Topic: Worst car flops of 2011, according to Forbes

[Scarecrow]

Forbes has just published an article about the worst automotive flops of 2011.  Unfortunately, three of the nine models are built in Canada which is bad news for our auto manufacturing industry.  Read the full article here: http://ca.autos.yahoo.com/p/2310/worst-car-flops-of-2011

• Acura ZDX *
• Chevrolet Aveo
• Dodge Nitro
• Honda Civic *
• Lincoln MKT *
• Mitsubishi Outlander Sport
• Nissan Titan
• smart forTwo
• Volkswagen Jetta

[aaronk]

Interesting (and entertaining) article, thanks for posting! I agree with most of his points, although I would exclude the Jetta GLI and Civic Si from his criticisms. The Jetta GLI gets some of the quality interior that was dispensed in an effort to cut costs, although the proper GTI is better still. The Civic Si also has a better interior than its lower-trim stablemates, and the better brakes, suspension, steering and transmission add up to a better driving experience. If Honda has one disappointing vehicle in its lineup it is the Crosstour. What were they thinking!?

[sailor723]

Certainly agree with most of his choices. Mercedes would have been better off to roll variations of it's A and B class cars into a new brand for North America a la BMW's Mini.

Interesting to see the new Jetta on the list. While I agree it's a big step down from the old Jetta I thought sales were pretty good?

[Scarecrow]

..If Honda has one disappointing vehicle in its lineup it is the Crosstour. What were they thinking!?

Believe it or not, but Honda actually sold more than 31,000 Crosstours last year.  Whodathunkit?

I suppose there are lots of terrible cars out there that belong on such a list.  But sometimes the actual sales figures are surprising.  For example, the Volkswagen Routan is probably the most forgettable vehicle in the company's lineup; but would you believe that VW sold three times as many Routans as they did Touaregs in 2010?

And sometimes you can have a great vehicle that simply doesn't sell well.  Take the Mazda RX-8.  Good looking, fun, great handling sports car that can seat four adults, and yet Mazda sold only 1200 of 'em last year in all of North America.  Makes the Lincoln MKT look like a sales superstar in comparison.

[my2cents]

I have seen many cars driving by and also in parking lots therefore I consider myself fully qualified to write my own reviews.

Worst Cars

1. Bentley Continental GT sales were absolutely dismal. So we set out to find out why.
 In the first test - hand washing - we found that it takes considerably longer to wash than other cars such as the Honda Fit, Hyundai Accent.

It took much more effort for the same results. We found it tiresome. So unless you want sore muscles - we say avoid this car.

2. Efficient use of interior space. We found it entirely too "roomy" compared to most other cars. There are the normal 5 seatbelts - but room for 7 normal sized people. Clearly this car was built for the morbidly obese which also explains the 567 horsepower needed to move their bulk to the local buffet. We think this sends the wrong signal.

3. Depreciation. We estimate 5 years depreciation at $100,000 making this vehicle a terrible investment. You could buy 10 Hyundai Accents for that kind of loss. We think you shouldn't put all your eggs in one basket.

Another crap can has to be Porsche according to sales figures.

From the senior journalist at CarsforGrannies website we find out what makes Porsche a bad choice for consumers.

Too hard to sit in. No room for walkers with two passengers. Some models are far too confusing.

For example one model has a high tech gated shifter which is entirely unreliable. One slot makes the car go backwards, which is fine. Another is a neutral position which is also understandable. But the other choices are baffling. Some make the cars stall while only one makes it go forward.

And get this!!! It all requires a third pedal. What were you thinking Porsche? We have two feet and three pedals. Ever heard of human anatomy Porsche? Although all our testers are senior writers - they deny it. But they have all run into buildings in cars with only two pedals. Three pedals is just a disaster in waiting. Shame on you Porsche.

Well it's nap time - so I'll stop here. When I wake up - I'll review the next car that drives by.

[jamie1]

Love it.

[The Mighty Duck]

If Honda has one disappointing vehicle in its lineup it is the Crosstour. What were they thinking!?

Yes. Because "this car is not for me" equates to "this is a terrible car". 

Believe it or not, the Crosstour appeals to some people. And truth be told, it's gorgeous inside and quite nice to drive. Not something I would likely buy, but I'm not about to judge those who do, nor write off the car based on my own personal tastes.

[JSCC]

If Honda has one disappointing vehicle in its lineup it is the Crosstour. What were they thinking!?

Yes. Because "this car is not for me" equates to "this is a terrible car". 

Believe it or not, the Crosstour appeals to some people. And truth be told, it's gorgeous inside and quite nice to drive. Not something I would likely buy, but I'm not about to judge those who do, nor write off the car based on my own personal tastes.

But how does the Crosstour compare to it's closest competitior? The Venza.
Or 2nd closest? The Outback.

[johngenx]

Venza is a big hit for Toyota in Canada.  Why?  Lots of style for a pretty reasonable pricing scheme and a very luxurious driving experience with a large range of pricing options.  A Crosstour only comes in at the top of the market.  No $28K model, and no $32K nicely equipped version.  It's an all or nothing purchase.

My only gripe about the Venza is something that 99.99% of buyer would never bother to notice: the AWD system is the slip/grip from the RAV4, not the 50:50 system from the Highlander.

[The Mighty Duck]

Venza is a big hit for Toyota in Canada.  Why?  Lots of style for a pretty reasonable pricing scheme and a very luxurious driving experience with a large range of pricing options.  A Crosstour only comes in at the top of the market.  No $28K model, and no $32K nicely equipped version.  It's an all or nothing purchase.

I do agree that the Crosstour is oddly positioned. The Venza is better priced (in that it is ore flexible - the top range Crosstour is actually cheaper than the top range Venza). The Venza is also better looking.

I still wouldn't buy either.

[Sir Osis of Liver]

The cargo area with the seats folded is 71 cu ft in the Outback, 70 in the Venza and 51 in the Crosstour. The Outback 3.6R can tow 3000lbs, the Venza 3.5 can tow 3500 and the Crosstour 1500lbs.

To me, those are two of the main items to check with these kinds of vehicles.

[sailor723]

The cargo area with the seats folded is 71 cu ft in the Outback, 70 in the Venza and 51 in the Crosstour. The Outback 3.6R can tow 3000lbs, the Venza 3.5 can tow 3500 and the Crosstour 1500lbs.

To me, those are two of the main items to check with these kinds of vehicles.

Interesting....Even if you aren't interested in towing I would think cargo capacity is a major consideration when shopping this type of vehicle. Crosstour seems to have sacrificed function for form.

[safristi]

  funny stuff My 2 cents................I can see the BENTLEY ads now...

       BUY THE NEW sore MUSCLE CAR.........

[No H2O]

Interesting to see the new Jetta on the list.

Perfect, I'm glad its on the list. Better pricing when I am ready to buy.

As for that his comment of "hard plastics that don't fit together well", I have an eagle eye and they fit extremely well on the car I was in. On top of it, what do you expect for $15,875.

[chrischasescars]

Believe it or not, the Crosstour appeals to some people. And truth be told, it's gorgeous inside and quite nice to drive.

I think the Crosstour's ugly as sin, but Demo X is right. It goes over the road beautifully and is very comfortable and roomy. If they'd made the looks easier to swallow, I think the Crosstour would have been far more popular.

[SapphireSeo]

I'm so glad credit is being given where it is deserved. If I were to compile a list of the 10 worst cars of 2011 I'd definitely include most of these. The Aveo and Nitro especially. God damn it, I hate those cars so much!

Yet I really haven't followed the Jetta too closely over the years so I'm surprised it shows up on the list. Last thing I heard was from an ad saying it had "redesigned the price" so that might have had something to do with its spot on the list.

[DKaz]

How is Civic, Outlander, and Jetta a flop?

[No H2O]

How is Civic, Outlander, and Jetta a flop?

He had to write something to justify his existence. One opinion of a few billion...so who cares?