Despite its quirks and quirkiness, the Multipla did find a fanbase in Italy, where, apparently, they have a taste for the eccentric. But in the rest of the world, it was about as popular as a skunk at a perfume convention. It was discontinued in 2010, putting an end to its reign of automotive absurdity.
Number 5. Yugo GV
Yugo GV, the car that taught us all a valuable lesson about the perils of cheap and cheerful. Produced by Zastava Automobili in Yugoslavia from 1985 to 1992, this subcompact was supposed to be a beacon of affordability and fuel efficiency for the European market. Instead, it became a symbol of automotive misfortune.
Under the hood, the Yugo sported a 1.3-liter four-cylinder engine that belted out a whopping 60 horsepower. That’s right, you’d have better luck racing a tortoise. Transmission options included a thrilling choice between a four-speed manual or a five-speed manual, as if shifting gears in a Yugo was an experience anyone actually wanted.
Sure, it claimed impressive fuel efficiency numbers, with an EPA-estimated 33 mpg in the city and 41 mpg on the highway. But who cares about saving money on gas when your car is falling apart faster than a house of cards in a windstorm?
Speaking of falling apart, the Yugo was a shining example of poor build quality. It’s as if they decided to assemble it with spare parts they found in a junkyard. Rust was its best friend, and it seemed to spread faster than gossip at a high school prom.
Safety? Well, forget about it. The Yugo was about as safe as a paper umbrella in a monsoon. It was basically a tin can on wheels, offering as much protection as a mosquito net in a hurricane.
The ride was about as comfortable as sitting on a park bench made of nails, and the interior was as basic as a plain white wall. It was a car that made you wonder if they even bothered to think about comfort and convenience when designing it.
Critics didn’t hold back, nicknaming it the “Yugoshit” and the “Plastic Fantastic.” It was a commercial failure in most markets, with the exception of Yugoslavia, where apparently, they had a higher tolerance for automotive mediocrity.
In the end, the Yugo GV was a car that promised a lot but delivered very little. It was a cautionary tale about the pitfalls of cutting corners in the pursuit of affordability. It may have been ahead of its time in terms of fuel efficiency, but it was also a reminder that there are some things you should never compromise on when it comes to a car. Good riddance to the Yugo, a car that truly lived up to its unfortunate nicknames.
