The 10 Ugliest Cars Ever Made
Beauty is subjective. But some cars are so universally panned that they transcend individual taste. Here are 10 cars that made us do a double take.
A collage of some of the ugliest cars ever made
The 10 Ugliest Cars Ever Made
Beauty is subjective. But some cars are so universally reviled that they make you wonder what the designers were thinking. They are the cars that make you do a double take, not out of admiration, but out of sheer disbelief.
This list is not about being mean. It is about celebrating the bold, the bizarre, and the baffling. These cars are a reminder that automotive design is a balancing act between engineering, marketing, and art. Sometimes, the balance is lost.
1. Pontiac Aztek
The Pontiac Aztek, often described as a failed cross between a Transformer toy and a vacuum cleaner
The Pontiac Aztek is the undisputed king of ugly car lists. It is often described as a "failed cross between a Transformer toy and a vacuum cleaner."
Pontiac Aztek Design
The Aztek was designed to be a versatile crossover. But the execution was a disaster. The proportions were odd, with mismatched body panels and stacked headlights. The infamous gray plastic body cladding was removed after 2001, but the damage was done.
Pontiac Aztek Ugly Details
- The front and rear wheel arches do not even match.
- The overall design looks like a collection of unrelated parts.
- The interior was filled with cheap, hard plastics.
Pontiac Aztek Redemption
Despite its looks, the Aztek was actually a highly practical vehicle. It had a removable cooler console, a sliding cargo tray, and a tent attachment. Visibility was excellent, ground clearance was good, and it could tow 3,500 pounds. You could even fit a 4' x 8' sheet of plywood in the back.
Why the Aztek Is Still Loved
The Aztek has become a cult classic. It is a symbol of the early 2000s, a time when automakers were experimenting with crossover designs. Its sheer ugliness has given it a certain charm.
2. Fiat Multipla
The Fiat Multipla, a car so ugly it is almost endearing
The Fiat Multipla is so ugly it is almost endearing. It has been described as looking like a "bad idea stuck on top of a worse one."
Fiat Multipla Design
The Multipla was designed to be a practical, six-seater MPV. But the design team threw convention to the wind. The result was a car that looked like nothing else on the road.
Fiat Multipla Ugly Details
- A bizarre double-decker headlight design.
- A short hood and a bizarre bulge at the base of the windshield.
- The sides have windows that look massively out of proportion.
- The interior is just as weird, with a center control stack made from a piece of cheap plastic.
Fiat Multipla Redemption
The Multipla was a work of design genius that was widely misunderstood. It could seat six people in comfort while being only four meters long. It had excellent visibility and was surprisingly enjoyable to drive. The design was exhibited at both the London School of Design and New York's Museum of Modern Art.
Why the Multipla Is Still Loved
The Multipla is a reminder that function can triumph over form. It is a testament to Italian design, which is often daring and unconventional.
3. Nissan Cube
The Nissan Cube, a car with an asymmetrical wraparound rear window
The Nissan Cube is proof that Nissan was not afraid to take risks. Its design is so polarizing that it frequently appears on ugly car lists.
Nissan Cube Design
The Cube was designed to appeal to young, urban buyers in Japan. The design was meant to be quirky and fun.
Nissan Cube Ugly Details
- An asymmetrical wraparound rear window that wraps around only one side of the car.
- A refrigerator-style rear door.
- A front grille inspired by a bulldog wearing shades.
- A shag carpet disc on the dash.
Nissan Cube Redemption
The Cube was a practical, spacious, and economical vehicle with a decent ride. It gained a cult following in Japan, where unique urban vehicles are popular.
Why the Cube Is Still Loved
The Cube is a testament to the idea that sometimes, being different is more important than being beautiful. It is a symbol of the weird and wonderful era of 2000s Japanese car design.
4. Tesla Cybertruck
The Tesla Cybertruck, a futuristic pickup with sharp stainless steel panels
The Tesla Cybertruck is a modern addition to the ugly car canon. It has been described as looking like a "stainless steel trash can on wheels."
Cybertruck Design
Elon Musk wanted a futuristic, angular pickup truck that would stand out from the competition. The design team delivered exactly that.
Cybertruck Ugly Details
- A sharp, angular, trapezoidal silhouette that looks like a sci-fi reject.
- A bulletproof stainless steel exterior that is susceptible to grime and sharp edges.
- Its design is entirely at odds with traditional automotive aesthetics.
Cybertruck Redemption
The Cybertruck is genuinely innovative, featuring steer-by-wire technology and a 48-volt electrical system. It has a massive, dedicated fanbase and is a powerful status symbol.
Why the Cybertruck Is Still Loved
The Cybertruck is a love-it-or-hate-it design that has ensured it dominates every conversation it enters. It is a "tech demonstration of what happens when you give car designers and engineers the freedom to do whatever they want."
5. AMC Pacer
The AMC Pacer, a jellybean-shaped car with massive glass area
The AMC Pacer is a car that was ahead of its time in some ways, but its styling made it a punchline.
AMC Pacer Design
The Pacer was designed to be a "wide small car" with a width of nearly two meters. It was meant to be a practical, spacious vehicle for city driving.
AMC Pacer Ugly Details
- A jellybean-like styling with a bulbous shape.
- Massive glass area, which made it look like a fishbowl.
- It looked like nothing else on the road at the time.
AMC Pacer Redemption
The Pacer was a clever and innovative design with excellent visibility and interior space. It was one of the first hatchbacks in North America and was very aerodynamic for its time (Cd of 0.32). It was designed to meet future safety standards.
Why the Pacer Is Still Loved
The Pacer is a classic example of a car that was ahead of its time. It is a symbol of the 1970s and a reminder of the era of bold automotive experimentation.
6. Reliant Robin
The Reliant Robin, a three-wheeled car infamous for tipping over
The Reliant Robin is a three-wheeled car that is infamous for tipping over.
Reliant Robin Design
The Robin was designed to be a cheap and economical form of transport for Britons. It could be driven with a motorcycle license, making it accessible to a wider audience.
Reliant Robin Ugly Details
- A boxy, awkward-looking vehicle.
- Its styling made most cars look like Rolls-Royces by comparison.
- Jeremy Clarkson famously mocked it on Top Gear.
Reliant Robin Redemption
It was a cheap and economical form of transport for many Britons. It has become a beloved icon of British eccentricity.
Why the Robin Is Still Loved
The Reliant Robin is a classic example of a car that is so bad it is good. It is a symbol of British humor and a beloved icon of automotive comedy.
7. AMC Gremlin
The AMC Gremlin, a car that looked like someone chopped off the back of a sports car
Introduced on April Fool's Day, the AMC Gremlin was a car that looked like someone chopped off the back of a sports car.
AMC Gremlin Design
The Gremlin was designed to be a cheap, economical, and practical car for the 1970s. It was AMC's answer to the Volkswagen Beetle.
AMC Gremlin Ugly Details
- A stubby rear and strange angles.
- A cheap and awkward entry into the compact car market.
- It looked like a car that had been cut in half.
AMC Gremlin Redemption
It was a cheap, economical, and practical car for the 1970s. It was one of the first American subcompacts.
Why the Gremlin Is Still Loved
The Gremlin is a reminder that in times of crisis, people will buy almost anything. It is a symbol of the 1970s and a reminder of the era of gas shortages.
8. Chrysler PT Cruiser
The Chrysler PT Cruiser, a retro-style gamble that initially paid off
The Chrysler PT Cruiser was a retro-style gamble that initially paid off, but its novelty quickly wore off.
PT Cruiser Design
The PT Cruiser was designed to evoke the look of 1930s hot rods. It was meant to be a stylish, retro alternative to the SUVs and minivans of the time.
PT Cruiser Ugly Details
- A high roof, tiny wheels, and a plastic-heavy interior.
- A mix of 1930s inspiration with 2000s confusion.
- Its novelty faded quickly.
PT Cruiser Redemption
It was one of the first modern "retro" cars and had strong initial sales. It was a commercial success for Chrysler.
Why the PT Cruiser Is Still Loved
The PT Cruiser is a cautionary tale about the dangers of nostalgia and the importance of evolving a design. It is a symbol of the early 2000s.
9. Nissan Pulsar Exa
The Nissan Pulsar Exa, a wedge-shaped car from the 1980s
The Nissan Pulsar, also known as the Exa, was one of many unusual designs from Nissan in the 1980s.
Pulsar Exa Design
The Pulsar was designed to be a practical, small car with a sporty edge. The design was a product of its era.
Pulsar Exa Ugly Details
- A wedge-like design that was part of a trend of aggressive, angular styling.
- Later generations had a removable hatchback rear body component.
- It looked like a car from a video game.
Pulsar Exa Redemption
It was a functional and practical small car. It was popular in Japan.
Why the Pulsar Exa Is Still Loved
The Pulsar is a testament to the weird and wonderful era of 1980s Japanese car design. It is a reminder of a time when car design was more experimental.
10. Cadillac Cimarron
The Cadillac Cimarron, a rebadged Chevrolet Cavalier pretending to be a luxury sedan
The Cadillac Cimarron was a rebadged Chevrolet Cavalier pretending to be a luxury sedan, and it was a disaster.
Cimarron Design
Cadillac wanted to compete with smaller, European luxury cars. So, they took a Chevrolet Cavalier and gave it a Cadillac badge.
Cimarron Ugly Details
- A plain design that was indistinguishable from its Chevrolet counterpart.
- A high price tag that made it an embarrassment for Cadillac.
- It was a transparent attempt to cash in on the luxury market.
Cimarron Redemption
It is a cautionary tale about badging engineering.
Why the Cimarron Is Still Loved
The Cimarron is a reminder that a luxury badge does not make a luxury car. It is a symbol of the 1980s and a reminder of the era of corporate greed.
Why We Love Ugly Cars
There is a strange appeal to ugly cars. They have personality and character. They are often more practical than their beautiful counterparts. They are conversation starters.
A beautiful car is a piece of art. An ugly car is a piece of history. It tells a story about the time and place it was made. It is a reminder that automotive design is a human endeavor, and humans are not perfect.
The cars on this list are a testament to the idea that beauty is not the only thing that matters. Some of the most memorable cars in history are the ones that made us laugh, cry, and shake our heads in disbelief.
A World of Ugly
The cars on this list are part of automotive history. They represent a balance of engineering and art. They are a reminder that design is subjective and a conversation starter.
So the next time you see a car that makes you do a double take, do not look away. Embrace its ugliness. It might just be the most interesting car you will see all day.
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Disclaimer: This article is for informational and entertainment purposes only. The views expressed are those of the authors and do not constitute professional design advice.
Drift Team
Automotive historians and design critics