These 29 Hyped Cars Failed and Drivers Were Disappointed

The Toyota Prius C, presented as an economical, fuel-efficient hybrid, aimed to replicate the success of its Prius relatives. However, with a sluggish 11.4-second 0-60 mph acceleration, it falls short of delivering an exciting drive. Its design and interior quality also disappoint, with a lackluster exterior and cheap interior materials compared to rivals.

2023 Cadillac CT5

The 2023 Nissan Pathfinder, marketed as a high-performance, fuel-efficient SUV with a luxury interior, disappoints with an actual mileage of just 21 mpg, missing its fuel efficiency targets. Despite the Pathfinder touted luxury features and entertainment system, users find the SL model’s 9-inch touchscreen and leather seats less user-friendly than expected.

The 2023 Honda Pilot, praised for increased cargo space and comfort, falls short with cramped third-row seating that trails behind class leaders. Rivals offer better experiences for back-row passengers. Additionally, the Pilot’s performance doesn’t stack up to competitors, diminishing its allure for those wanting a sportier drive.

The 2001 Pontiac Aztek, marketed as a cutting-edge crossover, aimed to attract adventurous consumers with its unique look and versatile features. Despite a marketing push emphasizing its novel design and practical extras like a built-in cooler and sliding cargo door, it fell flat because of its polarizing style, weak engine, and high cost.

The 2023 Toyota Crown arrived with high expectations, touting luxury, performance, and fuel efficiency. Yet, it hasn’t fully delivered on these promises. Its performance is adequate, but rivals surpass it in hybrid efficiency, driving dynamics, and distinctive design. Critics and drivers report that it lacks the driving excitement of its competitors.

The Ford Pinto was pitched as an economical and efficient car for the average buyer. Ford’s goal was to produce a budget-friendly vehicle with solid fuel economy. Yet, a hasty design resulted in a poorly placed fuel tank, prone to rupturing in rear collisions.

Sales of the Pinto were strong at first, peaking in 1974 during the OPEC oil crisis as buyers sought fuel-saving options. However, growing safety concerns damaged its reputation, leading to its phase-out in 1980.

Since its debut in 1969 with the Fairlady Z, the Nissan Z series has evolved significantly, offering high performance, advanced engineering, and superior handling. The 370Z (Z34), with its 330HP engine and 0-60 mph acceleration in 4.9 seconds, is the fastest in the series. Yet, despite its performance, critics point out the model’s outdated interior and shortage of modern tech features, suggesting it doesn’t fully live up to its excitement.

The Kia Sorento Hybrid, known for its fuel efficiency, performance, and features, promised significant savings at the pump. However, its actual fuel economy often misses the mark, a letdown for buyers who valued efficiency when selecting this model.

The Ford Fiesta 1.5 TDCI aimed to be a top eco-friendly supermini with its diesel engine, great fuel efficiency, and low emissions. While the engine is decently powerful, it doesn’t deliver the exciting performance anticipated from its reputation. The diesel engine also isn’t well-suited for city driving, reducing its urban practicality. It didn’t surpass its rivals, especially in the eco-friendly sector.

The Chrysler TC by Maserati was marketed as a luxury grand tourer with Italian finesse but didn’t live up to its premium pricing. About 7,300 units were made from 1989 to 1990, born from a collaboration between Chrysler and Maserati to fuse American engineering with Italian style. Yet, the car drew criticism for its high cost and similarity to other Chrysler vehicles.

The Jeep Compass, touted for its off-road prowess and comfort at a low cost, falls short with standard features that don’t measure up to its rivals. Its 180-horsepower four-cylinder engine is underpowered for off-roading, especially against other Jeeps like the Grand Cherokee. Overall, the Compass disappoints with mediocre performance, an unpolished interior, and no standout features or capabilities.

The Volkswagen Taos was marketed as a versatile and well-equipped crossover at an affordable price. However, the base S model starts at $23,995, pricey for its class. Despite including adaptive cruise control and a 6.5-inch infotainment touchscreen, the cost may not fully warrant these features. Additionally, the Taos underperforms in fuel efficiency relative to competitors, leading to potentially higher running costs.

The 2023 Mercedes-AMG C 43 was expected to offer exceptional performance, luxury, and technology. However, its 0-60 mph acceleration time of 4.4 seconds and a quarter-mile run of 12.7 seconds at 108.1 mph don’t set new standards in its class. The C 43 was also thought to feature multiple body styles, but the absence of coupe and convertible options could let down buyers interested in these variants.

The Toyota 86 was promoted as a well-balanced, affordable driver’s car, but it underperforms with a weak engine compared to its rivals. Its 2.4-liter flat-four engine only produces 228 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. The base model’s driving experience is merely sufficient and doesn’t stack up to other sports cars at similar prices. Additionally, the Toyota 86’s stiff ride can be harsh for everyday use, and its tight interior offers limited practicality.

The Nissan Rogue aimed to be a dependable, efficient, and smooth-riding vehicle but disappointed with transmission problems, cabin noise, and ride discomfort.

Starting at $28,750, with mid-tier trims near $38,530, the 2023 Rogue tries to offset its reliability issues with a robust set of standard features and driver aids. Yet, reviews highlight noticeable cabin noise and a rougher ride than its rivals, as noted on Edmunds.

The Alpina XB7 was expected to offer standout performance and luxury, but its heft hampers its nimbleness. This performance-focused luxury SUV, built to merge the BMW X7’s comfort with Alpina’s tuning, features a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 with 612 horsepower. Yet, at 5,860 pounds, its weight restricts its performance capabilities.

The Daihatsu Charade was marketed as a budget-friendly, fuel-efficient car for city drivers. Reintroduced in 2003 after a three-year hiatus in Britain, the Charade’s low cost couldn’t make up for its quality and reliability shortcomings, diminishing its appeal. Daihatsu not only withdrew from the British market but also ceased its Australian operations in 2005.

The Nissan IDx was anticipated as an affordable, rear-wheel-drive coupe to rejuvenate Nissan’s sports cars. However, production challenges led to its cancellation. The Tochigi plant in Japan was the only facility equipped to build the IDx, and the absence of a shared platform with other Nissans made production costs hard to justify. The IDx will be remembered as a lost chance for Nissan to update its sports car range with a distinctive, budget-friendly rear-wheel-drive coupe.

The Chevrolet Sonic was marketed as a budget-friendly, fuel-efficient subcompact with cutting-edge tech. However, its performance was lackluster. The 1.4L turbocharged engine provided only adequate acceleration, lacking excitement. Its handling was also unremarkable, diminishing the driving experience.

Furthermore, the Sonic didn’t meet its fuel efficiency claims, achieving just 26 city/34 highway MPG. Competitors like the Honda Fit and Toyota Yaris surpassed the Sonic in fuel economy.

Introduced in 1975 by American Motors Corporation (AMC), the Pacer struggled with fuel efficiency, launching just before an energy crisis. With an initial 18-20 mpg, it fell short for a compact car when fuel economy became a priority for buyers. The Pacer’s performance was underwhelming. Despite being marketed as compact, its added width and weight hindered its agility, earning it the moniker “The Flying Fishbowl” for its unusual design.

Introduced in the early 2000s, the Hummer H2 was marketed as a tough, luxury SUV with off-road prowess and a commanding road presence. However, its fuel efficiency was notably poor. The massive 6.0L V8 engine guzzled gas, making it one of the least environmentally friendly vehicles available.

Rising gas prices made the H2 expensive to operate. The H2’s large size also made it cumbersome in tight spaces and city driving, leading to practicality issues for many owners and waning popularity in urban areas.

The Chevrolet SSR, a retro-styled pickup, promised performance and utility but fell short, selling just 22,000 units in four years. It faced several issues: a high price point at $42,000, lackluster performance, limited payload and towing capacity, and a brief production span.