The Internet’s Picks for the 15 Ugly Cars of All Time

Reflection - 1978 Mercury Zephyr — “Reflection – 1978 Mercury Zephyr” by michael.lucas is licensed under CC BY 2.0

When it comes to the automotive world, beauty is often in the eye of the beholder. However, there are some cars that are so notoriously ugly that they’ve earned a special place in our hearts—and on the internet’s most infamous list of the ugliest cars of all time. Buckle up, folks, as we take a hilarious ride through this eye-watering collection of automotive design failures. Get ready to cringe and chuckle at the same time with our list of 15 cars that, well, let’s just say they missed the mark by a long shot!

1. **1978 Mercury Zephyr**: The Mercury Zephyr is the poster child for 1970s car design gone wrong. With a bizarre roofline, an awkwardly upright grille, and slanted taillights, this car looks like it was designed by someone who had never seen a car before. Karl Brauer couldn’t have said it better: “The 1970s were a disappointing decade for U.S. cars in general, and the Mercury Zephyr is a perfect example why.”

2. **1958 Edsel Corsair**: Ah, the Edsel—often referred to as the car that became a punchline. Named after Henry Ford’s son, the Corsair was so ugly it became a symbol of automotive failure. Brauer noted it was poorly received from day one, and by 1961, the entire Edsel division was gone. Talk about a spectacular belly flop!

3. **1990 Pontiac Trans Sport**: Dubbed the “Dust Buster,” this minivan had a look that made it resemble a glorified vacuum cleaner. What started as a promising concept ended up in the realm of visual disasters. Brauer put it succinctly: “General Motors’ first minivan effort resulted in a visual train wreck.”

4. **1982 Aston Martin Lagonda**: When you think of Aston Martin, sophistication and style usually come to mind. However, the Lagonda was a design misfire that even James Bond would not want to be seen in. Brauer’s assessment of its styling is spot on: “One of the most ‘creatively’ styled cars of the 1980s.”

5. **1965 AMC Marlin**: A valiant attempt at a fastback, the AMC Marlin was considered an “ugly embarrassment” by many automotive critics. Trying to stand out as the underdog, AMC took a bold risk—with results that most would label as a failure. According to Brauer, “this wasn’t the kind of attention AMC wanted.”

6. **2001 Pontiac Aztek**: Perhaps the most infamous of them all, the Pontiac Aztek is a car that has earned its ugliest badge with pride. With atrocious proportions and an uncanny resemblance to a station wagon stretched by a car bomb, it’s no surprise that it found itself on Time magazine’s “50 Worst Cars of All Time” list. Brauer didn’t hold back, saying it had “utter hideousness.”

7. **1960 Plymouth Valiant**: While it was successful in sales, the Plymouth Valiant’s styling is a different story. Brauer described its design as busy and lacking cohesion. The Valiant may have sold well, but its aesthetics were certainly not a selling point. Both success and ugliness—it’s a tough balancing act!

8. **1999 Isuzu VehiCROSS**: This compact SUV was a polarizing figure in the automotive world. Brauer compared its styling to that of “a Tylenol capsule on wheels.” Although it did make the cover of Motor Trend, the VehiCROSS is another example of a car that was supposed to represent future styling, but ultimately fell flat.

9. **2002 Isuzu Axiom**: The Isuzu Axiom could have been a fitting symbol of the company’s decline in the U.S. market with its bulky silhouette and odd proportions. The combination of narrow headlights and an overwrought grille didn’t do it any favors. As Brauer put it, it was not an attractive combination.

10. **1970 AMC Gremlin**: A two-door economy car that aimed to compete with foreign fuel-efficient vehicles, the AMC Gremlin was described as “painful to look at.” It sold well and had a loyal following, but let’s face it: beauty was not in its design.

11. **Fiat Multipla**: Now, if you were looking for a car that could double as a metaphor for awkwardness, then the Fiat Multipla has got you covered! Often hailed as one of the ugliest cars ever made, its design features an oversized glasshouse and the kind of proportions that make it look like it hitched a ride on an unflattering mirror. Despite its bizarre appearance, the Multipla was actually quite practical, with room for six passengers. Who knew ugly could be so functional?

12. **Chrysler PT Cruiser**: Here’s a car that straddled the line between quirky and questionable—the Chrysler PT Cruiser. Looking like it was plucked right out of a retro diner, this beauty was surprisingly popular. Despite its unique design which resembled a 1930s classic, many agree it’s more of a face for radio than a head-turner. But hey, it sold over 1.3 million units, proving that sometimes strange sells!

13. **Ssangyong Rodius**: If you thought the Multipla and PT Cruiser were contenders for the ugliest title, enter the Ssangyong Rodius. This Korean MPV has been dubbed as the ultimate disaster of design—a mix between a van and a sad, drooping puppy. Practical? Sure. Pretty? Absolutely not.

14. **Nissan Juke**: The Nissan Juke struts its stuff with a design that can only be described as polarizing. Its bug-eyed headlights and bulbous body have created a love-hate relationship among car enthusiasts. While many flocked to buy these oddities, others couldn’t help but question the designers’ sanity. The Juke has become a symbol of over-styling, yet its success is undeniable—proof that sometimes, the ugly ones do win!

15. **Honda Civic (FK8)**: Last but not least, we have the Honda Civic (FK8). It’s hard to believe that such a well-respected model could land on an ugly list, but the FK8’s design is a case of excess. With more angles, vents, and contours than we could count, it sometimes felt like a car that was designed by committee rather than a single visionary. Many enthusiasts have debated its aesthetics, but one thing is for sure: it left an unforgettable mark in the world of overstyled cars!

“Ugly car” by Benoit cars is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0

We’ve taken a wild ride through some of the ugliest automotive designs ever to hit the road. From the awkward beauty of the Fiat Multipla to the outlandish styling of the Nissan Juke, each has a story to tell. It’s fascinating to think about how these cars, despite their looks, each carved out a piece of automotive history. So, which of these beauties made you chuckle the most? Let us know your favorites (or least favorites) in the comments below, and remember: beauty is subjective, but ugly is unforgettable!