Six Ugliest Cars That Left a Mark: A Buyer’s Guide to Avoid These Oddballs

Some cars wow with sleek designs, but others? They’re hideous cars that make you do a double-take for all the wrong reasons. Why are some cars so ugly? These worst looking cars aren’t about speed or tech—they’re infamous for head-scratching designs. We’ve scoured expert car reviews to pick six ugly vehicles with bizarre stories. Get set for a wild ride through automotive flops—you might laugh, cringe, or steer clear of these horrible looking cars when shopping!

The Ugliest Cars: A Buyer’s Beware List

1. Pontiac Aztek: Why Is It the Ugliest Crossover Ever?

The Pontiac Aztek reigns as a top horrible looking car, looking like a design team tossed random parts together. Launched in 2000, General Motors aimed at campers with a rear tent attachment, air mattress for cargo, and a console beer cooler. Cool in theory, but the exterior? A chaotic ugly vehicle with jagged angles, a cheap plastic grille, and mismatched panels. In Breaking Bad, Walter White’s Aztek symbolized failure, cementing its cultural infamy. Sales data shows it hit 27,800 units in 2002, missing GM’s 30,000-unit goal, and by 2007, only 69 were sold. Why did it flop? Its ugly design and poor market fit made it a commercial disaster, yet its pop culture mark endures.

• Key Flaws: Clunky design, plasticky look, failed crossover appeal.
• Fun Fact: Its Breaking Bad role made it a pop culture icon, despite its flaws.
• Buyer Tip: Avoid used Azteks unless you love quirky relics.

2. Fiat Multipla: What Makes This MPV So Bug-Eyed?

Fiat Multipla, a 1998 Italian van, screams hideous cars with its alien-like look. Its pre-facelift design had two sets of headlights stacked oddly under the windshield, paired with huge windows resembling a rolling greenhouse. Why is it clever? It packed six seats in a compact frame, with movable seats that were ahead of their time. Italians, known for style, fumbled here. Jeremy Clarkson on Top Gear praised its utility but mocked its “nightmare” look. The 2004 facelift toned it down, but the Multipla remains a cult favorite for fans of oddest cars and ugly small cars.

• Key Flaws: Bug-eyed headlights, greenhouse windows.
• Stat: Sold modestly in Europe, per CarBuzz, due to its polarizing design.
• Buyer Tip: Great for space, but its ugly hatchback vibe might turn heads away.

3. Nissan Juke: Why Does It Look Like a Frog?

The Nissan Juke, dubbed the “Nissan Joke,” hit roads in 2010 as a bizarre ugly hatchback. Its front end, with turn signals on the hood and round headlights below, mimics a grumpy frog or Pokémon. Designers seemed torn between cute vehicle and tough, blending sharp lines with curvy blobs. Surprisingly, it sold 135,000 units in 2013, proving quirky ugly vehicles can thrive. Rear legroom was cramped, but the Juke-R with a GT-R engine showed power. The second-generation Juke improved, but the first is a legend among horrible looking cars, a far cry from what anyone would call the best-look car.

Also read: Cute Cars for Females

• Key Flaws: Frog-like front, cramped rear, odd proportions.
• Quote: Car Throttle noted its ‘mismatched headlights and odd proportions,’ likening its quirky look to a cartoonish figure
• Buyer Tip: Fun to drive, but its tiny ugly car look isn’t for everyone.

4. Chrysler PT Cruiser: Why Did Retro Go So Wrong?

Chrysler PT Cruiser chased 1930s hot rod vibes but landed as a 2000s old ugly car icon. Its bloated body and oversized grille felt dated, not nostalgic, and the convertible version amplified the awkwardness. Launched in 2000, it sold 132,000 units in 2005 but fizzled by 2010. Compared to sleek retro rides like the VW New Beetle, it lacked polish and wasn’t exactly an enjoyable car for driving. Mixing MPV utility with hot rod style failed, earning it a spot among worst looking cars.

• Key Flaws: Chunky design, uninspired handling.
• Stat: CarBuzz notes it sold over a million despite its look.
• Buyer Tip: Skip unless you’re into retro ugly cheap cars.

5. AMC Pacer: What’s with the Fishbowl Look?

The AMC Pacer, dropped in 1975 by American Motors, is a classic old ugly car. Built during the fuel crisis, it promised efficiency but delivered a heavy, gas-guzzling ugly small car. Its wide, boxy shape and massive windows earned the nickname “fishbowl.” Beady headlights and a lumpy rear mimicked a Pokémon, not sleek pony cars. Its Wayne’s World cameo gave it fame, but big inline-six or V8 engines made it slow and anything but a fuel efficient car. Its bizarre mix of a pony car front and boxy rear, per CarVertical, made it a standout among hideous cars.

• Key Flaws: Fishbowl windows, poor fuel economy, odd design.
• Fun Fact: MotorTrend called it a “Pokémon-like” disaster.
• Buyer Tip: A collector’s item, but not a practical tiny ugly car.

6. Plymouth Prowler: Why Did This Hot Rod Flop?

Plymouth Prowler, launched in 1997, aimed for hot rod glory but became a horrible looking car. Open front wheels, IndyCar-style, were cool, but safety bumpers and a narrow front clashed with a fat rear, looking cartoonish. Its V6 engine (214 hp, later 254) lacked hot rod muscle, and no manual gearbox disappointed. Only 11,702 units were made, showing niche appeal. Its bold idea didn’t translate, per U.S. News, landing it among ugly vehicles.

• Key Flaws: Cartoonish proportions, weak engine.
• Quote: CarBuzz noted safety-mandated bumpers ‘ruined’ its hot rod design.
• Buyer Tip: Fun for collectors, but not a daily driver.

Honorable Mentions: More Automotive Oddities

Ugly cheap cars abound beyond our top six. Lincoln MKT, an ugly Ford SUV, had a bloated rear and wide taillights, selling just 3,000 units in 2018 before fading. AMC Gremlin, old ugly car, paired a pony car front with a chopped rear, pure oddity. Nissan Cube, a tiny ugly car, rocked a boxy, lopsided bulldog grille but offered roomy space, though its quirky design limited sales, per CarBuzz. Subaru Tribeca, an ugly hatchback, bold styling but flopped compared to the Outback.

Wrapping Up: Why Ugly Cars Still Matter

These hideous cars show that car design can be a risky game. The Pontiac Aztek’s crossover mess, Fiat Multipla’s bug-like weirdness, and Nissan Juke’s frog face show bold doesn’t always mean beautiful. Yet, their cult followings, per Car Throttle, prove worst looking cars can charm. From Wayne’s World to Breaking Bad, ugly vehicles leave stories worth telling. Spot a Pacer or PT Cruiser? Give it a nod—it’s ugly but unforgettable.

FAQ: Common Questions About Ugly Cars