When it comes to a car’s exterior aesthetics, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. What’s beautiful to one person might be an eyesore to another. That said, here are 16 of the ugliest vehicles ever made. We dare you to find any redeeming qualities for these grotesque clunkers. Buckle up and brace yourself!
2001 Pontiac Aztek
The Pontiac Aztek had a mercifully short production of five model years — from 2001 to 2005. A mid-size crossover SUV, the Aztek was a good idea that was executed poorly. The Autopian does a good job of describing why GM ultimately shelved the Aztek. It says one reason was the vehicle’s “customer-repelling appearance.” Nailed it!
2012 Mitsubishi i-MiEV
The 2012 Mitsubishi i-MiEV makes the list. These motorized grocery carts are the automotive equivalent of hard-boiled eggs. But what they haven’t been called by anyone with their faculties intact is beautiful. In addition to being hideous, they have terrible range and probably shouldn’t set foot…or tire…on a freeway. They can barely get out of their own way.
2003 Saturn Ion Sedan
Some say the 2003 Saturn Ion’s boxy, compact exterior with rounded edges gives the sedan an understated appearance. One reason the manufacturer stressed practicality over luxury is that these vehicles were, to put it mildly, unimpressive on the aesthetics front.
2024 Tesla Cybertruck
No one should be surprised to see the Tesla Cybertruck on this list. It’s a mighty impressive vehicle with a cult following — though they aren’t selling like hotcakes because of the high sticker prices. The Cybertruck is unlike anything anyone has seen before. Some love the distinctiveness, while others think it’s ghastly.
2010 Toyota Prius
While the Toyota Prius looks quite nice in recent model years, that wasn’t the case for earlier model years. The 2010 Toyota Prius features a sleek, futuristic look that leans more toward aerodynamics than style. This model isn’t as ugly as earlier model years, but it still sports the familiar wedge-shaped silhouette sloping downward from the rear to the front. But people who buy them prioritize fuel efficiency over looks, anyway.
1998 Fiat Multipla
The 1998 Fiat Multipla…hmm…Its short, tall, wide body makes it look like the car’s squatting. The vehicle has been called one of the most unique and unconventional designs in the annals of automotive history. It also has bug-eyed lights under the windshield — separate from the main headlights — that make it look like a toad or frog. No thanks!
2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser
While acknowledging that the Chrysler PT Cruiser’s aesthetic was inspired by the great “1930s American classic cars,” Garage Italia says Chrysler missed the mark. It adds that the Chrysler PT Cruiser “is a curmudgeonly, strange, ugly vehicle.” That about sums it up.
But it’s not just an ugly car. Owners say the seats are uncomfortable, it has blind spots galore, and the interior is cheap — not just minimalist, mind you — but cheap with low-grade materials.
2011 Nissan Juke
The 2011 Nissan Juke features a bold and unique design. Words like “quirky” and “futuristic styling” have been used to describe this oddity that looks like nothing else on the road. But, let’s face it. The car is aesthetically unappealing — at least to most drivers. A distinctive appearance is great — but not when it’s for all the wrong reasons.
1957 Trabant
Some call the Trabant the ugliest car ever. Go on Google, type in “1957 Trabant,” hit the enter key, and brace yourself. We dare you to disagree with our contention that the vehicle is hideous. And it wasn’t just ugly.
The inexpensive runabout that was popular in its East Germany stomping grounds. But one writer says, rather humorously, that “the Trabant is why East German Socialism failed.” Wow.
2006 Chevrolet HHR
Chevrolet apparently wanted to make an uglier version of the Chrysler PT Cruiser — and, by all accounts, it hit the ball out of the park. Yes, the 2006 Chevrolet HHR is one ugly monstrosity. Fortunately, it only lasted up to the 2011 model year. But, unfortunately, you can still see them on the road today. At whatever angle you look at it, it’s an ugly son of a gun.
1992 Hummer H1
The Hummer H1 is impressively grotesque — but at least it has a cool factor. Even so, unless you live in the middle of nowhere, don’t care about practicality, and are willing to pay an arm and a leg to fuel the thirsty beast, the Hummer H1 probably isn’t worth buying.
1946 Crosley CC
The 1946 Crosley CC is one of the oldest ugly cars in the world. Even when you see a “nice” one, it’s an unsightly one. It had a 26.5 horsepower engine, a 3-speed manual transmission, and a top speed of up to 55 miles per hour.
1961 Citroen Ami 6
The French have always pushed the limit on the styling front. But with the 1961 Citroen Ami 6, the automaker pushed it too far…like over a cliff too far. Its unconventional design is a euphemism for unsightly. And unsightly is what it is. It had a 0.6-liter air-cooled flat-twin engine producing 22 hp and 32 lb-ft of torque, had a 4-speed manual tranny, and had a top speed of 65 mph.
1978 Subaru Brat
The 1978 Subaru Brat isn’t a sight for sore eyes — it’s a sight that makes eyes sore. “Brat” stands for “Bi-Drive Recreational All-Terrain Transporter.” It was a two-door vehicle that combined aspects of a coupe and a truck.
1992 Buick Skylark
The 1992 Buick Skylark featured distinctive styling that set it apart from other vehicles at the time. Unfortunately, that’s not a compliment since the car was unattractive—and that’s putting it mildly. The sharp, pronounced fenders and wheel arches—designed to give the 1992 Buick Skylark a more aggressive stance—added to the uniquely hideous exterior.
The Ugliest Cars Ever Made
So, there you have it. Depending on what you look for in cars, you might agree or disagree with some of the entries on this list. If so, let us know in the comments. And feel free to recommend models we may have missed.
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