MotorTrend’s annual vehicle rankings usually uncover just how good modern cars have become—even the ones that land near the bottom. But every so often, a few models don’t just slip—they fall hard. Whether it’s aging platforms, lack of innovation, or tougher competition, once-popular vehicles can quickly lose their edge.
Is your favorite car or brand among this year’s biggest disappointments? Here’s a closer look at the cars, trucks, and SUVs that took the biggest hits in our 2024 rankings.
Why trust our rankings?
We blend subjective impressions—like engine smoothness and tech usability—with objective data, including our in-house performance testing and safety scores. The result? Rankings that actually help you make smarter buying decisions.
[Check out our full SUV, sedan, and EV rankings here.]
Under $20K Cars: An Endangered Species
The affordable car segment is all but extinct. So much so that we had to eliminate it from our rankings—why? Because the Mitsubishi Mirage was the last subcompact hatchback standing. Even then, the Mirage (also available as a sedan) is heading into retirement after the 2024 model year.
That leaves few options below $20,000. The Nissan Versa remains and improves slightly for 2025, now offering LED headlights standard on most trims—a modest upgrade over the previous halogen setup. Still, the era of new cars under $20K is fading fast.
Ford F-150: From Hero to Runner-Up
In 2023, the Ford F-150 earned a spot among our top-rated trucks. But in 2024, it’s a different story. The newly refreshed 2025 Ram 1500 has stolen the spotlight—and our Truck of the Year title.
The Ram’s optional Hurricane I-6 engine delivers surprisingly quick performance and a lighter front-end feel, while even non-luxury trims offer standout features—like what one editor called “the best sound system in any truck, ever.”
The F-150 remains a strong contender, but in a head-to-head with Ram, it no longer holds the crown.
Subaru: Slipping from the Summit
Subaru has long been a reliable performer in our rankings. But 2024 shows a slight downward trend. While the Outback still holds its own at the top of the midsize SUV segment, others have lost ground.
The Crosstrek was overtaken by the redesigned Hyundai Kona, and neither the Forester nor the three-row Ascent cracked the top three in their segments.
We still recommend Subaru to the right buyers—it’s a dependable brand. But even trusted names can fall behind in today’s hyper-competitive market.
Lincoln Corsair: Overshadowed by Its Big Brother
As the midsize Lincoln Nautilus claims our 2025 SUV of the Year award, the compact Corsair struggles to keep up, landing in the middle of its segment rankings.
Despite offering BlueCruise—a semi-autonomous driving feature—the Corsair suffers from just-average scores in value, efficiency, and safety. That’s a sharp contrast to rivals like the Genesis GV70, which continues to dominate thanks to consistent all-around excellence.
In this class, fresh tech isn’t enough—you need standout performance across the board.
Chevy Trax and Buick Envista: Stylish but Flawed
The Buick Envista might be one of the best-looking SUVs you’ve never heard of. Its fastback design suggests a luxury price, but it’s surprisingly affordable. Sharing underpinnings with the Chevrolet Trax, both SUVs boast roomy interiors and budget-friendly MSRPs.
The Trax even made it to the finals in our 2024 SUV of the Year contest. So why the low rankings?
Blame it on safety. Both the 2025 Trax and Envista earned just four stars overall from the NHTSA—while competitors from Hyundai, Honda, and Mazda scored perfect fives. They also missed out on IIHS safety awards due to underwhelming crash test results in key areas.
2024’s Rankings Letdowns at a Glance
Affordable Cars: Mitsubishi Mirage (retiring), Nissan Versa (still hanging on)
Trucks: Ford F-150 loses its edge to the Ram 1500
Compact & Midsize SUVs: Subaru lineup sees ranking drops
Luxury Crossovers: Lincoln Corsair outpaced by Genesis GV70
Small SUVs: Chevy Trax & Buick Envista hampered by weak safety scores
Even in a field of good vehicles, some just don’t stack up. Whether it’s due to stronger competition, lack of innovation, or simply falling behind in safety, these are the models that disappointed most in 2024. Let’s see who makes a comeback next year.
