped with a stick it was OK until you added a passanger or two.
The problem with the new xB is one of horrendous styling. This thing looks like it belongs on Easter Island!
It looks like Toyota actually listened to what owners of the orginal had to say about it, needs more power, could be a bit more substantial, but decided to hedge it bets by going “funky” with the xB knowing the new Matrix was also right around the corner.
Oh, going from 23.44 lbs per HP to 19.11 lbs per HP (20%) IS a major improvement!
Solstice/Sky: Undriveable if you are over 6 feet tall.
The Lincoln Town Car. Okay, so I cheated. It’s not a new car, but it should be. This is the car that should be at the forefront of the classic I’ve-finally-made-it/American dream success stories, but it’s not. In fact, it’s nowhere near the radar. It’s completely bare minimum with little in the way of features and virtually no advertising. This car should be righteously over-the-top in terms of features. Sure, the MKABCDEFG is coming along soon to neutralize the neutered, but it just won’t feel the same. Lincoln should not be entry level luxury in America, it should be the zenith.
Subaru Impreza. It doesn’t look like a Subaru. It looks like something Kia or Suzuki might have come up with.
VW Jetta and Passat interiors. What a comedown!
@whatdoiknow1 – I can’t believe that the xB was that dangerous for merging. My ‘89 4Runner has 36lb/HP and I can manage. Granted, you need to plan ahead and pay attention, but shouldn’t we already be doing that when we drive?
1. The new xB (if you missed Paul Neidermeyer’s article on the xB–see the link in this news item–you definitely should read it. Some of the best of TTAC).
2. As an Accord owner, I’m extremely disappointed that Honda porked out the Accord. I would have liked to see it LOSE some weight, and gain some mpgs.
3. VW rebadging a Chrysler minivan instead of doing a new Microbus
4. More generally the continued trend towards greater weight and fewer clutches in most cars.
I’d vote for the Chrysler Sebring.
http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/reviews/chrysler-suicide-watch-4-sebring/
Many of the other cars mentioned in this thread while disappointing are still decent cars (Honda Accord, Subaru WRX, etc.)
The Sebring is a piece of excrement that was released in a market where a piece of excrement is not and has not been acceptable for decades. I bet a 1988 Accord would compare favorably to a 2008 Sebring.
It’s not really a good use of your vote to bother mentioning the domestics. You really almost expect that sort of disappointment so it’s not surprise and doesn’t hurt as much.
For me, the Accord is number one on the list. They are now bloated monstrosities, even bigger than the hideous Camry.
The new Impreza has to be up there as well. There’s a fair number of them on the streets where I live, and every single time I think they’re something else until I get real close. A terrible styling choice.
The new Focus is an abomination in every way, made even more galling because Europe’s getting the good version.
miked :
I know I am exaggerating here a bit. It is unfair to critize any car weighing less than 3000lbs and having over 100hp, trust me I started driving in the 1980s and have dealt with some really dog slow cars like a AMC/ Renualt Alliance and a Suzuki Samari. Hell for that matter I can remember driving other POS cars back then and giving up the quest for 60 before it even arrived.
I guess I have just come to expect a bit more out of your average car today.
I’d have to second the Accord nomination. I spent the weekend cleaning out winter from our 2001 Accord and 2004 Maxima. Now, I love my Nissan but the Honda is a special piece of machinery. Today at lunch I parked next to a new 2008 Accord, which is almost as big as my Nissan. It looks to have lost a lot of the purposefulness of our 2001. I sat in one at the Chicago Auto Show a week or so ago and came away thinking that it would still probably be the top choice to replace our current Accord, but I’m not sure its as good of a car. It’s lost the essence of the 1990-1993 car, which is the Accord that put Honda on the map (like Toyota with the 1992 Camry).
@Lichtronamo
I thought it was actually pretty cool when Honda shrunk the Accord back in the late 90’s. It’s sad to see how it’s ballooned back up and beyond.
It would be nice to see manufacturers take it down a notch when they redesign a vehicle.
I think the “which car doesn’t dissapoint” would be a smaller list, for me anyways.
Most new vehicles are over-styled, over-technologied, over-numbed appliances meant for transporting the general public from point a to b.
for goodness sakes, is it too much to ask that the next generation of a great vehicle not be larger, or heavier, or greater-displacement, or computerized further?
Sorry Jeff, you’d have to work on changing people’s expectations when they get in their vehicles. Currently it seems that the last thing people actually want to do is drive. They would rather talk on the phone, use 10 cupholders, and watch DVDs than actually drive.
1) Subaru WRX STI: $40K for a 4-cyl Subie???
2) Solstice/Sky: Useless trunk, useless roof, 400lbs too heavy
3) Dodge Grand Caravan: From outdated to mediocre in one giant flop.
4) Ford Focus: Snatching defeat from the jaws of indifference.
Dodge Journey. Some of you may remember the new hole I tore it in the so-named review.
After all the talk and spin about interior improvements and refinements, they released something with a worse interior than the Sebring and Caliber. I honestly didn’t realize that was possible.
Can’t very well go from a 1.5 to a 2.4 L without some loss in mpg.
The weight gain was more to blame for the mileage drop than the engine was.
I suppose that the Sebring should be a disappointment, but it is Chrysler, you know.
Very true; it would be a disappointment from Toyota, but from Chrysler, it’s just expected.
My biggest disappointment is the Ford Ranger. It’s not a new design, but that’s the problem. Ford builds good full-size trucks, but wants to ignore the Ranger.
Until they redesign it, the Ranger will be my perennial disappointment…
The xB, for taking the leap, instead of the incremental step it really needed. Kinda like that girl you knew from high school, who was kinda cute, but then you see her in a drugstore 10 years later and you go to yourself: “Holy shit… did she get BIG!”
And then you say (out loud); “Hi you doin’? Haven’t seen you for a while!”
And then you marry her, ’cause there isn’t much else to choose from, ’cause you’re not rich, and not great looking and…
Oh wait.
And the Malibu; for not having a coupe and somehow not making a MAXX with the new body style. And no stick in the LTZ.
And the Astra, for being Euro, yet GM slapped a Dex-Cooled Cam-Belted 138HP Ecotec in it. And On Star instead of an MP3 jack.
But its looks almost make up for those travesties.
I thought it was actually pretty cool when Honda shrunk the Accord back in the late 90’s. It’s sad to see how it’s ballooned back up and beyond.
It would be nice to see manufacturers take it down a notch when they redesign a vehicle.
The problem is, I think, that many, if not most, buyers today want cars to get bigger. They see the increased space as a benefit; to an extent, they are correct, but only to an extent.
The Focus. That’s a no-brainer.
TexasAg03 – The ranger only disappoints me when I go to the website to build my own and come up with such ridiculous prices for such a small feature set (built with tooling that was paid off 10 years ago). I’d buy a new ranger and not complain about it one bit if it were $6,000-$7,000. But when I go the website, pick a base model Ranger, add 4×4 and an extended cab and its over $20K (before rebates), I’m quite turned off. Those trucks are built to be little beaters, they should price them as such.
The Accord. Why Honda didn’t keep the Accord as is, and call the new one Avalon or something. It’s just as ugly as the jumbo Toyota.
The new Corolla disappoints, but that’s a good thing as I hate Toyota. The “it’s quiet/rides smooth” marketing tells all that I need to know: it’s strictly aimed at the appliance drivers of the world. No Fun Allowed.
The Evo X is something of a disappointment as it is slightly slower and porkier than the Evo IX. Looks a lot better, though.
The one thing to like about the Ford Ranger is that it’s truly the last *compact* pickup. None of this midsize with fullsize power/mileage silliness.
If Ford could really rework the Ranger into a modern *compact* truck they’d make a lot of people happy. Slap a 2.2L turbodiesel in that thing and have a nice day.