5 Cars Experts Have Recommended — and 5 They Don’t Like
Written by
Gina Hagler
Edited by
Travis Woods
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Whether you’re looking for an affordable, mid-range or luxury car, there are a number of factors that contribute to the purchase decision. Depending on the buyer, the most important aspect could be the fuel economy, performance, quality of life features or exterior design.
Auto experts and mechanics have revealed which vehicles stand out among the rest, either for being a good choice or a bad one. Here are five cars the experts have recommended — and five they don’t like.
Recommended: Honda Civic
The 2024 Honda Civic is a solid choice for those interested in a strong fuel economy available for an affordable price of $23,950. Despite its compact size, it boasts an interior optimized to provide plenty of space. It carries low maintenance costs which, combined with the high resale value, makes for a reliable, inexpensive vehicle.
Recommended: Subaru Outback
This midsize, AWD SUV offers fuel efficiency and plenty of cargo space, plus Subaru’s commitment to safety. For just over $30,000, you also get robust durability. With proper maintenance, you shouldn’t need to worry about expensive repairs.
Recommended: Honda Odyssey
Honda’s minivan is a great family vehicle, accommodating for up to eight passengers. It shares the high reliability of the Civic, and also offers plenty of safety technology, which is especially important for families and carpooling.
Recommended: Mazda CX-9
The CX-9 is a midsize SUV that blends a stylish design with a smooth, comfortable experience on the road. The interior is especially impressive, featuring premium materials and an infotainment system updated with the latest in technology.
Recommended: Porsche 911 S/T
This 2024 2-door coupe from Porsche is recommended for those looking for a premier luxury vehicle. The asking price of $291,650 grants you an immense 518 horsepower and a chassis that makes for a relatively smooth ride at fast speeds, as explained by Car and Driver.
Avoid: Tesla Model X
The Model X is a luxury ride to avoid. This SUV, with a starting price of $79,990, is reported to have serious safety concerns. Almost every US model was issued a recall after a federal investigation confirmed that the autopilot functionality could fail, resulting in drivers losing control.
Avoid: Ford Focus
The Focus is being discontinued in 2025 after 26 years. While the manufacturer’s goal of producing all-electric vehicles is admirable, the change isn’t solely about design philosophy. The Ford Focus has a long history of reliability concerns, from the transmission to the window electronics. It also has generally had lower safety ratings than its class competitors.
Avoid: Land Rover Range Rover
The Range Rover is another high-cost vehicle that doesn’t afford you great reliability. While $107,400 does get you a fancy design, the remarkably low reliability means you’re going to be spending too much time and money at repair shops.
Avoid: Jaguar XF
Experts have consistently scored Jaguars low for reliability, and the pattern extends to the XF. The fact that it is cheaper than many of its competitors, as stated by Car and Driver, is offset by the high maintenance costs.
Avoid: Ram 2500/3500 Diesel
Ram diesels don’t have great fuel economy, which means you’re going to be refueling often – not to mention diesel fuel is more expensive than regular gas. Then there is the high cost of the parts for these heavy-duty trucks, which some mechanics simply won’t work on.
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