When “What Is That?” Turns Into “I Kind of Want One”
Some cars look like they were designed on a dare, and yet people buy them in huge numbers, or they gain a large cult following. Maybe it’s the practicality hiding under the weird shape, maybe it’s the personality, or maybe it’s just fun to drive something that isn't another gray SUV. If you’ve ever pointed at a car and laughed, then later caught yourself browsing listings for it, you already get the appeal. Here are 20 ugly cars that are shockingly popular.
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1. Toyota Prius
The Prius has never tried to look “cool” in the traditional sense, and that’s honestly part of its brand. Its shape screams efficiency, and drivers keep showing up for the mileage and reliability. It looks like a Guinea pig on wheels, but maybe that cute association is what draws people in.
2. Kia Soul
The Soul looks like a toaster. The tall roof and boxy shape make it genuinely roomy, which is a nice surprise the first time you sit in one, and that cube shape makes it fun, quirky, and youthful. It’s also easy to spot in traffic, which is a quiet benefit.
3. Nissan Juke
The Juke’s bug-eye headlights are the kind of design choice that everyone has an opinion about. Somehow, that boldness worked, and it built a real fan base. You see them everywhere in cities because it's decently practical, but its design is full of attitude.
4. Mini Cooper
The Mini is adorable in a slightly mischievous way, like it’s always up to something. People keep buying them because they’re fun to drive and instantly recognizable. The proportions are quirky, but the styling feels intentional, not awkward. If you like personality with a side of go-kart energy, it delivers.
5. Fiat 500
The Fiat 500 looks like it should come with espresso and a playlist. Its tiny size turns every small gap into a parking space. Drivers go for it because it’s cute, city-friendly, and oh so Italian.
6. Volkswagen Beetle (Modern Era)
The Beetle is a nostalgia shape that still looks odd next to normal hatchbacks. It stayed popular because it’s instantly familiar and doesn’t take itself too seriously. Even people who don’t want a “weird car” make an exception for it. That rounded silhouette has a long history of winning hearts.
7. Honda Element
The Element looks like a rolling storage bin, and that’s basically why fans adore it. The interior is practical, the space is usable, and it’s weirdly perfect for messy hobbies. Even after it was discontinued, people kept hunting for clean ones. If you value function over flash, it’s a cult classic that makes sense.
8. Toyota FJ Cruiser
The FJ Cruiser has cartoon proportions and a face that’s somehow friendly and aggressive at the same time. Off-road fans loved it, and the design became a big part of the charm. It’s bulky, bold, and unapologetically different. You can’t mistake it for anything else, which is half the fun.
9. Jeep Wrangler
Wranglers are basically bricks with personality. The shape is iconic, the customization options are endless, and the community is loud in the best way. Plenty of owners like the look as much as the capability. It’s weird-looking on purpose, and it works.
10. Mercedes-Benz G-Class
Oddly, a car designed to look like a military vehicle with a price tag of over $150,000 is so popular, but it is. The G-Wagon looks like a luxury safe on wheels, and somehow it reads both rugged and high-end, which is rare. If you want your car to look expensive and also like it's carrying ammunition.
11. Smart Fortwo
The Fortwo looks like a car that got cut in half, with the back side hastily re-adhered. People still bought it because it solves a real problem: city parking and short commutes. It’s tiny, it’s distinctive, and it makes traffic feel slightly less serious. You either love it immediately or you stare at it with a quizzical expression.
12. BMW i3
The i3 has that tall, narrow, futuristic shape that makes it look like it arrived early from the future. It’s surprisingly beloved among EV fans because it’s light, agile, and different in a good way. Even the interior design leans into “modern and odd,” which some buyers really want.
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13. Nissan Cube
The Cube looks like a rolling room with windows, and it leaned hard into that vibe. People who owned them often swore by the visibility and interior space. It also had a specific kind of weird charm that made it memorable. You don’t forget the Cube once you’ve seen one.
14. Scion xB
The xB became popular by being proudly box-shaped when everyone else was chasing curves. It was practical, customizable, and had strong “my car, my rules” energy. Owners loved the roominess and the simple design. It’s the kind of vehicle that makes you wonder why more cars don’t just embrace rectangles.
15. Chrysler PT Cruiser
The PT Cruiser looked retro in a way that confused some people and delighted others. It became a common sight because it offered space, a higher driving position, and a vibe that felt different at the time.
16. Hyundai Veloster
The Veloster’s asymmetrical doors are the sort of detail that sounds like a joke until you live with it. It’s weird in a practical way: easier access on one side, sportier look on the other. People bought it because it stood out without being huge.
17. Subaru Baja
The Baja looks like a station wagon and a pickup tried to meet in the middle and didn’t fully agree. It has a cult following because it’s genuinely useful for certain lifestyles while still being compact. Owners tend to be loyal in a way that feels personal.
18. Suzuki Jimny
The Jimny has a tiny, chunky off-road look that makes it seem like it’s always ready for trouble. It’s popular in many markets because it’s small, capable, and charmingly no-nonsense. People love that it looks like a miniature adventure vehicle.
19. Land Rover Defender (new generation)
The modern Defender is boxy and bold, with styling that looks like it means business. Buyers seem to like that it doesn’t try to be sleek or delicate. It has presence, practicality, and a strong identity on the road.
20. Tesla Cybertruck
The Cybertruck looks straight out of a sci-fi movie. Love it or hate it, it gets attention everywhere, which is a kind of popularity all by itself. Some people buy it for the novelty, others for the utility, and plenty just want something that doesn’t resemble anything else.
