Sedans are some of the finest family cars on the market. They offer plenty of space, exemplary comfort levels, and high-quality choices.
Yet some sedans do miss the mark. They lack a certain something compared to many of their rivals.
This list contains 13 of the worst sedans that do not fulfill their promise. These all miss the mark in various ways, most notably in comfort, quality, and overall performance.
Mitsubishi Mirage G4
Despite the Mitsubishi Mirage G4’s attractive price tag of just over $19,000, it’s essential to consider the trade-offs. The sedan’s quality and performance may only meet some expectations, but it does offer affordability in a market where such options are scarce.
For starters, the power under the hood is pathetic, with a feeble 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine powering the sedan. This provides just 78 hp, and the engine’s noise resonates throughout the cabin thanks to its terrible soundproofing. The G4 is further let down thanks to the awful build quality, with cheap materials throughout the interior and some unusual panel gaps outside.
Toyota Mirai
Including the Mirai on this list might be controversial. The Toyota sedan is a great-looking car with plenty of luxury and a comfortable interior, and it is one of Toyota’s highest-quality vehicles. Plus, its hydrogen fuel cell leaves it with zero carbon footprint. So why have we included it on this list?
It is because of that very same hydrogen powertrain that it is so good. Hydrogen technology is being pursued only by a handful of manufacturers despite its benefits over EVs and the scarce availability of filling stations in the United States. Purchasing a Mirai might only be the best investment if you are lucky enough to live near a hydrogen filling station.
Chevrolet Vega
Chevrolet introduced the Vega in 1970, and it was available in various forms, including a two-door hatchback and a sedan. Yet what started as a promising, relatively affordable option for many quickly became the stuff of nightmares.
Chevrolet sold many Vegas, but owners quickly encountered many issues, such as severe rust, mechanical problems, and unnerving engine fires. Vega engines were also known to melt, and the magnitude of their problems was high. This led to the Vega becoming remembered as one of Chevrolet’s most prominent “problem children” and forever tainted the car’s reputation.
Volkswagen Jetta
Although including the Volkswagen Jetta in this list might seem harsh, there are good reasons for its inclusion. The Jetta has become very long in the tooth, and the latest model shows its age despite undergoing a refresh in 2021.
Compared to its more modern rivals, such as the Honda Civic and Hyundai Elantra, the Jetta is a bland-looking sedan that offers somewhat average performance thanks to the 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. This is an improvement over the 1.4-liter TSI engine previously under the sedan’s hood. With Volkswagen also planning on introducing more EVs to its range, investing in a Jetta might prove to be an own goal.
Chevrolet Malibu
The Chevrolet Malibu is no longer the “go-to” sedan for North Americans. The Chevrolet still has an attractive-looking design, and it is a comfortable sedan, but beyond that, the Malibu is now struggling to keep up with the competition.
Under the hood of the 2024 model is a single, 160-hp turbocharged 1.5-liter engine. There are no other options available for the Malibu. Step inside the Malibu, and the interior is lacking, with average-quality materials. It’s a sedan that also lacks refinement compared to the competition. While a capable and solid choice for many, the Malibu is not a class-leading sedan.
Nissan Sentra
Starting as low as $22,000, the Nissan Sentra has a lot to like. It’s also a comfortable sedan with a plethora of driver assistance features. However, in terms of its poor performance, it is one of the worst sedans on the market in 2024.
Under the hood is a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that develops just 149 hp. When plenty of its rivals produce over 200 hp and perhaps more, that leaves the Setnra behind, plus, while the cabin is well equipped, it is noisy thanks to the four-cylinder engine, and in the back, taller passengers will struggle for leg and headroom.
Maserati Quattroporte
There was a time when we would donate entire organs to get our hands on a Maserati Quattroporte. However, the Italian manufacturer has had a love-hate relationship with quality and reliability over the years, and the Quattroporte is undoubtedly no exception.
Yet, with the Maserati name, you might expect the Quattroporte to trump rivals in the luxury and comfort stakes finally. Sadly, you would be wrong. Its main competitors, such as the Audi A8 and BMW 7 Series, have stepped it up massively in both these departments, relegating the Quattroporte to the bottom of the quality and comfort list. Plus, the recent removal of the V8 engine from the lineup does take away some of the appeal of the Maserati sedan.
Lexus LS
There was a time when a Lexus sedan was the choice for those who wanted luxury, comfort, and performance all in one. However, times have changed, and the current generation of the Lexus LS shows that its rivals have caught up.
The LS was first launched in 1990 and remained one of the company’s flagship models for decades. While the 2024 LS still offers good comfort, a nice interior, and a quiet cabin, it faces increased competition. With a price tag of at least $80,000, rivals such as the BMW 7 Series and the Mercedes-Benz S Class suddenly look more and more appealing to buyers. However, the increased competition could push Lexus to whole new heights.
Maserati Ghibli
Another Maserati that really should perform better is the 2024 Ghibli. With a price tag starting at $85,300 in 2024, you would expect the highest levels of luxury, comfort, and typical Italian performance. While it looks good, and its turbo power is gutsy, the Ghibli has its fair share of issues.
The rear seat space is exceptionally snug, so a slightly taller person will struggle to get into the sedan. While it has a massive price tag, many of the surfaces inside feel like they are not worth it, and the Ghibli is also not the most fuel-efficient sedan on the market. Car and Driver reported that the V6 models average just 18 MPG in the city and 25 MPG on the highway, down to 13 MPG and 20 MPG in the V8 Trofeo.
Nissan Versa
Like the Mitsubishi Mirage, the Nissan Versa offers a cheap option to many buyers, which, in fairness, is sorely lacking in the current market. The Versa starts for as little as $16,880, making it a desirable option for those on a budget.
However, thanks to the 122 hp and 114 lb-ft torque engine, it is a bit underpowered. While the interior is alright, it lacks some of the space of its rivals. Plus, even though basic doesn’t mean bad, the base trim level Versa feels too bare. However, if you are on a budget, you would struggle to do much better than the Versa. But if you want something more comfortable and luxurious, your best bet is to stay away.
Trabant 601
Putting the Trabant on this list might seem unfair, but a car as awful as it deserves a mention. The Trabant was a product of East Germany at the height of the Cold War, and the Soviet side of Germany wasn’t as financially well-off as West Germany.
The East Germans desperately needed cars, however, and the demand for the Trabant was so great that the waiting list grew to ten years long at one point. The Trabant, however, was already outdated before it even hit the market, thanks to its slow and underpowered two-stroke engine and the crudeness of its construction. Weirdly, the Trabant has its own cult following, and examples in good condition are exceptionally scarce.
Lada Samara
There was a time when Lada’s were the pride of the Russian automotive industry, but their reputation has made them the butt of many jokes over the years. The Samara, also known as the BAZ-2108, is one of the leading players in upholding that poor reputation.
Like many other Ladas, the Samara was constantly plagued by a host of performance and reliability issues, and compared to Western rivals, the Samara could have been better constructed. Lada tried to export the Samara, but its reputation and the fact that it came from the Soviet Union did little to help its global sales. Remarkably, this outdated sedan was in production until 2013, although Lada did try to upgrade and modernize it over the years.
Dodge Avenger
In 2011, Dodge overhauled its Avenger sedan, dramatically improving it and making it a more significant player in the sedan market at the time. However, that lasted only briefly as its poor reputation soon caught up with the Dodge.
The Avenger was an ungainly-looking sedan with a plain body that looked unusual, mixed in with the trademark Dodge grille. The 2014 model year was its final year of production, but the base 173 hp four-cylinder engine was badly underpowered and underwhelming. Rivals began to offer more luxury, comfort, and performance, leaving Dodge with no choice but to axe the Avenger.
