The 1980s gave us neon leg warmers, big hair… and some cars that make us scratch our heads today.
First up: the Yugo GV; that tiny, boxy, and delightfully cheap car. Then there was the Subaru XT, with its futuristic wedge shape and pop-up headlights that screamed “space-age!” but left drivers wondering if the designer had a geometry test that day. And let’s not forget the Renault Fuego, a swoopy coupe that looked fast standing still, yet handled like it was secretly auditioning for a bumper-car championship.
The 1980s proved that design experimentation could be bold, weird, and occasionally, a little too ambitious for its own good.
1
#1 Subaru XT
This is the worst for us. Aerodynamic? Maybe. Attractive? Only if you’re a triangle enthusiast.
2
#2 Lincoln Continental
Mmmm, this looks odd. Shrinking the Continental turned it into a car that looked permanently unsure if it was luxury or just tired.
3
#3 Renault Fuego
It promised “Latin flair,” but delivered “your aunt’s patio furniture with wheels.”
4
#4 Oldsmobile Toronado Trofeo
Long hood, awkward tail; like a dachshund on wheels but less coordinated.
5
#5 Cadillac Cimarron
Even the name it's bad. Cadillac tried to build a compact luxury car, but accidentally made a rental car you’d forget in five minutes.
6
#6 Sterling 825
A British-American mashup that somehow combined the least attractive traits of both countries.
7
#7 Nissan Pulsar NX
A car with interchangeable body parts; because even it didn’t know what it wanted to be when it grew up.
8
#8 Ford Thunderbird
A classic name slapped onto a car that looked like it was drawn using only straight lines and despair.
9
#9 Plymouth Reliant
The K-car was dependable, yes; but visually it was the automotive equivalent of a loaf of white bread. We're bored.
10
#10 Alfa Romeo Milano
Cool name, but the car doesn't do it justice.
11
#11 Toyota Van
This mid-engine rolling brick looked like a microwave that decided to pursue a career on the road.
12
#12 Dodge Aries Wagon
The most aggressively “just a car” design ever created. It could be any car. All cars. No cars. Pure ambiguity.
13
#13 Chevrolet Celebrity
A car named “Celebrity” that never once behaved like one. Not even D-list.
14
#14 Volvo 240 Wagon
A beloved brick. Literally. It had the aerodynamics of a filing cabinet pushed down a hill.
15
#15 Cadillac Allanté
A luxury roadster that cost a fortune to make, looked strangely slab-sided, and handled like it forgot it was supposed to be sporty.
16
#16 AMC Eagle Wagon
The AMC Eagle looked like a station wagon that woke up one day and decided it was a monster truck. Just no.
17
#17 Pontiac Fiero
A sports car that looked like it skipped leg day… and arm day… and torso day.
18
#18 Saab 900 Convertible
Congrats, you made a convertible look just bland.
19
#19 Merkur XR4Ti
Ah yes, the famous “double rear wing,” because nothing says performance like confusing everyone behind you.
20
#20 Yugo GV
Ok, not the worst thing we've seen, but it really looks basic and cheap.
