The DeLorean Could Have Been Iconic
When a car disappoints consumers upon release, it can devastate the manufacturer and become a cautionary tale for every future model. New cars underperform every year, but now and then, one disappoints to the extent that it becomes truly hated. Here are the 20 most hated cars of all time.
1. Pontiac Aztek
This car is often viewed as one of the least visually appealing models of all time. It features awkward proportions, weird lines, and a confounding design. It was basically reduced to being a punchline upon its release. It also suffered from cheap interior materials and poor drivability.
2. Yugo GV
The Yugo was brought to the U.S. in the 1980s as an affordable car, but it quickly garnered a rancid reputation. It offered very little power and was prone to mechanical failures. Owners hated the constant breakdowns, weak safety features, and lackluster interior.
Chamelfo Ropatras;Cropped and levels adjusted by uploader Mr.choppers on Wikimedia
3. Ford Pinto
The Pinto is so hated that it's actually become infamous over the years. It had a design flaw in its fuel tank that made it prone to catching on fire after some rear-end collisions. Apparently, Ford knew about the issue but found that paying settlements would cost less than redesigning the car.
JOHN LLOYD from Concrete, Washington, United States on Wikimedia
4. DeLorean DMC-12
The DeLorean was an exciting stainless steel, gull-winged beast that became instantly iconic in Back to the Future. On the consumer market, it was underpowered, overpriced, and unreliable. The failure of this car can be traced to its rushed production time.
5. Chrysler PT Cruiser
This car actually had decent sales early on, but its driving experience made it hated over time. The build quality was unimpressive and its performance was nothing to write home about. Drivers found it slow, cheaply made and kind of odd looking.
6. Smart Fortwo
This car promised an efficient urban-friendly design but what it delivered on was a jerky automated manual transmission, loud cabin, and not the most pleasant driving ability. Its fuel economy was terrible, especially considering its size, and many perceived its safety features to be underwhelming.
7. Hummer H2
The Hummer H2 started as a symbol of excess and wastefulness, and its performance only added to the list of concerns over time. It was impractical for daily use and terribly inefficient.
8. Chevy Vega
The Vega had immense expectations leading up to its launch, but it literally fell apart shortly after. Early models has severe rust issues, oil consumption problems, and was prone to overheating. Even the innovative engine was unreliable, and drivers had to deal with frequent breakdowns.
9. Fiat 500L
The Fiat 500L was designed to expand on the charm and appeal of the small 500, turning it into a more family-friendly car. The final product was a true disappointment undermine by a lack of reliability, confusing ergonomics, and awful handling.
10. Cadillac Cimarron
To many, the Cinamarron is widely perceived to be the worst badge-engineering error in GM history. This car is basically a modified Chevy Cavalier but with a luxury car price tag.
11. Toyota Prius (First Generation)
The first Prius to roll into a showroom was a groundbreaking evolution in hybrid technology. However, it was disliked for its weak performance, weird styling, and mediocre drivetrain.
12. Nissan Juke
The Juke received heavy criticism for its look with many critics calling it one of the weirdest-looking cars ever brought to market. It's frog-eyed headlights and exaggerated curves were controversial and turned off many buyers. In fairness, it did ooze personality.
13. Renault Le Car
This French import offered drivers very little reliability, weak acceleration, and a low build quality. Some mechanics even refused to work on it due to the difficulty in finding parts and complicated repairs.
14. AMC Gremlin
The AMC Gremlin's most memorable feature is its weird chopped-off design. It lacked refinement and many found it to be ugly. The Gremlin's quality was inconsistent and it had poor fuel economy for its size.
15. Dodge Caliber
The Caliber was built to replace the popular Neon but failed to impress anyone. It was built with cheap materials and the driving was unrefined and harsh. It was completely uncompetitive in the compact car sector.
16. Saturn Ion
The Ion is a frustrating car with poor performance, a lazy interior, and very little power. Drivers frequently experienced electrical issues and steering failure.
17. Kia Spectra (Early Models)
Early Kia Spectras were a disaster. Its low safety scores were troubling and it was plagued by elecgtrical issues and premature rust. Kia improved in later years, but early Spectra models got the reputation as disposable economy cars.
18. Plymouth Reliant/Dodge Aries
While the K-Cars are partially responsible for saving Chrysler, they are still generally hated for their bland design, lame engines, and cheap interiors. These cars became infamous for how poorly they aged and they have come to symbolize a low point in American automotive history.
19. Suzuki X-90
This car was meant to combine a small SUV with a sporty two-seat coupe, but it turned out to be a strange marriage. It was impractical with limited cargo space and poor handling. This car never made a mark with consumers.
20. Tesla Cybertruck
Early Cybertruck models were disliked for its sharp-edged design, panel alignment issues, and its weight. There were also some software glitches and delayed features, which soured perception further.
