10 New Cars That You Should Reconsider Before Buying

Here’s a selection of new cars known for showing reliability-related risks

With the modern car becoming just a consumer product, its makers are trying to come with different flavors, and sometimes lose focus on the reliability part — one of the most important attributes a new car should have, by any standards. Let's take a look at this year's most significant brand-new slackers.

Fiat 500L

The 500 city car from FIAT revived the Italian spirit (and the carmaker’s image) when needed the most. It was a hit, spawning bigger, more purposeful variants — like the 500L hatchback. It is a chic minivan but it “feels undercooked,” scoring low at owner satisfaction also. Its edgy looks come with moderate to low levels of comfort and modest safety ratings.

Ford Fiesta

The Fiesta is one of the most fun subcompact rides money can buy. Unfortunately, as Consumer Reports (CR) finds out, its trouble spots are the transmission (requiring clutch replacement in some cases) and the “very cramped” rear seat.

As for the all-new 2017 Fiesta, here's everything you need to know.

Chevrolet Tahoe/GMC Yukon

Despite the “all-you-can-get” type of offer, the Tahoe and Yukon will give you hefty amounts of room for any of the three rows, with the quiet cabin being well insulated and cladded in premium materials. Besides the 5.3-liter V8 engine’s terrible fuel efficiency rating (a poor 16 mpg), Tahoe/Yukon might trouble you with steering vibrations, or faulty in-car electronics.

Ram 2500

The Ram 2500 comes as one decent compromise for those who have heavy duty needs, but also want upmarket amenities such as power equipment, posh materials, etc. If you choose the 6.7-liter Cummings over the 5.7-liter V8, expect a modest fuel consumption rating (of a mere 14 mpg). The 4WD components and the power equipment would be Ram's most important flaws.

Tesla Model X

Tesla’s crossover SUV adds some show-off material to the highly efficient all-electric approach, but that’s not necessarily seen as auspicious. The rear Falcon doors are enjoyable to watch opening and closing, easing the access to the cabin, but they operate slowly. As CR observes, the locks and latches are some of the troubled spots; such is the power equipment or the in-car electronics.

But it gets better and better.

Chrysler 200

While waiting to be sacked, the 200 ends its career in mediocrity. Its body sleekness – with the plunged roof and all – presses on the rear seat passengers, making them feel claustrophobic while being in the driver’s seat doesn’t bring you any joy, as the handling is “clumsy.” Moreover, the transmission – depicted as one of the suspects in killing the driving pleasure – might also prove to be one of the reliability issues.

Chevrolet Suburban/GMC Yukon XL

If you want a big, good-at-everything car, you’ll hardly find anything better than the Suburban/Yukon XL. The 5.3-liter V8 grants you all the towing power you’ll need (while returning 16 mpg) and the large cabin is cladded in dainty materials, power-everything, and comfort. The eight-speed transmission might give you trouble when it comes to reliability, as well as the 4WD components; the power equipment and in-car electronics are as well prone to flaws.

As for the 2017 Suburban, all we know is that it'll be darker.

Jeep Renegade

The subcompact, all-Italian Jeep Renegade, is undeniably cute, and in the Trailhawk version can prove itself as a real off-roader. On the road, though it feels a bit unsettled (for its class, at least), and the brake pedal is “overly touchy.” Oh, and it can pull stoppies, which are cool to watch but not-at-all safe. The clumsy nine-speed automatic transmission and the power equipment might be bugging.

You can find our impression on the Renegade here.

Ford Focus

If you want a fun-to-drive all-rounder at a decent price, the Focus is still one of the best offers out there. That, of course, doesn’t mean it’s free from reliability-related issues. While the chassis is rewarding, the rough-shifting or slipping transmission might dilute the driving pleasure bit. The 1.0-liter turbocharged lump sounds good on paper, but is quickly overwhelmed by the Focus’ bodyweight.

If you want a good engine, go for the – ahem! – 2.3-liter unit.

Cadillac Escalade

Although one of the most striking faces in the luxury SUV world, the Escalade fails to act like one. Its exterior rigidity (which we love, by the way: it looks fabulous) is unpleasantly transferred to the cabin through a stiff suspension. Speaking of the cabin: the interior is not as roomy as the body would suggest, and the infotainment system is “confounding.” So it's not quite the big-and-cushy opulent car you’d expect it to be, after all.

But it can be stupidly fast if you know where to take it.

via Consumer Reports