There are some truly amazing cars out there, but some aren’t quite as good when it comes to how they’re designed. Some of them feature poor interiors, or maybe they’re just plain uncomfortable. Whatever it is, there are a lot of reasons why you should be avoiding some cars rather than others.
Let’s explore some of the cars you should really be avoiding due to their bad design.
Fiat Multipla
Infamous for its bizarre design choices, the Fiat Multipla has stunned people for years, and not for good reasons. The bulging roofline and odd proportions make it stand out from the crowd for all the wrong reasons. Known as “one of the ugliest cars ever designed” by Carscoops, this vehicle is definitely one to avoid if you want a design that isn’t terrible.
Pontiac Aztek
Often remembered as a prime example of questionable car design, this vehicle is yet another one to avoid. Its awkward, boxy shape and mismatched lines make it extremely hard to appreciate unless you don’t care about looks.
Even the interior doesn’t redeem the experience, with lots of tacky plastic finishes and a layout that feels totally uninspired. It’s definitely functional, but the style leaves much to be desired.
Nissan Juke
Although the Nissan Juke tried to stand out as quirky, its exaggerated headlights and odd curves ended up polarizing buyers. The compact SUV’s unusual shape seems to sacrifice space on the inside for no apparent reason. So, not only is this car badly designed from an aesthetic viewpoint, but it’s also badly designed for practicality. For drivers prioritizing both functionality and good looks, the Juke’s is a big disappointment.
Smart ForTwo
Even though this car is undeniably compact, its size comes at a big cost. Its cramped interior leaves very little room for comfort, and the unconventional shape lacks the appeal of other small cars. It may be easy to park, but it’s very impractical for just about every other thing.
They tried very hard to make this car in a minimalist style, so if that’s not your thing, definitely avoid it.
Hummer H2
The Hummer H2 is big, bold, and brash but not particularly well-designed. Its oversized body makes it difficult to maneuver, so the decision to make it so large really was just for aesthetics. The interior also doesn’t offer the luxury you’d expect at its price point, probably because you’re paying for its footprint, not its features. Instead, you’re just left with a lot of bulky plastic.
Chevy SSR
With such a confusing design, it’s no surprise that the Chevy SSR struggled to find its audience. Is it a truck? A sports car? A convertible? People weren’t really sure. Its retro-modern styling tried to blend way too many elements, resulting in a vehicle that didn’t do very well at anything.
Practicality also took a backseat, with limited interior and cargo space, making this vehicle an easy choice to avoid.
Toyota Mirai (First Generation)
Toyota’s first-generation Mirai aimed to push boundaries with its modernized hydrogen fuel cell technology, but the design fell very short of what they were trying to do. The vehicle had a really overstyled front end, and the bulky profile really didn’t sit well with its potential buyers. While the technology was cutting-edge, the vehicle’s aesthetics made it a hard sell to anyone with good eyesight.
Chrysler PT Cruiser Convertible
The PT Cruiser already had some divisive looks, but the convertible version took it a whole step further. Its high beltline and awkward proportions made it look completely unbalanced when the top was down. Who buys a convertible that doesn’t even look good with the top down?
Despite some retro charm, the overall design was utterly dreadful and kept lots of people from even considering it as an everyday car.
Hyundai Veloster
The three-door layout of this car aimed to be a unique design choice to set it apart from its competitors. Unfortunately, it ended up just feeling impractical and small. It may have suited a small part of the population, but most weren’t happy. Coupled with an angular design that isn’t to everyone’s taste, the Veloster struggles to find a balance between form and function.
BMW i3
BMW’s i3 tried very hard to blend futuristic styling with eco-friendly engineering, but the result was really bad. The tall, narrow stance and short wheelbase of the car gave it an unsteady appearance on the road, while the interior’s unconventional materials were not appealing to any of BMW’s traditional luxury buyers.
Lincoln MKT
Its design aimed for modern luxury but ended up looking way too bulky. Its front grille is weirdly large, and the rear styling lacks any sort of cohesion. Even inside, the design feels dated, with controls that aren’t as intuitive as those you’ll find in competing luxury SUVs. It struggles to stand out for the right reasons, so avoid this car and go for one of its rivals instead.
Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross
As a crossover inspired by the popular Eclipse sports car, the Eclipse Cross didn’t quite hit the mark that Mitsubishi wanted. The car featured a split rear window, which did nothing but hamper visibility, while the overall shape lacked the athleticism of its namesake. Combined with an interior that feels a bit plain, the design fails to live up to the high expectations we all had for this car.
Subaru Tribeca
Subaru’s Tribeca received some very mixed reactions for its controversial front-end design. Most of it was bad, but particularly the grille, which resembled an airplane. The unconventional styling overshadowed its otherwise solid performance, which made it a real disappointment. If the styling was any better, this could have been a great choice of car.
Unfortunately, the dashboard’s cluttered layout on the inside didn’t help matters either, making the Tribeca a hard sell despite its practicality.
Ford Mustang Mach-E
This vehicle takes the iconic Mustang name but applies it to an electric SUV, sparking debate among practically everyone. Who thinks it’s a good idea to imprint a legendary muscle car on an electric SUV? While the car’s modern features are commendable, the design feels like it’s trying way too hard to connect with its muscle car heritage. The result is a vehicle that looks neither like a true Mustang nor a standalone EV.
Tesla Cybertruck
The idea of this car is to embrace a futuristic, angular design that’s unlike anything else on the road. However, its extreme appearance has some really polarized opinions. While the bold styling grabs a lot of attention, it also raises questions about practicality and safety.