1. 1958 Ford Edsel
The Edsel is one of the most notorious design flops in American automotive history. Ford hyped it up as the next big thing, but its odd front grille—often described as “horse-collar” or “toilet-seat” shaped—put people off immediately. Ford’s marketing was bold, but the design didn’t live up to the hype, and the Edsel became an expensive mistake.
2. 2001 Pontiac Aztek
No list of ugly cars is complete without the infamous Pontiac Aztek. This compact SUV was supposed to appeal to outdoorsy types, but its boxy, awkward shape and odd split rear window only appealed to diehard contrarians. It’s a bit sad because it actually had some practical features; unfortunately, its looks were too hard to overlook.
3. 1980 Chevrolet Citation
Chevrolet had high hopes for the Citation, but the result was a boxy, uninspired design that just didn’t age well. The Citation looked less like a car and more like an appliance on wheels, which was probably not what Chevy intended. Its bland lines and awkward proportions didn’t help its case, either.
4. 1982 Cadillac Cimarron
Ah, the Cadillac Cimarron—a luxury car that wasn’t very luxurious. GM tried to save money by dressing up a Chevy Cavalier with Cadillac trim, but it turned out looking just like… well, a Chevy Cavalier with Cadillac trim. People weren’t fooled by the Cimarron’s thinly disguised economy car roots.
5. 1974 AMC Matador Coupe
AMC, known for its quirky vehicles, somehow outdid itself with the 1974 Matador Coupe. With an oversized front grille that looked like a gaping mouth, flared fenders, and bloated dimensions, it seemed like AMC was going for a spaceship look but missed the mark by a few light-years.
6. 1970 AMC Gremlin
The AMC Gremlin’s designers wanted to make a car that stood out, but the result was a little too out there. Its sharply cut-off rear end looked like someone forgot to finish designing the car. The Gremlin was quirky, but in a “so bad it’s good” kind of way—though it still makes the list for its odd shape.
7. 2002 Lincoln Blackwood
The Lincoln Blackwood was a luxury pickup that didn’t really know what it wanted to be. Lincoln tried to combine high-end luxury with truck utility, but the execution left much to be desired. Its glossy black exterior, covered in fake wood grain, made it look more like a mobile nightclub than a rugged truck. To make matters worse, it had virtually no functional cargo space since the truck bed was lined with carpeting and had a power-operated cover. Practical? Hardly. Bold design choice? Absolutely.
8. 1975 Ford Mustang II
This one hurts for Mustang fans. Ford scaled down the Mustang in response to the 1970s oil crisis, but the result wasn’t quite what people were hoping for. The Mustang II was a pale imitation of the muscle car icon, with lackluster performance and an uninspired design that looked more like a Pinto than a pony car.
9. 1986 Zimmer Quicksilver
Most people haven’t heard of the Zimmer Quicksilver, and there’s probably a good reason for that. This car attempted to combine classic luxury with a futuristic look, but it just came out awkward and odd. Its elongated hood, boxy body, and strange mix of retro and modern styling cues made it look like a car that didn’t know what it wanted to be.
10. 1978 Chrysler LeBaron Town & Country Wagon
Who thought wood paneling on a car was a good idea? The Chrysler LeBaron Town & Country Wagon took the faux-wood trend to new (and strange) heights. With its boxy shape and acres of fake wood, it looked more like a cabin on wheels than a car. It had practicality, but style? Not so much.
11. 1996 Ford Taurus
The Ford Taurus was a popular sedan, but the 1996 redesign took it in a weird direction. Ford went for an ovoid, bubbly look that was round from nearly every angle. The odd headlights and jellybean shape left many wondering why such a family-friendly car suddenly looked so bizarre.
12. 1979 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme Diesel
The Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme Diesel wasn’t just ugly; it also had a reputation for being notoriously unreliable. The strange squared-off grille, uninspired lines, and clunky profile didn’t do it any favors, making this diesel Cutlass a car you wouldn’t exactly brag about owning.
13. 1990 Chevrolet Lumina APV
To wrap things up, we have the Lumina APV minivan—a car that seemed to take inspiration from the boxy vans of the future that never quite happened. With a sharp nose and a weirdly sloping windshield, it looked more like a cheese wedge than a car. It was functional, sure, but stylish? Not by a long shot.
