Ah, the Pontiac Aztek, a shining example of automotive ambition gone horribly, hilariously wrong. This mid-size crossover SUV was supposed to be a stylish and versatile masterpiece that would appeal to the masses. Instead, it became a punchline in the annals of automotive history.
Let’s start with the Aztek’s design, or should I say, its lack thereof. It was like the automotive equivalent of a Picasso painting on wheels, only instead of being celebrated for its artistic genius, it was ridiculed for its sheer ugliness. The front end looked like it had been squashed by a giant foot, and the rest of the body appeared as if it were designed by someone who had never seen a car before.
Under the hood, the Aztek had a 3.4-liter V6 engine that churned out a laughable 185 horsepower. In a world where SUVs were supposed to be powerful and efficient, the Aztek managed to be neither. Its fuel economy was so abysmal that you’d need to stop at a gas station more often than you’d change your socks, with an EPA-estimated rating that made you question why anyone would buy this monstrosity.
Step inside, and you’d be greeted by an interior that felt like it was designed by a blindfolded chimpanzee. The rear seats were so cramped that even children complained about the lack of space. Cargo space? Well, let’s just say it couldn’t hold a week’s worth of groceries, let alone a family’s luggage.
And if you were lucky enough to own an Aztek, you’d quickly discover that its build quality was on par with a house of cards in a windstorm. Electrical problems were as common as bad hair days, leaving owners scratching their heads in frustration.
In the end, the Pontiac Aztek was such a colossal failure that it was discontinued after a mere five years on the market. It’s not just considered one of the worst cars ever made; it’s also featured prominently on lists of the ugliest cars in existence. The Aztek was a cautionary tale about the perils of trying to be too innovative without considering whether anyone actually wanted what you were offering. It’s a lesson that still echoes in the automotive industry today: sometimes, it’s better to stick with the tried and true than to venture into uncharted, and unsightly, territory.
Number 3. Scion xB
Next, the Scion xB, the box on wheels that left everyone wondering, “Why?” This compact hatchback from Scion, a now-defunct division of Toyota, was introduced with all the subtlety of a brick to the face in 2003 and mercifully put out of its misery in 2015.
First, let’s talk about its styling, or rather, its utter lack of style. The xB’s boxy design was like a rolling reminder that beauty is indeed in the eye of the beholder. Some folks might have claimed to love it, but for most, it was an eyesore that made you question the sanity of its designers.
