Latest news with #Jetta
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
These Car Brands Make The Least Reliable Cars, According To Consumer Reports
You probably have a lot of questions when you're looking at which new car to buy. Is it fast? Can you take it off-road? Electric, hybrid, or gas? Will all of your children fit inside of it? Then of course, there are the simple pocketbook questions of price, insurance, and maintenance costs. At the end of the day, though, one of your top considerations should be reliability. Because the point of a car isn't just to get you where you're going -- it's to get you back home again, too. Over the decades, certain badges have developed reputations for dependability, whether through precision engineering or raw brute toughness. But car companies change ownership and priorities all the time in their hunt for the bottom of the bottom line, and what once was true may no longer be. Which carmakers make reliable vehicles these days? Fortunately, the good people at Consumer Reports have combed through their massive list of member surveys, averaging out problem rates with a focus on more recent models. According to them, these are the least reliable car brands on sale today. Read more: The Least Reliable Cars, Trucks And SUVs You Can Buy In 2025, According To Consumer Reports "German engineering" used to be a byword for dependable engineering, especially for vehicles, especially for cars. While the likes of Mercedes-Benz and Porsche are often out of reach for the wallet of the everyman, Volkswagen, the "People's Car," was the carmaker whose mission was to bring that engineering excellence to the masses. Over the decades, trusty models like the Golf and the Jetta have been great all-around options for buyers, and they can be found on any road in the world to this day. Unfortunately, they might be broken down on the side of that road. The People's Car manages only a very plebeian 18th place out of 22 CR's predicted reliability ranking, a bottom-five finish. By contrast, Audi, a sibling within the Volkswagen Group, sits in the upper third with a 7th-place rating. The people do deserve an affordable car, but they should not have to sacrifice dependability for it. If you're going to beat the Nazis, you need a 4x4 that can get you anywhere. Whether through freezing snow or muddy tracks, in the woods or across rivers, that car just has to work. The humble Jeep might not be the reason the good guys won World War II, but they sure wouldn't have won it without the Jeep. Good thing the Allies weren't using modern Jeeps, then. The original design's descendants only average out to 19th place out of 22 on CR's predicted reliability ranking, which rather cuts against its branding as go-anywhere vehicles. And it only gets worse with age, as Consumer Reports ranks Jeep at a lowly 25th place out of 26 on its reliability ranking for used cars, or second-to-last place. While still an iconic American brand with that distinctive seven-slot grill, the marque's sales have been in decline since 2018 as prices have surged. Still, if ever there was a car brand that could be the plucky underdog making a comeback against impossible odds, it's Jeep. GMC builds its reputation on being rugged and tough. Its trucks are supposed to be muscular workhorses that could haul a space rocket up a mountain and not complain about it. Even the cheapest SUV in its current lineup is called the Terrain, in case you had any doubts about what it's meant to tackle. GMC even brought the Hummer back as an EV, both in SUV and truck trim, to make toughness environmentally friendly. Surely such swole vehicles must be bulletproof, right? Well, according to Consumer Reports, it just isn't so. GMC vehicles average out to a rather dim 20th place out of 22 on predicted reliability, making the brand seem like something of a paper tiger. The GMC Canyon was cited for especially poor reliability, meaning you might not want to drive one into an actual canyon any time soon, at least if you'd like to drive it back out again. More than any other brand, Cadillac has defined American automotive luxury through the decades. Once famous for crafting beautiful land yachts, these days the marque makes sporty luxury cars like the CT4-V and CT5-V Blacking, as well as gigantic road hogs like the Escalade. While it may have lost its ultra-luxury status to the likes of Rolls-Royce and Bentley, it's trying to reclaim their right to that crown with the all-electric $350,000 Celestiq (pictured), which might as well be a land superyacht. Sadly, if Cadillacs were boats, they might be likely to sink. Consumer Reports rates the brand's predicted reliability at a woeful 21st place out of 22, putting it second-to-last overall. In particular, the EV Lyriq was cited as being a problem child among all modern cars. This does appear to be a more recent problem, as CR ranks Cadillac a commendable 10th place out of 26 on its ranking of used-car reliability. Here's hoping the make can get its modern cars back up to that standard. All-electric carmaker Rivian first began delivering vehicles in the form of vans exclusively for Amazon in 2019, before offering the R1S SUV and the R1T pickup truck for consumers in 2022. The latter have been widely well received; we praised the R1S in our original review as a fantastic blend of fast, rugged off-road, and luxurious. In addition, Consumer Reports cites it as the No. 1 brand for owner satisfaction, and the only brand to gain a perfect satisfaction score. Sounds pretty good! Sadly, the brand also has a pretty big catch: Rivian ranks dead last on CR's predicted reliability scores, 22nd place out of 22. Of course, this might not be a huge shock, given that its Amazon vans keep catching on fire. As a newer manufacturer, hopefully these are just teething pains that will get worked out. Otherwise, while Rivians might be nice to take off-road, they might not make it back onto the roads again. Want more like this? Join the Jalopnik newsletter to get the latest auto news sent straight to your inbox... Read the original article on Jalopnik.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Yahoo
Motorcyclist seriously injured in Cobb County crash on Windy Hill Road
The Brief A motorcyclist was seriously injured after rear-ending a stopped Volkswagen Jetta on Windy Hill Road in Cobb County. The collision occurred as the Jetta was stopped for a school bus, leading to the motorcyclist being ejected and hospitalized with serious injuries. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are seeking information from the public. COBB COUNTY, Ga. - A motorcyclist was seriously injured in a crash early Tuesday morning in Cobb County when he rear-ended a stopped vehicle on Windy Hill Road, authorities said. The collision occurred around 6:32 a.m. on May 13 near Olive Springs Road, according to the Cobb County Police Department's Special Operations STEP Unit, which is investigating the incident. What we know Police said a 2006 Volkswagen Jetta, driven by a 41-year-old Marietta man and carrying a 28-year-old Marietta woman, was heading westbound and had stopped in the left lane for an eastbound school bus that was picking up children. A 2024 Honda CMX300 motorcycle, operated by a 23-year-old Marietta man, was traveling in the same direction and failed to stop in time, striking the back of the Volkswagen. The impact ejected the motorcyclist from the bike. The rider was taken to WellStar Kennestone Hospital with serious injuries. The two occupants of the Volkswagen were also taken to the hospital with minor injuries. What we don't know The names of those involved have not been released. The investigation remains ongoing. What you can do Anyone with information is asked to contact the Cobb County Police Department STEP Unit at 770-499-3987. The Source The Cobb County Police Department provided the details for this article.
Los Angeles Times
14-05-2025
- Los Angeles Times
Trial begins for woman accused of masterminding fatal shooting in Fountain Valley
A 29-year-old woman recruited a 'killer with a smile' to gun down a friend in Fountain Valley she suspected of leaking her hiding place from an ex-boyfriend, a prosecutor told jurors Wednesday, while the defendant's attorney argued the shooter 'went rogue' and said her client had nothing to do with it. Mary Diedra Chavez is charged with murder with special circumstances of lying in wait for the victim and conspiracy to commit murder. Co-defendant Oliver Reynaldo Leon, who is facing the death penalty, is set to go on trial separately. Chavez, known as Mumbles, had been convicted on drug dealing and forcing currency and was on probation when she was accused of 'masterminding' the July 19, 2021, execution-style killing of 26-year-old Phia Marie Albanese, Senior Deputy Dist. Atty. Nick Thomo said in court papers. In July of 2021, Chavez was 'dating' Gustavo Alvarezmoreno, whose nickname was Clumsy, while he was in prison for carjacking, Thomo said. Previously, she had been dating 'J.J.' and was the getaway driver in an attack on her ex-boyfriend, Thomo J.J. survived the attack, she feared retaliation and began 'bouncing around from Airbnb to Airbnb to hide from J.J.,' Thomo said in his opening statement of the trial. Her friend, Albanese, was also dating someone behind bars, so the two agreed to hang out, Thomo said. 'Guess who shows up at her door? Thomo said. 'J.J.' Chavez figured Albanese told J.J. where to find the defendant, Thomo said. 'Consumed by her rage over a friend's betrayal,' she 'invited' Leon and other associates to get together for a meeting to plan revenge, Thomo alleged. 'They all decided Phia has to die,' Thomo said. Police were called at 6:11 p.m. July 19, 2021, to 10372 Amberwood Circle regarding a traffic collision and found the victim's body in a Volkswagen Jetta, which was still in drive and on a front lawn, Thomo said. She was still buckled in the driver's seat and sustained three gunshot wounds to the back of her head and one to her left hand, Thomo said. Police found a receipt for the Residence Inn in Tustin in the vehicle and when they went to the room the victim rented they talked to Lisa Bergstrom, who told investigators Albanese had received a phone call alerting her that someone was vandalizing her car, Thomo said. The prosecutor alleged this was part of the plan to 'lure' the victim out of the hotel to kill her. When the two went out to check the Jetta, Chavez drove up in a Mercedes Benz with Leon and another man, Thomo said. Albanese left with Chavez and the others, Thomo said. Video surveillance from the hotel showed the Mercedes entering the parking lot at 4:44 p.m. the day of the killing, Thomo said. Albanese's vehicle left the hotel at 5:40 p.m. with Chavez in the front passenger seat, while one of her friends trailed in Chavez's Mercedes, Thomo said. 'This is not a whodunnit,' Thomo said. 'The shooter is Mr. Leon. The mastermind is the defendant.' Chavez drove her friends back to Los Angeles and dropped them off after the fatal shooting, Thomo said. Some of the evidence in the case will come from jailhouse phone calls, Thomo said. Chavez and her boyfriend discussed the hit on the victim, he alleged. Leon 'is the guy you bring around when you want someone killed,' Thomo said. After the shooting, Chavez called her boyfriend in jail and 'tried to be a sophisticated crook,' feigning surprise at Albanese's killing, Thomo said. 'She pretends like she didn't know what happened to Phia,' Thomo said. 'She tries to set up her alibi, but [her boyfriend] doesn't catch on,' so she changes the subject, Thomo said. Leon is 'a killer with a smile... Those are his words, not mine,' Thomo said. At one point in a jailhouse call, Leon expressed disappointment that his photo wasn't included in a newspaper account of the killing and referred to himself as a killer with a smile,' Thomo said. Chavez's attorney, Jessica Ann Sweeney of the Orange County public defender's office, said Leon 'went rogue,' and said the 'situation was out of Mary's control.' Chavez 'never wanted Oliver to kill Phia. She's not guilty of murder or lying in wait,' Sweeney said. 'The truth is this was a chaotic, drug-fueled series of events,' Sweeney said. Chavez had survived childhood sexual abuse, and her ex-boyfriend had beaten her while she was pregnant, Sweeney said. At the time she was trying to pull her life back together, the defense attorney said. Chavez was staying with Jennifer Jacobs in a rented Airbnb at the time, Sweeney said. Jacobs told investigators Chavez admitted directing the killing of the victim, Thomo said, but Sweeney told jurors that the witness hada motive to lie as she cut a plea deal. Chavez 'was hiding from' her ex-boyfriend, Sweeney said. She called Leon for protection, Sweeney said. 'Her main concern was getting out of that Airbnb alive,' Sweeney said. Chavez even left behind a letter for her godmother in case she was killed, Sweeney said. Chavez never told Leon to kill the victim, and 'she did consider Phia her friend,' Sweeney said. 'She just wanted Oliver there for protection,' Sweeney said. 'She didn't want Oliver to hurt Phia. There was no plan. There was no agreement.' Leon ingested methamphetamine before the shooting and 'got angry and impatient,' Sweeney said. Before the shooting, Leon told Chavez 'to get out of the car,' Sweeney said. Chavez 'thought she would be next' to get killed, Sweeney said. In the past, Chavez told Leon not to beat someone up, and he honored that, so the defendant thought he wouldn't kill Albanese, Sweeney said. 'She thought she could trust him on his word and obviously she couldn't,' Sweeney said. 'Oliver promised not to do anything.'
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
2 injured in multi-vehicle crash involving Pella school bus
MARION COUNTY, Iowa — A bus transporting the Pella girls' soccer team to a game was involved in a multi-vehicle crash on Tuesday evening. DMPD releases photos of vehicle that may be linked to deadly hit-and-run crash According to an Iowa State Patrol crash report, the crash happened at around 4:05 p.m. on Highway 163, just northwest of Pella. A Lincoln Navigator, a Jetta Volkswagen, and a Pella Community Schools bus were all traveling westbound on Highway 163. The crash report says that the Navigator, traveling in the left lane in front of the Jetta, slowed down to make a left turn onto 198th Street. The driver of the Jetta failed to slow down and rear-ended the Navigator, causing the driver of the Navigator to overturn and crash into the side of the bus that was traveling in the right lane. A 24-year-old and a 65-year-old, both passengers in the Jetta Volkswagen, were injured in the crash. The 65-year-old was life-flighted to a Des Moines hospital, and the 24-year-old was transported to a nearby hospital via ambulance, according to the crash report. No other injuries were reported. Pella Community School District Superintendent Greg Ebeling said that the bus was transporting the varsity girls' soccer team to a game in Newton when the crash occurred. While no one on the bus was physically injured, the game was postponed. No additional information has been released. Iowa News: With Trump's plans for America's 250th in mind, Iowa lawmakers don't want cities to limit fireworks 2 injured in multi-vehicle crash involving Pella school bus WHO 13 Farm Report: Wednesday, May 14th Gov. Reynolds highlights public-private partnerships at DEV25 conference Buttigieg gives a strident anti-Trump message in Iowa, demands Democrats make their agenda clear Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Citizen
12-05-2025
- The Citizen
Swift response leads to recovery of vehicles stolen from The Bluff
Swift response leads to recovery of vehicles stolen from The Bluff TWO cars that had been stolen from a home in Brighton Beach were recovered in Umlazi following a high speed chase recently. According to Blue Security, the vehicles were stolen during a house robbery incident in Brighton Beach on May 5. Also read: Brighton Beach Trio Task Team arrests house robbery suspect According to information received, two unknown armed suspects entered the premises in Brighton Beach and held up the family, demanding valuables. Community Crime Prevention Unit (CCPU) for Blue Security received an urgent notification of a house robbery in the Brighton Beach area. Community manager for Blue Security, Idan Smallan, said, 'Two vehicles, a white BMW and a silver Jetta were stolen, together with firearms, valuables and unauthorised cash transfers. The suspects were described as two armed men.' Using Strategic Networked Intelligent Plate Recognition (SNIPR), Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology, Blue CCPU analysts swiftly identified the registrations of both vehicles. 'The offices established a precise timeline of their movements. Within minutes, an alert was broadcast to all patrol units, ensuring maximum coverage and vigilance. 'Blue Security have sponsored those ANPR cameras for The Bluff and within a week of installation it has already led to a successful recovery of the stolen Jetta, as well as helping with other cases that may be ongoing,' Smallan added. Also read: Plans underway to restore The Bluff Showgrounds Acting on real time intelligence, Blue teams converged on the Umlazi precinct. Less than one hour after the initial report, officers located the silver Jetta and secured it, complete with keys. The recovered vehicle was removed to Brighton Beach police station for formal processing. In collaboration with the police and K9 UNIT Support, the Brighton Beach police detectives were notified immediately upon recovery. Meanwhile, Umlazi K9 attended the scene to assist with perimeter security. This co-ordinated multi-unit effort exemplified the seamless co-operation between Blue CCPU and local police resources. Residents are urged to verify that all vehicle keys are stored securely, activate the immobiliser systems when not in use, and arm their home alarm. 'Install CCTV cameras with clear views of driveways and entry points. Report any unfamiliar persons or vehicles loitering in your neighbourhood to your local security WhatsApp group or directly to the police,' read a statement. For more Southlands Sun news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok. Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter and get news delivered straight to your inbox. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
