(iSeeCars) — The individuals behind the scenes within the automotive business spend years designing the automobiles we drive. Regardless of their finest efforts, not each automobile design is one which’s well-received.
Possibly it’s underpowered or doesn’t deal with properly, or perhaps it’s simply how the automobile seems to be. We’ve all seen ugly automobiles and puzzled how they ever rolled off the meeting line. You’ll find ugly automobiles from just about each automotive period, so it’s been a problem so long as automobiles have existed.
A myriad of design flaws could make a automobile look dangerous, from oddly formed bumpers to awkwardly-angled rear home windows to complicated strains that don’t know whether or not they need a automobile to be a station wagon or a coupe. A lot of the ugliest automobiles ever made are, fortunately, not on the market anymore, however you’ll be able to nonetheless discover many of those (ugly) used automobiles on the market at the moment. And whereas all the pieces from the BMW Isetta to the Fiat Multipla to the Nissan S-Cargo and entrants from automakers that aren’t out there within the U.S. just like the Mitsuoka Galue or the Ssangyong Korando might have made this record, we determined to stay with U.S. market automobiles solely.
Listed below are our picks for the ugliest automobiles the automotive business has had the misfortune to foist on U.S. shoppers.
AMC Gremlin
Our first ugly automobile from AMC is the Gremlin, which debuted on April Idiot’s Day 1970 (Hmmm…). Certain, it was a gross sales hit, however not as a result of individuals had been swooning over its design. As a substitute, its enchantment centered on its worth, which, just like the Volkswagen Beetle that got here earlier than it, was low. It was low cost to construct and low cost to purchase, and it was one ugly hatchback. The weirdly sculpted rear finish seems to be prefer it unintentionally bought chopped quick, and is matched with a disproportionately weirdly lengthy hood. Even AMC’s design chief didn’t assume it seemed good, however that didn’t cease it from hitting showrooms. It was purported to enchantment to shoppers on the lookout for an affordable subcompact automobile, and that’s precisely what it did, seems to be be damned.
AMC Marlin
For those who’re on the lookout for the worst automobiles to take a look at, then look no additional than AMC, which has three automobiles on our record. The Marlin hit the market in 1965 and was produced by way of 1967. In its quick life it noticed a number of names, beginning out because the Rambler Marlin, morphing into the Marlin, and ending its manufacturing because the AMC Marlin. Doesn’t matter what you name this luxurious sedan, it was one ugly automobile. In contrast to some automobiles that look good from sure angles, irrespective of the way you take a look at the Marlin it holds zero enchantment. Three years and three names weren’t sufficient to save lots of a automobile that basically wanted a radical facelift.
AMC Pacer
Rounding out our record of ugly AMCs is the Pacer hatchback. It’s bought just a little little bit of AMC Gremlin styling, with its stubby butt and lengthy hood, not a very good look. The AMC Pacer was oddly vast, with enormous expanses of glass that made passengers look just a little like they had been a goldfish in a bowl as they drove down the freeway. It was supposed to enhance visibility and aerodynamics, however from a design perspective the trouble didn’t work. AMC constructed its ugly fishbowl from 1975 to 1980, earlier than placing the Pacer out to pasture.
Aston Martin Lagonda
Sure, the world’s most well-known spy is an enormous fan of sports activities automobiles, particularly the supercars constructed by Aston Martin, however we’re betting he’d shun this one even when it got here geared up with an ejector seat, deployable caltrops, and hidden machine weapons within the headlights. The Aston Martin Lagonda is a downright ugly automobile that was constructed again in 1976, and that’s the place it ought to keep. This automobile seems to be completely unbalanced, with a rear that’s too quick and a large, flat hood that’s the size of an plane provider’s deck. Solely 645 items had been bought earlier than Aston Martin determined this was not going to be one among its traditional automobiles. It correctly pulled the plug and determined to construct automobiles individuals may contemplate shopping for as an alternative of automobiles that made individuals cringe.
Cadillac Cimarron
Cadillac is a luxurious model identified for constructing stunning, daring automobiles. They’ve plush, well-equipped interiors, highly effective engines, and beautiful exterior designs. Apart from this one. The Cadillac Cimarron was purported to be a mini-luxury sedan at a diminished worth. Cool thought, nevertheless it didn’t appear like a Cadillac. It seemed like a Chevy, which is sensible as a result of it shares its exterior design with the Chevrolet Cavalier. Inside it was a bit extra upscale, which couldn’t make up for the compact automobile proportions with Cadillac badges – actually the definition of placing lipstick on a pig. You may purchase this “Chevillac” for seven years, from 1982 to 1988, earlier than Cadillac lastly determined this wasn’t the proper course for the model.
Chevrolet Lumina
For those who’re asking your self whether or not we’re calling out the Lumina sedan or the minivan as one of many ugliest automobiles, then the reply is each. The Chevrolet Lumina sedan debuted in 1989 and lasted till 2013. Whereas later years had been tolerable, its introductory years had been, let’s say, disappointing. It was only a bulbous, milk toast sedan that held zero enchantment. However hey, if sedans aren’t your factor, there’s the even uglier Chevrolet Lumina APV, which is a minivan. The entrance finish has a sloped hood that leads proper as much as the windshield in a single line, giving it a wedge-shaped design like an enormous doorstop. The large windshield meets with equally large triangular home windows on the edges. Why, Chevrolet?
Chrysler Crossfire
The Chrysler Crossfire had loads of potential. It mixed just a little little bit of classic design components (within the spirit of the Chrysler PT Cruiser), with just a little little bit of Mercedes-Benz, together with the engine and chassis. However one thing went horribly incorrect from idea to manufacturing. This two-door tried fairly exhausting to be a sporty little coupe worthy of its Mercedes underpinnings, with the visible promise of American scorching rod efficiency. As a substitute, it was a poorly designed mishmash that simply didn’t work as a sports activities automobile. Its exceptionally broad fenders and fastback roofline didn’t enchantment to the general public, and after 5 years in manufacturing this automotive outcast was discontinued.
Ford Edsel
Let’s hop into the way-back machine and make a journey to the 12 months 1958, the place you’ll be able to feast your eyes on the failure of automobile design that’s the Ford Edsel. Or perhaps we should always say cover your eyes from the Ford Edsel. The concept was so as to add a mid-range sedan to the Ford lineup with numerous customary options, loads of choices, and beefy V8 engines. From the rear finish, it’s tremendous. From the aspect it’s tremendous. From the entrance finish, now we now have an issue. That horse-collar grille was hanging for all of the incorrect causes. The auto-buying plenty weren’t impressed and even at the moment it could’t handle to garner retro enchantment. Ford stopped manufacturing of one among its ugliest automobiles after simply two years in 1960.
Ford Pinto
One little automobile, so many issues. The Ford Pinto is now universally referred to as the automobile that catches fireplace. That is because of a gasoline tank that would burst into flames if it was punctured throughout a collision. That’s not likely a very good promoting level for the Pinto, however neither was this automobile’s lackluster design. It was decidedly boring with nothing engaging to reserve it from being a bore. It was all vast expanses of metallic that simply kind of melded into one amorphous blob. Automotive fanatics don’t wish to drive round in an amorphous blob, particularly one identified for catching fireplace.
Nissan Juke
It wasn’t that way back that the Nissan Juke was nonetheless on sale just a few years in the past, so if you wish to purchase this quirky hatchback there’s a very good likelihood there’s a used mannequin or two at your native vendor on the market. Not that we suggest doing that. A subcompact crossover bought from 2010 to 2017 in the USA, essentially the most notable styling components on this automobile had been its headlights and foglights. These had been positioned awkwardly on prime of the hood and within the grille, like a multi-eyed frog gazing you from a lily pad. The general proportions had been off, too, with its small roof and home windows positioned on a large physique with too many strains. The Juke really drove fairly properly, however not properly sufficient to justify that exterior design.
Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet
Let’s be clear, that we aren’t calling out the affable Nissan Murano, which you should purchase as a brand new automobile proper now. As a substitute, we’re taking a look at its horrific convertible mutation, which was in manufacturing from 2011 to 2014. Nissan lopped the roof off of the Murano to create one thing nobody ever needed or wanted to see in public – a four-door convertible crossover. Its odd proportions and tiny rear window merely didn’t work. High down or prime up, this CrossCabriolet wasn’t engaging. As a bonus, it wasn’t a very nice automobile to drive, both. Carlos Ghosn, a high-powered automotive govt operating Nissan and Renault on the time, will get the credit score/blame for this one.
Plymouth Valiant
The Plymouth Valiant had a fairly good run from 1959 to 1976 and holds numerous retro enchantment, however not each mannequin 12 months is one that appears good. We’re wanting squarely on the 1960 mannequin and questioning what the heck went incorrect. This Plymouth Valiant is such an unpleasant automobile that it takes some time to see all of the locations the place it went dangerous. It has unusual proportions, with a rear that’s too busy and a grille that’s too busy, and a mess of home windows that make the edges – you guessed it – too busy. Automotive designers usually get further artistic after they’re doodling a “what if” thought at their workstations. Sadly, in 1960 Plymouth determined to place one into manufacturing.
Pontiac Aztek
It’s just about unimaginable to compile an inventory of the ugliest automobiles with out together with the Pontiac Aztek. It in all probability appeared like an ideal thought on paper. This crossover has a roomy inside for passengers, optionally available all-wheel drive for dangerous climate, and nice cargo versatility. There was a sliding cargo tray in again with pop-up compartments to arrange your stuff, and you would even outfit your Pontiac Aztek with a specifically designed tent. It had progressive options designed to enchantment to automobile fanatics, however finally this automobile seems to be simply hideous, with oddly formed plastic cladding alongside the wheel arches and door/roof proportions utterly out of whack. The closest the Pontiac Aztek got here to being cool was its stint on Breaking Unhealthy, positioned there to emphasise the principle character’s miserable life. It was solely in manufacturing for just a few years, and for that, we’re grateful.
Toyota Previa
Immediately, Toyota builds the favored Sienna minivan, which is a stunning automobile for busy households. Again within the Nineteen Nineties, it constructed a wholly completely different minivan referred to as the Previa. It provided a few engines, together with a supercharged choice, and it had out there all-wheel drive. The inside was extremely practical, with second-row captain’s chairs that swiveled to face rearward and a 3rd row that folded up alongside the edges of the Previa’s cargo space. However the exterior? It in some way managed to have each a wedge-shaped and bulbous physique that seemed like one thing out of a foul Eighties arcade sport (Moon Patrol – look it up). Toyota additionally threw in some horrible plastic cladding, only for good measure. The Previa’s inside design was forward of its time, however profiting from it meant using round – and probably being seen – in that exterior form.
Toyota Prius
The Toyota Prius is well one of the recognizable automobiles on the highway. This hybrid has been by way of quite a bit since its introduction means again in 1997 (2001 for the U.S. market), with a number of variants coming and going over time. Whereas the Prius has advanced, one factor has remained the identical – its “distinctive” styling. Certain, it will get distinctive gasoline financial system, and now there’s even a plug-in Prius, however that form certain takes the “enjoyable” out of performance. The Prius deserves credit score for being the primary mass-produced and fully-successful hybrid. Now right here’s the following problem for Toyota: make it look interesting.
Subaru Tribeca
The Subaru Tribeca was the automaker’s first seven-seat SUV that was in the marketplace from 2005-2014. It had an unpleasant facade characterised by a spherical exterior and a slim rectangular grille that appeared visually unbalanced. Appears apart, the Tribeca additionally suffered from poor reliability scores and a sub-par inside.
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This text, Ugly Automobiles: Automotive Designs Not Even a Mom May Love, initially appeared on iSeeCars.com.