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    Used-Car Owner Satisfaction: Time Might Not Make the Heart Grow Fonder

    An exclusive Consumer Reports survey reveals what owners love about their cars (performance and fuel efficiency)

    Most people love their cars at first, but what about after that new-car smell wears off? Once you’ve lived with a car for three years—let alone five—the features and qualities that gave you goose bumps in the showroom can often turn into cold chills down the road.

    This is what we found out when we asked our subscribers whether they would get the same car all over again and to consider attributes such as commuting, local driving, long-distance trips, cargo space, and driving with children.


    See our report on new-car owner satisfaction.

    Three Constants

    We have found, time and again, that no matter the vehicles’ age, the vehicles that inspire the strongest loyalty are—almost universally—ones that are reliable, performed well in Consumer Reports' testing, and deliver great fuel economy. Additional attributes that please owners include being fun to drive, fashionably green, or dressing the owner in a high-tech, luxurious driving environment. And ones that performed poorly in some, or all, of those areas sit at the bottom.

    The Tesla Model S all-electric luxury sports sedan, which provides all of those attributes in one car, continues to top our ratings with the highest satisfaction score. Even at three years old, it scored a 97 out of 100.

    Another strong performer is the Toyota Prius, which is among the most-satisfying three- and five-year-old models.

    For example, in the midsized car category, the Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, and Subaru Legacy satisfy their owners no matter the age. At the same time, the Chevrolet Malibu, Chrysler 200, and Nissan Altima disappoint.

    The same trend can be seen among minivans, small and midsized SUVs, and even three- and five-year-old wagons.

    There are models that defy this overall trend, but they tend to be outliers. The Jeep Wrangler, Toyota 4Runner, and FJ Cruiser didn’t fare well in our testing, but these specialty vehicles are loved by their owners.

    Fuel-efficient models dominate many of the categories, but the “green” promise isn’t satisfying on its own. Both the three- and five-year-old Lexus CT 200h, for example, sit, at the bottom of the Hybrids/EVs category, despite their impressive fuel economy. But the Lexus was a mediocre performer in Consumer Reports' road tests.

    Hunger for Fun

    Year-over-year owners have shown that, similar to fuel economy, performance and driving enjoyment are satisfying features. You’ll see the same names among the top-performers in the 3- and 5-year categories: Chevrolet Corvette, Ford Mustang, Mazda Miata, and Porsche 911.

    Yet it’s clear manufacturers can easily mess this formula up. The Mini Cooper ranks among the bottom one-third of three-year-old sporty cars, but falls to last place at five years.

    Our annual owner-satisfaction survey, conducted by the Consumer Reports National Research Center, asks Consumer Reports magazine and Web subscribers a key, revealing question, “Considering all factors (price, performance, reliability, comfort, enjoyment, etc.), would you get this car if you had it to do all over again?”

    A model’s score is based on the percentage of respondents who answered “definitely yes” to that question.

    This year, we received responses on about 600,000, spanning the 2006 through 2015 model years.


    Use the pull-down menu to view satisfaction by subcategories.

    Owner Satisfaction: 3-Year-Old Cars

    Tesla Model S97%Hybrids/Electric Cars
    Chevrolet Volt82%Hybrids/Electric Cars
    Toyota Prius80%Hybrids/Electric Cars
    Toyota Prius V75%Hybrids/Electric Cars
    Toyota Prius C70%Hybrids/Electric Cars
    Nissan Leaf68%Hybrids/Electric Cars
    Lexus CT 200h66%Hybrids/Electric Cars
    Ford C-MAX65%Hybrids/Electric Cars
    Honda Fit70%Subcompact Cars
    Fiat 50066%Subcompact Cars
    Smart ForTwo62%Subcompact Cars
    Chevrolet Sonic54%Subcompact Cars
    Hyundai Accent52%Subcompact Cars
    Chevrolet Spark48%Subcompact Cars
    Hyundai Veloster47%Subcompact Cars
    Ford Fiesta41%Subcompact Cars
    Kia Rio40%Subcompact Cars
    Volkswagen Golf74%Compact Cars
    Honda Civic71%Compact Cars
    Mazda367%Compact Cars
    Kia Soul64%Compact Cars
    Toyota Corolla63%Compact Cars
    Scion xB62%Compact Cars
    Toyota Matrix61%Compact Cars
    Subaru Impreza61%Compact Cars
    Volkswagen Beetle60%Compact Cars
    Volkswagen Jetta59%Compact Cars
    Hyundai Elantra57%Compact Cars
    Dodge Dart56%Compact Cars
    Chevrolet Cruze54%Compact Cars
    Kia Forte50%Compact Cars
    Ford Focus48%Compact Cars
    Nissan Sentra35%Compact Cars
    Honda Accord74%Midsized Cars
    Subaru Legacy73%Midsized Cars
    Toyota Camry72%Midsized Cars
    Ford Fusion67%Midsized Cars
    Volkswagen Passat65%Midsized Cars
    Hyundai Sonata60%Midsized Cars
    Chevrolet Malibu60%Midsized Cars
    Kia Optima60%Midsized Cars
    Mazda655%Midsized Cars
    Chrysler 20054%Midsized Cars
    Nissan Altima49%Midsized Cars
    Chrysler 30077%Large Cars
    Hyundai Azera73%Large Cars
    Dodge Charger73%Large Cars
    Toyota Avalon72%Large Cars
    Nissan Maxima66%Large Cars
    Chevrolet Impala66%Large Cars
    Buick LaCrosse65%Large Cars
    Ford Taurus58%Large Cars
    Porsche 91191%Sport Cars: Coupes & Convertibles
    Porsche Boxster89%Sport Cars: Coupes & Convertibles
    Chevrolet Corvette87%Sport Cars: Coupes & Convertibles
    Dodge Challenger84%Sport Cars: Coupes & Convertibles
    Mazda MX-5 Miata81%Sport Cars: Coupes & Convertibles
    Audi A579%Sport Cars: Coupes & Convertibles
    Mercedes-Benz SL78%Sport Cars: Coupes & Convertibles
    Subaru Impreza WRX/STi77%Sport Cars: Coupes & Convertibles
    Ford Mustang76%Sport Cars: Coupes & Convertibles
    Chevrolet Camaro75%Sport Cars: Coupes & Convertibles
    Volkswagen GTI72%Sport Cars: Coupes & Convertibles
    Volvo C7071%Sport Cars: Coupes & Convertibles
    Mini Cooper70%Sport Cars: Coupes & Convertibles
    BMW 1 Series67%Sport Cars: Coupes & Convertibles
    Subaru BRZ66%Sport Cars: Coupes & Convertibles
    Scion FR-S65%Sport Cars: Coupes & Convertibles
    Hyundai Genesis Coupe56%Sport Cars: Coupes & Convertibles
    Honda Odyssey76%Minivans
    Toyota Sienna75%Minivans
    Chrysler Town & Country65%Minivans
    Nissan Quest54%Minivans
    Dodge Grand Caravan53%Minivans
    Subaru Forester73%Small SUVs
    Mazda CX-571%Small SUVs
    Honda CR-V70%Small SUVs
    Subaru XV Crosstrek69%Small SUVs
    Mitsubishi Outlander Sport65%Small SUVs
    Toyota RAV463%Small SUVs
    Volkswagen Tiguan56%Small SUVs
    Kia Sportage53%Small SUVs
    Ford Escape51%Small SUVs
    Nissan Juke47%Small SUVs
    Nissan Rogue47%Small SUVs
    Hyundai Tucson45%Small SUVs
    Toyota FJ Cruiser80%Midsized SUVs
    Toyota Highlander75%Midsized SUVs
    Toyota 4Runner72%Midsized SUVs
    Jeep Wrangler70%Midsized SUVs
    Nissan Murano67%Midsized SUVs
    Hyundai Santa Fe Sport65%Midsized SUVs
    Ford Explorer65%Midsized SUVs
    Honda Pilot64%Midsized SUVs
    Ford Edge64%Midsized SUVs
    Hyundai Santa Fe62%Midsized SUVs
    Jeep Grand Cherokee61%Midsized SUVs
    Chevrolet Equinox59%Midsized SUVs
    GMC Terrain59%Midsized SUVs
    Kia Sorento59%Midsized SUVs
    Mazda CX-958%Midsized SUVs
    Dodge Journey45%Midsized SUVs
    Nissan Pathfinder38%Midsized SUVs
    Chevrolet Suburban74%Large SUVs
    GMC Yukon XL74%Large SUVs
    Toyota Sequoia73%Large SUVs
    Ford Expedition71%Large SUVs
    Chevrolet Tahoe71%Large SUVs
    GMC Yukon71%Large SUVs
    Ford Flex70%Large SUVs
    Dodge Durango68%Large SUVs
    Chevrolet Traverse64%Large SUVs
    GMC Acadia64%Large SUVs
    Ram 250079%Pickup Trucks
    Ford F-35077%Pickup Trucks
    Honda Ridgeline76%Pickup Trucks
    Ford F-15075%Pickup Trucks
    Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD74%Pickup Trucks
    GMC Sierra 2500HD74%Pickup Trucks
    Ford F-25073%Pickup Trucks
    Toyota Tundra72%Pickup Trucks
    Ram 150070%Pickup Trucks
    Chevrolet Silverado 150065%Pickup Trucks
    GMC Sierra 150065%Pickup Trucks
    Toyota Tacoma63%Pickup Trucks
    Nissan Frontier56%Pickup Trucks
    Audi Allroad77%Wagons
    Subaru Outback76%Wagons
    Volvo XC7074%Wagons
    Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen67%Wagons
    Honda Crosstour64%Wagons
    Toyota Venza64%Wagons
    Mazda559%Wagons
    Audi A473%Luxury Compact Cars
    BMW 3 Series67%Luxury Compact Cars
    Buick Regal66%Luxury Compact Cars
    Buick Verano65%Luxury Compact Cars
    Infiniti G65%Luxury Compact Cars
    Volkswagen CC63%Luxury Compact Cars
    Mercedes-Benz C-Class62%Luxury Compact Cars
    Acura TSX61%Luxury Compact Cars
    Volvo S6060%Luxury Compact Cars
    Lexus IS49%Luxury Compact Cars
    Cadillac ATS46%Luxury Compact Cars
    Acura ILX37%Luxury Compact Cars
    Audi A787%Luxury Midsized/Large Cars
    Lexus LS85%Luxury Midsized/Large Cars
    Audi A680%Luxury Midsized/Large Cars
    Lexus ES80%Luxury Midsized/Large Cars
    Mercedes-Benz S-Class79%Luxury Midsized/Large Cars
    Jaguar XF76%Luxury Midsized/Large Cars
    Hyundai Genesis75%Luxury Midsized/Large Cars
    Lexus GS73%Luxury Midsized/Large Cars
    Mercedes-Benz E-Class73%Luxury Midsized/Large Cars
    BMW 5 Series70%Luxury Midsized/Large Cars
    Lincoln MKZ68%Luxury Midsized/Large Cars
    BMW 7 Series67%Luxury Midsized/Large Cars
    Infiniti M67%Luxury Midsized/Large Cars
    Acura TL62%Luxury Midsized/Large Cars
    Cadillac CTS62%Luxury Midsized/Large Cars
    Lincoln MKS61%Luxury Midsized/Large Cars
    Cadillac XTS58%Luxury Midsized/Large Cars
    Audi Q575%Luxury Compact SUVs
    Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class73%Luxury Compact SUVs
    BMW X369%Luxury Compact SUVs
    Acura RDX64%Luxury Compact SUVs
    Volvo XC6063%Luxury Compact SUVs
    Buick Encore60%Luxury Compact SUVs
    Mini Cooper Countryman57%Luxury Compact SUVs
    Cadillac SRX57%Luxury Compact SUVs
    BMW X153%Luxury Compact SUVs
    Porsche Cayenne89%Luxury Midsized/Large SUVs
    Lexus RX80%Luxury Midsized/Large SUVs
    Lexus GX79%Luxury Midsized/Large SUVs
    Buick Enclave75%Luxury Midsized/Large SUVs
    Lexus LX75%Luxury Midsized/Large SUVs
    Volkswagen Touareg73%Luxury Midsized/Large SUVs
    Mercedes-Benz GL-Class72%Luxury Midsized/Large SUVs
    Mercedes-Benz M-Class72%Luxury Midsized/Large SUVs
    Cadillac Escalade66%Luxury Midsized/Large SUVs
    BMW X565%Luxury Midsized/Large SUVs
    Lincoln MKX65%Luxury Midsized/Large SUVs
    Lincoln MKT63%Luxury Midsized/Large SUVs
    Acura MDX63%Luxury Midsized/Large SUVs
    Audi Q762%Luxury Midsized/Large SUVs
    Infiniti FX60%Luxury Midsized/Large SUVs
    Infiniti JX53%Luxury Midsized/Large SUVs

    Use the pull-down menu to view satisfaction by sub-categories.

    Owner Satisfaction: 5-Year-Old Cars

    Toyota Prius80%Hybrids/Electric Cars
    Nissan Leaf55%Hybrids/Electric Cars
    Lexus CT 200h54%Hybrids/Electric Cars
    Honda CR-Z43%Hybrids/Electric Cars
    Honda Fit65%Subcompact Cars
    Ford Fiesta40%Subcompact Cars
    Nissan Versa37%Subcompact Cars
    Volkswagen Golf69%Compact Cars
    Kia Soul64%Compact Cars
    Subaru Impreza63%Compact Cars
    Mazda360%Compact Cars
    Toyota Corolla60%Compact Cars
    Chevrolet HHR58%Compact Cars
    Honda Civic54%Compact Cars
    Ford Focus54%Compact Cars
    Hyundai Elantra50%Compact Cars
    Chevrolet Cruze45%Compact Cars
    Volkswagen Jetta44%Compact Cars
    Nissan Sentra41%Compact Cars
    Subaru Legacy71%Midsized Cars
    Toyota Camry71%Midsized Cars
    Kia Optima70%Midsized Cars
    Honda Accord65%Midsized Cars
    Ford Fusion60%Midsized Cars
    Mercury Milan60%Midsized Cars
    Hyundai Sonata54%Midsized Cars
    Chrysler 20050%Midsized Cars
    Nissan Altima49%Midsized Cars
    Chevrolet Malibu39%Midsized Cars
    Toyota Avalon81%Large Cars
    Buick Lucerne70%Large Cars
    Chrysler 30068%Large Cars
    Nissan Maxima63%Large Cars
    Buick LaCrosse63%Large Cars
    Ford Taurus61%Large Cars
    Chevrolet Impala53%Large Cars
    Mazda MX-5 Miata84%Sport Cars: Coupes & Convertibles
    Ford Mustang75%Sport Cars: Coupes & Convertibles
    Chevrolet Camaro75%Sport Cars: Coupes & Convertibles
    BMW 1 Series64%Sport Cars: Coupes & Convertibles
    Audi A560%Sport Cars: Coupes & Convertibles
    Mini Cooper57%Sport Cars: Coupes & Convertibles
    Honda Odyssey77%Minivans
    Toyota Sienna71%Minivans
    Chrysler Town & Country58%Minivans
    Dodge Grand Caravan58%Minivans
    Subaru Forester68%Small SUVs
    Honda Element67%Small SUVs
    Toyota RAV465%Small SUVs
    Honda CR-V64%Small SUVs
    Kia Sportage56%Small SUVs
    Ford Escape55%Small SUVs
    Mazda Tribute55%Small SUVs
    Mercury Mariner55%Small SUVs
    Volkswagen Tiguan49%Small SUVs
    Nissan Juke46%Small SUVs
    Nissan Rogue46%Small SUVs
    Hyundai Tucson41%Small SUVs
    Toyota Highlander76%Midsized SUVs
    Mazda CX-969%Midsized SUVs
    Jeep Wrangler68%Midsized SUVs
    Toyota 4Runner67%Midsized SUVs
    Honda Pilot62%Midsized SUVs
    Nissan Murano62%Midsized SUVs
    Jeep Grand Cherokee61%Midsized SUVs
    Hyundai Santa Fe59%Midsized SUVs
    Ford Edge55%Midsized SUVs
    Kia Sorento54%Midsized SUVs
    Ford Explorer54%Midsized SUVs
    Mazda CX-748%Midsized SUVs
    Chevrolet Equinox47%Midsized SUVs
    GMC Terrain47%Midsized SUVs
    Ford Flex76%Large SUVs
    Chevrolet Suburban74%Large SUVs
    GMC Yukon XL74%Large SUVs
    Ford Expedition67%Large SUVs
    Chevrolet Tahoe62%Large SUVs
    GMC Yukon62%Large SUVs
    Chevrolet Traverse48%Large SUVs
    GMC Acadia48%Large SUVs
    Chevrolet Avalanche78%Pickup Trucks
    Ford F-35076%Pickup Trucks
    Ram 150075%Pickup Trucks
    Honda Ridgeline73%Pickup Trucks
    Ford F-25073%Pickup Trucks
    Dodge Ram 150072%Pickup Trucks
    Ford F-15070%Pickup Trucks
    Toyota Tundra68%Pickup Trucks
    Chevrolet Silverado 150063%Pickup Trucks
    GMC Sierra 150063%Pickup Trucks
    Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD63%Pickup Trucks
    GMC Sierra 2500HD63%Pickup Trucks
    Toyota Tacoma63%Pickup Trucks
    Nissan Frontier60%Pickup Trucks
    Ford Ranger55%Pickup Trucks
    Subaru Outback76%Wagons
    Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen67%Wagons
    Toyota Venza60%Wagons
    Honda Accord Crosstour56%Wagons
    Acura TSX66%Luxury Compact Cars
    Lexus IS63%Luxury Compact Cars
    BMW 3 Series62%Luxury Compact Cars
    Audi A461%Luxury Compact Cars
    Buick Regal61%Luxury Compact Cars
    Infiniti G61%Luxury Compact Cars
    Mercedes-Benz C-Class51%Luxury Compact Cars
    Lexus LS84%Luxury Midsized/Large Cars
    Lexus ES77%Luxury Midsized/Large Cars
    Acura TL75%Luxury Midsized/Large Cars
    Cadillac DTS72%Luxury Midsized/Large Cars
    Mercedes-Benz E-Class71%Luxury Midsized/Large Cars
    Hyundai Genesis69%Luxury Midsized/Large Cars
    Lincoln MKZ67%Luxury Midsized/Large Cars
    BMW 5 Series65%Luxury Midsized/Large Cars
    Infiniti M64%Luxury Midsized/Large Cars
    Cadillac CTS63%Luxury Midsized/Large Cars
    BMW X370%Luxury Compact SUVs
    Audi Q564%Luxury Compact SUVs
    Acura RDX64%Luxury Compact SUVs
    Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class63%Luxury Compact SUVs
    Volvo XC6061%Luxury Compact SUVs
    Cadillac SRX57%Luxury Compact SUVs
    Lexus RX77%Luxury Midsized/Large SUVs
    Buick Enclave68%Luxury Midsized/Large SUVs
    Mercedes-Benz M-Class68%Luxury Midsized/Large SUVs
    Acura MDX64%Luxury Midsized/Large SUVs
    Lincoln MKX62%Luxury Midsized/Large SUVs
    BMW X556%Luxury Midsized/Large SUVs

    Jon Linkov

    Jon Linkov is the deputy auto editor at Consumer Reports. He has been with CR since 2002, covering varied automotive topics including buying and leasing, maintenance and repair, ownership, reliability, used cars, and electric vehicles. He manages CR’s lineup of special interest publications, hosts CR’s “Talking Cars” podcast, and writes and edits content for CR’s online and print products. An avid cyclist, Jon also enjoys driving his ’80s-era sports car and instructing at track days.