Top 5 Worst Cars of 2015 According to Consumer Reports

AutoGuide.com has named its 2016 Car of the Year, but what did Consumer Reports find to be the worst cars of the year?

The publication has looked back on its ratings after testing cars of all shapes and sizes this year, pulling from the list its worst five vehicles. From insufferably noisy cabins to “spine-jolting, kidney-quivering” rides, these five vehicles are the ones to stay away from if you’re shopping for a new car, according to Consumer Reports.

SEE ALSO: Honda Civic Wins the AutoGuide.com 2016 Car of the Year Award

Although it received a facelift for the 2015 model year, the Toyota Yaris proves that not every vehicle in the automaker’s lineup is a success. With a score of 47, the publication noted that the Yaris remains slow, noisy and tinny with a choppy ride and an awkward seating position. Powered by a 1.5-liter, four-cylinder engine, it delivers weak acceleration and only returns 32 mpg overall, which is weak for a subcompact. Just how bad is the Toyota Yaris? Consumer Reports recommends you get a Scion iA instead.

Speaking of Scion, the once-loved coupe from the brand has become an afterthought. It’s not even sporty, according to Consumer Reports, and even though it comes with plenty of standard equipment, its stiff suspension and heavy steering leaves a lot to be desired. Even smooth roads give a jarring ride and the unpleasant engine drone and tiresome exhaust howl adds to the list of cons for the coupe. The Scion tC received a score of 44.

Maybe there’s a good reason why Mitsubishi wants to focus on crossovers and SUVs. Scoring just 35 points, the Mitsubishi i-MiEV is a disappointing electric vehicle with a 59-mile range and a six-hour recharge time. Consumer Reports found its ride horrendous, while the acceleration is painfully slow. To make matters worse, the interior is being referred to as “third-world” cheap and the publication has driven better golf carts – ouch.

Mitsubishi may have unveiled an updated Mirage at the 2015 L.A. Auto Show, but that likely won’t change how Consumer Reports feels about the compact car. Despite getting 37 mpg overall, the Mirage is powered by a small, vibration-prone three-cylinder engine. Handling is found to be clumsy to the point that it feels scary. Overall, the car is just too slow and too noisy, even if it’s cheap. The refreshed 2017 model will go on sale this spring and Consumer Reports will see if improvements have been made. The Mitsubishi Mirage GT scored 29.

And at the bottom of the barrel this year isn’t a sack of coal but the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited with a paltry score of 20. The lowest-ranked vehicle has a punishing ride, reluctant handling and “drinks fuel like kids devour juice pouches” with a 17-mpg overall rating. Despite all that, Consumer Reports does acknowledge that 76 percent of Jeep Wrangler Unlimited owners would buy one again. But the publication stands that even though it’s impressive off-road, literally every other vehicle on the market is better to use as an everyday car.

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