Chris Woodyard

USA TODAY

When it comes to overall value, one of America's most iconic vehicles – the very symbol of rugged individualism – should be avoided by any wise car buyer, says Consumer Reports magazine.

It's the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited, which Consumer Reports says is the worst car value among any model. It leads a worst-value list that includes a wide range of models by category – from the hapless Fiat 500C among subcompacts to the hulking Mercedes-Benz GL350 BlueTec for luxury large SUVs.

The Jeep, however, is among the nation's most beloved vehicles, especially by its owners. Nevertheless, Consumer Reports calls it "hard-riding, ponderous, uncomfortable, and unreliable." It costs 77 cents a mile to operate, compared with 52 cents for the top-rated Toyota Camry Hybrid.

The value index rates cars based on road tests, predicted reliability and five-year ownership costs.

"The worst values were a mix of underperformers, expensive, unreliable German luxury sedans and big SUVs with voracious fuel appetites," says Mark Rechtin, Consumer Reports' automotive editor in a statement.

The four-door version of the Wrangler wasn't the only Jeep singled out by the magazine. The Jeep Cherokee Latitude also came up with a low score due to its "higher operating cost, poor reliability, unimpressive test score and higher price."

Here are the worst vehicles by category:

•Subcompact: Fiat 500C Pop (MT)

•Compact: Fiat 500L Easy

•Luxury Compact Car: Mercedes-Benz CLA250

•Luxury Midsized/Large Car: Mercedes-Benz S550 (AWD)

•Large Car: Ford Taurus Limited (3.5, V-6)

•Sports Cars/Convertible: Infiniti Q60 convertible

(base)

•Midsized Car: Nissan Altima 3.5 SL (V-6)

•Wagons (AWD): Honda Crosstour EX-L (V-6)

•Small SUV: Jeep Cherokee Latitude (4-cyl.)

•Midsized SUV: Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sahara

•Large SUVs: GMC Yukon SLT

•Luxury Compact SUV: Cadillac SRX Luxury

•Luxury Midsized/Large SUV: Mercedes-Benz GL350 BlueTec

•Pickup Truck: Toyota Tacoma (V-6)

•Minivan: Chrysler Town & Country Touring L