These Cars Are Super Stylish but They Have so Many Hidden Nightmares Mechanically
Sometimes, the prettiest cars hide the worst design flaws imaginable, and many drivers don’t realize until it’s too late. If you want to avoid wasting money, we recommend steering clear of these 35 stylish cars with hidden mechanical nightmares. Scroll through the slides for some serious shocks.
Maserati Biturbo
The Maserati Biturbo is as stylish a car as can be, but it's let down by its serious mechanical faults. It drives fast, then struggles to start while the engine is still warm, which makes it impractical for journeys. The bodywork also rusts easily.
Nissan Juke
We hate to say it, but this stylish SUV is concealing a myriad of sins under its hood. The CVT is juddery and sometimes fails to work entirely, and owners have also reported turbocharger and timing chain failures. These all require costly repairs.
Mercedes-Benz E-Class
Like any Mercedes, the E-Class is beautiful to look at and luxurious to ride in. But don't get too comfortable because it has a seriously inefficient engine, particularly the diesel version, and the timing chain often rattles noisily when it first turns on.
Seat Leon
The Seat Leon is a slick, stylish commuter car, but it isn't as reliable as you'd hope. It has a problematic fuel system, as well as issues with the brakes and suspension becoming weak. If these issues get bad, they can be a nightmare to repair.
Range Rover Evoque
We know that the Range Rover Evoque is better known for its mechanical faults than its gorgeous build, so we had to mention it. The powertrain glitches, the brake discs often warp, and essential engine components, including the turbocharger, easily break down.
Hyundai Sonata
We love the look of the Hyundai Sonata, but we just wish it weren't so mechanically flawed. It's rare for a Hyundai to exhibit so many issues, but the Sonata has a notoriously difficult engine and transmission system. Some models have even been recalled due to safety concerns.
Volkswagen Golf
The Volkswagen Golf is another modern car whose style has been overtaken by its mechanical bugs. Most complaints are about the dodgy clutch, worn suspension, and engine misfires. The Golf's fuel system can also fail entirely, preventing the engine from switching on.
Opel Corsa Electric
EVs are some of the most stylish cars around, yet many, like the Opel Corsa Electric, are infamously unreliable. Over 50% of Electric Corsas are rendered undrivable due to mechanical flaws, and those that can be repaired spend a lot of time in the shop.
Ford F-150 Hybrid
The Ford F-150 Hybrid should be the best of both worlds, but this pickup truck disappoints on both sides. It is frequently ranked as one of the least-reliable vehicles due to its nightmare hybrid battery, which often fails and needs to be replaced.
Pontiac Aztek
People initially disliked the Pontiac Aztek design, but it has been well-refined over the years. The real issues are much deeper, primarily caused by the transmission, which makes shifting very difficult and uncomfortable. There are also little problems with the coolant and brake rotors.
Jaguar F-Type
It's a tragedy that a sports car as elegant and well-crafted as the Jaguar F-Type is stuck with such poor mechanics. Oil leaks are fairly common, and they become disastrous when they begin to degrade engine parts. And what's worse, it costs over $1,000 per year to maintain an F-Type!
BMW X5
When it comes to style, BMW doesn't miss, so why are so many BMWs mechanical nightmares? The X5 is particularly bad due to its terrible engine cooling, which often results in overheated parts, and its notoriously bad suspension, which could require replacement.
Porsche Taycan
The Taycan is one of the most futuristic Porsches around, but its mechanical systems need a serious modern overhaul. Its EV battery is slow to charge and has poor solar range, so it’s sometimes a struggle just to make the Taycan go. But at least it looks great.
Triumph Stag
We're sad to put the Triumph Stag on this list because it's such a beautiful British classic, but it really is a nightmare to own. The V8 engine struggles due to a poorly-placed water pump and warped cylinder heads. The Stag's timing chain can also barely reach 30,000 miles.
Opel Insignia
Opel Insignias are perfect daily drivers, so long as they want to work! The petrol models frequently experience oil leaks, and the diesel versions aren't much better with their regular dual-mass flywheel, which is caused by a juddery gearbox. They're just lucky to be so good-looking.
Maserati Ghibli
The Maserati Ghibli has long been considered one of the worst Maseratis around, but we can't deny its phenomenal looks. The rear wheels are poorly aligned, causing the suspension to wear out and necessitating costly repairs. The engine also struggles at low speeds.
Ford Kuga
Ford Kugas look amazing, but don't be fooled by their style! They're some of the most problematic Fords, with issues ranging from dead batteries to blocked engine filters to burning clutches. Some Kugas have even caught fire due to their batteries!
Chevrolet SSR
It seems that Chevrolet focused purely on making the SSR beautiful because its mechanical production was very rushed. This resulted in several poorly-constructed parts, including a severely underpowered engine in the original models. But we can't deny how uniquely stylish it is, so it gets kudos for that.
Pontiac Fiero
We love the Pontiac Fiero's cool wedge-shaped design, but it doesn't drive nearly as well as you'd expect. Many Fiero engines leak excessive oil, which can even be a serious fire hazard in some models. They're also quite underpowered due to defective engines.
Jaguar XE
When it comes to looks, the Jaguar XE only gets better with age. However, its mechanics are overdue for a change, particularly the nightmarish timing chain on the diesel models, which often snaps, requiring a pricey emergency repair. But most of its flaws are electrical.
Mercedes-Benz GLC
We can see why the Mercedes-Benz GLC is many people's dream car, but it could run smoother. The steering is often heavy and problematic, particularly at full turn, and the transmission is harsh and juddery. It’s the little things that detract from its overall performance.
Seat Ibiza
Sure, the Seat Ibiza isn't a supercar, but it’s a stylish daily driver in its own right. Unfortunately, the engine can be a royal pain to deal with, often misfiring or breaking down due to a degraded timing chain. Certain performance models also suffer turbocharger faults.
Kia Stinger
Despite being discontinued in 2023, the Kia Stinger still has its dashing good looks going for it. But we can't say the same for its leaky transmission and fuel system, nor its easily worn-out brakes. Perhaps it just wasn't meant to be after all.
Bentley Continental
Bentley would never release a car that was anything short of the height of sophistication, but the Continental is lacking in other areas. Both the suspension and brakes are vulnerable to damage, so you can't go full-out while driving the Continental, unless you want a hefty repair bill.
Opel Mokka
The Opel Mokka has some very specific mechanical issues that, sadly, put many people off paying good money for it. Head gasket failures and dual mass flywheels are common, as are oil leaks in the engine. But on the outside, the Mokka is one attractive SUV!
Nissan Leaf
Where do we start with the Nissan Leaf? Unfortunately, its sleek, distinctive design is its only redeeming quality, as it's a total mechanical nightmare. The battery degrades quickly, impacting performance, and charging is often flawed. Additionally, some Leafs have dangerously delayed brakes.
Fiat 500
When it comes to city driving, the Fiat 500 looks the part and has impressive sales to back it up. But mechanical issues quickly present themselves while driving, mostly due to the engine wasting oil and the suspension components being laughably flimsy.
Volvo XC90
It may look like a stylish beast, but the Volvo XC90 is a pussycat at heart. Without regular maintenance, suspension and transmission problems quickly crop up. They usually cost a lot to repair because the XC90 is such a luxurious vehicle.
Range Rover Velar
It's not as notorious as the Evoque, but the Range Rover Velar also has its share of mechanical flaws. The diesel engine timing chain is particularly bad and often fails, which can cause more extensive damage to the rest of the engine. But we have to admit, it's beautiful.
Audi A4
The Audi A4 is an executive car that oozes style and sophistication, but does its performance match up? Sadly not. The engine guzzles up far too much oil, which only makes its timing chain degradation worse. Coolant leaks and other buildups also frequently happen inside the engine.
Chrysler Pacifica
As far as minivans go, the Chrysler Pacifica delivers glorious looks. However, for such a practical vehicle, you'd expect more durable transmission, more forceful brakes, and an engine that doesn't randomly lose power. Tread carefully if you're thinking of buying a Pacifica.
Toyota GT86
The Toyota GT86 is a driver-focused car that wouldn't look out of place in a luxury show, but it's good to be aware of its mechanical faults before splashing out. Most notably, it has an overactive fuel system and underactive torque, which can affect the performance.
Ford Fiesta
The Ford Fiesta is a good-looking classic, which is why we're gutted to put it on this list. But we can't ignore its issues, which include a faulty automatic transmission and a failed cooling system. Its steering construction also had many models recalled in 2019.
Mitsubishi Eclipse
Mitsubishi cars are typically reliable, but not the Eclipse! This gorgeous, sporty car has a horrendous manual transmission and wheels that often bend or crack while driving. Some owners also found that their airbags didn't deploy properly, which is a serious safety concern.
Corvette C4
While we have to give the Corvette C4 credit for its great-looking, high-performance design, that doesn't negate its mechanical flaws. The fuel system is easily overwhelmed, the suspension leaks, and the OptiSpark distributor in certain models is a disaster for the driver.
