Auto Countdown: Worst Cars of 2011

With 2011 over and 2012 beginning, it is time to look back at the worst cars that came out in 2011. To make this list, the car has either had its initial production run started in 2011 or been released to the United States in 2011. These are the 8 worst new cars of 2011.

8. Mini Countryman

Minis are small cars with good performance. The Mini Cooper is one of the best subcompact cars on the roads today. I do not understand the reason for Mini to create a small SUV. I sat in the back seat of the Countryman at the 2011 Houston Auto Show and felt cramped. SUVs are suppose to be roomy and comfortable, but I was not comfortable in the Countryman. Also, I found it odd that the speedometer is in the middle of the dash and not right in front of the driver. Also, I find the Mini Countryman to be ugly. When I think Mini, I think of a small coupe with good maneuverability. The last time Mini tried to make a car that was not a coupe, it failed. Mini, stick with Cooper.

7. Hyundai Veloster

Let me first say this, I love the styling of the Hyundai Veloster. It looks sporty and aggressive. Unfortunately, it is all style and no substance. It would have been great value for under $20,000, but the 1.6L I4 engine only produces 138hp and it goes from 0 to 60 mph in 8.6 seconds with a top speed of 125 mph. What really hurts the car is that it takes the Veloster 16.8 seconds to travel a quarter mile, reaching a speed of 86 mph. That is just way too slow. There will be a turbocharged version of the Veloster that boosts power to 208 hp. It should add some substance to this very stylish car. Until then, the Veloster is the the seventh worst car of 2011.

6. Toyota/Scion IQ

First, I think that the Scion brand should not exists since they are Toyotas in other markets. Everywhere else the IQ has a Toyota badge, but in America, the IQ is a Scion. How is this car a four seater (2+2 seating). There is hardly any room for anyone to sit in the back. It has a 1.3L I4 that makes 94 hp and 89 lb-ft of torque. It also gets an estimated 36 mpg city and 37 mph highway, which is low for a subcompact. It is small, ugly, slow, underpowered, and does not get the best gas mileage for a subcompact.

5. Toyota Prius V

This car is just ugly. It is a Prius, which is already ugly, with a bigger hatchback. It has the same power plant as in the standard Prius, but it is slower (0-60 mph in 10.4 seconds and top speed of 103 mph) than the standard Prius. The standard Prius is slow and ugly. The Prius V is even slower and uglier than the Prius. It is still not the worst car made by Toyota Motor Company. Remember what brands are owned by Toyota.

4. Lexus CT 200H

The CT 200H is a Toyota Matrix with a hybrid engine and a Lexus badge. It has the same performance as the Toyota Prius. Its engine makes 134 hp. It goes from 0 to 60 mph in 9.8 seconds with a top speed of 112, It costs around $30,000, which is way too much for a slow car. The Prius goes for around $23,000 and the Toyota Matrix goes for around $16,700. The CT 200H is expensive and it sucks.

3. Nissan Leaf

Nissan Leaf is a electric vehicle with poor acceleration and poor battery life. On a full charge, you will be lucky to go 100 miles. Add in poor speed and acceleration and it is one awful car. I just hate the design of the Leaf. It just looks weird. Tesla showed what an electric car can be with the Tesla Roadster. Tesla will also show people how to make a proper EV sedan with the Model S. Nissan should have asked Tesla for help when it came to designing the Leaf.

2. Chevrolet Volt

This was Motorweek's and Motor Trend's 2011 Car of the Year. GM claimed the Volt is an extended range electric vehicle. I say it is a plug-in hybrid. The car has poor acceleration and poor speed. It goes less than 50 miles before the gas engine kicks in. The gas engine gives the Volt and additional 300-320 miles of range. EPA estimates a total range of 379 miles from a fully charged battery and a full tank of gas. GM had to recall the Volt because the battery can catch fire in accidents. Also, the Leaf is beating the Volt in sales 2:1.So the Volt is my pick for second worst car of 2011.

1. Aston Martin Cygnet

I may hate the Prius, Volt, and Leaf, but I see no reason for the Aston Martin Cygnet to exist. Aston Martins are known for power, beauty, and soul, but I see none of these traits in the Cygnet. The Cygnet is just a Toyota/Scion IQ with an Aston Martin badge. The Cygnet keeps the 1.3L I4 engine from the IQ that makes 97 hp and 82 lb-ft of torque. That is embarrassing for a modern Aston-Martin. Thank you European Union for making all car makers meet a certain average MPG requirement throughout its entire lineup. Aston makes V8 and V12 sports cars and supercars. To raise the average MPG throughout the entire Aston Martin range, Aston had to come out with a small car with high MPG figures. The Cygnet was initially offered to Aston Martin owners, then to people in the UK, and then people in the EU. Keep this Aston over seas. The cost for this tiny car is between $35,000 and $42,000. The Cygnet is just an overpriced IQ with an Aston badge. The Aston Martin DB9, V12 Vantage, Virage, DBS, and One-77 are all amazing, beautiful cars. The Cygnet sucks! Since its production run started in 2011, I have no problem naming the Cygnet the worst car of 2011.

CarJunkie

Photos taken from a camera phone and Wikipedia.

Check out more car articles at http://carjunkie713.blogspot.com, http://www.lordkat.com, or at http://thatguywiththeglasses.com/blogs/myblogs/blogger/listings/first-impression.
Follow me on Facebook.

If you see any CarJunkie articles on another website, it has been STOLEN!