Suzuki X-90 (1996–1998)
Few designs make you stop and say, “Wait, what?” like the X-90. It was a tiny 2-seat SUV that had a removable roof and styling that looked like it was drawn by a cartoonist. It was quirky at the time, but it seems utterly bizarre today.
Hyundai Tiburon (2003–2008)
When it came out, the Tiburon looked sporty and exotic, especially for the price. Fast-forward to now, and it feels like a high school kid’s idea of what a cool car should look like. The fake vents and shark-inspired styling haven’t aged well.
Dodge Caliber (2007–2012)
Meant to replace the Neon, the Caliber went all-in on “tough compact.” Unfortunately, that meant blocky panels and a stance that looked more awkward than rugged. It hasn’t aged gracefully, thanks to those chunky proportions.
Hummer H2 (2002–2009)
The H2 used to make drivers feel like they ruled the road. These days, it fits better in a mid-2000s rap video than a modern driveway. Its chrome-heavy, military-inspired design feels hilariously out of sync with today’s sleek, eco-conscious world.
Toyota Matrix (2003–2014)
The Matrix was that hatchback that tried to look sporty and practical at once. Its chunky bumpers and narrow headlights were cool back then, but now it looks like a side character in an early Xbox racing game.
Chevrolet SSR (2003–2006)
When a hot rod and a truck have an identity crisis, what you get is a convertible pickup with retro curves and chrome grins. The SSR’s design aged like a novelty toy; it was fun to look at, but hard to take seriously.
Mitsubishi Eclipse (2000–2005)
Once upon a time, every tuner kid dreamed of an Eclipse. However, that swoopy, oversized bubble hasn’t aged all that well. It channels full Fast and Furious energy from the days when body kits and giant spoilers ruled every parking lot. Today, it’s more of a time capsule than a street racer, but it’s still kind of lovable.
Cadillac Escalade EXT (2002–2013)
The Escalade EXT looked like something a rapper and a contractor designed together. It had flashy chrome, blocky lines, and a tailgate no one used. Although it was once cool, it now feels like the automotive equivalent of an oversized gold chain.
Ford Taurus (1996–1999)
Ford decided everything should be round, and we got the jellybean Taurus. Ovals on ovals on ovals made it look like a car made entirely of soap bubbles. The design was bold for its time, but today, it feels more like a sci-fi prop than a family sedan.
Saturn Ion (2003–2007)
The Ion was trying to look modern, but it ended up looking like a concept sketch that escaped the design lab. Even the center-mounted gauges were confusing. It’s one of those cars that reminds you why Saturn’s “different kind of car company” didn’t stick.
Subaru Baja (2003–2006)
The Baja tried to mix practicality with adventure, but its two-tone paint and silver cladding didn’t age well. It looks like something from a long-lost sci-fi show, and you can tell it was made decades ago.
Dodge Intrepid (1998–2004)
The Intrepid’s cab-forward design was all the rage once. Today, it just looks like it’s melting in slow motion. Those oversized headlights and jelly-like curves make it dated, and it’s a reminder that what passed for futuristic in the ’90s didn’t always age well.
Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet (2011–2014)
A convertible SUV sounded bold on paper, but it looked baffling in reality. The Murano CrossCabriolet’s curvy body and tall stance made it seem unsure whether to hit the beach or the grocery store. It’s one of those cars you spot and think, “Ah, yes, 2010 fashion in vehicle form.”
Pontiac Aztek (2001–2005)
Once billed as adventure-ready, the Aztek now looks like an SUV designed by a committee that never met. Its sloping rear and clunky plastic panels perfectly capture early-2000s confusion. Ironically, that awkwardness became its legacy, so much so that Breaking Bad turned it into a symbol of midlife despair.
Mercury Cougar (1999–2002)
This one attempted to reinvent itself for a new millennium. With its nice lines, pointy headlights, and lots of attitude, it had a youthful and edgy design. Unfortunately, that edgy design didn’t last long.
Lincoln MKT (2010–2019)
You would think a luxury SUV would age with dignity, but the MKT's long, droopy shape and overworked grille suggest otherwise. It was supposed to look elegant, but instead looks like it is frowning. It is one of those vehicles that instantly tells you what era of PowerPoint graphics it came from.
Chrysler PT Cruiser (2001–2010)
This car attempted to revive ’30s gangster swagger, but today it looks like a car dressed for a costume party that never ended. The tall roof and bubbly fenders could once be considered retro cool, but now it is the ultimate nostalgia fuel for anyone who still has a flip phone.
Pontiac Grand Am (1999–2005)
The Grand Am had fake vents and plastic cladding that tried to make it look sporty. It had the kind of styling that looked edgy in the mall parking lot in the early 2000s. Today, it stands as a reminder of how extreme design trends can age fast.
Volkswagen New Beetle (1998–2011)
The New Beetle was adorable, like kindergarten art-project adorable. The flower vase and bubbly curves made it cute back then, but now it gives a serious Y2K vibe. What was once playful now feels cartoonish, especially when it’s parked next to sleek modern hatchbacks.
Acura ZDX (2010–2013)
When Acura launched the ZDX, it labelled it a “four-door coupe.” Most people simply called it strange. Its sloping roofline and stocky stance made it look like a luxury vehicle in disguise. It was innovative at the time, but today it feels like a futuristic experiment that didn’t quite land.
Scion XB ( 2003–2006)
When the xB came out, its boxy design was strange and fun. Now it feels like something that a Minecraft designer would sketch. Its charm hasn’t disappeared entirely, but it’s just very 2000s.
Chevrolet Malibu Maxx (2004–2007)
Part hatchback, part wagon, and a little bit confused, the Malibu Maxx had personality—but not the kind that lasts. Its stretched roofline and stubby proportions made it look oddly unfinished. It drove fine, sure, but visually, it’s like someone clicked “stretch” on a family sedan in Photoshop.
Infiniti FX35 (2003–2008)
When the FX35 was launched, it looked like something out of a sci-fi movie. The long hood, along with the squished rear end, was outrageous for that time. Now, the curves feel outdated and overly dramatic, like an early attempt to meld luxury with sporty performance that never quite found its balance.
Dodge Neon (1995–2005)
Those round headlights and bubbly shape once felt fresh and friendly, like a smile on wheels. Now, many realize that the Neon has that cheap-plastic, soft-edged aesthetic that defined the era. It’s definitely stuck in a time when Tamagotchis were cutting-edge tech.
BMW X6 (2008–2014)
The first X6 wanted to be an SUV and a coupe. This result was a hefty crossover that looked oddly unbalanced. It was a design that tried too hard to look different and aged far more quickly than expected.
Chevrolet Aveo (2002–2011)
The Aveo featured a simple design and stiff, cheap materials that felt old from day one. While it may have felt practical in the 2000s, it now looks as tired as an old office chair.
Ford Flex (2009–2019)
The Flex looked long, low, and boxy, like a vintage station wagon reboot. It stood out then, but today it looks more retro-awkward than cool. Back then, it stood out, but today, it appears more retro-awkward than cool. There’s still something lovable about its weirdness, though.
Mazda RX-8 (2004–2012)
The freestyle doors and futuristic curves felt progressive when the RX-8 was introduced. Now, it looks trapped in time. It is still a fun driver's car, but design-wise, it feels like early-2000s optimism that aged in fast-forward.
Honda Element (2003–2011)
Once the ultimate outdoor-hipster vehicle, the Element’s boxy panels and clamshell doors made it feel fresh and adventurous. Now, its chunky plastic trim gives off serious early-millennial vibes.
Plymouth Prowler (1997–2002)
The Prowler looked like a hot rod time traveler. In the '90s, it was insane, but the exposed front wheels and swoopy fenders have not aged well. It now feels like a concept car that escaped into reality.
Toyota Prius (2004–2009)
In the 2000s, this Prius was the ultimate eco-flex. It was instantly recognizable and proudly different. Today, its wedge shape and droopy headlights are so mid-2000s, and it clearly belongs to the early days of hybrid design.
Chrysler Sebring Convertible (2001–2006)
The Sebring Convertible made you feel like you were on vacation, especially when you were driving with the top down and the wind blowing through your hair. These days, that bulbous body and awkward proportions make it look like a rental car that never made it home.
Buick Rendezvous (2002–2007)
The Rendezvous was Buick's way of attracting younger drivers, and you can see that. The oversized front end and awkward stance have not aged well, though. It's like seeing your dad attempt a dance from TikTok. Endearing, but dated.
Nissan Cube (2009–2014)
The Cube was unapologetically odd, featuring rounded edges and asymmetrical windows. It was oddly endearing, but today, it’s a piece of history from a time when quirky design was the trend.
Pontiac G6 (2005–2010)
There is something about the G6 that feels a little 2005. The large headlights, massive grille, and generic profile didn’t age well. It's the kind of car that looks fine when you see it in the dealership lot, but completely forgettable five years later.
