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Automotive Failure: Top 10 Worst Cars Ever

Most people drive more than one car throughout their lifetime. If you’ve had your fair share of rides over the years, you’ve probably also had a favorite vehicle. For whatever reason, the color, the features, the engine, etc, that car was the one you always took everywhere.

Similarly, you must have had a car that you completely and utterly disliked. Whether it was the uncomfortable seats, the cheap paint or the heavy breaks, it just wasn’t what you expected it to be.

It is the same in the world of automobiles. Some cars are all-time favorites while others are plain automotive failures. Read on to find out the 10 worst cars that have ever been created and sold on the market.

Photo by Kevin Tichenor on Shutterstock

Top 10 Worst Cars Ever:

Hummer H2

The Hummer was first introduced on the market in 2002 by General Motors. The huge vehicle was not received with a standing ovation, as anticipated by its creators.

Sure, it was all leather interior and large space for passengers, a 6.3 l V8 with 393 horsepower (the 2009 model). But that was about it with the pros. The cons include its incredibly poor fuel efficiency. Read also:5 Amazing Car Modifications That Actually Pay Off

1975 Trabant

As described by Time Magazine, Trabant was the car that gave communism a bad rep. If this description is not enough for you to move to the next vehicle on the list, here are some more details that make it one of the worst cars ever.  It was made of Duroplast, reinforced with recycled fibers like wood and cotton. When you drove it, it looked like you were sending smoke signals, that’s how much smoke it released into the atmosphere.

To top things off, Trabant did not have brake lights or fuel gauge, or many other basic features.

Suzuki X-90

This weird-looking vehicle was manufactured between 1995 and 1997. If the short manufacturing period is not a dead giveaway, then here are some more of its “interesting features”.

First of all, it looked like a car toy, the one you would use to give your Barbie dolls a ride in.

It was marketed as an SUV (the height does match the title) with a 1.6-liter four-cylinder and a mere 94 horsepower. With this model, Suzuki only managed to convince 7000 buyers to purchase this small and ugly vehicle.

1920 Briggs and Stratton Flyer

Created in 1920, the Briggs and Stratton Flyer is one of the most basic vehicles to ever set wheels on this planet. Its four wheels and steering wheel qualified it as a car but other than that, it looked like a vehicle from the Flintstones age.

The Flyer came with no suspension, no car body, no windshield, basically nothing. To start the engine, you had to lift it off the ground with the help of a lever and then put it back down. Say that again?

At the other end of the spectrum, here are The 10 Most Amazing Motorcycles Ever Made .

Chevrolet SSR

If you didn’t know, the SSR in the car’s name stood for Super Sport Roadster. Funny, right? But let’s go back to being serious again and see why the Chevrolet SSR was one of the worst cars ever created.

While it was made to rival models such as Ford Thunderbird and Dodge Charger, the Chevy just didn’t have what it takes to get the public interested. It was made from 2003 to 2006, had a 5.3 liter V8 engine with 300 horsepower and the appearance of a failed experiment between pickup truck and convertible car.

Revs G-Wiz

If the name doesn’t sound familiar, that’s because this vehicle has never made it to the United States. Initially called REVAi, it was created by Reva Electronic Car Company in India and sold between 2001 and 2012.

The Reva G-Wiz’s creators intended to create a small and practical electric vehicle, with a reasonable price. Their dream, however, did not become reality, as the result was a micro vehicle that was categorized as a quadricycle, or a four-wheel motorcycle. Although it was meant to be a four-seat, the tiny car could barely accommodate the driver. The fact that it received low safety scores did not help REVA’s reputation either. This is why it is considered one of the worst cars ever.

Pontiac Aztek

This model of Pontiac could not have missed being on the worst cars ever made list. The main reason? Its ugliness. Its design certainly gives the Pontiac brand a bad name.

The manufacturers intended to create a stylish and practical minivan. Instead, what came out of the factory was an atrocious-looking crossover that appealed to no one. Drivers opted for models such as Hyundai Santa Fe or Toyota Highlander which were far better looking. Some say it is this model that led to Pontiac’s demise five years after the Pontiac Aztek was released on American highways. Coincidence or not?

SsangYong Radius

This Korean model was manufactured between 2005 and 2013 by the Koreans at SsangYong. It is considered one of the worst cars ever created due to its incredibly ugly design and terrible engine features.

It was marketed as having design features similar to luxury yachts. Could it be just us who are missing the so-called similarities? The front looks oldish while the back is plain awkward, with rounded lines that somehow make the car look boxy. A paradox right?

It did have plenty of space for passengers but overall it was not worth it, as buyers suffered massive losses due to the car’s depreciation (75% loss) in only three years.

Reliant Robin

No, this is not Batman’s sidekick but a car from the 1970s with only three wheels.

It was released on the market in 1973, with a 750cc four-cylinder engine and 85mph speed. Its consumption was pretty neat, going 70 miles with only a gallon of gas.

However, its unstable car body and wheels made it flip quite easily on the road. Not to mention you could end up with the steering wheel popping off while taking a curve. Last, but not least, it did not have a reverse.

You might also like to find out 7 Important Things You Shouldn’t Do in Your Car (but You Do)

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Photo by betto rodrigues on Shutterstock

Ford Pinto

It might have looked good but it was certainly not a sight for sore eyes as this car had the tendency to burst into flames after the smallest collisions. We like hot cars, but not that hot!

It was actually not a bad car, it’s small, affordable and even fast. However, the fact that the fuel tank was placed inappropriately turned the vehicle into a fire hazard on wheels.

The Pinto was later on recalled and fitted with a protective shield, but that was years later after its production between 1971 and 1980. For your safety, if you see or think of buying a used Ford Pinto, better drive away!

 

9 Responses

  1. Chevy SSR is a collector’s car…..such as cool idea and design with plenty of power. Great roadster with plenty of room to take along to sports games.

  2. The Pontiac Aztec was ahead of its time. Plenty of us loved it!!!! (Maybe because we didn’t want the same car everyone else had)
    The only reason I got rid of mine was because I couldn’t fit a family of six in it when my fourth child was on his way.

  3. The Pinto? Fast? Not mine. I could probably have walked as fast after waiting for it to creep through the gears and get up to speed.Then, as you mentioned, the fire factor. I got rear ended while taking a corner and took the hit right where the gas tank was. When I took my car in for repair I was told that if the dent had been 1/4″ deeper, I would have blown sky high. Not long after, the problem became public knowledge and I got rid of my Pinto!!

  4. There were some horrible cars on the UK Market in the 60’s. The Renault Dauphin, which rusted in front of your eyes. The Lada boxes. The FSR import.and anything from the Dagenham works

  5. All of the new Lexus line of cars and suvs are major ugly! The front end of these cars are horrendous. This proves that Japanese manufacturers are not good at designing or creating any product. This country succeeds on copying American products then mass producing them cheaper.

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