Aesthetically Displeasing: A Selection of the Ugliest Cars
Design and beauty might be subjective and debatable. But when it comes to automotive design, certain rules and proportions make a car look appealing. Some designs are outright beautiful, like the classic Jaguar E-Type. Some designs are executed so well that they just work; you cannot call a Jeep Wrangler beautiful or ugly; it is just a well-rounded utilitarian design.
On the flip side of the coin, there are the ugly cars. For one reason or another, some cars garnered this less-than-flattering title. This isn’t just about the subjectivity of beauty and design. We believe that any of you with working, healthy eyes, and some common sense won’t argue that these are some of the lowest points in automotive design.
Here are 10 of the universally agreed-on ugly cars, in no particular order.
Subaru 360
The Japanese brand’s first mass-produced automobile, the Subaru 360, was designed according to the Japanese “Kei Car” regulations. The regulations aimed for efficiency over beauty, but the result was an ugly car. The Subaru 360 was also imported to the U.S. and marketed as “a small and ugly car" in its very own television commercial!
Fiat Multipla (First Generation)
Upon its debut in 1998, the Fiat Multipla was instantly controversial. It was a practical MPV, but the way Italians designed it was almost comical. The three pairs of headlights and layered design made the Multipla look like something seriously uncool from a sci-fi movie rather than a practical family hauler.
Pontiac Aztek
No ugly cars list is complete without the Pontiac Aztek. Introduced in 2000, the crossover/MPV mashup featured an almost dystopian design. Complete with tent attachments and plastic cladding, the Aztek was aimed at adventurous people, but it became synonymous with poor design choices. Even becoming Walter White’s car in the hit TV series Breaking Bad couldn’t save the Aztek from the ugly cars lists.
Chrysler PT Cruiser
Almost all of the late 90s and early 00s Chrsylers are ugly unless they’re called “Viper.” But one of them was the king of ugly Chryslers, and it was the PT Cruiser. The car tried to marry retro styling with modern utility. The utility side was OK, the car offered almost wagon-like practicality in an almost compact-like size. But the execution of retro styling was a downright failure. And to make matters worse, they’ve built a convertible, too.
Ssangyong Rodius
The Korean SUV looks like the obese child of the Aztek and the PT Cruiser. It would normally be another bland Far Eastern crossover, but just look at that rear end. It is an absolute afterthought, and combined with the rest of the off proportions of the body, the Ssangyong Rodius is nothing less than ridiculous.
Toyota Prius (Fourth Generation)
The latest fifth generation Toyota Prius is a sharp-looking, handsome daily driver. The first, second, and third iterations were bland and boring econoboxes that didn’t deserve any special attention, but the fourth generation is something else. Toyota’s attempt at a futuristic and sharp design ended up looking silly, with random lines that don’t start or end anywhere. The Prius is the exact opposite of a sports car, it is as sporty as a Chicken McNugget, so no need to insist on a sharp design. At least they nailed it with the latest generation. That one’s a looker.
Infiniti QX80 (Second Generation)
Infinity builds exceptionally well premium cars and SUVs, but the second-generation QX80 looked like a mistake. The sheer size and heft of the vehicle, combined with the blobby, whale-like front end, made the SUV look chubby and clumsy.
BMW E46 Compact
The E46-generation BMW Compact took the beloved 3 Series’ design and shortened it to draw a younger demographic to the German luxury brand. But the biggest mistake was to change the front fascia of the sleek E46. With four round headlights and literally no resemblance to the rest of the E46 family, the second-gen Compact looked nothing like a BMW.
Lancia Thesis
The Thesis was meant to be Lancia’s flagship luxury sedan. It had everything to compete with the German premiums: a great-looking and high-quality interior and more than enough luxury amenities. But it looked exactly like a sad pile of metal, making it one of the ugliest Italian cars ever made.
Alfa Romeo SZ
The Zagato-designed SZ was the brand’s first-ever design backed by computers. It is a unique coupe, but the rear end is bold, almost brutalist. But not beautiful.
BMW XM
One of the newer models on the list, the atrocious BMW XM, sparked debate with its bold design. Its humongous radiator grille and overall proportions are the sole proof that BMW went too far into the territory of “ugly cars” with this luxury SUV.
