Some cars are designed to grab attention in the best way—think Ferrari, Lamborghini, or a classic muscle car cruising by. But then there are the others. The ones that make people turn their heads not out of admiration, but because they can’t quite believe what they’re seeing. These cars shout “look at me,” but not because of beauty or brilliance. Instead, they’re remembered for their bizarre shapes, awkward styling, or over-the-top excess. Here are fifteen of the strangest offenders that made everyone stare for all the wrong reasons.
Pontiac Aztek
The Aztek has become the punchline of automotive design. Built as a crossover before crossovers were cool, it tried to mix ruggedness with family practicality. Instead, it ended up with clumsy proportions, slab sides, and plastic cladding that made it look like a rejected concept car. While Breaking Bad gave it some cult credibility, most people still see it as a monument to questionable design.
Nissan Cube
The Nissan Cube was unapologetically weird. With its asymmetrical rear window, chunky body, and funky interior, it looked like something that rolled out of a manga comic. Some drivers loved its personality, but for most, it looked too much like a toy on wheels. The Cube screamed individuality, but the kind that made passersby stop and wonder if it had been designed as a joke.
Chrysler PT Cruiser Convertible
The PT Cruiser was already polarizing with its faux-retro look. Then Chrysler chopped off the roof and created the convertible version, which only magnified its awkward proportions. The car looked squat and stubby, as if it was styled with a hacksaw. It got attention, but rarely the good kind. For most, the PT Cruiser convertible was proof that not every car should get a topless version.
Hummer H2
If there was ever a car that screamed excess, it was the H2. Its hulking size and in-your-face styling made sure nobody could ignore it. It guzzled fuel at an alarming rate and was far too big for most urban streets. Owners wanted to make a statement, but often the message came across as “look at how impractical I am.” The H2’s notoriety is part of its legend, but subtle it was not.
Fiat Multipla
This quirky European MPV may win the award for strangest looking production car. With its double-decker headlights and oddly wide stance, the Multipla looked permanently startled. It was surprisingly roomy and practical inside, but its bizarre exterior design made it a rolling oddity. People certainly looked at it, but rarely with admiration.
Plymouth Prowler
Plymouth tried to channel hot rod culture with the Prowler. On paper, the idea was brilliant: retro styling, flared fenders, and exposed suspension arms. In reality, it looked more like a life-size toy than a true custom car. It had plenty of show but not enough go, leaving it as a conversation piece rather than a credible performance machine.
Smart ForTwo with Body Kits
The tiny Smart ForTwo already looked like a cartoon car squeezed into real life. Add aftermarket body kits, oversized wheels, or racing stripes, and it quickly turned into a spectacle. Lowered or winged-out versions looked like props from a parody movie. Instead of looking sporty, these modded Smart cars made people laugh out loud at traffic lights.
Pontiac Trans Sport “Dustbuster” Van
In the early 1990s, Pontiac thought it could make the minivan futuristic. What came out looked like a rolling vacuum cleaner, earning it the “Dustbuster” nickname. The long nose and sloped windshield were unlike anything else on the road, but not in a good way. Families who drove them definitely stood out in the school parking lot, but not for reasons they’d brag about.
Toyota C-HR
The Toyota C-HR is a modern example of design gone too far. Its edgy lines, oversized rear arches, and coupe-like roofline tried to be bold but ended up clashing. It looked like several different cars mashed together. Drivers who wanted to make a statement got one, but it was often “look at me, I’m overstyled.” Its practicality also suffered, making it more of a fashion piece than a functional crossover.
Lincoln Blackwood
Lincoln’s attempt at a luxury pickup was bizarre. The Blackwood came with a carpet-lined bed and strange faux-wood panels, turning the rugged idea of a truck into a confused fashion accessory. It looked luxurious, but it couldn’t handle typical truck duties. It screamed exclusivity, but in the same way a velvet-covered hammer would. The Blackwood was short-lived, and that’s probably for the best.
Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross
The Eclipse name once belonged to a sporty, tuner-friendly coupe. The Eclipse Cross crossover twisted that reputation with its polarizing design and awkward split rear window. The styling was dramatic, but not in a flattering way. It drew stares on the road, but mostly from people shaking their heads at what had happened to a once-loved badge.
Scion xB (First Generation)
The first-gen Scion xB looked like a refrigerator on wheels. Boxy and unapologetic, it attracted young buyers who loved its quirkiness. Everyone else just thought it looked ridiculous. It was practical inside, but its exterior made it a car people noticed—and often mocked. Even Scion’s advertising leaned into its toaster-like shape, proving that sometimes weirdness sells.
BMW i3
BMW wanted to showcase its electric future with the i3, and it certainly stood out. Its chopped design, floating roof, and unconventional proportions gave it a look unlike any other BMW. While its recycled interior materials were praised, the exterior drew puzzled looks. It was futuristic, yes, but it bordered on goofy. Many drivers admired its eco credentials but couldn’t get past the awkward styling.
Dodge Caliber
The Dodge Caliber was supposed to replace the Neon with edgy styling and a rugged image. Instead, it looked confused, with awkward lines and proportions that didn’t quite work. It wasn’t sporty enough to excite enthusiasts, nor refined enough to appeal to families. The Caliber got attention, but usually for looking like it had been designed in a rush.
Suzuki X-90
The Suzuki X-90 is one of the strangest cars ever sold in North America. A two-door SUV with a removable T-top roof, it looked like a toy someone mistakenly put into production. Its squat stance and odd proportions made it impossible to ignore, but very few people wanted to own one. It remains a curiosity, a vehicle that seemed more like a dare than a serious product.
The Wrong Attention
Some cars turn heads because they’re beautiful, powerful, or ahead of their time. Others grab attention because they’re strange, overdone, or just plain awkward. The Pontiac Aztek, Fiat Multipla, and Suzuki X-90 prove that not all attention is good attention. These cars demanded to be noticed, but often for reasons their owners would rather forget. They remind us that while blending in can be boring, standing out for the wrong reasons can be even worse.
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