Car design walks a fine line between innovation and disaster. Some cars push boundaries and inspire admiration, while others leave us scratching our heads. This list covers 13 of the ugliest cars ever made, where design decisions went completely off track. From awkward proportions to outright bizarre styling, these cars have earned their place in the hall of automotive infamy.
13. Pontiac Aztek and Buick Rendezvous
When the Pontiac Aztek hit the market, it was designed to appeal to a younger, adventurous crowd with features like a tent attachment. But the vehicle’s split headlight design and awkward rear proportions made it notorious for all the wrong reasons. Its face has been described as unappealing, and it quickly became a running joke in car design.
Its sibling, the Buick Rendezvous, didn’t fare much better. While a bit more toned down, it still suffered from odd proportions and a rear hatch design that just didn’t flow. The oversized tail lights only made things worse, positioning the Rendezvous as a less daring, but equally unattractive, counterpart to the Aztek.
12. Plymouth Prowler
The Plymouth Prowler was intended to channel the spirit of 1930s hot rods, but the result was polarizing. Its retro look was marred by an oversized front bumper that disrupted its sleek lines, and the tiny trunk made it impractical for daily use. Some enthusiasts appreciated the nod to nostalgia, but for many, the Prowler was a failed blend of old and new, earning its spot as an eyesore in automotive history.
11. Lincoln MKT
The Lincoln MKT tried to blend luxury with SUV practicality, but its design choices fell flat. The oversized grille, which looked like a stretched-out parody of BMW’s kidney grille, and its minivan-like proportions made it difficult to categorize. The real offender, though, is the rear end. The light bar has been called one of the ugliest designs ever, and the awkward positioning of the backup camera didn’t help its case. Despite a facelift in 2013, the MKT remained an awkward entry in the luxury SUV market.
10. Chevy SSR
The Chevy SSR wanted to bring back retro truck styling but ended up confusing buyers with its cartoonish looks. Inspired by GM trucks from the late ’40s and early ’50s, the SSR’s bulky fender flares and soft, rounded front made it look more like a toy than a performance truck. Despite its powerful LS2 V8 engine, the SSR’s odd appearance turned off potential buyers, and it never found a solid market, leaving it in the category of niche, but unattractive, cars.
9. Nissan S-Cargo
The Nissan S-Cargo, a delivery van made exclusively for the Japanese market, takes “quirky” to a new level. With design inspiration from the Citroen 2CV, the S-Cargo’s round roof and sharp drop-off in the rear are perplexing to look at. Its front end, with a stubby hood and circular headlights, feels almost like a child’s drawing of a car brought to life. Though functional, the S-Cargo’s oddball design makes it a prime example of “ugly but unique.”
8. Third-Generation Ford Taurus
The third-generation Ford Taurus is proof that too much of a good thing can be bad. Ford’s decision to embrace ovals—literally everywhere—on this car resulted in a confused and unattractive design. The oval headlights, paired with an awkwardly rounded rear, didn’t do this once-popular model any favors. The station wagon version was even worse, showing just how far off-track the Taurus went from its original, clean design that made it so successful in the ’80s and early ’90s.
7. Third-Generation Nissan Cube
The third-generation Nissan Cube aimed to be quirky, and it succeeded—just not in a good way. Its boxy shape and round edges gave it a toy-like appearance, while the asymmetrical rear only added to its strange design choices. The side-hinged hatch and awkwardly placed light bar didn’t help its appeal. Despite its compact practicality, the Cube’s strange appearance couldn’t capture the North American market and was discontinued in 2014.
6. First-Generation Nissan Juke
The first-generation Nissan Juke was another attempt at bold, quirky design, but it didn’t win over everyone. Its frog-like front end, with headlights stacked on top of the grille, was hard to digest. Paired with large wheel arches and tail lights that seemed out of place, the Juke stood out—but not in a flattering way. Despite these odd design choices, the Juke found a fan base, but it remains a polarizing vehicle in the world of compact SUVs.
5. Chrysler PT Cruiser
The Chrysler PT Cruiser tried to recapture retro charm but ended up as a caricature of itself. The oversized fender flares, flat rear end, and odd proportions made it a tough sell for those looking for stylish retro design. The convertible version took things a step further—often being referred to as even uglier than the standard model. Despite this, the PT Cruiser enjoyed a surprisingly long production run of 10 years, proving that sometimes nostalgia can outweigh aesthetics.
4. Chevy HHR
The Chevy HHR followed in the PT Cruiser’s footsteps, but its attempt to bring back 1940s styling elements didn’t quite hit the mark. The boxy shape and throwback design weren’t enough to make up for its awkward proportions and unappealing look. While the HHR had some practical uses, it never reached the same level of success as the PT Cruiser and was discontinued after eight years on the market.
3. First-Generation Jeep Compass
The first-generation Jeep Compass is what happens when you try to blend iconic Jeep design with modern SUV elements—and miss the mark. Its front end, complete with the signature Jeep grille and round headlights, looked fine, but the strange front bumper and awkward rear door handles made for a confusing design. While the Compass has seen significant redesigns, its first-generation model stands as a reminder that not all attempts at modernization work.
2. First-Generation Oldsmobile Aurora
The first-generation Oldsmobile Aurora aimed to revive the Oldsmobile brand but ended up with a design that felt more like a stretched-out Chevy Cavalier. The front end, with its thin headlights and pointy grille, lacked presence, while the oversized light bar in the rear added to the aesthetic confusion. Despite its design failings, the Aurora was praised for its driving experience, thanks to its low drag coefficient and reliable Northstar engine. Still, the looks left a lot to be desired.
1. Fiat Multipla
At the top of the list is the Fiat Multipla, a vehicle so strange-looking it’s hard to believe it made it to production. The awkward split between the hood and windshield, paired with its boxy rear, made the Multipla one of the oddest cars ever designed. Despite its bizarre exterior, the Multipla offered surprising practicality, seating six passengers comfortably. But while it may have been functional, its unusual looks earned it a well-deserved spot as one of the ugliest cars in automotive history.
