13 Worst Used Cars You’d Regret Buying

Most people agree that buying a new car isn’t the best financial decision, so spending less money and purchasing a used model certainly makes more sense.

However, not all used cars are created equal, so it’s worth taking some time to research the models you’re interested in.

Using reputable sources, such as J.D. Power, U.S. News, and Consumer Reports, we’ve created a list of 13 used cars you might regret buying.

2020 Dodge Journey

Dodge discontinued the Journey in 2020, which is okay, as it was never particularly good and couldn’t match the competition’s offerings.

U.S. News gave the Dodge Journe an overall score of 6.4/10, saying it’s underpowered, doesn’t handle well, and has a cheap and tacky interior. It also offered very little in terms of driver-assistance features. If you want a nice, safe vehicle to transport your family, the Dodge Journey is best avoided.

2020 Dodge Grand Caravan

The 2020 Dodge Caravan also received a 6.4/10 score from U.S. News, and like the Dodge Journey, it was discontinued in 2020. Although the nameplate had been on the market since the 1980s, there weren’t many who were sad to see it go.

It had very few features as standard, and the only driver aid was a rearview camera. The ride quality wasn’t anything to write home about either, and despite having 238 hp, it offered very slow acceleration.

2020 Fiat 500X

Fiat discontinued the subcompact 500X SUV in 2023 after years of barely selling any. Subcompact SUVs rarely perform well in the States, as there’s not much cabin space for rear-seat passengers and cargo.

U.S. News gave the Fiat 500X an overall score of 6.6/10, placing it second to last in their rankings. Other than a lack of interior space, they noted that its firm ride wasn’t ideal for long commutes.

2019 Toyota C-HR

Toyota discontinued the C-HR in 2022, and while it offers decent ride quality and plenty of tech, better options are available if you’re in the market for a subcompact SUV.

The C-HR’s interior feels cramped, but that’s not the worst part. Its engine is noisy and weak, resulting in poor acceleration and a constant droning noise when driving on the highway.

2016-2023 Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio

Italian cars have more soul than cars from any other country, and Alfa Romeo is one of the best carmakers in that regard. However, they’ve always been among the worst in terms of reliability.

The Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio looks absolutely stunning, and it’s an Italian car that’s attainable for regular people, not just millionaires. Don’t let its looks deceive you, though. It’s riddled with electrical issues from the showroom floor, and things will only worsen with time.

2014-2023 Maserati Ghibli

While it’s normal to see some depreciation when you drive a brand-new car off the dealership parking lot, few, if any, brands depreciate as much as Maseratis. Depending on the model, depreciation is between 60-70+% over the first few years, and there are some good reasons for this.

While this means you can get your hands on an Italian thoroughbred for very little money, it’s certainly not a bargain. Since the Ghibli is such a high-maintenance car, ownership costs are through the roof.

2018-2021 Jeep Wrangler

The Jeep Wrangler certainly look great and there’s also a vast selection of aftermarket parts if you have a need to personalize it. Those who want to venture off the beaten path are probably already aware that it is one of the best off-roaders money can buy.

However, it’s known to suffer from a whole host of problems. It’s not the most comfortable car for daily on-road use, it suffers from the infamous Jeep Death Wobble, there are electrical gremlins, and lots of other reliability issues.

2023 Volvo XC40

For some reason, people still believe Volvo has a stellar reliability record, but that hasn’t been the case for several years now. Consumer Reports gave the Swedish carmaker a reliability rating of 28 out of 100.

The 2023 XC40 is among the brand’s worst cars. While it’s true that a car this new will come with a warranty, it’s annoying to constantly have to go back to the dealership. It’s also estimated that maintenance costs during the first ten years of ownership will be close to $14,000, so it’s not a cheap car to own.

2020 Nissan Frontier

The 2020 Nissan Frontier came last in the U.S. News compact pickup truck rankings, with an overall score of 6.9/10. While it’s not all bad, it’s nowhere near as good as the competition, so even if it’s one of the cheaper options, it may not be worth it.

Its interior is dated and noisy, there aren’t many standard driver-assistance features, and its towing and hauling capacities are lower than those of its rivals. If you still want one, go for the redesigned version that arrived in 2022.

2019 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross

The 2019 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross is an affordable compact SUV, but it’s best avoided. It’s a blatant rip-off, and Mitsubishi clearly slapped the iconic Eclipse name on its rear end to help make some sales.

It’s noisy and underpowered, which makes driving longer distances stressful. Interior-wise, there’s not much space for cargo, and operating the infotainment system when driving can be challenging. Testers also gave it a low score for predicted reliability.

2020 Ford EcoSport

Another cheap and not-so-cheerful compact SUV, we don’t have many nice things to say about the 2020 Ford EcoSport. It’s a good thing Ford discontinued it after the 2022 model year.

It was only available with two engine options, neither of which provided any form of excitement, so we’re not sure why Ford named it EcoSport — there’s nothing sporty about it. The interior largely consists of hard plastics and few driver-assists were offered.

2020 Toyota Sequoia

Another Toyota that’s best avoided? Well, according to U.S. News, the Toyota Sequoia was the worst affordable SUV in 2020, and they gave it an overall score of 6.9/10.

While you get the famous Toyota reliability and a spacious cabin, there are just too many downsides to the Sequoia. Its powerful V8 engine returns terrible fuel economy but has the lowest tow ratings in its class. Unless your bank account is filled to the brim, its high projected ownership costs are another issue to be aware of.

2016-2023 Tesla Model X

At this point, only the most hardcore Tesla fans are willing to defend the infamous Model X. Consumer Reports gave it the lowest possible reliability rating, an appalling 1/5.

Model X owners have reported rust issues, navigation/infotainment system freezing, acceleration issues, and poor body integrity. The Falcon doors, while cool, have also received their fair share of criticism. Even the ride quality leaves a lot to be desired. To be fair, Tesla has recalled cars and issued updates, but it still isn’t a stellar purchase.