Last Updated on July 30, 2025 by Colby Droscher
The 1980s gave us neon colors, synth music, and some of the weirdest-looking cars ever to hit the road. Whether it was bold experimentation or just plain bad design, many of these vehicles turned heads for all the wrong reasons.
1. AMC Eagle Wagon
A lifted station wagon with off-road pretensions, the AMC Eagle looked like a car and SUV got stuck mid-transformation. It had its fans, but the aesthetic wasn’t winning any beauty contests.
2. 1981 Datsun F-10
This quirky hatchback had strange proportions and a face that looked surprised to be on the road. A fuel-saver, sure, but not one you parked proudly.
3. 1986 Subaru XT
Futuristic to a fault, the XT was a wedge-shaped oddity with pop-up headlights and an airplane-inspired cockpit. Cool in theory but awkward in execution.
4. 1983 Buick Skylark
Boxy and bland, the Skylark looked like it was styled with a ruler. Even for the ’80s, it lacked charm or edge.
5. 1987 Yugo GV
Marketed as an affordable import, the Yugo GV was cheap in every sense of the word. It didn’t help that it looked like a shrunken-down leftover from another decade.
6. 1980 Ford Pinto
Though technically launched in the ’70s, the Pinto’s dated look dragged into the new decade. Its bug-eyed front and compact rear made it awkward from any angle.
7. 1982 Dodge Rampage
A car-truck hybrid that didn’t quite pull off either role, the Rampage looked confused and unfinished. It wasn’t ugly enough to be fun, just ugly.
8. 1981 Cadillac Seville
That sloped rear end -known as a bustle-back- was Cadillac’s attempt at something “European.” Most people just thought it looked broken.
9. Renault Fuego
A sporty coupe that had none of the finesse of its competition. Its droopy front end and bland curves made it forgettable at best.
10. 1985 Merkur XR4Ti
With a bi-level spoiler and oversized windows, the XR4Ti was visually jarring. Some called it innovative; most called it ugly.
11. 1983 Chevrolet Citation
Its name sounded academic, but the Citation failed every design test. Bland, boxy, and poorly proportioned, it was a design stuck in neutral.
12. 1980 Plymouth Horizon
This hatchback was so generic it almost became invisible. When noticed, it was for all the wrong reasons, like its dated, frumpy design.
13. 1986 Chrysler LeBaron
With awkward proportions and too much chrome, the LeBaron screamed ’80s excess without the flair. It aged about as well as perms.
14. 1987 Hyundai Excel
Hyundai’s entry into the American market was functional but far from pretty. It looked more like a fridge on wheels than a modern car.
15. 1981 Honda Civic Wagon
While Civics are known for reliability, this tall, awkward wagon was an aesthetic detour. Practical, sure, but pleasing to the eye? Not so much.
16. 1980 Mazda GLC
The “Great Little Car” may have been a fine commuter, but it came in a plain package with all the charm of a cardboard box.
17. 1984 Oldsmobile Firenza
With square headlights, flat sides, and a squashed nose this car had all the personality of a cinder block.
18. 1985 Suzuki Samurai
It was tiny, rugged, and surprisingly capable, but its boxy look and toy-like proportions made it more clown car than off-roader.
19. 1982 Isuzu I-Mark
Even Isuzu seemed unsure what the I-Mark was supposed to be. Bland lines and a sleepy front grille made it fade into traffic fast.
20. 1980 Fiat Panda
Designed to be practical and affordable, the Fiat Panda delivered on function, but completely skipped form. It was reliable and beloved in Europe, but certainly no one’s dream car.
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