20 of the Worst-Looking Cars Ever Put on the Road

If you appreciate great automotive design, you know how much the right lines, proportions, and details matter. But not every car gets it right. Some designs miss the mark in ways that are impossible to ignore.

This slideshow from 24/7 Tempo takes a closer look at 20 cars that stand out for all the wrong reasons. From overly ambitious concepts to practical vehicles that ended up with awkward styling, these models left a lasting impression, just not the kind designers hope for.

You’ll see familiar names like the Pontiac Aztek and Fiat Multipla alongside more unusual entries that tried to push boundaries and fell short. Whether they were built for efficiency, innovation, or mass appeal, each one shows how difficult it can be to balance function and form.

The Aztek was meant to be a do-it-all vehicle for active families, complete with features like a removable cooler and even an attachable tent. On paper, it checked a lot of boxes. In reality, its design never quite came together. With uneven lines, bulky proportions, and panels that seem to clash rather than connect, it often looks like multiple ideas combined without a clear direction.

Inside, the Multipla was genuinely clever, offering six seats in two rows and a surprisingly roomy cabin for its size. From the outside, though, it told a very different story. The unusual front end, with its raised section beneath the windshield, gave it a layered look that stood out immediately. It’s one of those designs that prioritized function but left many people puzzled.

The Juke aimed to bring performance and personality to the compact crossover segment, and its turbocharged engine delivered on that promise. Its styling, however, was anything but subtle. With high-mounted lights, rounded shapes, and a short, wide stance, it took a bold approach that divided opinions. Some see it as playful and unique, while others find it hard to make sense of at first glance.

Meant to evoke a 1930s hot rod aesthetic, the PT Cruiser was part retro, part rent-a-car. Its tall stance, bug-eyed headlights, and excessive plastic cladding made it a love-it-or-hate-it affair. Sadly, most people went with the latter. It’s like someone tried to make a gangster car using leftover Lego bricks.

The Pacer was ahead of its time with wide doors and lots of glass for visibility. But it looked like a fishbowl on wheels. The asymmetrical doors only added to the visual confusion. It’s as if someone designed a spaceship and then got distracted halfway through.

A South Korean MPV designed for maximum practicality, the Rodius could seat up to 11 passengers. Unfortunately, it also looked like a melted minivan. The bizarre rear end and misaligned design cues made it infamous. It’s the automotive equivalent of a mood swing.

The second-gen Prius pioneered hybrid technology for the masses and helped save the planet. But its odd egg-shaped body and awkward profile didn't win beauty contests. It looked like a doorstop on wheels and drove like one too. Function over form, and form never called back.

A strange mix between a two-seater coupe and a mini SUV, the X-90 came with optional all-wheel drive and T-tops. Unfortunately, it looked like someone shrunk a pickup and forgot to finish the back. Its stumpy body and tall ride height gave it all the grace of a bouncy castle on stilts.

A bold move into the EV market, the i3 boasted sustainable materials and suicide rear doors. It also looked like a tech demo rendered in Minecraft. With chopped rear windows and a stubby silhouette, it resembled a futuristic golf cart designed by committee.

The SSR was a convertible pickup truck that tried to blend retro flair with utility. It failed on both fronts, with an over-styled front end and laughably impractical bed. It looked like a PT Cruiser went to a monster truck rally and came home confused.

The Baja attempted to revive the car-truck hybrid trend with a small open bed and Subaru reliability. But its busy design, strange proportions, and cladding overload made it an awkward sight. It’s what happens when a station wagon tries cosplay as a pickup.

Marketed to young, active drivers, the Element had a roomy, washable interior and suicide rear doors. It also looked like a refrigerator box with wheels. The Lego-like styling wasn’t exactly sleek. Practical, yes but only if you’re hauling awkwardly shaped IKEA furniture daily.

Designed as a safer alternative to tuk-tuks in India, the Iris is a tiny three-wheeled minivan. Its dinky size and cartoonish face make it look more like a vending machine mascot than a real car. Cute, but not in a way you'd want to drive outside a circus.

The VehiCROSS was meant to be a rugged SUV with futuristic flair and real off-road chops. Its cladding-heavy body, weird grille, and overly aggressive stance made it look like it was designed by a 12-year-old with a crayon. Bold? Yes. Attractive? Only in the dark.

A coupe-minivan hybrid, the Avantime tried to combine luxury and space in a wildly impractical form. Its massive doors and blocky roofline made it look like an art project with no editor. You could respect it, but loving it took effort and possibly medication.

The world’s smallest production car, the P50 was basically a shoebox with wheels. It had no reverse gear, you had to get out and push it. It’s cute in the same way a ferret in a hat is: undeniably weird, and a little unsettling.

This tiny kei truck was designed for tight Japanese streets and basic delivery needs. It looks like something you'd win in a claw machine. The single headlight on early versions didn’t help its cartoon vibes. Driving one is like being in a parade no one asked for.

The MKT was a luxury crossover meant to replace the Town Car, with seating for seven. But its bulbous rear, giant grille, and awkward silhouette made it look like a whale in a tuxedo. Somehow both imposing and forgettable, a weird automotive paradox.

This city car was all about compact practicality, perfect for tight European streets. It also looked like a plastic Easter egg on wheels. Watching one on the highway feels like spotting a chihuahua in a dog sled race.

An ultra-compact electric city car, the Ami is more of a quadricycle than a traditional vehicle. Its identical front and rear panels make it look like a plastic box with wheels. It’s charming in the way a brick is, but don’t expect to win any beauty pageants.