8 New Cars Under $50,000 You’ll Probably Regret Buying

Just as financially savvy car owners should search out ways to save money on car insurance, wise car shoppers should strive to find a vehicle that offers them great overall value for their hard-earned money.

And while many consumers look to new vehicles for their high-tech features and low maintenance and repair costs, unfortunately, not all of the recent models are reliable or offer great value.

That's why car shoppers who were looking to maximize their dollars should consider steering clear of these vehicles. Below, we look at reliability scores, owner complaints, fuel economy and practicality to show where each one falls short.

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MSRP: $21,995

Reviewers for Edmunds have criticized the 2025 Volkswagen Jetta for being of poor value due to its outdated infotainment system and uninspired interior quality. They also took issue with its lackluster acceleration and confusing touchscreen controls.

This compact sedan has not fared much better with drivers, either, considering that it received a 25/100 reliability score from a Consumer Reports survey.

Its turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder makes 158 horsepower, which Kelley Blue Book notes is on the lower end for the class. Fuel economy is a bright spot at an EPA-estimated 33 mpg combined, and the 14.1-cubic-foot trunk is roomy for a compact car, though the rear seats don't fold completely flat.

MSRP: $31,900

According to a survey from Consumer Reports, the 2025 Chevrolet Colorado has a dismal reliability score of just 15 out of 100.

Unsurprisingly, consumers have also filed numerous complaints with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) regarding issues with this midsize pickup truck's powertrain and engine, electrical system, and service brakes. 

Every 2025 Colorado uses a turbocharged 2.7-liter four-cylinder that makes 310 horsepower, and the truck can tow up to 7,700 pounds when properly equipped. Fuel economy is less impressive. The base rear-wheel-drive Work Truck is rated at 20 mpg city and 24 mpg highway, and Consumer Reports measured just 19 mpg overall in its testing. That's the same figure it got from a full-size Ford F-150, which undercuts one of the main reasons to choose a smaller truck.

MSRP: $32,050

The 2025 Nissan Frontier scored a dismal 27/100 on a Consumer Reports reliability survey.

Reviewers for Edmunds found some of this pickup truck's screen menus and controls to be poorly laid out. They also criticized the 2025 Frontier's heavy steering and thought that it lacked rear-seat space compared to the other midsize trucks in its class.

The Frontier sticks with a 3.8-liter V6 that makes 310 horsepower, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. Nissan rates it at up to 19 mpg city and 24 mpg highway, and maximum towing is 7,150 pounds. Kelley Blue Book points out that both the Ford Ranger and Chevrolet Colorado can tow more, so buyers who plan to haul heavy trailers may find better capability elsewhere.

MSRP: $34,090

The 2025 Jeep Wrangler has proven itself to be a notoriously unreliable SUV for consumers. The vehicle received only a 27/100 reliability score from Consumer Reports.

Reviewers for Edmunds also had issues with the SUV's lack of cargo space, excessive wind, tire noise while driving on the highway, and slow, imprecise steering. The four-door model offers 31.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, but the two-door version has just 12.9 cubic feet. 

Fuel economy is another weak spot. With the 3.6-liter V6, the Wrangler is rated at 17 mpg city and 23 mpg highway. It's a great pick for serious off-roaders, but commuters and families will likely find it noisy and impractical for daily driving.

MSRP: $39,035

Reviewers for Edmunds stated that this SUV's V6 engine suffers from lackluster acceleration, its interior has a confusing button layout, and that the vehicle offers drivers poor visibility.

As a Jeep, the highlight of the Grand Cherokee L is its off-road capabilities; however, SUV shoppers who simply need a practical daily driver without stellar off-road capabilities would be better off choosing a different SUV in this class, such as the Toyota Grand Highlander or the Hyundai Palisade.

The 2025 Jeep Grand Cherokee L also received a pitiful reliability score from Consumer Reports of just 22/100. Its 3.6-liter V6 makes 293 horsepower and is rated at 19 mpg city and 26 mpg highway with rear-wheel drive. Cargo space behind the third row is 17.2 cubic feet, which Kelley Blue Book calls a little below average for the class.

MSRP: $39,775

The 2025 Ford Explorer has proven itself to be an unreliable SUV for consumers. So far, this vehicle has 15 recalls on file with the NHTSA.

These recalls pertain to issues with the SUV's engine and cooling systems, powertrain, and service brakes.

Consumers have also filed numerous complaints with the NHTSA regarding problems with this vehicle's electrical system, powertrain, forward collision avoidance system, and service brakes. Most trims use a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder that makes 300 horsepower and is rated at up to 24 mpg combined with rear-wheel drive. The Explorer offers 16.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, and CarGurus calls the third row cramped, so it's better suited to kids than adults on longer trips.

MSRP: $42,000

This luxury sedan scored a pitiful 29/100 in Consumer Reports' reliability survey. Reviewers for Edmunds also criticized the Genesis G70 for having terrible fuel economy, virtually no trunk space, and a cramped back seat.

Additionally, some owners complained on Edmunds' review site that these vehicles were of poor manufacturing quality and were unreliable. 

The numbers back up those complaints. The trunk holds just 10.5 cubic feet, and rear passengers get 34.8 inches of legroom. The base 2.5T makes 300 horsepower and is rated at 21 mpg city and 29 mpg highway with rear-wheel drive, while the twin-turbo V6 drops to 18 mpg city and 27 mpg highway, according to Genesis. TrueCar lists premium unleaded as the fuel type for both engines, which adds to running costs.

MSRP: $45,100

The 2025 Buick Enclave has received complaints from owners for being unreliable and needing repairs even after only driving a couple of thousand miles.

Consumers have also filed various complaints against the 2025 Buick Enclave with the NHTSA over issues with its electrical system, service brakes, and propulsion system, so it might be wise to avoid wasting money and look at other options. 

The 2025 model kicked off a full redesign and replaced the old V6 with a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder that makes 328 horsepower. First-year models of a new design often carry more reliability risk. Fuel economy is rated at 20 mpg city and 27 mpg highway with front-wheel drive, and cargo space behind the third row is about 23 cubic feet.

For many consumers, one of the major reasons to buy a new car is to keep maintenance and repair costs low. Since newer vehicles are less likely to encounter maintenance issues, purchasing one could be a way to keep more cash in your wallet.

According to the Federal Highway Administration, the average driver travels around 13,476 miles each year. AAA also states that new vehicle maintenance and repairs come out to an average of $0.10 per mile.

And while that means that new vehicle maintenance comes out to around $1,330 each year, if a new vehicle is unreliable, those costs can easily skyrocket.