To Buy or Not To Buy? 5 Cars That Get Mixed Reviews
There is not one car that’s going to please everybody, no matter your budget. While some customers might be looking for power and speed, others are looking for something with an abundance of safety features. Every car model out there may hit some of these check marks, but there’s rarely one that hits all of them.
Here’s a look at some of the cars that have gotten a lot of mixed reviews and why that may be.
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Buick Encore GX
This model is a car that landed on both GOBankingRates’ 7 American Cars That Are Sneaky Great Deals Right Now and 6 American Cars To Stay Away From Buying. But, we can explain!
Consumer Reports has cited the 2023 Encore GX as having high maintenance costs. The model that we profiled as being a sneaky great deal is the 2024 model, so it’s yet to be seen if those high maintenance costs will still be an issue. However, the 2023 model’s problems with brakes, engine, fuel system and emissions components rightfully turned off potential buyers.
Some things the 2024 model has going for it is its fairly low MSRP at $25,600. Plus, it’s been given a cosmetic upgrade from its 2023 counterpart with a refreshed interior and updated exterior styling. The 2024 model also has Buick’s Virtual Cockpit System infotainment and digital instrument cluster.
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Volvo XC40
The Volvo XC40 is another model that’s shown up on two of our lists: 6 European Cars To Stay Away From Buying and 9 European Cars To Consider Buying Now. Confusing, right? Let’s clear it up: The model we were referring to in the first article is the 2023 model, while the latter is the 2024 plug-in hybrid version.
The 2023 did have its fair share of maintenance problems, particularly with the climate system. However, the 2024 hybrid model has more horsepower, wireless phone charging and keyless entry. It doesn’t offer the range that the Tesla Model Y does, but it is easier on the wallet.
Toyota Corolla
The 2024 Toyota Corolla is receiving pretty average reviews. Car and Driver called out that it has a great deal of safety features that make it attractive, like forward-collision warning and automated emergency braking. The same site also gave a nod to the car’s hybrid powertrain. U.S. News applauded the car’s fuel economy, as did Edmunds.
Where the Corolla started to falter was when it came to space. Both Car and Driver and U.S. News mentioned how limited the space for the second row was, especially in the hatchback model. Edmunds pointed out its lack of headroom as a drawback as well. This car seems to be perfect for a single person or couple who mostly make trips around town, as opposed to a family who’s constantly packing for the long road trip.
Nissan Sentra
Both U.S. News and Edmunds have praised the 2023 Nissan Sentra for being a comfortable ride. Edmunds pointed out that the backseat is actually particularly plush, which is a treat for passengers.
In terms of weak spots, Edmunds reviewed that the infotainment system feels very dated. Though it does offer compatibility with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, it just looks a little more old-school than other cars from the same year. Edmunds also highlighted that it can be a little slow to respond at times.
For those who aren’t obsessed with the latest technology and just want a comfy ride, this is a great vehicle.
Jeep Compass
The 2024 Jeep Compass has been praised for its list of standard features, which includes a 200-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine, an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. For a car that starts at around $26,000, this is pretty noteworthy. It also has impressive fuel economy for a compact SUV, getting 24 miles per gallon in the city and 32 miles per gallon on the highway.
One major drawback reviews dwell on is the cabin noise. Edmunds described it as engine noise filling the cabin, which can make for a very awkward long drive. Edmunds also said another reason why this isn’t your go-to road trip car is that it doesn’t have very comfortable seats. This SUV might be best for around-town trips, rather than trying to make a trek across the country.
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: To Buy or Not To Buy? 5 Cars That Get Mixed Reviews
