The fat lady has finally sung. The Truth About Cars (TTAC) and its faithful readers have identified the Ten Worst cars for sale in America in 2007. We began with a list of 136 reader-nominated vehicles. Our writers narrowed the field of bad dreams down to 20 finalists. By popular vote, you selected the ten most odious automobiles. And the winners are… after the jump (we need the page views).
10. Saturn ION – The lame duck ION waddles off the field of battle without achieving any glory whatsoever. From its Frankensteinian proportions and ditchwater dull detailing, to misaligned panel gaps visible from low earth orbit, to a Playskool-inspired dash made of recycled plastic swords, to engines so coarse they might as well been stickered “for agricultural use only,” the ION was a born loser. If only Saturn has followed its own advice to “re-think American.” – SM
9. Chrysler Aspen – Its OK love your SUV. Just not this one. The Chrysler Aspen is a cynical repackaging of the Pleistocene-era Dodge Durango, complete with an arthritic suspension and interior appointments you’re best advised not keep. It’s ugly, slow (even with a Hemi underhood) and badly built. It’s no wonder Aspen customers are lined-up none deep. – SM
8. Chevrolet TrailBlazer / GMC Envoy / Isuzu Ascender / Saab 9-7X – These four remaining examples of the GMT-360 platform are old school SUVs in strictest sense of the term; anyone whose education involved spending endless hours at a desk nailed to the floor in a drafty, cheerless classroom will know what I mean. We’re talking Trabant-class fit and finish and Yugo-compatible interior design. Although there may be a good reason to buy one, you can hear the competition singing “anything you can do I can do better.” And by God, they’re right. – AD
7. Hummer H2 – According to its detractors, the H2 represents everything that’s wrong with SUVs. We agree. The H2’s immense charisma has vanished as quickly as hopes for rapid fire nation building you-know-where. All that's left (automotively speaking) is a huge, slow, thirsty, ungainly five-year-old truck based on an eight-year-old platform. Sure, the H2 is great off road– as long it’s a double wide path. Meanwhile, you might as wear a freshly-bludgeoned baby seal as drive this big rig. How great is that? – JB
6. Hummer H3 – The H3 is a 4700lbs. truck with a 220 horsepower five-cylinder engine. For those of you who don’t count rivets for fun, the H2’s baby brother is thirstier than Lindsay Lohan fresh out of rehab, slower than continental drift and rougher than Class VI rapids. Its gangsta style portals severely limit visibility and the back seat is adult aversive. Hell, it’s not even available in Jackass Yellow. No, you take it off-road. I’m buying a Grand Cherokee. – JB
5. Chevrolet Uplander - Last year’s worst of the worst is finally making its exit. Good riddance to bad rubbish. Chevy's dead van walking never fooled anyone with its SUV-wannabe styling and piss-poor platform. The only remnant of GM’s po-faced assault on the minivan market can't hit the ash can of automotive history soon enough. – FW
4. Dodge Nitro – The Nitro is the answer to a question nobody asked: who wants a rough-running, gas-guzzling, hard-shifting, sloppy handling, cheaply adorned, pavement bound, neutered Jeep? Comic book styling can’t overcome the Nitro’s fundamental lack of fundamentals. It’s a four-wheeled testament to Chrysler’s brand mismanagement and thoroughly inept product development. – WM
3. Chevrolet Aveo – From its tinny-sounding doors to its penalty box interior, the Aveo screams cheap more loudly (and persistently) than an amphetamine-crazed parrot. Normally slow means frugal. Not here. So… what’s the point? Now that GM has proven they can’t build a decent small car in the U.S., perhaps they’re trying to demonstrate that they can’t build one in Korea either. Done. – FW
2. Chrysler Sebring – The Sebring is a born rental car. It’s hideous in a deeply bland sort of way. Its cabin, handling, acceleration, and ride quality (or complete lack thereof) are to driving pleasure what hair shirts are to eczema sufferers. The fact that Chrysler is contemplating killing the Sebring less than a year after its launch confirms it: this is an automobile even its mother can’t love. – RF
1. Jeep Compass – Jeep’s recipe for disaster is both simple and comprehensive: laughable aesthetics, second-rate road manners, poky performance and interior materials pulled from the bottom drawer of Chrysler’s parts bin. But the Compass’ mortal sin-– for which we’ve slated it before, from which it can never be redeemed-– is the fact that this re-skinned all wheel-drive Dodge Caliber wears the storied Jeep badge. For shame. – WM
And there you have it: ignominy on wheels. With your help we’ve named and shamed the Ten Worst cars sold in America in 2007. Here’s hoping their manufacturers appreciate a little TTAC tough love. If not, well, there’s always next year!
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FIRST!
Well done TTAC! A Great sampling of awfulness!
GM and Chrysler must be so proud.:)
Every one made by an American company. Makes me to be an American.
I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again: American isn’t making a comeback, though Ford might be.
GM and Chrysler – neck and neck with 5 each!
Maybe this is the problem with Ford–they don’t have a single product people are talking about. Good or bad.
I just want the Jeep Compass and Chrysler Sebring/Dodge Avenger off the road. I feel sorry for the drivers of these things and have to divert my eyes.
I notice the pan handlers don’t bother drivers of these car either like they’re confused about who is worse off.
Can’t really argue with the list, democracy has spoken and it appears a million minds are wiser than ten. If I was to think anything should be on the list that isn’t, it should either be a Nissan Armada (but its a better execution of the same thing as the Aspen, so no-go there) or the Scion xB.
Given how far the xB de-volved from generation-to-generation, its like looking at a evolution chart from chimp to man in reverse. All these vehicles on the list are either first-run losers, or “legacy” losers that are merely continuing the tradition. The current xB is the biggest fall-off from what was an original, market-unique machine into a bean-countered Rubbermaid-on-wheels. That shoulda been worth something.
Nothing but GM and Chrysler….I used to be pulling for Chrysler, but now….**** them. They've let me down time and time again. They deserve every award they get. Cerebus, it's time to clean house. Keep the Magnum(oops, too late), Ram, Avenger, 300, Town and Country, Grand Cherokee and Wrangler. Ditch EVERYTHING ELSE!!!!
I find it highly amusing that the words “small car” in the Aveo summary link to an ad for the Suzuki Reno, which is equally TWA-worthy. Perhaps Suzuki is feeling left out?
Despite the “all American lineup”, I don’t think it is as bad as it appears.
The domestics (GM really) still have some dogs in the market on this list, they are all “lame ducks” on the way out, being replaced with signifigantly improved models which I believe is progress.
Well, except the hummers, while although awful, are quite profitable and they can’t be blamed for producing them in my mind.
The fact that all 4 of Chrysler’s “winners” were introduced in the last year speaks to the monumental task Nardelli faces.
At least a couple of GM’s models are on the way out….
Those I have had the misfortune of finding myself in – Compass, Envoy, H2 – are well deserving of their award. Good Riddance.
Now that GM has proven they can’t build a decent small car in the U.S., perhaps they’re trying to demonstrate that they can’t build one in Korea either.
Man, that’s cold. But deserving. Indeed, small and primitive is almost forgivable in exchange for good mileage, but without the latter…incentives, here we come.
As for Chrysler, it pains me to read the list, because I root for them for the sake of nostalgia but I can’t object to any of these vehicles being on the list. They deserve it. God, that damned Aspen.
Congratulations to all the, well…. winn…um…
Ok.
Congratulations to TTAC and its readership on this excellent list. The list is excellent, not its contents.
The final list is right. The Jeep compass is in its proper place at the bottom of the heap. This is quite an accomplishement in a year where the Chrysler Sebring exists.
For shame indeed.
The fact that all 4 of Chrysler’s “winners” were introduced in the last year speaks to the monumental task Nardelli faces.
Not really, he is going to sop up stock options with a biscuit when they torpedo Mopar.
I agree with everything on the list, although I think you were too hard on the Hummer H3.
Huh, huh, huh….I said “hard”….then I said “on”….then I said “Hummer”…huh, huh, huh…
Any chance of a Ten Best Automobiles 2007 where we can discuss the merits of said vehicles? What’s good about anything? Can we even get a list of 10?
rtz :
Any chance of a Ten Best Automobiles 2007 where we can discuss the merits of said vehicles? What’s good about anything? Can we even get a list of 10?
Patience, grasshopper. The Ten Best awards will be coming up in May. In the meantime you can review the 2006 winners here.
“field of bad dreams”
“might as wear a freshly-bludgeoned baby seal as drive this big rig”
“thirstier than Lindsay Lohan fresh out of rehab”
“dead van walking”
“an automobile even its mother can’t love” . . .
gems of automotive poetry. but how bittersweet to waste such talent on such scum.
how’d fud motor company manage to escape the noose? their cars (and trucks) are just as reprehensible as anything from the general or the dog. what about that (lack of) focus, eh? how about it?
#11: Jeep Commander. Ten pounds of car in a five-pound sack.
Could you post a small picture with each “winner”? I can’t remember which vehicles are which, and a picture would help refresh my memory.
SunnyvaleCA:
Could you post a small picture with each “winner”? I can’t remember which vehicles are which, and a picture would help refresh my memory.
Your wish is our commend (this time). Frank Williams is working on creating a link for each photo.
Another “great” list. Lots of nominee’s just stalking the list I’d assume.
In just about everyone’s line-up you can pick at least one dog out.
I hope the automakers take a look at the list as constructive help on tuning the products.
On to the ten best!
You know the odd ball out of this pack is Sebring. I dont think its bad.. I wouldnt have put it in the list leave alone in the second spot. Sebring is not a bad design overall me thinks.. Ten worst should include vehicles that you dont want to touch with a ten foot pole.
Links to the, uh, winners’ sites:
10. http://www.saturn.com/saturn/vehicles/ionsedan/overview.jsp
9. http://www.chrysler.com/aspen/
8. http://www.chevrolet.com/trailblazer/
8. http://www.gmc.com/envoy/envoy/index.jsp
8. http://www.isuzu.com/ascender5.jsp
8. http://www.saabusa.com/saabjsp/97x/index.jsp
7. http://www.hummer.com/hummerjsp/home.jsp
6. http://www.hummer.com/hummerjsp/home.jsp
5. http://www.chevrolet.com/uplander/
4. http://www.dodge.com/nitro/
3. http://www.chevrolet.com/aveo/
2. http://www.chrysler.com/sebring/
1. http://www.jeep.com/en/2008/compass/
I think it’s funny that people thought Chrysler would axe the Sebring. It’s a brand new platform, you don’t just introduce such and then say “eh.” It fills a niche that Chrysler can’t abandon. I think the design is ugly as all heck (I do like the Avenger better) but it’s a foundation they can work to improve upon. However, I wish someone would tell me why they brought back the “low hanging gas tank” look in the back. I mean, really, I’ve not seen that since the 80s.
OK, just saying
Hummer H3 – 242 HP, 4700 lbs, 13/18 MPG on Regular, small windows in back limiting visibility
Toyota FJ – 238 HP, 4300 lbs, 15/18 MPG on Premium, elephant ear c pillar blocking visibility
Is there really that much difference other than who makes them?
Great feature. A list that few could argue with.
Your comment about owning a Hummer being akin to wearing a freshly-clubbed seal pup is particularly well put. I did make me wonder who exactly does buy Hummers now? I mean, it seems to me that the stigma of being seen idriving something so un-environmentally friendly and the sniggers about “compensating-for-some-inadequacy- in-the-intimate-anatomy-department” must surely outweigh any percieved feeling of acquired machismo that the owner may think he’s getting?
At what point so even the stupidest Hummer owners realize that far more observers are laughing at them than being impressed by them?
We will reach that tipping point soon and truly cut Hummer sales dead?
Hmmm, maybe not – after all there appears to be a surprising gap in perception between what people imagine that others think of them when they see them and what those observers actually think. The classic example is the youth in the trashy old beater with the windows down, shades on, stereo cranked up to the max, cruising slowly down the main street, thinking to himslef, “look at me I’m really cool” – whereas in truth – 99% of the people who are looking at him are thinking “my, what a jerk”……
OK, just saying
Hummer H3 – 242 HP, 4700 lbs, 13/18 MPG on Regular, small windows in back limiting visibility
Toyota FJ – 238 HP, 4300 lbs, 15/18 MPG on Premium, elephant ear c pillar blocking visibility
Is there really that much difference other than who makes them?
The FJ is about $5000 less in its 4×4 manual trim than the H3.
I don’t think anyone even nominated the FJ.
To me the HUMMER’s are the perfect representation of the “Je ne Sais Quoi” assessment of the TWA’s.
tiger260 put it perfectly:
I mean, it seems to me that the stigma of being seen driving something so un-environmentally friendly and the sniggers about “compensating-for-some-inadequacy- in-the-intimate-anatomy-department” must surely outweigh any percieved feeling of acquired machismo that the owner may think he’s getting?
The list is good news for Ford, which somehow squeaked by without a Panther on the list. GM not so bad, considering 3 of their 5 are in their final year, and the other 2 are Hummers.
Chrysler on the other hand,…
# Robert Farago :
SunnyvaleCA:
Could you post a small picture with each “winner”? I can’t remember which vehicles are which, and a picture would help refresh my memory.
Your wish is our commend (this time). Frank Williams is working on creating a link for each photo.
I’ll pass. I don’t mind reading about it, but I don’t feel like looking at all this scrap metal.
For those who do want to look at all this scrap metal, clicking on the name of the vehicle will show you a picture of it.
# Robert Farago:
November 5th, 2007 at 8:08 pm
SunnyvaleCA:
Could you post a small picture with each “winner”? I can’t remember which vehicles are which, and a picture would help refresh my memory.
Your wish is our commend (this time). Frank Williams is working on creating a link for each photo.
It’s bad enough that we have to read about them. You wish to further damage our eyes by posting pictures?
I’m a little tempted to print out the list and leave it within sight of a Compass driving co-worker.
Interestingly, within a few weeks of ownership, said co-worker backed her pride and joy into an immovable object caving in a corner of the rear bumper necessitating a stay at the body shop. One week later, on the drive home from the body shop, the newly repaired (but no better looking) Compass was then side-swiped. An accident? Perhaps. Or, was the responsible party simply doing his part to keep this monstrosity off of the streets and out of sight for one more week. He had my thanks…
Wow! Even the dork-mobiles from Toyota like the xB (2nd gen) and new xD would look like like a pair of gems among these domestic turkeys! Even Toyota Turkeys are good at something, even if its just providing plain old boring but no drama transportation, but every one of the TTAC “winners” have absolutely nothing redeeming about them. Not one thing! I definitely like the “for agricultural use only” describing the Ion’s engine – and I thought ToYoCo’s 2.4L 4 pot putting out only 158 bhp compared to Honda’s 190 bhp was an embarassment. America lags the rest of the West and Japan in math and science, and boy, in at least the realm of automotive engineering, does it ever show.
So which was the worst of the worst? Number 1 or number 10?
Man I love this time of the year with this site – sometimes I have to keep the laughter down at work when I read the reviews and comments!
There’s a lot of good opinions posted here, so I would like to propose a couple of things.
First (dealing with 2007-08 model years), maybe a top-10 list of the biggest surprises as in cars that we thought would make zero impression upon first view changed to a positive impression based on seeing it in the flesh or behind the wheel. Case in point, I was having a tough time taking the Audi RS8 as stylish saying that (in pictures) it looked like styling cliches slapped together…and then I parked next to one and had a chance to look at it in more detail. Quite nice – the DRL LEDs are striking. Much like the TWATs, educated opinions count.
The other idea was to add a somewhat deeper level to the TWATs – the greatest letdowns of the 2007-08 model year. Case in point – we all knew from the beginning the Jeep Compass was a trainwreck from the start, but what did we have hopes for and didn’t deliver? An example I can give would be whatever Honda did to the Accord. Now that I’ve seen quite a few on the streets (come to Ohio, buy a Honda…it’s the law!) and I have to say that almost all of the “style” clashes with the shapes next to it. Another example could be examples of the poor real-world mileage of the Altima Hybrid and the Lexus LS600h. I think very few would nominate last year’s Accord for a TWAT so that means that it flew under the radar or people just liked it. Now it is starting to raise a stink about the size and looks.
I’m just throwing these ideas out there and I realize putting the TWATs and TBAGs together (I never thought I would ever put those words in the same paragraph!) has to be an insane amount of work, but opinions count on this site. I also hope the “winners” of the TWATs get known on a national level – witness the end of Chrysler as we know it.
I find the new Accord Sedan classically beautiful. And the interior is entry-lux quality.
The photo of the Compass accessed by clicking the link in the text makes it look like the vehicle is proud to suck.
I hope that whomever approved its production learned a lesson.
“Chevrolet TrailBlazer … We’re talking Trabant-class fit and finish and Yugo-compatible interior design.”
Haha, totally right. I was in one of those (03 or 04 Trailblazer) and the interior is godawful, with huge gaps, cheapest possible flat-gray plastics, and an incredibly gloomy and dark overall feel. It was like being in a monochrome plastic crypt
I have to imagine that the people responsible for the Uplander were not asylum bound when they gave that one the green light.
But – but – but at some point there must have been a clay model of it, 1:1. Or did they just rip the design straight out of the CAD-CAM and shoot it off to the assembly line?
No, there must have been a clay model. And they were standing around it. And instead of someone saying: “OK, joke’s over. This is one ugly car. Trash it.”
Instead of saying that, someone said: “That clay sure has a nice color. What if we make that the launch color of the vehicle?”
And they all went home, secure in the knowledge that they had a good day’s work behind them.
so sad to read that Amrican car industry can only prevail in 10 worst category. making no real competetive products, yet still wanting to have them( imports) , you increase trade deficit. that breeds unbelievable debt burden. for example, education system in USa for year 2006 received approx. 56bn- (down from the past year.). NASA- 15bn, ( approx the same). while SERVICING NATINAL DEBT and paying interest on loans (of China and Japan mainly) surged to staggering 400bn . 56- to education. 400- to servicing debt! Just keep on making average products detroit! we `ve got plenty of Hondas to buy! Bush`s attitude of allowing to decrease money supply towards education already shows how shortsighted he is. My condolences to all of you for having such a president!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
For your fans in Canada, include the Pontiac Wave, its the same vehicle more or mostly less than the Aveo!
jurisb:
The U.S. Army offers money towards education — problem solved.
So refreshing to see this “ten worst” list as opposed to the usual blather that “all cars are good today,” with the implication that you can just pick a vehicle, any vehicle, and it will be in the words of the short-lived Buick tagline, “all good.” Well maybe according to Motor Trend…
…and interior materials pulled from the bottom drawer of Chrysler’s parts bin.
Actually they have just one drawer, and it contains just this crappy plastic they apply in all their models and is only really acceptable in the Wrangler…
I would just once love to see a list of the best usa cars and worst of the foreign cars. seems any time a list is made of best cars it all filled with cars most of us will never buy and if the list does include cars made in the usa it is a list of bad vehicles. Did we forget where we came from. (BUY AMERICAN).
No, there must have been a clay model. And they were standing around it. And instead of someone saying: “OK, joke’s over. This is one ugly car. Trash it.
I read that the ‘53-’54 Hudson Jet came to life this way. Ordered to style a small car with certain features that they thought didn’t look good on a vehicle of its size, the styling team made a mockup so Godawful ugly it would bring the board of directors to their senses.
And the board selected it! The designers couldn’t back out, and actually built the thing and tried to sell it.
(No references, sorry. Hope this isn’t some urban legend.)
Did we forget where we came from. (BUY AMERICAN).
My parents, and then I, ‘bought American’ from the mid-60s through the mid-90s. It started out okay…somewhat primitive vehicles that could at least be relied on to run for a long time. However, round about the mid-70s the vehicles turned into pieces of crap and they stayed that way until we gave up and started buying Japanese.
I think giving them a 20-year chance is more than adequate. Every damn vehicle on this list belongs on this list.
ThresherK: To my eyes at least, that Hudson Jet, while not beautiful, is kind of cute considering its contemporaries. 1953 Plymouth anyone?
It bears a passing resemblance to the 1952-54 Mercury, maybe in 7/8 scale.