UPDATE: The list continues to grow with your contributions…
Okay. It's not “the 15 ugliest cars ever” but maybe it's “ the 15 ugliest cars of the last 25-30 years ” We didn't want to go too far back in time because the concept of beauty changes over time and we didn't want to be unfair.
Because as the people say “the eyes also eat”, the car industry invests exorbitant amounts in the design departments. However, over the years, less beautiful models have emerged (and we are being nice…), sometimes due to budgetary constraints, sometimes simply because whoever designed and approved them was not up to date.
If it is true that tastes are subjective, it is also true that there are consensual cases. This list will certainly lack some models, others are part of the list in a somewhat forced way — like those good students who get teachers used to good grades and one day “get it” a low enough one (as in the case of BMW and Porsche).
Subscribe to our newsletter here
These are our choices (in no specific order):
Fiat Multiple
A cliché in these lists. Whoever drove it says it is one of the best Fiats ever: comfortable, spacious, with ample visibility to the outside and adjusted engines. Anyone who has never dared to go inside finds it simply horrible. Italian style? Yeah, yeah...
BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo
We love the entire BMW 5 Series range except this model… the proportions are all wrong. From a night of love between a coupé, a minivan and a luxury saloon, “this” came out. He went looking for the worst it had to offer from each concept. The X6 is more acceptable, but this one… And yes, as far as BMW is concerned we are very picky. The new 6 Series GT managed to correct many of the ills of the 5 GT, but still…
Subaru Tribeca
Boxer-style gasoline engine, all-wheel drive, spacious interior, good equipment. It had everything to go well but that front spoiled everything. A 30km/h collision against a wall was better than Subaru's design department.
Toyota Mirai
We've already talked about the Toyota Mirai Car Reason here and for the best reasons — and we've even driven it — now we're talking about it again for the worst reason. Proportions are strange, and although we can accept the front (despite the mega holes present) and the profile, the rear doesn't remind anyone. Maybe it was drawn on a Monday morning and approved on a Friday afternoon.
Renault Koleos
Instead of Koleos, it could be called Renault Colica. Someone at Renault knew they were going to be fired and drew a colic with four wheels.
Daihatsu Move
Eventually, from the same designers who invented the cardboard box comes the Daihatsu Move. With the difference that the cardboard box is prettier… on a very unlucky day it is possible to come across one on the road. And if you go to Japan these mini “wheel cupboards” are still hugely popular — Honda, Toyota and Suzuki also have similar models.
Peugeot 1007
The Peugeot 1007 was an excellent idea, but the execution… Just look at it. Peugeot never bet on this concept again and the world is a better place.
Toyota Yaris Back
Another copy of Toyota. Producing models on a global scale comes to this: it is not possible to please “Greeks and Trojans”. If in Japan these bodies are even successful, here in Europe it's not quite like that. We insist on liking cars that are pleasing to the eye. Anyway… quirks.
Kia Opirus
Kia, who saw her and who sees her. Before the arrival of Peter Schreyer, who transformed Kia's design, there were visual crimes like Opirus. Imitation is said to be the sincerest form of homage, but this ill-conceived attempt to be an E-Class is to run away.
Subaru Impreza Casa Blanca
The same brand that produced one of the most beautiful rally cars ever managed to take it and make it… this! Inspired by other times, Impreza Casa Blanca intended to offer the Japanese a more refined proposal. It can only be a joke...
SsangYong Rodius
Omnipresent on any such list. A picture is worth a thousand words…
Ford Scorpio
True story: the designer responsible for this had revealed his inspiration when he saw some drawings of his… five-year-old son. It's the only possible justification for those eyes and mouth… One of the most vilified drawings ever.
SsangYong Korando
Do you know the beautiful expression of dying? This one is ugly to die for. It was once again a product betrayed by weak styling, an attempt to modernize the iconic Jeep Wrangler. It used Mercedes-Benz engines and off-road it had a very capable behavior. The market has not forgiven him that wide smile.
Porsche Panamera
There are no excuses. Porsche had an obligation to do better. The first Panamera, aesthetically, falls far short of its value as a product. This appointment is a wake-up call for the Stuttgart crowd. The second generation is incomparably better.
Skoda Pick-up Fun
It was yellow, horrible and… it sold very well in Portugal. There was a kind of contagion in our country by this pick-up. Looking back, it just makes you want to laugh...
The theme of the ugliest cars is one of the most heated discussions. There are few models that generate absolute consensus and personal tastes could not be more varied. We've selected 15, but it's just a small sample… Your comments and suggestions “forced” us to add more, many more…
Some of them are consensual in their lack of beauty, but others will be reasons for polarized arguments. Have we forgotten any?
Renault Vel Satis (UPDATE)
Our reader Hélder Bastos made the list grow. He reminded us through Facebook of this model that we had made a point of forgetting (at last, apologies…). Thank you Hélder!
Seat Toledo (UPDATE)
One more reader of ours to help and make the list grow to 17 copies (he preferred anonymity). He says that there was a SEAT Toledo like this at home. A fantastic car with a rear… According to him, that was the reason for the sale. They thought they would get used to it but nothing was done.
Ford KA (UPDATE)
It shared the base of the Ford Fiesta and was the most unfortunate interpretation of the “New Edge” design that Ford created in the 90s. Another suggestion that came to us via a Facebook message.
Opel Agila (UPDATE)
Another representative of the “segment of crates”, a tip from Virgílio Ramos via Facebook. The Opel Agila was the result of a joint venture with Suzuki, which resulted in two models. One was this the other nor let's show. Apart from not being owed much to beauty, it had an excellent ally for the city in its engines, with the 1.3 CDTI version at its head.
Lancia Thesis (UPDATE)
No doubt this will generate controversy. Even in our team, some think the style is superb, mixing the modern with the classic. Others think that something is missing – a gas can on the body and a match, for example… (thanks to Hélio Ramos).
