How Many of the World's Ugliest Cars Can You Identify?

By: Robin Tyler
Estimated Completion Time
5 min
How Many of the World's Ugliest Cars Can You Identify?
Image: Wiki Commons by Kevin Abato

About This Quiz

Car design has certainly changed plenty over the last 130 years of the automobile, that is for sure.

As car engines became more sophisticated and pushed cars along at greater speeds, designs changed to incorporate sweeping lines and aerodynamics to help vehicles cut through the air.

But that doesn't mean that all cars produced over the years have been beautiful. No, it certainly doesn't.

We accept that this is a very subjective thing, but we have gone about identifying 40 that we believe are some of the ugliest cars ever produced.

Do you think that you would be able to identify them all?

And we have a range of cars on the list. Some are fairly obscure. They would have to be, as ugly generally means they weren't bought in great quantities and fell away into obscurity. Of course, there are exceptions to this like the Yugoslavian car brought to the United States in the early 1980s. Thousands and thousands were sold, despite the fact the car was not only ugly but not reliable either. And there are many more.

Now you may not agree with all the cars on this list, but as we said, beauty or ugliness is often in the eye of the beholder.

Good luck, let's see just how many you know.

1988 Volvo 240
Wiki Commons by Nakhon100
Ugly is ugly, whether it is from the US, Japan, or in this case Europe. But what is the make and model?
Bufori Geneva
Subaru BRAT
1988 Volvo 240
AMC Gremlin
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Before the Volvo 240 became fairly cool, it was hideous. The wagon version in particular look like a rectangle. Not very aerodynamic at all! What were the designers at Volvo thinking?

Advertisement

Bond Bug
Wiki Commons by Charles01
Identify the ugly vehicle in this image, please.
1988 Volvo 240
Bond Bug
Nissan Juke
Nissan S-Cargo
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Microcars are fun, normally. The Bond Bug is just terrible to look at. First produced in 1974, the Bug looks like something you might want to squish with your shoe. And its just about small enough to do so.

Advertisement

Nissan Juke
Wiki Commons by Vauxford
A modern SUV, this vehicle certainly has, shall we say 'unique' looks. Do you know what it is?
Marcos Mantis XP
Ssangyong Rodius
Reliant Robin
Nissan Juke
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

This one divides opinions. Some people love it, others hate it! it certainly looks different but different isn't always good. In our book, it's not the most beautiful car we have ever seen.

Advertisement

Pontiac Aztek
Wiki Commons by Alexander Migl
Walter White's drive in "Breaking Bad" is pretty hideous. What is it?
Bond Bug
Fiat Multipla
Pontiac Aztek
Plymouth Prowler
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Released to the American public in 2001, the Aztek from Pontiac wasn't a pretty looking car, especially the sloping rear section. It didn't sell well either. "Breaking Bad," the acclaimed TV series, made the Aztek just a little more famous, however.

Advertisement

Sebring-Vanguard CitiCar
Wiki Commons by Michael Barera
Name this ugly electric car from the 1970s.
Fiat Multipla
Sebring-Vanguard CitiCar
Subaru BRAT
Subaru BRAT
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Released in 1974, the Sebring-Vanguard CitiCar is ... let's try to be nice here ... interesting. This electric car was released during the oil crisis but let's be honest, it looks like a wedge of cheese.

Advertisement

Nissan Cube
Wiki Commons by Tokumeigakarinoaoshima
If you look up ugly in the dictionary, you will see this car. Name the make and model, please.
Nissan Juke
Volkswagen 181
Nissan Cube
Subaru BRAT
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

It's a cube, on wheels. No more words necessary. No, we won't let it stand there. Just what was Nissan thinking when it released the Cube? And to those who bought one? Why? Why would you buy a car that looks like it belongs in a Tetris game?

Advertisement

AMC Pacer
Wiki Commons by CZmarlin — Christopher Ziemnowicz
Despite achieving cult status thanks to an appearance in "Wayne's World," this is not a pretty car. Do you know what it is?
AMC Pacer
DeLorean DMC-12
Volkswagen 181
Nissan Cube
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Not many people will remember the Pacer had it not been for its starring role in the slacker comedy and cult classic, "Wayne's World." This was one fairly unremarkable but ugly car.

Advertisement

Citroën Ami
Wiki Commons by Guillaume Vachey
The hideous vehicle in this image is the ________
Porsche Panamera
Citroën Ami
Smart ForTwo
Smart ForTwo
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

French car manufacturer Citroen has made a few interesting-looking cars over the years. The Ami is perhaps the ugliest one to date, though. And it wasn't just one version. All of them were fairly hideous.

Advertisement

Corbin Sparrow
Wiki Commons by Terrible Tim
It looks like a banana ... a car that looks like a banana. What is it? Do you know?
Smart ForTwo
Corbin Sparrow
AMC Pacer
DeLorean DMC-12
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Another vehicle famous from a movie (it appeared in Austin Powers: Goldmember), the Corbin Sparrow looks like a banana that has had one end cut off (especially when painted yellow). Quirky ... yes. Beautiful ... no!

Advertisement

Subaru BRAT
Wiki Commons by Charlie
A utility coupe it may be and a ugly utility coupe it is! What were they thinking? Do you know the make and model?
Subaru BRAT
DeLorean DMC-12
AMC Gremlin
Plymouth Prowler
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

This utility coupe, introduced in 1978, is not one of Subaru's finest design moments. It really looks like it was designed as a car first and then, with a few slices, a utility coupe emerged.

Advertisement

AMC Gremlin
Wiki Commons by Robert Spinello
Why did they chop off the back like that? Look at it, its hideous! What car is this?
Lightburn Zeta
AMC Gremlin
Plymouth Prowler
DeLorean DMC-12
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

With its elongated hood and cut-off back section, the Gremlin looks a bit like a wedge of cheese. Or a door stop. One thing is for sure, it was one of the stupidest-looking cars of the 1970s.

Advertisement

Smart ForTwo
Wiki Commons by Lothar Spurzem
While we are on city cars, this one is known the world over. That doesn't make it a looker, however. Do you know what it is?
Reliant Robin
Porsche Panamera
Smart ForTwo
Suzuki X-90
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Smart ForTwo has been around for a few decades. And when it comes to subcompact cars, it's prettier than most. It still looks like a bug you want to squash, though. And it's made from plastic. That's not very safe, is it?

Advertisement

1999 Ford Taurus
Wiki Commons by IFCAR
Droopy headlights and a hideous rear window make this vehicle a contender for ugliest car ever produced. Do you know what it is?
Pontiac Aztek
1999 Ford Taurus
1988 Volvo 240
Marcos Mantis XP
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The 1999 version of the Ford Taurus wasn't particularly pleasant on the eye. With its droopy headlights, it just looked sad. Very, very sad. One almost expected it to start crying. And from the back, it was just as ugly with that strange oval rear window.

Advertisement

Bugatti 1010 Exner Ghia
Вокруг света TV via YouTube
Even classic car makers get it wrong. Like this example. Can you name it?
Mitsuoka Nouera
Toyota Mirai
Bugatti 1010 Exner Ghia
AMC Pacer
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Even Bugatti get it wrong. Look at it from the rear and the Exner is not too bad-looking. But what did they do to the front? That grill is just hideous and why are the headlights tucked so far back?

Advertisement

Toyota Mirari
Wiki Commons by Matthew Lamb
Hydrogen power ... very cool! Overall design ... anything but cool! What car is featured here?
Toyota Mirai
Yugo
Aston Martin Lagonda Shooting Brake
Marcos Mantis XP
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Now this car has some cool about it thanks to the fact that it is powered by hydrogen. And from the back it looks ... OK. From the front, however, it's not a great piece of design. We think they were going for a futuristic look, but the world isn't ready yet.

Advertisement

Suzuki X-90
Wiki Commons by Spanish Coches
Identify this hideous-looking car, please.
Toyota Mirai
Suzuki X-90
Reliant Robin
Nissan Cube
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Another city car, another ugly car. The X-90 looks like someone took a full-sized car and squashed it from both sides. These cars should be cute, not hideous!!

Advertisement

Volkswagen 181
Wiki Commons by Niels de Wit
Can you name this vehicle pictured here? We are not sure what the designers of this car were thinking.
1999 Ford Taurus
Aston Martin Lagonda Shooting Brake
Bufori Geneva
Volkswagen 181
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Dubbed 'The Thing,' the 181 was an interesting vehicle from Volkswagen. It looked like a military vehicle from World War II, not necessarily a good thing. And that slant of the hood just didn't fit in with the overall design.

Advertisement

Lamborghini Veneno
Wiki Commons by Damian Morys
You wouldn't expect this car manufacturer to produce an ugly car. But they have in this one. What is it?
Marcos Mantis M70
Ssangyong Rodius
Nissan Juke
Lamborghini Veneno
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A Lambo among the world's ugliest cars? Yes. Look at it. It seems to have been designed by a 12-year old. It has more pointy bits than a triangle.

Advertisement

Fiat Multipla
Wiki Commons by Mick
A contender for worst car ever designed! This compact MPV was first released in 1998. What is it?
AMC Gremlin
Ssangyong Rodius
Aston Martin Lagonda Shooting Brake
Fiat Multipla
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

What was Fiat thinking? This compact MPV was first released in 1998. With its odd shape, it got more notice thanks to its looks than anything else. And those weird mid-center lights? What are those all about?

Advertisement

Lincoln Versailles
Wiki Commons by Greg Gjerdingen
Any idea as to the make and model of this horrible-looking car?
Lincoln Versailles
Lamborghini Veneno
Bugatti 1010 Exner Ghia
Toyota Mirai
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Named after a beautiful French palace, the Lincoln Versailles is certainly not easy on the eye. And its that half moon on the backend really puts it over the top. Well that, and most of the rest of it as well.

Advertisement

DeLorean DMC-12
Wiki Commons by Alfvan Beem
It went back to the future ... it should have stayed there! Name it.
Lightburn Zeta
AMC Gremlin
Plymouth Prowler
DeLorean DMC-12
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Let's face it, the DeLorean failed for a number of reasons. Looks must have been one of them. It's not pretty and only really saved by having gullwing doors. It gets coolness points for having formed part of the 'Back to the Future' film trilogy, however. Cool can still be ugly!

Advertisement

Tatra 603
Wiki Commons by Andrew Bone
Cars from failed communist countries are never pretty. Name this one, please, comrade!
Nissan Juke
Suzuki X-90
Toyota MasterAce
Tatra 603
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Another car from a communist country, another lesson in how not to design a vehicle. The Tatra was built in Czechoslovakia between 1956 and 1975. We're not quite sure how to describe the design at all on this one. Let's go with scarab-like ...

Advertisement

Jetstream SC250
jetstreamsportscars via YouTube
Performance ... incredible. Looks ... not so much! What is it?
Smart For Two
Reliant Robin
Bugatti 1010 Exner Ghia
Jetstream SC250
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Open-top cars such as the Jetstream SC250 can be a hit or miss affair. Often, it's their performance that sees them walk off the sales floor. No amount of performance could help the SC250 though. And what's up with that incredible angle on the windscreen?

Advertisement

1985 Buick Skylark
Wiki Commons by Bull-Doser
So not pretty! Eeew, in fact. What is it?
Bricklin SV-1
1985 Buick Skylark
DeLorean DMC-12
AMC Pacer
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Square and angular - for us the third generation Buick Skylark looks like a squarangle! Not only ugly, it's just boring. Buick, you should be ashamed of yourself having that monstrosity as part of the Skylark brand.

Advertisement

Porsche Panamera
Wiki Commons by Ben
Even auto giants get it wrong from time to time. Like this vehicle pictured here. Do you know what it is?
Corbin Sparrow
Porsche Panamera
AMC Goblin
Nissan Cube
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Oh Porsche, what were you thinking? We get you wanted a four-door executive sports car but did it have to be so ugly? It doesn't even really look like a Porsche.

Advertisement

Mitsuoka Nouera
Wiki Commons by Tokumeigakarinoaoshima
Can you perhaps illuminate us to the name of this ugly car?
Mitsuoka Nouera
Citroën Ami
Suzuki X-90
Nissan Juke
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Just look at this vehicle. This is the Mitsuoka Nouera, which is produced in Japan, incidentally. That grill is hideous and certainly doesn't fit in with all of those lights. We will pass on this one, thanks.

Advertisement

Davis D-2 Divan
Wiki Commons by dave_7
Any idea as to the make and model of this ugly 3-wheeler?
Nissan Cube
Porsche Panamera
Lincoln Versailles
Davis D-2 Divan
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Davis D-2 Divan is a three-wheeler from the late 1940s that looks like a pointy shoe, not a car. Or roller skates for giants! It was only built for a period of three years and wasn't that successful.

Advertisement

Lightburn Zeta
Wiki Commons by GTHO
So ugly, only 400 sold in two years. Can you name this ugly Australian car?
Lightburn Zeta
AMC Gremlin
Plymouth Prowler
DeLorean DMC-12
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Made in Australia, the Zeta first entered production in 1963. This lasted to 1965 with only 400 sold. This might have been on account of the fact that the Zeta not only had a silly name but was hideous to look at.

Advertisement

Marcos Mantis XP
Wiki Commons by Richard
Some love the way this sports car looks ... we tried to find them but we couldn't. Do you know the make and model?
Marcos Mantis XP
Sebring-Vanguard CitiCar
Plymouth Prowler
Aston Martin Lagonda Shooting Brake
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

If we're honest, a few better design elements and the Mantis XP might have been a looker. Now, however, it's not the prettiest sports car you will ever see. And that's us being nice. The front, in particular, looks like a motorbike rode straight down the middle of the hood and dented it perfectly.

Advertisement

Ssangyong Rodius
Wiki Commons by CrazyD
A contender for the ugliest SUV ever. Any idea as to the make and model?
Aston Martin Lagonda Shooting Brake
Ssangyong Rodius
Subaru BRAT
DeLorean DMC-12
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

This massive MPV was first marketed in 2004. The good? It can carry up to 11 people. The bad? They won't want to get in it because it's so ugly! In particular, the curvy lines that form toward the rear only for it to become totally square. Horrendous! That's the only way to describe the Ssangyong Rodius.

Advertisement

Aston Martin Lagonda Shooting Brake
Wiki Commons by Simplexvir
It may be a prestigious name but it certainly doesn't mean it's not ugly. Name this hideous vehicle, please.
Lightburn Zeta
AMC Gremlin
Subaru BRAT
Aston Martin Lagonda Shooting Brake
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

What a name! Pity about the abysmal shape. All pointy in the front and square at the back. That's never worked in car design and certainly doesn't here.

Advertisement

Daewoo Tico
Wiki Commons by order_242
You would agree that this car is not pretty, right? Any idea what it is?
Daewoo Tico
Jensen S-V8
Yugo
1999 Ford Taurus
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

City cars can be fairly bland, but the Tico looks like a lump of margarine left in the fridge. And all those windows? Not great if you need your privacy.

Advertisement

Reliant Robin
Wiki Commons by Oxyman
Hated by Mr Bean (it must be because it is ugly), can you tell us the name of this vehicle?
Nissan Juke
Fiat Multipla
Reliant Robin
Marcos Mantis XP
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A quirky three-wheeler, the Reliant Robin was made famous in the Mr. Bean TV series as well as the madcap Top Gear crew trying to launch it like a space shuttle. No matter how quirky it is, it is still ugly.

Advertisement

Bufori Geneva
Wiki Commons by El Monty
Are you able to identify the ugly car shown in this image?
Reliant Robin
Bufori Geneva
DeLorean DMC-12
DeLorean DMC-12
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Great name! Shame about the rest of it. The Geneva is a modern car trying to pull off a retro feel. That always ends in tears, although from the side, it's not too bad. From the front, however, it's hideous.

Advertisement

Jensen S-V8
Wiki Commons by edvvc
Did anyone take a look at this as the first model rolled of the production line and think, "That's a beauty?" I don't think so. Do you know the make and model?
Jetstream SC250
Jensen S-V8
Mitsuoka Nouera
Toyota Mirai
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

British car companies have always built some excellent sports cars. Not even the fact that it was a convertible could save the ugliness of the SV-8, however. The fact that the body panels didn't seem to fit correctly either, didn't help.

Advertisement

Toyota MasterAce
Wiki Commons by Mytho88
Practical? Yes, we would give it that. Ugly? Certainly. Name it, please.
Porsche Panamera
Daewoo Tico
Toyota MasterAce
Reliant Robin
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Certainly not a master or an ace, this van certainly wasn't bought for its looks. That said, it was fairly practical. And yes, you could see why someone might want one. But not for its looks.

Advertisement

Yugo
Wiki Commons by Tonystarkv42
This car is proof that despite ugliness and reliability issues, people will still buy something that is cheap. Name it.
Yugo
AMC Pacer
1988 Volvo 240
Bufori Geneva
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Rubbish looks, rubbish reliability. That about sums about the Yugo. Strangely, over 140,000 were sold in the United States in the 1980s. I'm pretty sure most had buyer's remorse.

Advertisement

Marcos Mantis M70
Wiki Commons by SG2012
The ugly vehicle in this image is a _______
1985 Buick Skylark
Marcos Mantis M70
Smart For Two
Tatra 603
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

How pointy is the M70? That said, it looks like the front, middle and rear sections are all designed by different people. Not a good thing when it comes to car design!

Advertisement

Bricklin SV-1
Wiki Commons by dave_7
The gull wing doors don't help it at all. Can you name this ugly sports car, please?
Tatra 603
Bricklin SV-1
Smart For Two
Jensen S-V8
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Gull-wing doors ... pretty cool! Shaped like a doorstop ... not so much! The Bricklin SV-1 was only produced for two years from 1974 to 1975. In other words, it was a total failure.

Advertisement

Plymouth Prowler
Wiki Commons by Greg Gjerdingen
You can see what they were hoping for here and yes, it's kinda of interesting looking. But it is still ugly. What make and model is this image?
Lightburn Zeta
AMC Gremlin
Plymouth Prowler
DeLorean DMC-12
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

This one's up for debate. Some people love the Prowler but we don't. Maybe if the front wheels were not exposed - they have mudguards for goodness sake - we could like it a little more.

Advertisement

You Got:
/40
Wiki Commons by Kevin Abato