When Your Car Gets the Wrong Kind of Attention
Some cars age beautifully, while others become increasingly difficult to defend as the years go by. Whether it's an unfortunate design, an outdated reputation, or a questionable attempt at luxury, certain vehicles have become famous for all the wrong reasons. Of course, there's nothing wrong with loving an unpopular car, but you might find yourself explaining your choice more often than you'd like. Here are 20 vehicles that have gone from interesting purchases to cars some drivers would rather not be spotted in.
1. Chrysler PT Cruiser
The Chrysler PT Cruiser was everywhere in the early 2000s, when its retro styling seemed fresh and different. Unfortunately, its odd proportions haven't aged particularly well, and the car eventually earned a reputation for looking painfully outdated. These days, driving one might suggest you're still attached to automotive trends that disappeared more than two decades ago.
2. Hummer H2
There was a time when owning a Hummer H2 practically guaranteed attention, especially among celebrities and wealthy drivers. Today, its massive size, awful fuel economy, and aggressive appearance make it seem a little over the top. Unless you're particularly fond of early-2000s luxury culture, this SUV probably isn't turning heads for the reasons it once did.
3. Pontiac Aztek
The Pontiac Aztek became infamous almost as soon as it arrived, largely because of its controversial exterior. Its awkward front end and strange proportions made it one of the most heavily criticized vehicles of its time. Although the Aztek has gained a small cult following thanks partly to Breaking Bad, plenty of people still associate it with some seriously questionable styling choices.
4. Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet
Turning a midsize crossover into a convertible probably sounded like a fun idea during Nissan's development meetings. However, the finished Murano CrossCabriolet looked oddly proportioned, with a tall body and soft top that failed to win over many buyers. Finding someone who genuinely likes its appearance might be more difficult than spotting one on the road.
5. Chevrolet HHR
Chevrolet introduced the HHR in 2005, hoping its retro-inspired design would appeal to drivers who wanted something a little different. Unfortunately, its tall roof, quirky styling, and somewhat awkward interior weren't everyone's idea of a good-looking car. Nowadays, it feels like a vehicle that could only have come from a very specific period in American automotive history.
Rich Niewiroski Jr. on Wikimedia
6. Cadillac Cimarron
Few luxury vehicles have hurt their own reputations quite as badly as the Cadillac Cimarron. Introduced in the early 1980s, it was essentially a dressed-up Chevrolet Cavalier, making its premium price difficult to defend. If you're driving one today, car enthusiasts might be more interested in discussing Cadillac's poor decisions than appreciating your classic vehicle.
7. Smart Fortwo
The Smart Fortwo initially turned heads because of its tiny dimensions and promise of easy city driving. However, its limited practicality, lackluster performance, and unusual appearance made it an obvious target for jokes. Even though it's genuinely useful in crowded urban areas, some drivers would rather avoid the attention that comes with owning such a tiny car.
8. Dodge Caliber
When Dodge replaced the Neon with the Caliber, the company tried giving its compact car a tougher, SUV-inspired look. Unfortunately, the vehicle became known for its cheap interior materials, underwhelming performance, and continuously variable transmission that frustrated plenty of drivers. It's hardly the Dodge most people picture when someone brings up exciting American cars.
9. Lincoln Blackwood
Lincoln's attempt to build a luxury pickup truck gave us the Blackwood, which arrived with a hefty price tag and surprisingly little usefulness. Its unusual cargo area and lack of four-wheel drive made it hard to recommend over more practical alternatives. While surviving examples are relatively rare today, the truck still reminds people of an expensive luxury experiment that never really took off.
10. Fiat 500L
The regular Fiat 500 won over plenty of buyers with its small size and charming retro appearance. Its bigger sibling, the 500L, had a much harder time recreating that appeal thanks to its tall proportions and less flattering design. Drivers hoping for stylish Italian transportation might feel a little disappointed when their car gets mistaken for an awkward-looking family minivan.
11. Subaru B9 Tribeca
Subaru has earned a loyal following among drivers who appreciate practicality and all-wheel-drive capability, but the original B9 Tribeca really tested that loyalty. Its unusual three-part grille received plenty of criticism, leading Subaru to redesign the front end after just a couple of years. Spotting an original example today reminds you that even well-respected manufacturers occasionally make some questionable design choices.
12. Chrysler Sebring Convertible
For years, the Chrysler Sebring Convertible was a common sight in rental fleets and retirement communities across America. While driving with the top down had its appeal, later versions became known for cheap-feeling interiors and rather forgettable performance. Showing up somewhere in one today probably won't have anyone thinking you've arrived in a particularly desirable convertible.
13. Nissan Juke
Nissan certainly wasn't afraid to try something different when it introduced the Juke, complete with bulging headlights and an unusually rounded body. Its strange design attracted plenty of attention, though not all of it was flattering. Some enthusiasts love its quirky personality, but others still can't quite figure out what Nissan was going for.
14. Chevrolet SSR
Combining a pickup truck with a retractable hardtop convertible was a bold move, even by early-2000s standards. The Chevrolet SSR got people talking with its unusual appearance, but its steep price and limited practicality made it a tough purchase to justify. Today, pulling up in one might leave a few people wondering what kind of vehicle they're actually looking at.
15. Mitsubishi Mirage
The Mitsubishi Mirage found its place in the market by providing basic transportation at a budget-friendly price. Unfortunately, its weak engine, inexpensive interior, and lack of refinement also attracted plenty of negative reviews. There's absolutely nothing embarrassing about saving money on a car, although the Mirage probably won't impress anyone who enjoys being behind the wheel.
16. Range Rover Evoque Convertible
Luxury SUVs and convertibles are both popular, but putting them together doesn't automatically create something people want. The Range Rover Evoque Convertible offered a strange take on open-air luxury, complete with a tall body and surprisingly limited practicality. Despite wearing an expensive badge, this vehicle is more likely to inspire questions about its design than genuine compliments.
17. Jeep Compass (First Generation)
The original Jeep Compass arrived with styling that looked noticeably different from the rugged vehicles people usually associated with the brand. Its rounded exterior, cheap cabin materials, and limited off-road abilities left many buyers expecting a proper Jeep feeling disappointed. Later generations helped improve the nameplate's reputation, but those early models still aren't particularly popular with dedicated Jeep enthusiasts.
18. Chrysler 200
Chrysler tried competing with established midsize sedans through the 200, but neither generation managed to become a lasting favorite. The original struggled to move past its Sebring origins, while the redesigned version drew complaints about cramped rear seats and frustrating transmission behavior. Although the newer 200 was fairly attractive, the nameplate never earned the reputation Chrysler had hoped for.
19. BMW X6
When BMW introduced the X6, its sloping roofline and raised SUV body immediately divided opinions. Some drivers loved its aggressive styling, while others couldn't understand why someone would willingly sacrifice practicality for such an unusual design. Its reputation for putting appearance ahead of usefulness means you might hear a few complaints from people who prefer more traditional luxury SUVs.
20. Tesla Cybertruck
Few modern vehicles turn heads quite as easily as the Tesla Cybertruck, although that attention isn't necessarily positive. Its sharp-edged stainless-steel exterior, massive dimensions, and unconventional styling have made it one of the most divisive vehicles on American roads. While some owners genuinely love its futuristic appearance, others might find the constant staring, criticism, and unwanted attention more embarrassing than exciting.
