We could make a 2022 "worst cars" list, but honestly people are totally sick of it when we do stuff like that. It comes from people remembering their cars not starting regularly, rusting due to dust build-up, or catching fire. Today's sales are not that "worst", so I often hear the phrase "there are no more bad cars". I say "hogwash" to it. It's like saying, "With tap water and antibiotics, the world is doing well so far. If you want to talk about 'bad things,' try living in 1534!" . The scale moves with time and progress. There are cars that do their intended job better than others, and therefore do their intended job better than others.
But whatever it is, we're not doing that list. This is kind of the worst car we've driven, but in the end it's all about expectations: I was expecting X and I got Y. At $150,000, I was expecting something great, but it seemed like a huge waste of money. Basically, there is a lot of room for interpretation.
Here are the most disappointing cars, SUVs and trucks of 2022. Of course, there are many Toyota cars. Conversely, the GR Corolla and Prius surprised everyone in a good way. — Senior Editor James Riswick
2022 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro
Consumer Editor Jeremy Korzeniewski: There are many reasons to buy a Toyota Tacoma. For example, both good predictive reliability and resale value are top priorities. Another good thing: In the TRD Pro guise, my test track was packaged so I could tackle some legitimately difficult off-road terrain. The big problem is that it's not fun to drive anywhere else. The powertrain makes as much noise as it does horsepower. The fact is, exacerbated by a transmission that downshifts just to suggest a lean, the ride was too stiff and wobbly and simply acceptable when the truck was last redesigned. For the 2016 model, it's the worst in its class.
But perhaps most frustrating is the Tacoma's ridiculous seating position. The bottoms of the front seats are mounted so low to the floor that your feet are splayed forward at an uncomfortable angle. Despite that glaring problem, my head is still uncomfortably close to the ceiling. .
It's worth mentioning that some of my biggest complaints are leveled, especially with the top-of-the-line TRD Pro. At more subdued trim levels, the Tacoma's positives can far outweigh the negatives. And as I said at the beginning, I don't blame anyone for buying a Tacoma solely because of its reputation for reliability and resale value. But for me, driving it is not a pleasant experience.
2022 Mercedes-Benz EQB 350
Zach Palmer from the load test editor: How can you turn a great affordable luxury car, the GLB 250, into a car you don't need? EQB is a great formula to follow. With a starting price of around $40,000, the GLB is a great value and a nice entry-level option for Mercedes-Benz. You can say that it is one of my favorite Benz products. period. Meanwhile, his EQB 350, which I drove this year, costs just under $60,000 and all it has to show for his $20,000 extra is a lackluster electric powertrain.
It's not that the EQB 350 is bad at driving. The cabin is quiet. It has a fair amount of pep to most people and still looks cute, though its electric powertrain is nowhere near making the GLB 250 feel like he's worth the extra $20,000. Charging technology is also outdated compared to other Benz products. Equally happy to squeeze out his GLB-boosted 4-cylinder engine. And sadly, the EQB doesn't come with a lot of equipment to justify the extra cost. Instead, it's equipped just like the $20,000 cheaper GLB 250. If you want basic luxuries like heated seats, keyless entry, and adaptive cruise control, you should get the checkbox. 350 is over $70,000.
Even at the base price, other EVs are surprisingly attractive. The Genesis GV60, Volvo XC40 Recharge, or Cadillac Lyriq are the obvious choices over the EQB. They are well-equipped, for a similar price, much more fun to drive, and especially with advanced EV charging/battery technology. . The $60,000 (or more with desired options) price tag turns it into the most disappointing car I've driven this year.
2022 Volkswagen GTI
Associate Editor Byron Hurd: I love driving my new GTI. The 6-speed manual is excellent, and the DSG is a great alternative for those who can't/can't drive a 3-pedal fun car. The ride is beautiful, the handling is sharp, and it makes all the right sounds. Additionally, the hatch is very practical for everyday chores. And if that were the end of the story, this entry would be a whole other list. It's significantly cheaper thanks to the new Golf interior. It takes a very long time to boot, as many functions are controlled by a half-baked infotainment system. This wasn't the worst car I've driven in 2022, but it certainly was the biggest anticipation.
2023 Toyota Sequoia Capstone
Senior Editor James Liswick: We've been waiting for a new Sequoia for nearly 15 years... maybe we should have waited a little longer. Rarely have I spent time in a new car and thought, "That's not competitive." Faced with the Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Yukon, Ford Expedition, and Jeep Wagoneer, it's very difficult to pinpoint how the Sequoia has the edge, let alone the bottom. Even its fuel economy, thanks to its standard hybrid powertrain, was a letdown: I barely cracked 16 mpg against the EPA's estimate of 22 mpg. The switch from independent rear suspension to a solid rear axle. This is the exact opposite of what GM has done to offer a superior ride, handling and interior package in its latest generation of full-size SUVs. Specifically, the rear floor low enough to allow for his third row seats flat with ample legroom. Read more about third row and cargo workarounds here. Yet that stout rear axle is also something that plagued GM's last generation of full-size SUVs. Equipped with huge wheels, it's constant shimmy and vibration. The Sequoia Capstone I tested had a 22-inch dub, which combined with the wagon-kart suspension and body-on-frame construction made even seemingly smooth roads feel like they were made of gravel. Vibrations are constant and shocks are annoying. Despite the hefty $80,000 price tag, there was absolutely nothing extravagant about it. Sequoia Capstone was surprisingly disappointing.
2023 Jeep Wagoneer L
Senior Editor, Green, Jon Bertz Snyder: After spending time in the Grand Cherokee L, I was excited about Jeep's next foray into the three-row seating realm. The name Wagoneer rings nostalgic bells for me too. For 2023, he was also very excited about the dedicated inline-six engine introduced with the Wagoneer L. The interior was beautiful and spacious, but there were a few things that really took the luster out of this thing once we got on board.For one thing, it was very creaky and rattling. The engine also made a really weird noise just above idle speed. When I stepped on the accelerator just a little, I heard a strange and unpleasant whooing sound that I had never heard before. Definitely not the thrilling whoosh of a turbo. Finally, it's not as handsome as it looks in photos, especially from behind. I showed my sister who recently purchased a Cherokee L and she agreed that I didn't miss anything that really made a difference other than the extra space. The Wagoneer S (or whatever it's called eventually) might be able to beat me instead.
2023 Toyota Crown
News editor Joel Stocksdale: I still don't understand this car. I drove it pretty thoroughly and spoke with the rep. i don't understand that. It's tall and crossover-like, but without the extra ground clearance. In fact, it is Toyota's flagship car, but the interior is inferior to the Avalon. It's also much more expensive.The top trim with its fancy hybrid system is pretty good to drive, but if you're looking for something fun, there are more fun options (though less efficient) from other automakers. It's particularly efficient, but it's also got the Lexus badge and has more fame in the US than just the Crown.In fact, its high-output powertrain is Also Available in Lexus, it is a more practical and popular Lexus crossover. I just don't know who this car is for, and even for that person, I don't know if it's the best option. I hope it's in place.