TERRIBLE Cars That Owners Regret Buying (Lowest Owner Satisfaction)

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Worst New Cars Owners Regret Buying (Consumer Reports 2026 Owner Satisfaction)

What are the worst new cars—the ones owners deeply regret buying and say they’d never purchase again? That’s what we’re going to find out.

Welcome to Car Help Corner, where we help you, the consumer, master the process of car buying and ownership. Consumer Reports recently released its 2026 annual survey results, including owner satisfaction—specifically, which brands and models owners are least satisfied with and would not buy again.

If you want to avoid buyer’s remorse, here are the vehicles to think twice about.

10th: Volkswagen ID.4

Starting in the number 10 spot is the Volkswagen ID.4. According to the survey, only 45% of ID.4 owners say they would buy one again.

That’s not shocking. Since its launch, the ID.4 has had a reputation for ongoing issues and frustrated owners, and it has faced major complaints—including legal action in some markets.

Volkswagen also performed poorly overall in the study, ranking near the bottom for owner satisfaction. Several other VW models posted weak “buy again” scores too, including:

Volkswagen Taos: 46%

Atlas Cross Sport: 52%

Jetta: 55%

Clearly, many Volkswagen owners aren’t thrilled with their ownership experience.

9th: Kia Seltos

In ninth place is the Kia Seltos, also with 45% of owners saying they would buy another one.

The biggest issue here comes down to reliability concerns, especially engine-related problems and recalls. On top of that, owners often describe it as not particularly refined—more road noise, a less comfortable ride, and an overall driving experience that doesn’t feel like a standout in a crowded segment.

8th: Chrysler Pacifica Plug-in Hybrid

Next up is the Chrysler Pacifica Plug-in Hybrid, with 43% owner satisfaction.

The recurring theme is, again, reliability—and the Pacifica plug-in hybrid has a particularly poor reputation on that front. Combine that with a high purchase price and steep depreciation, and it’s easy to see why many owners feel they didn’t get what they paid for.

7th: Mazda CX-70 Plug-in Hybrid

In seventh place is the Mazda CX-70 Plug-in Hybrid, with 42% of owners saying they would not buy it again.

This one is a bit disappointing because the CX-70 is, on paper, a great-looking, upscale-feeling SUV with strong performance and a premium interior. The problem is that the plug-in hybrid variant has been linked to a range of owner complaints—things like electrical glitches, rough or jerky transmission behavior, and hybrid system issues.

It’s a reminder that when any brand introduces new, unproven systems—especially electrified ones—there can be growing pains.

6th: Toyota Corolla Cross (gas model)

In sixth place is the Toyota Corolla Cross with the gas engine, with only 40% of owners saying they’d buy another.

This is the outlier on the list, because it’s not primarily about reliability. Instead, owners seem underwhelmed by the overall experience—things like mediocre comfort, more noise than expected, and sluggish performance from the standard 2.0-liter engine.

That said, the Corolla Cross still offers strong value: it’s affordable, typically reliable, and holds its value well. It’s also worth noting that the Corolla Cross Hybrid scores much better—and it’s been one of my top recommendations.

5th: Acura ADX

In fifth place is the Acura ADX, with 40% owner satisfaction.

This result isn’t too surprising. The ADX is positioned as a premium product, but many owners feel it doesn’t deliver a true luxury experience for the money. A big part of that comes from the perception that it’s too close to mainstream Honda underpinnings while carrying a much higher price tag.

4th: Audi Q4 e-tron

In fourth place is the Audi Q4 e-tron, with only 39% of owners saying they’d buy another one.

This is one of those vehicles that struggles on multiple fronts: owners complain about reliability and software problems, many feel it’s overpriced for what it delivers, and the overall EV experience doesn’t seem to meet expectations—especially given the badge and the cost.

Audi’s overall owner satisfaction wasn’t particularly strong either, with the brand scoring around 53% in the survey. Several other models also ranked low, including the Q6, Q7, and Q3, suggesting broader dissatisfaction with value and execution.

3rd: Honda Prologue

In third place is the Honda Prologue, with 37% of owners saying they would buy another.

A big part of the backlash is that the Prologue isn’t based on a traditional Honda platform—it’s effectively a GM-based EV with Honda styling. That matters because owners associate Honda with certain expectations around refinement and long-term dependability, and this vehicle inherits many of the issues tied to GM’s EV architecture.

Honda has already indicated it’s moving toward building its own EVs going forward, which is likely the right move.

2nd: Mazda CX-90 Plug-in Hybrid

In second place is the Mazda CX-90 Plug-in Hybrid, with only 34% of owners saying they would buy another.

The reasoning mirrors the CX-70 plug-in hybrid: the plug-in system has been linked to a long list of complaints, including electrical problems, hybrid battery concerns, and unpleasant transmission behavior.

If you love the CX-90, the safer bet tends to be the six-cylinder gas version, or choosing another Mazda model with a more established powertrain.

1st: Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe

And now the number one vehicle with the lowest owner satisfaction by a wide margin: the Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe.

It earned a brutal 25% “buy again” score.

This plug-in hybrid Grand Cherokee has been plagued by owner complaints and a steady stream of problems—recalls, technical service bulletins, battery-related concerns, and even reports of serious failures. It has become one of the most notorious examples of a modern PHEV that feels unfinished.

Jeep also ranked as the lowest owner satisfaction brand overall in the study. Even Jeep models with conventional gas engines scored poorly, including:

Grand Cherokee (gas): 51%

Jeep Compass: 51%

Jeep clearly has major work to do.

Final Thoughts

So there you have it—the vehicles that owners are least satisfied with and most regret buying.

If you own any of these, what has your experience been like? Let me know in the comments.

And if you found this helpful, make sure to like, subscribe, and hit the Hype button.

If you’re planning to buy a vehicle in Ontario, OMVIC is the vehicle sales regulator responsible for enforcing the rules dealerships must follow. To learn more about your consumer protection rights, visit OMVIC’s site. And if you need more car-buying advice, recommendations, or help negotiating your next vehicle purchase, visit carhelpcan.com.

Thanks for watching, and I’ll see you next time.

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