Don't You Miss Unique-Looking Cars?
So often, car names try to sell you on their durability and luxurious packaging. Every now and then, though, a carmaker picks something a little strange, and that’s where the fun starts. These cars came from different countries and different decades, yet none of them were content to blend into the background. Here are 20 quirky car names that still make the car world more fun.
1. AMC Gremlin
AMC introduced the Gremlin on April 1, 1970; a brave date for a car with such a mischievous name. Its chopped-off rear end looked as different as its badge sounded, and it became a memorable part of 1970s car culture. Today we also associate it with a popular 1984 horror comedy.
2. AMC Pacer
The Pacer arrived in 1975 with a wide body, huge windows, and a roomy cabin for a compact car. It stood out on the road. “Pacer” sounds calm and sporty, making it a funny match for such a round, space-age-looking little car.
3. Ford Probe
The Probe was a collaboration between Ford and Mazda, combining the iconic American brand with a Mazda platform. The production model reached showrooms for 1989 and stayed around through 1997, while early plans considered it as a possible Mustang replacement.
4. Plymouth Prowler
The Prowler arrived in 1997 looking like a hot rod had rolled into a modern showroom. It had open front wheels, a low stance, and plenty of aluminum in its build. The name “Prowler” was a perfect choice for this vehicle's aggressive build.
Alexandre Prévot from Nancy, France on Wikimedia
5. Subaru BRAT
BRAT stood for Bi-drive Recreational All-terrain Transporter. Subaru introduced it in 1978 with part-time four-wheel drive, and many versions had rear-facing jump seats in the cargo bed. It was useful, unusual, and by modern standards, reminiscent of a neon green summer album we adore.
Charlie from United Kingdom on Wikimedia
6. Honda That’s
Honda introduced the That’s in 2002 as a small Japanese-market wagon made for easy everyday driving. The name came from that familiar moment when you find something you like and say, “That’s it.” It’s a simple name, but its uniqueness makes it hard to forget.
7. Daihatsu Midget
The Daihatsu Midget was a small, three-wheeled truck that arrived in 1957 for tight streets, local shops, and small deliveries. It was made to be easy to handle and easy to turn around in crowded places. The name is quite dated by modern standards, though it did tell buyers exactly what they were getting: a very small vehicle built to work hard.
8. Suzuki X-90
The Suzuki X-90 came out in 1995 as a two-seat SUV coupe based on the first-generation Vitara. It mixed sporty looks with real four-wheel-drive power. The coded name suited the car's dual nature: not really a regular coupe, but not necessarily an off-roader either.
9. Nissan S-Cargo
Nissan gave the S-Cargo one of the best puns in car history. The name mixed “cargo” with escargot, the French word for snail. The little van had a tall, rounded shape that looked a bit snail-like. It launched in 1989, and its friendly look made it a cult classic for car-lovers everywhere.
Steve Glover from Bolton, Lancs., England on Wikimedia
10. Nissan Figaro
The Figaro arrived in 1991 as a limited-run Pike car, with 20,000 examples made. This two-door convertible had quite a retro look, appropriate for its namesake. This adorable car was named after the main character of Pierre Beaumarchais' 18th-century play, The Marriage of Figaro.
11. Nissan Be-1
The Be-1 started as a show vehicle that went into limited production in January 1987. More than 10,000 people ordered one even though only 10,000 were planned, so buyers were picked by lottery. The name looks more like a secret project code than a car badge, but that made it feel fresh and fun.
12. Nissan Pao
The Pao went on sale in January 1989 as the second Pike car, following the Be-1. Its name came from a Chinese word meaning a Mongolian portable dwelling, also known as a yurt, and was even available with a canvas top. Once you see its retro shape, the unusual name starts to fit with the car's outdoorsy feel.
13. Toyota WiLL Vi
The WiLL Vi went on sale in 2000 as part of a project shared by five Japanese companies. It was pronounced “vee-eye” and was described as a four-door personal capsule. With its carriage-like shape and stylized name, this car was made for people who didn't want to blend in.
14. Toyota Sera
Toyota turned a 1987 show-car idea into the Sera, a small coupe with gullwing doors and a huge glass canopy. It went into production in 1990 and was exclusively sold in Japan. The name "Sera" is a play on a tense of the French word "être," or "to be." Que sera, indeed.
15. Toyota Deliboy
Toyota introduced the Deliboy in 1989 as a small delivery van. Its big, smooth side panels could also be used for advertising, which was handy for shops on the move. “Deliboy” is a plainspoken name, but it’s friendlier than most commercial-vehicle badges. This vehicle also became a popular choice for van-lifers and nomadic types.
16. Mazda Bongo Friendee
Mazda launched the Bongo Friendee in 1995 as a minivan for the family-friendly adventurer. Some versions had a power-operated pop-up roof that could easily turn into a sleeping spot. The name is a combination of the word "friend" and the Bongo Antelope; a perfect name for a car that combines work and play.
17. Mazda Laputa
Mazda borrowed the name Laputa from the floating island in Gulliver’s Travels. The tiny model arrived in 1999 and was designed to be small, useful, and fun to drive around town. It’s not every day that a little city car gets a name from classic literature, and that gives this particular vehicle some extra charm.
18. Volkswagen Beetle
Thanks to its rounded body and adorable stature, the original Volkswagen Type 1 became affectionately known as the Beetle. The nickname stuck so well that it became part of the car’s identity around the world. Later versions used the familiar Beetle name too, proving that a sweet nickname can become one of the best-known names in car history.
19. Škoda Yeti
Škoda’s Yeti arrived in 2009 as the brand’s first modern SUV. Behind the mythical name was a useful family vehicle with flexible rear seating and plenty of everyday practicality. That mix is what makes the name so fun: it sounds like a mountain creature, and it's ready for a mountain of work.
20. Mitsubishi Pajero Junior Flying Pug
The Flying Pug was a special version of the Pajero Junior. Styled to look like a classic British car, the Pug was built from September 1997 to June 1998, and was the third special edition of the small SUV. Despite it being a massive sales flop during its 10-month production, the name isn't something you easily forget.
