17:28 30-12-2025

Five infamous car design flops that never quite worked

No. 1. SsangYong Rodius

This South Korean giant looks trapped in its own nightmare of proportions. Instead of flowing lines and elegant solutions, the designers delivered an oversized, ill-balanced machine. Conceived as a spacious luxury minivan, it picked up a nickname likening it to a banana boat for its overstretched body and absurdly proportioned front end. The shape feels so incoherent that it’s often cited as one of the worst exercises in car design; even standing still, it never quite comes together.

No. 2. Dodge Nitro

American cars are known for their size and swagger, but this Chrysler SUV plainly missed the mark. The model looks massive and clumsy, as if assembled from mismatched parts. Tall pillars, coarse headlamp treatments, and swollen wheel arches make it visually heavy and ungainly. Many critics described the design as bulky and argued it resembled a promotional mock-up for construction equipment more than a stylish urban SUV. Up close, it struggles to find a confident stance.

No. 3. Chrysler PT Cruiser

This retro model once made waves by channeling classic American silhouettes. Over time, though, its cues fell out of favor: the roofline, rounded bumpers, and stylized grille aged quickly, turning the car into shorthand for dated design. Today many owners complain about everyday drawbacks, including poor aerodynamics and low efficiency, while the shape mostly prompts a wry smile and a dose of nostalgia. The romance fades fast once the novelty wears off.

No. 4. Subaru Tribeca

This Japanese bid for a premium crossover turned into a flop in terms of looks. Subaru unveiled an angular vehicle with a heavy-looking hood and windshield—far from harmonious. The lighting elements drew particular criticism, as did the overall imbalance at the front. A well-known critic even characterized the design as a disaster and likened the face to that of an exotic animal. It always seemed older than its years.

No. 5. Citroën C3 Pluriel

French engineers gambled on innovation, offering a unique modular cabriolet that could transform almost on the move. Bold in theory, the execution proved questionable. Rough folding mechanisms, unreliable door latches, and odd body shapes made daily use uncomfortable. The broad palette of bright colors only emphasized how out of place it looked in city traffic. Many shoppers were put off by the unusual appearance, turning the purchase into an experiment rather than a considered choice of a dependable car. The idea deserved a cleaner finish than it received.