5 Popular Cars to Avoid, And What to Buy Instead | Consumer Reports

Skip high-selling models with low scores or reliability ratings, and consider these five alternative models that are recommended by Consumer Reports.

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[paulcurry]

Don’t get one of the most reliable cars ever built and buy a Chevy blazer…. Huh??

[alexdeanda]

Yeah, avoid a Toyota if you don't want a reliable vehicle lol

[pascutia]

They really recommended a Blazer over a 4Runner. That’s all I needed to know.

[newsmedia-one]

This is the worst CR has ever did, I am literally scratching my head over this comparison.

[daydreamer]

Literally every recommended car you pushed was about "reliability." How can you recommend a Blazer over a Toyota??

[josueelombre]

Scotty Kilmer is yelling at his computer screen for recommending chevys over Toyotas lol

[zhila]

a pile of junk chevy over a toyota 4runner? are you insane?

[B-rad]

Okay, here we go...
1.) Corolla hatch over Impreza hatch any day of the week, especially in lower trims. The Impreza has a (comparitively) abysmal base interior. If the Corolla isn't your deal, buy an Elantra or Soul for as little as possible.

2.) Entirely, 100%, without a doubt a correct recommendation.

3.) Oh good lord. Has anyone ever cross-shopped these two vehicles? The commuter version of the 4Runner is a Highlander (or Sienna but let's be real). The new Pathfinder could be an option here.

4.) Highlander. Buy a damn Highlander. Not a Traverse. Not a Durango. Not a Grand Cherokee, Palisade, or Atlas. Highlander. (Mazda CX-9 is also a solid choice)

5.) Does everyone forget the Honda Ridgeline? Or does everyone wish they could forget the Ridgeline? Either way, it's just as good as the Ranger and Colorado at most mid-size truck things, has a cooler/trunk/lockbox thing, and a fantastic engine.

[bradyb]

Why would you avoid the Corolla Hatch? That makes zero sense.

[sammyt]

I would much sooner buy the Corolla over the Impreza! The latter is a decent buy only if you need AWD, but otherwise the Corolla is better in almost every other aspect, unless you're talking interior space which is obviously less in the Corolla hatchback (but not the sedan). My next car will be a Corolla Hatch, which I prefer to the sedan since I don't need the extra space and it's the only Corolla made in Japan!

[KasunMeegahapola]

I wonder why CR said Offroad ready Toyota 4Runner and showed the onroad ready 4Runner Limited? Both Limited and TRD Sport are on-road ready 4Runners while SR5, TRD ORP, TRD Pro trims are the more offroad focus 4Runners. 4Runner is a big line up you have 3 different suspension, 2 different sway bar systems, 3 different 4wd systems, 3 different interior materials, wheels, tires, different camera systems, different seating (2row, 3row), etc the list goes on an on. IMO CR got that one wrong.

[daveprice]

Weird video. 2 Chevrolets? A Traverse over a 4Runner, Pilot or Telluride? Something is going on with Consumer Reports.

[aidanl]

Why skip the Corolla? Weren’t you guys saying that it was a great buy with impressive handling and a “gti like” ride quality? Make it add up!

[PRECIADOR]

CONSUMER REPORT SOLD ITSELF, TELLING THESE ATROCITIES. SHAMEFUL

[BillySmith]

Y’all are smoking some bad weed, these recommendations suck

[haroldsantos]

How in the world you’re going to skip a toyota 4runner to get a chevy blazer instead 🤣

[YanLuo]

What’s the tea behind skipping the Corolla hatch?

[pauljoseph]

I'm holding on to my 2014 Scion xB. It's impossible to find a relatively inexpensive small roomy wagon anymore. Now you have to get a subcompact SUV that costs 30K with much less cargo space. I would consider the Corolla hatchback (it's even made in Japan!, not Mexico) but the cargo space is too limited.

[mdk]

Also, avoid the newer, 2013 to 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport with any four-cylinder engine and the older, 2003 to 2006 Kia Sorento with any V6 engine and buy an older, 2008 or 2009 Mitsubishi Outlander with the 3 L V6 engine or a newer, 2021 Nissan Rogue with the 2.5 L four-cylinder engine instead. Thank you very much and good luck on your vehicle purchase.

[randy]

How about actual useful advice. Like avoid the huge gas guzzling trucks and suvs CR is recommending with gas $6+ a gallon and buy the Corolla hybrid instead, duh!