Hidden Gems: The Great Cars That Are Overlooked by Consumers
Are you totally ready to invest in one of the most important purchases ever - a car? You need something that can be trusted and keep you safe and comfort with every ride. Of course, everyone knows Toyota AND Honda have an awesome standing when it comes to selecting great vehicles, but did you know they're not alone? Today's car industry offers many other excellent options that are flying under the radar! Read on to discover great cars that get less attention than they deserve. Read on to find your dream set of wheels!
The Nissan 370Z Flopped Even With Extensive Advertising
Nissan's sports car, the 370Z, was advertised years before it went on the market. It was first announced in 2006 and appeared in Los Angeles in 2008. But when it became available in 2009, the 370Z did not perform as Nissan thought it would.
A typical Nissan car sells over 30,000 units per year; the 370Z barely sold over 13,000 upon its release, and those numbers have only gone down. Despite receiving awards and appearing in video games, customers were not interested in the model. However, you can still buy this affordable sports car.
The Internet Leaked The Mercedes-Benz E-Class Wagon
The Mercedes-Benz E-Class Wagon was scheduled to release in 2010. But in 2009, a brochure leaked on the internet. The brochure spoiled all of the new perks, such as a blind-spot monitor and Lane Keeping Assist. This is only one reason why the E-Class Wagon didn't sell well.
Although the Wagon received high praise, many did not like the design. SUV crossovers came out during the same year, and they overshadowed the Mercedes-Benz. The result was poor sales in the U.S., while 50,000 units sold within a year in Europe.
The Grand Caravan Outdid The Mazda5
Maybe success was never in the stars for the Mazda5. The well-crafted minivan never took flight in the United States thanks in no small part to being overshadowed by the less reliable but more attractive Dodge Caravan.
While the minivans were in competition with each other, the Caravan dwarfed the Mazda5, selling ten times better. That hurdle was too big to clear, and Mazda was forced to move on and focus on other, more successful models.
The Fiat 500 Performed Better Than Anticipated
Fiat has never been known for making the most reliable cars. The Italian automaker had such a bad reputation that it even stopped selling vehicles in the United States for several years.
When it came back into the market with the Fiat 500, it was a surprise hit with critics but failed to excite consumers. Fiat initially estimated the vehicle would sell 50,000 units by 2011, but only managed to sell 16,000.
Hyundai's Genesis Sedan Should Have Done Well
When the Hyundai Genesis Sedan debuted in 2009, it was projected to "shatter premium automobile paradigms." The luxury car cost $533 million to develop and was marketed worldwide. Even so, it sells just 20,000 units per year.
The Genesis Sedan seemed to have everything going for it: it was developed well, marketed frequently, and received awards. Customers also demanded a new Genesis model. The low sales stumped Hyundai employees, especially since the BMW-5 Series sold better despite costing more. Something about the Genesis didn't impress customers.
Buick Proved They Don't Know Their Consumers Well With The Regal
For years, Buick has struggled to attract a younger, more modern consumer base to its brand. Recently, the company went through an entire re-branding process, redesigning several vehicles to be more attractive to younger buyers, including the Regal.
The sporty Regal was well designed and earned rave reviews from auto publications, but never found its footing in the American market. In 2019, the Regal sold a paltry 10,363 units in the United States.
The Ford Flex Fell Victim To Bad Marketing
Designed to bring a new type of consumer to Ford, the Flex was a very functional SUV with some of the best performance grades on the market. Being such a unique vehicle in the automaker's lineup ended up being a big problem, though.
While it was in production, the Flex averaged sales of around 20,000 units a year. It peaked in 2009 with 38,717 units sold. Ford couldn't figure the best way to market the stunning vehicle and ended its production run after a decade, in 2019.
The Subaru BRZ Was Too Similar To Another Top Seller
The BRZ was Subaru's noble attempt to make a dent in the mid-size sports car market. The automaker partnered with Toyota to create the vehicle. The companies shared the body, meaning the BRZ was the same exact car as the Toyota 86.
Although the vehicle is noted for its excellent handling, Subaru has not had an easy time convincing consumers to drive one off the lot. In 2019, 2,334 BRZs were sold while 3,398 Toyota 86s were sold.
The Kia K900 Was A Luxury Vehicle No One Wanted
Kia made a bold move when they tried to enter the luxury market with the K900. The Korean automaker pulled out all the stops, signing a deal with the NBA and turning LeBron James into a brand ambassador.
After spending all that money on marketing, Kia was left with a great car that no one wanted to buy. Not known for high-quality luxury vehicles, the attempt to enter the high-end market never clicked with American consumers.
Porsche Tried To Compete With Itself With The Cayman
The Porsche Cayman was named the Best Roadster in the World in 2016, and things couldn't have been looking any better for the company. The vehicle, an evolved version of the 911, won a slew of awards and high sales should have followed.
Unfortunately for Porsche, consumers weren't interested in a new version of the 911. The flagship model outsold the Cayman and still does today. Unlike other cars on this list, Porsche still produces the Cayman, meaning those numbers could flip at any time.
Americans Didn't Love The Lexus RCs
The Lexus RC unveiled in 2014 to...less-than-stellar results. The two-door coupe has a powerful engine, rear- and all-wheel drives, and a stylish appearance. But only 1,922 units sold in the U.S. during its debut year. Numbers have gone up since then, but only slightly.
The most popular year for the RC was 2015, when 14,784 American cars sold. Even that is low for a Lexus model. Although the RC is affordable and highly reviewed, it remains one of Lexus's less popular cars. Still, it has remained on the market throughout 2020.
The Cadillac ATS Saw Diminishing Returns
From 2013 until 2019, Cadillac sold the ATS to consumers. The car should have helped reinvent the brand. Instead, sales were slow, with a mere 1,134 being bought by consumers in 2019.
When the ATS first came out, Esquire named it the Car of the Year. Popular Mechanics also jumped on the bandwagon, calling it the Luxury Car of the Year. With all the praise it received out of the gate, it's shocking what happened just a few years after its release.
Low Sales For The Audi Allroads
The Audi Allroad Quattro is a station wagon that has more space than a sedan and drives like a car. Sounds nice, right? Well, sales don't reflect that. Allroads only sell about 15,000 units every year, and some dealerships wait for months to sell a single unit.
The A4 was perhaps the worst-selling version. Only a few thousand of these models were bought each year. Despite poor sales, Audi is releasing an A6 Allroad in 2021. Perhaps the new car will fare better than its predecessors did.
Initial Struggle Of The Jaguar F-Type
The Jaguar F-Type is a two-door, two-seater grand tourer that was marketed as the "spiritual successor" to the E-Type. The sports car has three pedals and a stick shift like all Jaguars, but it does not sell as well as the others. When it released in 2013, it only sold 6,377 worldwide.
Facelifts have increased this car's popularity, though. After new versions appeared in North America, sales increased to 11,000 each year. Short films, songs, and social media hashtags marketed the F-Type, but something about it just didn't inspire consumers.
Lotus Is The Supercar No One Is Talking About
Around the world, Lotus is known as a manufacturer of high-end, high-quality supercars. The company's origins date back to 1948, but if you ask consumers in the United States, they probably don't even know it exists.
By 2019, brand recognition for Lotus in America was so low the company's CEO was forced to admit, "We've got to make sure as part of the engineering plan that all the cars we produce in the future, all volume cars, will be federally approved... The U.S. is a huge market for anyone making sports cars; we can't miss it."
The Lexus LFA Never Sold Out Of Its Stock
The Lexus LFA is a beautiful luxury car that deserved a better fate. In was produced and sold from 2010 until 2012, with lagging sales the main cause of its demise. Four years after the production run ended, it was reported that new LFAs were still available for purchase.
Surprisingly, the car has become more popular in recent years, with the head of Lexus' European office saying, "The LFA is an icon now and possibly always will be - we don't need to replace it to keep that status. It is a car we can reference for another 25 years if we choose. Its status is assured."
The Cadillac CTS Is Superior In Every Way Except Sales To The BMW 5 Series
Like the Cadillac ATS from earlier on this list, the CTS was a great car that was overshadowed by other factors. Most notably, the CTS had to battle against the BMW 5 Series, and while it was a better car in nearly every way, the German auto brand remained more popular.
After sales peaked at 61,000 units sold in 2005, they plummeted. BY 2015, the CTS was selling less than 20,000 units a year.
The Dodge Avenger Wasn't Very Heroic
We're honestly not sure what went wrong with the Dodge Avenger. It was introduced as a part of the brand's redesigned lineup as an affordable, reliable, and drive-able consumer vehicle. Unlike the Charger and Challenger, sales never materialized the way Dodge hoped they would.
After nearly a decade on the market, the Avenger had only sold 543,000 units. In 2014, Dodge ended the production run to begin focusing on other more successful models.
Popularity Of The Volvo S60 Changes Overtime
The Volvo S60 launched in 2000, and for some reason, it did not compare to the company's other models. Although the car has easy steering, a powerful engine, and several safety features, it did not do well during its decade. After its debut, the Volvo S60 only sold 2,994 units.
The model has wavered in and out of popularity throughout the years. Its lowest year was 2010 where only 1,437 sold. However, costumers who bought it praised the car, and the Volvo S60 is currently on its third edition.
The Mitsubishi Mirage Never Materialized Any Sales
For a short time, compact hatchbacks were very popular in the United States. Cheap and efficient, they were considered the perfect vehicles for urban driving. Mitsubishi created one of the best on the market when introduced the Mirage, but sadly sales never materialized.
Sales for the Mirage were so bad that it was reported the small car was sitting on Mitsubishi lots brand new for more than 130 days at a time!
The Dodge Viper Isn't As Popular As It Used To Be
The Dodge Viper, at one point in its production run, was one of the automaker's most popular cars. It was sleek, fast, and is still held in high regard today. As supercars became less popular though, so did the Viper.
Despite having a stellar reputation, sales slowly sagged. In 2005, 1,652 Vipers were sold. Over a decade later, in its final production year, the car only sold 585 units. The last year the Viper was available to consumers, it sold just five units.
The Mazda6 Is Just As Good As Your Ole Reliable
The Mazda6 first came out in 2003 and had strong sales. The mid-size compact car was well received and was given high marks for its performance and reliability. Since then, sales have slowly declined, and in 2019, sales of the vehicles plummeted to 21,524 units.
Those numbers pale in comparison to the Toyota Camry, the king of the market. In 2019, Toyota sold 336,978 Camrys, proving just how powerful the brand's name is on the American market.
The Jaguar XJ Was Too Conservative
It's not easy to go head-to-head with Mercedes and expect to have better sales, but that's exactly what Jaguar was hoping would happen with the XJ. It was a classically and conservatively designed car that boasted better features and reliability than its German competition, but that was all.
Mercedes sales dwarfed the XJ. Jaguar produced the most recent generation of the car for seven years and only sold 102,396 units worldwide.
The BMW 3 Series Sports Wagon Failed In America
The BMW 3 Series was one of BMW's best-selling models ever. But one model did not sell well in the United States: the BMW 3 Series Sports Wagon. The sleek car released in 2017 and sold well in Europe. But despite its great engine and 248 horsepower, American buyers did not like it as much.
The Sports Wagon only made up 4% of sales for the BMW 3 Series. By the end of 2018, BMW stopped producing new Sports Wagons for the U.S. However, the car reappeared on the U.S. market in 2019.
The Acura NSX Only Sold Two Units
The Honda NSX, marketed as the Acura NSX in North America, is a mid-engine sports car. The name stands for "New", "Sportscar," and "Unknown world" (the X references an unknown variable in math). The first edition sold decently in the 1990s, but everything went downhill during the 2000s.
In all of 2007, only two units of the NSX sold. Only a few hundred sold until the first generation discontinued that year. When the second generation appeared in 2016, only 269 units were bought. The NSX's best year, still saw less than 600 cars sold. Needless to say, it's not a popular car.
The Unreliable Alfa Romeo 4C
The Alfa Romeo 4C may look sleek, but it got negative reviews. The Italian car came in two models, the Spider and Coupe. Despite receiving positive reviews for its style, the 4C was panned for being unreliable. Consumer Reports published several articles about the car's poor performance.
However, other awards contradicted this. Many other sites reviewed the car highly and said that it drove well. But the negative reviews impacted sales, which barely broke 400 in the first year. Both models are still on sale in 2020.
The Scion FR-S Turned Into A Toyota 86
In the United States and Canada, the Scion FR-S sold under Toyota's youth-focused Scion brand. The abbreviation stood for Front-engine, Rear-wheel drive, and Sport. Scion released 2,500 units of the FR-S in 2013, and that number decreased by 500 in 2014 and 2015.
The FR-S was similar to the Subaru BRZ, and it received little excitement. When Scion discontinued it in 2017, the FR-S was rebranded as the Toyota 86. But you can still find used FR-S models on the market. Despite its low popularity, the FR-S is a good car with heated seats, heated side mirrors, and push-start ignition.
The Jeep Renegade Did Not Start As A Fan Fav
Although Jeep usually markets toward off-roaders, the Renegade was made for comfort. It was a crossover between an SUV and a Jeep, with substantial space and front-wheel drive. But since its release in 2015, the Jeep Renegade has fared poorly.
Dealerships struggled to keep the Renegade in stock, especially in Canada. As the years passed, however, the car became more popular. The price fell, and customers appreciated driving a fast car that was also spacious and comfortable. It's still a wonderful car if you're looking for an off-roading option.
The BMW Z4 Fell Out Of Fashion
When roadsters were popular, the BMW 4 series was considered the cream of the crop. The Z4 was sleek, fast, reliable, and had great performance scores. That was in the '90s, though. Today, you would be hard-pressed to find a BMW roadster on the freeway.
Sales for the Z4 peaked in 1998 with 20,613 units sold. By 2008, BMW was selling less than 6,000 a year. In 2016, only 1,187 units were sold in America.
The GT-R Is In Movies And Video Games, But Not In Garages
Although the Nissan GT-R appears in many video games and The Fast and the Furious movies, the sales suggest that it's not that popular. As a successor to the Skyline GT-R, Nisson presumed that the GT-R would sell well. But in 2008, it only sold 1,700 units in America--the most out of all four countries it released in.
The GT-R won dozens of awards and entered the Super GT race series. Even so, customers did not seem to think that it was worth the price. You can still buy the GT-R if you want one.
The Volkswagen CC Was Created With Driveability In Mind, Not Luxury
Volkswagen released one of the best cars in their lineup with the CC in 2008, but that didn't matter to American consumers. The German automaker released the CC as a luxury sedan, which didn't seem to fit.
The vehicle was a great drive, which is where VW put their attention. They crafted a premium driving experience and left the luxury tech features American's expected on the garage floor. In 2017, the production run in the United States ended.
The Fourth Generation Kia Rio Stumbled
The Kia Rio may be a tiny car, but it has an extra 50 cubic feet than other mini vehicles. It also offers a powerful engine and great style. Although the Rio sold well in the past, newer versions have flopped. In 2017, four months passed before a single fourth-edition Rio sold.
In the United States, only 16,760 Kia Rios sold in 2017, and only 2,028 sold in South Korea. That's a new low for the company. All of this occurred despite stellar reviews, awards, heightened safety, and a reasonable price.
Hyundai's First Luxury Car Didn't Perform
The Equus was Hyundai's first-ever luxury car. From 1999 to 2016, it sold fairly well outside of North America. In the U.S., the Equus never sold over a few thousand units every year. Something about it did not motivate consumers.
In 2011, the Equus underwent a redesign with a new V8 engine and roomy seats. But despite the Equus being Hyundai's most powerful car, the media did not seem to care about the model. A lack of marketing and reception resulted in poor sales for the $60,000 vehicle.
Infiniti's New Name For The Q60 Hurt Sales
The Q60, Infiniti's sport luxury coupe, was unveiled in North America in 2013. Although it started off strong, it later sank into obscurity. Sales in 2014 and 2015 barely reached 3,000, with only a few hundred units selling in Canada. This is all despite a marketing campaign that worked closely with social media and influencers.
In 2014, Infiniti rebranded the Q60 as the Infiniti G coupe to create "a new identity and direction to promote consumer familiarity." This new name seemed to work against sales, not for them. Even so, the Q60 runs brilliantly.
Professional Drivers Didn't Like The Mercedes AMG GT
The AMG GT was a grand tourer coupe released for six figures in 2015. Although Mercedes has sold high-end coupes before, something about this model didn't strike customers. Only 1,277 units sold in the first year.
From 2015 to 2018, the AMG GT barely sold over 1,000 models every year. Perhaps the marketing is to blame; the car was advertised to semi-professional drivers who had many other cars to choose from. With only a four-star rating on most sites, the Mercedes-AMG GT did not seem worth the price.
Very Few Škoda Fabias Sell In Europe
The Škoda Fabia is a supermini car that entered the market in 1999. At first, it performed well. But as time went on and new hatchback versions released, sales fell. In Europe, only a few hundred units sell every year. Škoda's numbers are mostly a result of its China sales.
Something about the Škoda Fabia has made it unpopular. According to YouGov, only 35% of millennials favor the car, and that's by far its best audience. Although it has much to offer, the Škoda is often outshined by its competitors.
Why The BMW 2-Series Isn't Popular
The BMW 2-Series has sold since 2014 and includes several models, but it is the lowest-selling series from BMW. When it debuted, the series only sold 7,000 units in America. Even fewer units sold in Canada.
Although the cars run perfectly fine, they still aren't as popular as the 3-Series. Perhaps it's because the models have an entirely different front-wheel drive, similar to the MINI Cooper. Today, the 2-Series competes with new models from Mercedes-Benz and Audi. It may continue to decline in popularity.
Nothing Great Came To The Suzuki Kizashi
In 2009, Suzuki launched the mid-sized sedan, Kizashi. The car was designed to be practical, with stability control and an all-wheel driving option to help customers through rough winters. Kizashi means "something great is coming" in Japanese, but nothing great came to the car.
Because of the global financial crisis, less than 6,000 Kizashi units sold. Even now, the car continues to perform poorly despite a shining technical record. The Kizashi has won several awards and was named the "Best Buy" by Consumers Digest, but it still doesn't live up to other Suzuki models.
Nissan's Left Field Vehicle: The Juke
The Nissan Juke was an undeniable hit when it entered the market in 2010. After a slow first year of sales, it sold nearly 40,000 units in 2011, a solid number for a new auto.
Surprisingly, the well-crafted vehicle found a niche fan base. It was reported that the average age of buyers was under 40, which was good for Nissan, even if the overall sales figures were a loss.
