37 Cars So Ugly They Should’ve Stayed in the Garage

1. **Pontiac Aztek (2001-2005)**: Ah, the infamous Aztek, described as a ‘minivan-in-drag monstrosity.’ This vehicle garnered a cult following despite being labeled as so ugly that a blobfish wouldn’t be seen next to it. It’s undeniable; it had its moment in the spotlight thanks to its role in ‘Breaking Bad,’ but let’s be real, this car was a design catastrophe.

2. **AMC Pacer (1975-1979)**: The Pacer was marketed as ‘the world’s first wide-body compact,’ but one has to wonder who exactly was pining for that. Referred to as an ‘obese compact for obese compact-haters,’ it makes you appreciate how subjective beauty truly is in the world of automobiles.

3. **Ford Edsel (1958-1960)**: Not every ugly car has to be the worst, but the Edsel is a legend of automotive flops. With a grille that resembled ‘an Oldsmobile sucking a lemon,’ it was a classic failure that cost Ford a whopping $250 million. Buyers never quite warmed to its unique design, sealing its fate as one of the biggest automotive blunders.

4. **Toyota Prius (2015-Present)**: The Prius is the poster child for hybrid vehicles, but it took a beating for its look. The 2015 redesign was described as resembling ‘a double-chinned angry guppy that wants to eat your face.’ Despite its quirky looks, its fuel efficiency keeps it in the game.

5. **Citroen Ami 6 (1961-1970)**: This French attempt at a midrange car turned into a cost-cutting measure gone wrong. With an ‘ungainly design,’ it was a perfect example of how not to attract buyers. The raked back window was a bold move—just not a successful one.

6. **Chrysler PT Cruiser (2001-2010)**: Love it or hate it, the PT Cruiser remains a polarizing figure in automotive history. It was often described as a ‘shrunken minivan’ that leaned heavily into nostalgia but left many wondering how it ever made it to the market.

7. **Ford Taurus (1996-1999)**: Ford’s redesign of its popular Taurus in ’96 is a case study in what happens when you overthink success. The new third-generation model, with its overemphasis on ovals, was likened to ‘the saddest car ever made.’ Sales dipped, showcasing how crucial maintaining a brand’s identity is.

8. **Plymouth Fury (1961)**: The Plymouth Fury’s front-end was so menacing that it might just give you nightmares. With a face that screamed aggression, it’s often remembered as one of the most intimidating cars of its time, ensuring that this classic was not easily forgotten.

9. **Nissan Cube (2009-2014)**: Designed to stand out, the Nissan Cube did just that—but for all the wrong reasons. Dubbed an ‘air-hating box of ugly,’ it sported the peculiar design idea of a ‘bulldog in sunglasses.’ The question remains: which end is wearing the shades?

10. **Suzuki X-90 (1996-1998)**: A bubble of a car with an identity crisis, the Suzuki X-90 was described as ‘so ugly, it’s funny.’ With its quirky design featuring bug-eyed headlights, it couldn’t decide if it wanted to be a car or an SUV, which certainly didn’t help its sales.

11. **Pontiac Trans Sport (1990-1996)**: If there was ever an example of a minivan trying too hard to be cool, it’s the Pontiac Trans Sport. It was marketed as the ‘space vehicle of the 90s,’ but really, it resembled a Dust Buster on wheels. Not exactly a hot seller.

12. **Vanguard CitiCar (1974-1977)**: This electric car looked more like an oversized toy than a vehicle meant for the road. With a top speed of 25 mph and a design that resembled a slice of cheese, it was a product of its time that failed to impress.

13. **Subaru Brat (1978-1994)**: The Subaru Brat was a unique concept—a car-truck hybrid with rear-facing jump seats. It’s weird and wonderful in its own right but undoubtedly adds to the list of oddball automotive designs.

14. **Fiat Multipla (1998-2004)**: An Italian family hauler that never made it to U.S. shores, the Fiat Multipla is often dubbed ‘the ugliest car ever made.’ With its bulging, cartoonish design, it was practical but not pretty, a design misstep that lingered in the minds of onlookers.

15. **Lexus SC 430 (2001-2005)**: Luxury is not immune to design blunders, as seen in the Lexus SC 430. Its strangely proportioned design led some to describe it as a ‘bathtub on wheels.’ A disappointing entry for those seeking elegance with a splash of flair.

16. **Yugo GV (1985-1992)**: The Yugo is often at the bottom of the automotive barrel. With a stripped-down, boxy exterior, it exuded an air of sadness. Many felt it was destined for a life of disappointment before they even stepped inside.

17. **Marcos Mantis M70 (1970-1972)**: This obscure British sports car is known for its bizarrely long ‘snout.’ Few were sold before the company went bankrupt, cementing its place in history as one of the ugliest cars ever created.

18. **Nissan Juke (2011-2017)**: The Juke’s unconventional design led to mixed reviews. Some called it ‘frog-eyed and magnificently ugly,’ while others found its quirky charm endearing. Either way, it’s a vehicle that leaves no one indifferent.

19. **Lincoln MKT (2010-2020)**: This oversized crossover is often critiqued for its disproportionate rear. With a look compared to a wheelbarrow rolling backward, it didn’t earn high marks in the aesthetics department.

20. **Mitsuoka Orochi (2007-2014)**: Known for its bizarre design inspired by an animal, the Orochi is a limited-edition sports car that some consider to be more of a laughingstock than a legitimate vehicle.

21. **Hyundai Tiburon (2000-2001)**: In an attempt to take risks, Hyundai’s redesign of the Tiburon landed it on many lists of ugly cars. Dubbed an ‘insect-eyed monstrosity,’ it’s a case where looks clearly didn’t translate into desirability.

22. **Chevrolet Caprice (1991-1992)**: The 1991 Caprice was likened to an ‘upside-down bathtub,’ a fitting description for a car that failed to resonate with consumers. It quickly faded from the market.

23. **Nissan S-Cargo (1989-1991)**: Another Nissan gem, the S-Cargo resembled a snail. Its abrupt rear end and quirky design made it a head-scratcher for many car enthusiasts.

24. **Isuzu VehiCross (1999-2001)**: This SUV aimed for uniqueness but ended up as a vehicle that looked more like a science fiction prop. It garnered mixed reviews, often being described as a ‘Battlestar Galactica escapee.’

25. **Bricklin SV1 (1975)**: The Bricklin was meant to be a futuristic car with gullwing doors, but its heavy body made it a flop. With fewer than 3,000 ever made, it remains a curiosity in the world of ugly cars.

26. **The Trabant (1957-1990)**: Often dubbed an automotive relic, the Trabant is infamous for its distinct lack of charm and style. Made in East Germany, it was constructed from a bizarre combination of recycled materials, resulting in a vehicle that looked like it was designed with a combination of desperation and poor execution. Its two-stroke engine produced an unimpressive 18 horsepower, and it was quite the sight with its boxy shape and basic amenities—or complete lack thereof. It’s safe to say that this car gave the concept of ‘people’s car’ a whole new meaning, as it was less about luxury and more about simply getting from point A to B, in the most uninspiring way possible.

27. **Chevy Chevette (1976-1987)**: The Chevette rolled onto the scene with all the excitement of a wet napkin. This hatchback was marketed as a compact car but ended up being more of a punchline. With a design best described as uninspired, it was often mocked for its blandness and boxy exterior. With its lackluster performance and reputation for being a maintenance nightmare, the Chevette is not remembered fondly, mostly ending up in the graveyard of automotive history.

28. **Plymouth Prowler (1997-2002)**: The Prowler was Chrysler’s attempt at a retro roadster, but it turned out to be more of a styling disaster than a classic revival. Featuring an open front wheel design that looked like it was plucked from the set of a 90s movie, it promised speed but delivered mediocrity. With its underwhelming engine and awkward proportions, it’s hard to believe anyone thought it could turn heads. Instead, it mostly turned stomachs.

29. **King Midget Model III (1956-1970)**: This car was so small it could be mistaken for a toy. The King Midget was marketed as an affordable utility vehicle, but it resembled more of a child’s drawing than a proper automobile. Its quirky design and impractical size made it a novelty item rather than a serious vehicle, and it quickly faded from the public eye. It’s amusing to think that this car was ever taken seriously.

30. **Zundapp Janus (1957-1964)**: With a name like Janus, you might expect something sophisticated, but what you get is anything but. This tiny car featured rear-facing seats, allowing passengers to enjoy the view of the drivers behind them, which might sound fun, but it was a recipe for disaster in traffic. With a top speed of around 50 mph, it was more about the journey than the destination, and it’s best remembered as an oddity from automotive history.

31. **The Corvair (1960-1969)**: Chevrolet’s Corvair was ambitious but ultimately flawed. It was one of the first mass-produced cars with a rear-engine layout but suffered from severe safety issues that were famously criticized by Ralph Nader. Its unique design, featuring a rounded body that resembled a flying saucer, might have been cool, but the driving experience was anything but pleasant. The Corvair became a cautionary tale in automotive engineering, leaving a lasting legacy of what not to do.

32. **Chrysler Imperial LeBaron (1971-1975)**: If you thought the Imperial LeBaron was a car, think again. It was a land yacht on wheels, boasting an abundance of chrome and an oversized frame that could rival a battleship. While it was luxurious in theory, its excessive size and impracticality made it a laughingstock among drivers. Despite attempts to make it a symbol of status, it ended up symbolizing the excesses of its time.

33. **Pontiac Aztek (2001-2005)**: The Aztek remains a poster child for bad automotive design, infamous not just for its looks but also for the truth that it was intended to be a crossover. The unfortunate styling choices left it looking more like a confused minivan trying to masquerade as an SUV. Despite its marketing efforts, the Aztek scored low on aesthetics, though it paradoxically gained a cult following, perhaps as a testament to how terrible can become trendy.

34. **Fiat Multipla (1998-2004)**: This Italian family hauler is often crowned as the ugliest car ever made. With its bulging body and distinctively awkward proportions, the Multipla looked more cartoonish than practical. While it excelled in space and functionality, its design did not resonate with the masses, leaving it as a quirky footnote in automotive storytelling.

35. **Mitsuoka Orochi (2007-2014)**: If you thought you’d seen it all, enter the Mitsuoka Orochi. This limited-edition sports car boasts a design that is best described as bizarre, with a front end that seems to be grinning wildly. It’s as if a designer took playful to an extreme, leaving a car that many see as more of a joke than a serious contender in the sports car world.

36. **Hyundai Tiburon (2000-2001)**: The Tiburon was Hyundai’s attempt to make a sporty left turn, but the results were less than thrilling. Its redesign resulted in a bug-eyed appearance that disappointed many. While it may have gained fame for its looks, it was mostly for all the wrong reasons, proving that not all risks in design pay off.

37. **Lincoln MKT (2010-2020)**: This crossover was often critiqued for its awkward proportions and unique styling that left more to be desired. Often likened to a wheelbarrow on wheels, its design did not win over the hearts of many buyers. It’s safe to say that it didn’t create much excitement in the automotive market, serving as a reminder that sometimes, bigger isn’t always better.

With these shocking designs and their stories, it’s a clear reminder that beauty truly is subjective. While some may have fallen short of expectations, they surely made the automotive landscape a lot more colorful, quirky, and downright entertaining. Here’s to the legacy of ugly cars that continue to spark conversations and laughter among car enthusiasts everywhere!

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