Whenever there is a “Best of…” list, there will always be the obligatory “Worst of…” list to compliment it.
For all intents and purposes, the “Worst New Vehicles of 2019” list isn’t really a list of bad vehicles. In the context of the new and redesigned vehicles for 2019, the “worst” vehicles are just the ones that didn’t make as big of a splash, aren’t as significant, or aren’t as impressive as the “best” vehicles of 2019.
That being said, the class of 2019 actually saw many phenomenal redesigns and some impressive new models come to the market. That being said, the “Worst Vehicles of 2019” list should perhaps be more appropriately named, “The Vehicles that didn’t make the Best Vehicles of 2019” list.
I think you get the idea, so here is my list of the “worst” vehicles of 2019:
Audi Q8
Everybody is cramming new SUVs into their lineups to feed the masses’ desire for more SUVs, and Audi is no exception. Their Q8 fills a hole in their lineup – that apparently both the Q5 and Q7 are unable to fill – that offers a sportier-looking SUV for those who like that kind of thing. It actually looks pretty good, but all that style comes at the expense of practicality. It’s also much more expensive than the larger Q7. Its base price is nearly as much as a top trim level Q7’s starting price. Maybe that makes more sense to you than it does to me…
BMW X4
The X4 is another example of an SUV that has been squeezed into the BMW lineup and compromises the “utility” part of its SUV-ness. I’m sure people will continue buy the X4 because it’s a BMW, and it’s an SUV, and it has been improved from the previous generation with updated tech and luxury features. But, if you want an SUV that is styled to be more sleek, sporty, and car-like, why not just get a car with all-wheel-drive. To be fair, most reviewers agree that the X4 handles much better than most other comparable SUVs.
Cadillac XT4
The XT4 looks interesting enough for a compact SUV, but its biggest downfall is that Cadillac is just a little late to the game. Because of the saturation in the market, the most successful SUVs are the ones that are established and the ones that stand out. On the outside, the XT4 stands out just fine, and interior space is quite good for a small vehicle, but it doesn’t really deliver that much more for a vehicle of its apparent luxury status. It just lacks that “it” factor, which could hurt it against the competition.
Chevrolet Blazer
If nothing else, the Chevy Blazer looks really cool. It has adopted Jeep’s version of a modern front end design from the 2014 Cherokee, but it works better for the Blazer than it did for the Cherokee. The problem with the Blazer is its predecessors. It has traditionally been a tough, brutish SUV that used to hang with the Ford Bronco, Jeep Wrangler, and even the Land Rover Range Rover in terms of ruggedness and capability. If the newest Blazer was a true body-on-frame SUV with more off-road capability than it currently has, it would be much better. Combined with its looks, that would truly make it one of the best SUVs on the market.
Nissan Altima
The newly redesigned Altima came out with three new tricks up its sleeve for 2019: Optional all-wheel-drive, a rather attractive facelift, and a new variable compression engine. These are all great things, and they legitimately make the Altima more competitive. Nissan has had continued financial struggles and reliability issues, though. Until these new Altimas start getting out on the road and proving they can actually deliver, I’m a little wary of all the new tech and their overall dependability.
Subaru Ascent
There is nothing wrong with the all-new Subaru Ascent, and Subaru as a brand is a pretty good one. What puts the Ascent on this list is Subaru’s continued descent into the world of the competition. I’ve talked about Subaru before in this light. They used to be the brand that stood out for making good vehicles that were different than everyone else’s. They still make pretty good vehicles, but they just fit in too much with what everyone else is making. The Ascent… well, it’s just kind of too mainstream to be a standout, even if it still is a pretty good vehicle.
Lexus UX
The Lexus UX is yet another subcompact SUV to enter the market. And it’s a Lexus, so there shouldn’t really be any surprises that come with it. It looks like a Lexus, has an optional hybrid powertrain, and is offered at a pretty reasonable price, but the fact is that it could and should be a better Lexus. It’s sluggish, doesn’t have a lot of cargo space compared to competitors, and only offers all-wheel-drive on hybrid models, and even then only up to 43 miles per hour. I suppose some compromises have to come with a sub-$35,000 price tag.
Volkswagen Arteon
The Volkswagen Arteon is a beautifully-designed vehicle. It replaces the CC, Volkswagen’s attempt to make a sporty, coupe-like sedan, just like many other automakers are doing. Also like many other sedans nowadays, it just wasn’t a massive success. The Arteon, Volkswagen’s new sporty, coupe-like sedan is basically the same car that’s been updated. Neither the CC nor the Arteon are bad vehicles, it just seems like it would be easier to make the Arteon a very different vehicle from the outgoing CC or give the CC a redesign.
Kia K900
I am a fan of the Kia K900. I love that previously belittled automakers Hyundai and Kia have risen through the ranks and are trying new things that are actually really good. The problems with the K900 are that it is still a Kia and that it isn’t one of the Genesis models, all of which have made a pretty good impression on reviewers. Its Achilles heel isn’t that it’s a terrible vehicle, it’s that the K900 just doesn’t have enough of anything to thrust really thrust it into the consumers’ “must-have” list.
Chevy Silverado 1500
The truck segment of the market is an all-out bloodbath. Trucks are the backbone of the American automotive industry and a vital part of culture, and the Silverado is right in the middle of it. Chevy updated the truck this year in a number of ways, but to say that the styling is an upgrade from the previous truck would be a little controversial: It’s weird. The truck also got a four-cylinder engine option in an effort to increase efficiency despite no “truck guy” ever asking for this. The Silverado is fine and does many things well, but even its most recent upgrades can’t put it in contention to be the light duty truck champ.
