9 Vehicles Frequently Resold Within a Year by 2025 Owners
Not every new car is a smooth ride for long-term ownership. These 9 models in 2025 have left buyers disappointed, leading many to resell them within the first year. From performance letdowns to unexpected maintenance costs, knowing which cars often trigger regret can help you make a smarter purchase.
Tesla Model 3
Okay, Tesla Model 3, starting around $40,000-ish, is all the rage but honestly, some owners say the build quality makes them cringe. Rattles, weird touchscreen glitches, and that autopilot “does it or doesn’t it” feeling can be frustrating. The tech is amazing but the fit and finish sometimes feels rushed. People grab it for the green creds but then jump ship for more reliable EVs or traditional gas cars. I mean, when you spend four figures, you kinda want it perfect, right?
Ford Maverick
The Maverick is this funky little hybrid pickup starting at about $23,000 that’s supposed to offer the best of small-truck and city life. But owners complain about clunky ride quality and turbo lag that kills the vibe. Also, the interior doesn’t feel quite as refined as you’d expect, and that seating can get tight on road trips. Cool on paper, meh in daily grind, they say.
Hyundai Tucson
Hyundai Tucson, upper $20,000s to $30k, is supposedly the “family-friendly SUV,” but a bunch say the ride feels stiff, engine’s noisy under load, and infotainment glitches happen. It’s practical but not fun, which makes folks trade it for smoother-riding rivals or more premium crosses, especially since you can pay extra elsewhere for way more comfort.
Volkswagen ID.4
The ID.4 starts close to $40,000 and looks like a stylish EV choice for the masses, but buyers report range anxiety, slow charging infrastructure, and that weird hatchback-crossover mix that leaves some feeling like they got a weird compromise. The cabin’s spacious but sometimes plasticky, so some folks bail fast for smoother Teslas or hybrids.
Kia Seltos
Seltos, base price in mid-$20,000s, is a budget-friendly SUV, but owners say it swings between too loud and too basic inside. Also, steering can feel numb, and tech isn’t as intuitive as rivals, making it an easy trade-up target for buyers wanting better driving feels and fresher cabin vibes. Honestly, it feels a bit like your reliable-but-dull neighbor’s car.
Chevrolet Malibu
The Malibu mid-$20,000s sedan seems straightforward but buyers mention sluggish acceleration, road noise, and infotainment lag, which makes long drives tiresome. People don’t want to settle for “just okay” when midsize sedans are fighting for attention. It’s like dating someone nice but boring—quick to bail for more exciting options.
Nissan Altima
Altima from mid $20,000s usually promises good tech and space but owners blame engine clatter, CVT weirdness, and tech bugs for trading early. Comfortable inside but when the drivetrain makes you second-guess, that’s a no-go. It’s sort of “nice but not reliable-feeling,” which is a deal-breaker for many in 2025.
Subaru Crosstrek
Crosstrek, starting high $20,000s, is a rugged favorite but some owners say the ride can be too harsh, the engine’s underwhelming, and infotainment a little laggy. Also, fuel economy isn’t stellar for the price, so people who wanted that perfect outdoorsy SUV sometimes bail for hybrid or smoother-driving competitors.
Jeep Compass
Jeep Compass, around $27,000 base, looks cool and promises Jeep capability but people find the interior cheap-feeling, small back seats, and electronics glitchy. Plus, reliability rumors scare some away fast. It’s the kind of Jeep that tries hard but sometimes fails to satisfy the cult following.
