The Worst New-Car Values of 2010
NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- After studying and testing 280 cars in eight categories, Consumer Reports has arrived at one of its most highly anticipated annual lists: the new cars offering the worst values of 2010.
(Perhaps the only list more highly anticipated is
Consumer Reports'
list of the the
new cars offering the best values of 2010
, a slideshow of which just so happens to be available here:
Consumer Reports' best new-car values of 2010
.)
Regardless, results for the worst car values of 2010 were based on the cars' performance, utility and reliability, in addition to the cost of ownership over the first five years. The car receiving the lowest overall marks, according to those metrics, was the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sahara, which received a paltry value rating of 0.30.
The value of the average vehicle was set at 1.0 in the rating scale; a score of 2.0 would, according to the metric, represent twice the value of the average model.
Another car receiving low marks for value from
Consumer Reports
was the Chevrolet Aveo, and as the magazine notes: "When comparing economy cars, for example, you might think that the Chevrolet Aveo and
Honda
(HMC) - Get Report
Fit, each priced at about $16,000, would provide the same overall value down the road ... but ... the Fit is a far better choice. A low purchase price doesn't mean that a car is a good value."
In addition to overall scores,
Consumer Reports
broke down the worst new-car values into eight vehicle categories. The results, and photos, follow....
Next>
WORST VALUE: Small Cars
Chevrolet Aveo5 1LT
Chevrolet Aveo5 1LT received the worst "value rating" in the small cars category at a base price of $11,965, with a 0.71 value rating.
Consumer Reports
says its value of the Chevrolet Aveo5 1LT is far below even more expensive models, such as the Volkswagen Golf and Honda Civic, and that "the ride is jittery and noise is constant."
Next>
WORST VALUE: Family Cars
Dodge Avenger R/T (3.5, V6)
Dodge Avenger R/T (3.5, V6) was given a mere 0.69 value rating, worst in the family cars category, by
Consumer Reports
at a base price of $20,230. "Our tested Avenger had a stiff and unsettled ride with pronounced suspension noise,"
Consumer Reports
writes.
Next>
WORST VALUE: Wagons/Minivans
Dodge Grand Caravan SXT (3.8)
Dodge Grand Caravan SXT (3.8) placed last in the minivans category, with a 0.72 value rating from
Consumer Reports.
The car starts at a base price of $21,800 and "vague and imprecise steering requires constant small corrections,"
Consumer Reports
notes.
Next>
WORST VALUE: Small SUVs
Dodge Nitro SLT (3.7)
Dodge Nitro SLT (3.7) had the worst rating among small SUVs.
Consumer Reports
gave it a value rating of 0.48. "This noisy SUV lacks agility because of pronounced body lean and vague steering," it writes. The car sells for $23,250 (base price).
Next>
WORST VALUE: Midsized SUVs
Wrangler Unlimited Sahara
Consumer reports gave the midsized SUV Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sahara a value score of 0.30 -- the lowest among all 280 cars tested. The car has a $21,165 price tag (base price) and "falls short when driven on-road. Handling is compromised by vague steering and low cornering limits."
Consumer Reports
says its reliability has been well below average. Chrysler's Wrangler sales fell 23% to 4,888 units in the U.S. in January.
Next>
WORST VALUE: Upscale Sedans
Dodge Charger R/T (V8)
At a base price of $24,390, the Dodge Charger R/T (V8) ride is "stiff, and frequent ride motions make the car feel unsettled,"
Consumer Reports
notes. It was given a value rating of 0.72 and came in last under the upscale sedans category examined by
Consumer Reports.
Next>
WORST VALUE: Luxury Sedans
Mercedes-Benz S550
With a base price of $35,995, the Mercedes-Benz S550 was given a value rating of 0.55 and placed last in the luxury sedans category by
Consumer Reports.
"Reliability has been average," the report says. The hybrid edition is new for 2010.
Next>
WORST VALUE: Sporty Cars
Chrysler Sebring Convertible Limited
The Chrysler Sebring Convertible Limited received the worst value rating in the sporty cars category, at a base price of $20,120. The car received a score of 0.57 with its "unsettled" ride and "ungainly" handling,
Consumer Reports
notes.
-- Reported by Andrea Tse in New York
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>>The Best New-Car Values of 2010
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