When MotorTrend compares cars, we’re sometimes impressed by how good cars are today, even the ones that finish closer to last. And then there are times when the loser is more obvious. In MotorTrend’s Ultimate Car Rankings, you’d be surprised how often a former favorite falls into the midpack of a segment or lower because it hasn’t kept up.
Is one of your favorite cars or brands on the list? Find out the biggest rankings losers for 2024, below.
Oh, and a quick note about why you can trust our rankings system: We expertly combine subjective evaluations such as engine refinement and technology with objective data points including MotorTrend test numbers and safety scores to deliver rankings that can help empower you to make smarter buying decisions. View SUV, sedan, and electric car rankings here.
$20,000 Car Buyers
This story bears repeating: Fewer sub-$20,000 new car options exist today than ever before. We had to remove a segment from our rankings because the Mitsubishi Mirage was the only subcompact hatchback left. Even then, the Mirage, which is also sold as a sedan, is ending production after the 2024 model year.
The Mitsubishi isn’t the only low-priced car around with a “1” as the first digit in its MSRP; the Nissan Versa continues for the 2025 model year. In fact, the 2025 Versa is better than before, with LED headlights now standard versus halogens on two of three trims for the 2024 model year.
Ford F-150
Just last year the popular Ford pickup earned a spot on our rankings winners list, but that changes for 2024. Thanks to an effective refresh, the 2025 Ram 1500 is on top of rankings and, in case you hadn’t heard, is our 2025 Truck of the Year.
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Shocking Family Feud? Sadie Robertson Reveals the Real Reason Jase & Jep Skipped ‘Duck Dynasty Revival’ – Betrayal, Drama, or Something Darker? Duck Dynasty: The Revival kicks off on Sunday (June 1) on A&E, but it won’t feature the original cast fans grew to love the first time around. Neither Jase nor Jep Robertson are a part of this revival series, at least not early on. In an interview with Sadie Robertson, she touched on why fans won’t be seeing her uncles during Season 1 of the new show, and whether or not we should hold out hope to see them in Season 2. “Season 2 we are actually already filming,” she reveals. “There’s more cast members from the original show on Season 2.” Sadie breaks down why many OG Duck Dynasty stars are out. It’s logistics. Originally, Willie and Korie Robertson ran Duck Commander, the empire that started their fame. Willie’s brothers worked at headquarters making duck calls back then (the original show ran 2012-2017), but they’ve since taken on new endeavors. The Robertson family’s changed dynamic is actually what drew producers to create a new series. “My mom actually runs a lot of things up here at Duck Commander,” Sadie explains of how things operate now, in 2025. “I have my all of my podcast and Live Original team work out of Duck Commander. My brother, John Luke, works for my mom’s production company at Duck Commander. My sister manages the whole Duck Commander store, so the next generation works here.” So, Jase and Jep’s absence in Season 1 isn’t personal — they just no longer work there. What fans will see is Sadie’s dad, Willie, and his transition into a new stage of life. “My dad semi-retired, so what does that look like with his new phase of life?” she says with a smile, as if to hint at a plot line. “As a grandpa, traveling … and so that’s kinda why there’s other reasons why Jase and Jep aren’t on this season.” Sadie Robertson got married in 2019 and has since welcomed two kids. She and her husband Christian are expecting their third soon, as well. Sadie Robertson Reveals Why Jase + Jep Skipped Duck Dynasty Revival Subscribe to Taste of Country on The premiere of Duck Dynasty: The Revival comes on the heels of patriarch Phil Robertson’s death. The 79-year-old died on May 25. That won’t be a prominent feature of Season 1 of the show, since filming had already wrapped. Plus, Phil was never intending on being a part of the reboot. ‘Duck Dynasty’: What Happened to the Kids? Duck Dynasty was centered on the lives of Willie, Si, Phil and Jase Robertson, but their respective children and grandchildren became breakout stars, too. Here is what each of the Dynasty children have been up to since the A&E reality show ended in 2017. There are marriages, career achievements and babies — so many babies. Gallery Credit: Billy Dukes John Luke Robertson, Then Ethan Miller, Getty Images John Luke Robertson, Then John Luke Robertson is Willie and Korie’s oldest child, technically (more on that in a moment). He was part of the Duck Dynasty show as a teenager, but he’s certainly grown up. John Luke Robertson, Now Instagram John Luke Robertson, Now John Luke and Mary Kate married in 2015, and since then they’ve had two children. In 2019 he became camp director at Camp Ch-Yo-Ca in Calhoun, La. Both John Luke and Mary Kate graduated from Liberty University. Sadie Robertson, Then Michael Loccisano, Getty Images Sadie Robertson, Then Sadie Robertson was just 15 when Duck Dynasty first aired, but she soon filled her resume with books, television and film appearances and more. The oldest of Willie and Korie’s daughter’s has not slowed down. Sadie Robertson, Now Instagram Sadie Robertson, Now Sadie Robertson turns 28 in 2025, and she’s written even more books, started a podcast called Whoa, That’s Good and taken a career in public speaking. In 2019 she married Christian Huff and the couple now have two daughters, Honey and Haven. They are expecting their third child. Sadie Robertson is involved in the revival series that’s coming to A&E. Bella Robertson, Then Monica Schipper, Getty Images Bella Robertson, Then Little Bella was 9 years old when Duck Dynasty started filming. She’s all grown up now. Bella Robertson, Now Instagram Bella Robertson, Now Not only has Bella Robertson graduated from Liberty University, she’s gotten married. In 2021, the then 18-year-old Bella married Jacob Mayo on Duck Dynasty property. It’s not clear what her next career or personal movie will be, but she has been announced as part of the reboot. Rebecca Robertson, Then Ethan Miller, Getty Images Rebecca Robertson, Then Rebecca is referred to as Willie and Korie Robertson’s oldest child, but they never legally adopted her after fostering the then-teenage girl in 2004. They consider her to be a daughter, and during Season 5 she was introduced to the world. Rebecca Robertson, Now Instagram Rebecca Robertson, Now In 2016, Rebecca married John Reed Loflin, and together they have two kids. She is the founder of a retail outlet called Me and My. Rebecca Robertson is expected to be part of the new show on A&E. Will Robertson, Then Ethan Miller, Getty Images Will Robertson, Then Willie Robertson Jr. is Willie and Korie’s first adopted son. He was close to 10 years old when the TV show began, but had been a part of the family since he was just a few weeks old. Will Robertson, Now Instagram Will Robertson, Now In 2023, Willie Jr. married Abby. It’s not clear what either do for a living or if they’re in college, but he says he lives in Dallas, Texas. He has been announced to take part in the new Duck Dynasty: The Revival. Rowdy Robertson, Then Instagram Rowdy Robertson, Then Rowdy Robertson came to the family in May 2016, and they adopted the teen a few months later. It was all kept pretty quiet to allow him time to adjust. There’s not a whole lot known about his background. Rowdy Robertson, Now Instagram Rowdy Robertson, Now In 2025, Rowdy Robertson is roughly 23 years old and is an aspiring nature photographer. He does not appear to be involved in the Duck Dynasty revival. Reed Robertson and Girlfriend Brighton, Then Ethan Miller, Getty Images Reed Robertson and Girlfriend Brighton, Then Duck Dynasty fans literally watched Reed Robertson grow up. Jase’s oldest son graduated high school in Season 6 and married in Season 11. One remarkable stat about this show is the percentage of relationships that work out — we’ve yet to find a breakup! Reed Robertson and Wife Brighton, Now Instagram Reed Robertson and Wife Brighton, Now Reed and Brighton now have two kids, and he’s thriving professionally in the real estate development business in Nashville. Wife Brighton keeps fans up to date on their personal lives on Instagram, while Reed shares his takes on society and politics on Twitter. Cole Robertson, Then Ethan Miller, Getty Images Cole Robertson, Then Cole Robertson is Jase and Missy’s quiet second son. He graduated high school during Season 10 of Duck Dynasty. Cole Robertson, Now Instagram Cole Robertson, Now In 2020, Cole graduated college from Pepperdine University in Malibu. He announced that he’s a licensed health insurance agent that November, but has largely stayed out of the spotlight. Mia Robertson, Then Paul Morigi, Getty Images Mia Robertson, Then Mia Robertson is one of the more famous grandkids to Phil and Kay Robertson. Her health journey to fix a cleft lip and palate has involved many surgeries, ad in recent years she’s become an advocate for others with similar conditions. Mia Robertson, Now Instagram Mia Robertson, Now The now 21-year-old Mia Robertson has begun a college career at Lipscomb University in Nashville. She continues to undergo surgeries — in 2023 she had her 15th. However she smiles through it with joyful pictures on Instagram. Lily Robertson, Now Instagram Lily Robertson, Now Lily Robertson is Jep Jessica’s oldest daughter. She was a recurring character on Duck Dynasty. In 2023, she married boyfriend Austin, with the full family in attendance. She’s not active on social media and very little is known about their life together. Merritt Robertson, Now Instagram Merritt Robertson, Now In 2024, Jep and Jessica looked to be involved in a second wedding. Their second daughter Merritt married Tyler Metro that June after a November 2023 engagement. Priscilla Robertson, Now Instagram Priscilla Robertson, Now Priscilla Robertson was only six years old when the show started and was hardly seen. Now 18, she appears to be living her best life on Instagram. River Robertson, 2018 Facebook River Robertson, 2018 River Robertson is about 17 years old in 2025, meaning he was just four when the show started. His mother Jessica began to share more of his journey on social media afterward, revealing a dyslexia diagnosis that led to remarkable improvements in his ability to read. Jules Augustus Gus Robertson, 2017 Instagram Jules Augustus “Gus” Robertson, 2017 Jep and Jessica first opened up about adopting Gus in 2017, meaning fans of Duck Dynasty never got to know the little boy. He’s growing up fast, turning eight in 2025.
Both trucks are solid options, but only one—the Ram—offers what one editor called the best sound system in any truck, ever. Even buyers who don’t find themselves in a luxury trim can appreciate the Hurricane I-6 powerplants, which make the Ram quicker than you expect and make the nose feel lighter, as well.
The Ford-Ram rivalry for the top spot in rankings is far from over, and we can’t wait to see Ford’s next moves with the F-150.
Subaru
Subaru has often fared well in rankings, which makes sense as you can generally trust its products to perform well. That’s still true, but lately we’ve seen a slipping trend in rankings with Subarus. While the Outback clings to number one in the highly competitive midsize SUV space, the Crosstrek was knocked out of first by the Hyundai Kona, and neither the compact Forester nor the three-row Ascent manages a top-three position finish.
We’ll still recommend the brand’s cars to the right buyers, but it’s just a reminder that not all solid products manage to rise to the very top in competitive segments.
Lincoln Corsair
As the midsize Lincoln Nautilus grabs our 2025 SUV of the Year title and the top spot in the midsize luxury SUV segment, the compact Corsair falls into the midpack of its segment. We love the updated SUV’s application of BlueCruise, the semi-autonomous highway driving feature, but the rest of the package is a mixed bag. Add to that picture just-average value, efficiency, and safety scores, and you have an SUV that once earned a podium spot now a bit lower.
Contrast that with the Genesis GV70, our 2022 SUV of the Year and currently the number-one-ranked model in the same segment. Newness isn’t always a requirement to be the best in MotorTrend’s rankings, but all-around consistently great performance is.
Chevrolet Trax and Buick Envista
The Buick Envista is one of the most intriguing SUVs you’ve probably never heard of. Usually, a fastback SUV design like this would cost a fortune, but not with this Buick. Inside the Buick and the Chevy Trax it’s based on, you find a surprisingly spacious interior.
The reimagined Chevy is one of the most affordable new SUVs on the market today and also one of the most appealing in the mid-$25,000 range. We liked the FWD-only Trax so much we made it a finalist in our 2024 SUV of the Year competition.
A few factors conspire to land both models in the lower half of rankings for the subcompact SUV segment. The 2025 Trax and Envista both get a four-star overall rating from NHTSA in a segment where some models get five stars. Over at IIHS, the 2024 Trax and Envista don’t qualify for safety awards (competing SUVs from Hyundai, Honda, and Mazda do) because a few individual safety tests fall below the required level for awards.
Rankings Losers for 2024
- $20,000 Car Buyers
- Ford F-150
- Subaru
- Lincoln Corsair
- Chevrolet Trax and Buick Envista
See 2023’s losers here.
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