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What are the 10 ugliest cars ever made? Answering that isn’t easy, given how the auto industry has evolved over the years, pumping out countless models and shaping society’s progress.
From classics to, well, let’s just say less-than-pretty ones, the spectrum is wide. In this article, we’re diving into the latter category and picking out our top 10. But keep in mind, our picks are based on personal taste and internet sentiment, so they might not strike a chord with everyone.
The Nissan Cube is a small minivan made by the Japanese car company from 1998 to 2019. It’s not your typical ride, especially in Europe where it didn’t quite catch on with drivers. However, it had its moment in Japan, where it drew inspiration from tiny kei cars. The design is… well, let’s just say unique. One side has a back window that stretches towards the tail, while the other side exposes the roof pillar. It’s definitely a bit out there in terms of style.
Marcos was a little British carmaker, started in Luton back in 1959 by Jem Marsh and Frank Costin. It ran until 2007. Their big moment came in 1971 with a 4-seater fiberglass coupe packing a punchy 2.5-liter Triumph engine, dishing out 160 horsepower. While the specs were impressive, the body design raised some eyebrows, especially along the sides due to its generous glass area.
Plymouth Prowler is a car that pays tribute to the sports cars of the 1930s with its exposed wheels. Made by American automaker Plymouth, it got rebranded in 2001 as the Chrysler Prowler. Under the hood it had a 3.5-liter V6 engine with 24 valves, putting out 214 horsepower at 5850 rpm. They made around 11,000 units. The success was hindered by both its not-so-appealing looks and its limited appeal to a niche audience.
The Renault Vel Satis, a large sedan from the early 2000s, rolled out 62,201 units from the French automaker. It was supposed to be the Safrane’s replacement, inspired by the futuristic Initiale concept from ’95. With a body more reminiscent of a modern SUV/crossover, it aimed for that “wow” factor, but it missed the mark. The Vel Satis just didn’t feel right, especially at the back, which stuck out awkwardly compared to the rear window. Buyers preferred sticking to the classic German sedans, so it didn’t sell well. Plus, it was a major financial blow for Renault, investing a hefty 630 million euros in setting up the Sandouville plant for its production.
The Korean company’s multi-purpose vehicle is hands down one of the most awkward cars out there. It’s racked up quite a few awards, from snagging the title of “one of the ugliest cars on the road” in the UK to being dubbed by Top Gear Magazine as “a car that looks like it got bottled in a pub brawl and stitched back together by a blind man.” It’s recognized for its dreadful rear three-quarter view, where the back part clashes with the roofline. And to fill in this weird gap, designers decided to slap on a rear glass surface that covers the top of the back part. The result? Utterly horrendous.
Even though it was dubbed as one of the ugliest cars ever by Time, the Daily Telegraph, and The Street, Pontiac Aztek got a kind of second wind thanks to the TV series Breaking Bad. It was the ride of the main character, Walter White, played by Bryan Cranston. But let’s be real, the Aztek was an eyesore, despite having a great cargo space and roomy interior. It packed a 188-horsepower V6 engine and was made from 2001 to 2005, with over 104,000 units sold. But its sales dropped drastically in its last years, leading the company to scrap the project.
With its quirky egg-like appearance, the Nano hit the market between March 2009 and 2018, exclusively sold in India and nearby countries for around 100,000 rupees (around 1500 euros). Designed for four passengers, it measured 3.10 meters in length, 1.5 meters in width, and 1.60 meters in height, powered by a tiny two-cylinder engine producing 30 horsepower. However, several cost-saving measures, like the welded tailgate, hindered its success, prompting the Indian company to cease production in 2017.
The Lancia K, though not a standout, managed to sell 104,752 units. But the Coupe version didn’t fare well at all. Unveiled at the 1996 Turin Motor Show and manufactured at the former Lancia plant in Chivasso by Carrozzeria Maggiora, it hit the market in April 1997. Despite its elegant interior and decent tech features, the Lancia K Coupe didn’t generate much excitement among critics and buyers. The main gripes were its disproportionate front and rear overhangs compared to the wheelbase, and the conservative rear end. It was taken off the market after just two years of production.
The Alfa Romeo Arna is considered one of the least successful and ugliest cars in the world. It was born in the late ’70s when the company was owned by IRI, aiming to be an affordable model to boost sales. To cut costs, they decided to use the platform of the Nissan Pulsar N12 and fit it with Alfa Sud mechanics. Apart from having an unattractive design, the Arna didn’t gain any glory.
The Citroën C6 was produced from 2005 to 2012, but it only sold 23,384 units, making it a commercial flop. Despite boasting top-notch comfort thanks to its new-generation hydropneumatic suspension, the French flagship couldn’t hold its ground against its German rivals, mainly due to its less-than-appealing looks. The designers took some bold moves with the C6, introducing an arched roof and a rear three-quarter view that didn’t quite gel with the rest of the car’s design. Plus, it was a tough one to produce, partly because of unique features like the concave rear window.
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