Suzuki X-90
The Suzuki X-90 looked like an SUV shrunk in the wash. With two seats, T-top roof panels, and 4WD, it confused everyone, yet for some reason, people were buying it in the mid-90s. It even found fame as a Red Bull promo car, complete with a giant can strapped to the back.
Fiat Jolly
The Fiat Jolly had no doors, had a fancy canopy top, and came with wicker seats. This made it perfect for seaside resorts. Its original target market was the Italian high-society crowd who cruised around the coastal towns in style. Nowadays, collectors are willing to shell out big bucks to own this beach buggy that captured everyone's attention with its effortless cool factor.
Nissan Cube
People didn't know what to make of the Nissan Cube. It looked like a big old fridge on wheels, yet somehow its boxy, lopsided design somehow worked. It was surprisingly roomy and had a shag-carpet dashboard mat, because why not? Originally a hit in Japan, it found a quirky fan base in the U.S. who just loved its weird charm.
Toyota Prius
The Prius was the world's first mass-produced hybrid car, and it was the talk of the town. People made fun of its weird look until Leonardo DiCaprio and other celebs suddenly made it really cool to own one.
Citroën Ami
The Citroën Ami looks like a Lego car built by a five-year-old, and that’s part of its charm. It seats two, charges up in 3 hours, and in some countries, you can even drive it as a teenager. And even though technically it’s a quadricycle and not a real car, its cuteness still manages to sell.
Subaru Baja
The Subaru Baja was an oddball inspired by the company’s rally heritage, and named after Baja California. It somehow found a group of fans who liked the idea of a practical truck bed but with the comfort of a wagon.
Toyota Mirai
The Toyota Mirai is a real looker in the Hydrogen-powered department. It comes in a very unique package and provides a glimpse of the future. People debate over its bold curves and angular lines, but one thing everyone agrees on is that it’s an innovation that will change the world.
Scion XB
You could say the Scion xB had personality to spare. Its boxy body and customizable panels made it irresistible to young drivers. It even inspired its own fan clubs and popped up in loads of rap videos.
Chrysler PT Cruiser
You can't help but laugh when you realize that the PT Cruiser looks like a hot rod and a lunchbox had a baby. However, people still fell in love with it. Its retro styling tapped into the nostalgia for the 1940s, and buyers lined up. In 2001, it won Motor Trend's Car of the Year.
AMC Pacer (1975–1980)
The AMC Pacer was a weird one. It was originally designed for a rotary engine that never arrived. It was famously wide and oddly round, earning nicknames like “the fishbowl.” Despite its looks, people still bought it because it was comfy, and you could actually see what was happening around you. It has since become super famous after its legendary appearance in Wayne's World.
Mercedes-Benz R-Class
The Mercedes-Benz R-Class left everyone scratching their heads. Was it a minivan, an SUV, a luxury ride? Nobody really knew. However, it sold well enough for Mercedes to keep it around for a little while longer than it should have. Families loved all that room it offered and the comfort it had, even if its looks were questionable.
Hyundai Veloster
The Hyundai Veloster had that weird three-door thing going on, with two doors on one side and one on the other. But its sporty vibe and peppy performance were a winning combo for younger buyers. It became the go-to for fun, affordable weirdness, with some models offering turbocharged thrills.
BMW Z3 Coupe
People called the BMW Z3 Coupe the "Clown Shoe" because of its interesting design. It was a blend of sports car and hatchback, and its elongated rear made it divisive. However, its driving dynamics were pretty sensational. These days, it's a collector's darling for its sheer uniqueness and the pure joy it delivers every time you get behind the wheel.
Renault Twingo
The Renault Twingo had a cartoonish front and bubbly shape that had all of Europe hooked from the start. Young city drivers loved it because it was a cheap, fun little number to zip around in.
Smart Fortwo
The Smart Fortwo was co-developed by Swatch and Mercedes-Benz, blending watch precision with automotive engineering. Although it looked like a golf cart that wandered into traffic, urban drivers loved it. It was easy to park, and its tiny turning radius made it ideal for city living.
Plymouth Prowler
The Plymouth Prowler looked like a retro dragster reimagined by a comic-book artist. With exposed front wheels and a wild design, it stood out instantly. Chrysler used mostly aluminum to build it, to show off their new tech, and people ate it up, even though it came with a V6 rather than a V8.
Toyota Sera
The Toyota Sera was one of those cars that just caught everyone off guard. It had butterfly doors, a bubble-shaped glass canopy, and looked like something straight out of a Japanese manga comic. It was sold only in Japan from 1990 to 1996, but it still gained a cult following around the world.
Subaru BRAT
So Subaru got a bit creative to dodge import tariffs. They slapped some plastic jump seats in the back of the BRAT's truck bed and called it a "passenger vehicle". And it actually worked. People just loved its quirky charm, and it developed a cult following among outdoorsy types and weird-car fans alike.
Fiat Panda 4x4
The Fiat Panda 4x4 looked like a refrigerator on wheels, but this boxy wonder climbed mountains like a goat. It was a cheap and unstoppable car that became beloved in rural Europe. And the best part? It was so simple that farmers swore it was more reliable than their tractors.
Pontiac Aztek
The Aztek was called one of the ugliest cars ever made. But it was actually a crossover before crossovers were cool. It had a built-in tent, cooler, and optional all-wheel drive. Critics laughed at it, but it sold okay and later became Walter White’s ride in Breaking Bad.
Isuzu VehiCROSS
The VehiCROSS looked like it came straight from a comic book artist’s sketchpad. Only 6,000 were made, but its off-road ability and durability made it a cult favorite among adventurous collectors.
Nissan S-Cargo
The S-Cargo was a snail-inspired delivery van from Japan. It was part of Nissan’s “Pike” car lineup and known for retro whimsy. Less than 12,000 were made, but its cartoonish design made it a favorite among collectors who love oddballs.
BMW Isetta
The Isetta was basically a rolling bubble with one front door that opened like a fridge. Originally designed in Italy, it saved BMW in the ‘50s when they needed an affordable microcar. With just 13 horsepower, it barely hit 50 mph, but everyone loved its adorable personality.
Fiat Multipla
The Multipla is one of the most cheerfully weird cars ever built. With its bug-eyed headlights and double-decker design, you couldn’t miss it. Despite its cartoonish shape, it was practical, and six people could fit in it comfortably.
Mitsubishi I-MiEV
The i-MiEV was one of the first mass-produced electric cars, and it looked like a space pod on wheels. Its tall, narrow design maximized cabin space while keeping the footprint tiny. Though it wasn’t pretty, it paved the way for affordable EVs years before Tesla became mainstream.
Daihatsu Midget II
This tiny one-seater delivery truck from Japan looked like a toy but was practical and fun to drive. Businesses loved its maneuverability in crowded streets, and it became a cult favorite among microcar fans. Some owners even customized them into mini food trucks.
Citroën 2CV
The Citroën 2CV was designed to carry eggs across bumpy French roads without breaking them, and it did just that. It sold nearly four million units over four decades. What started as a farmer’s car became a French icon loved for its charm and practicality.
Toyota Previa
The Previa had the curves of a space shuttle with the engine tucked under the front seats. Despite its weird shape, it was roomy, smooth, and fun to drive. Families loved its reliability, and enthusiasts still go crazy for the rare supercharged version’s hidden punch.
AMC Eagle
The AMC Eagle fused a station wagon’s comfort with four-wheel-drive muscle. Though unconventional, it was smartly designed for rugged versatility, earning its place as a trailblazer in all-weather family travel.
Renault Avantime
The Renault Avantime took a risk by combining a coupe and a minivan into one lavish spaceship. It featured a panoramic glass roof, along with two large doors that allowed you to see the beautiful open view. It was a cult favorite due to its originality and fearless approach to car design.
Reliant Robin
The Reliant Robin was a three-wheeler that became infamous for flipping over during sharp turns. Yet, it became a British cult classic. It was even featured in episodes of "Top Gear" that lovingly mocked its wobbliness.
Volkswagen Thing
The Volkswagen Thing was originally built for the German military, and it looked like a metal box on wheels. In the 1970s, this vehicle was a hit in the U.S. due to its removable doors, fold-down windshield, and fun beach vibe.
Chevrolet HHR
The Chevrolet HHR combined retro aesthetics with contemporary practicality. It was designed by the same person who created the Chrysler PT Cruiser, and it featured wide fenders and an old-school style grille. Its spacious cargo area and good gas mileage allowed it to sell well, despite critics never fully embracing it.
Toyota FJ Cruiser
The Toyota FJ Cruiser was distinctive with its boxy shape, short windshield, and vibrant colors. Based on the classic FJ40 Land Cruiser, it was a true off-roader. While it had limited visibility and strange looks, it sold more than 200,000 units in the U.S. and built a loyal group of adventure-loving fans.
Nissan Juke
The Nissan Juke was wild from every angle. The headlights resembled frog eyes, the beltline was high, and it had muscular curves. Critics mocked the styling, but drivers loved its turbo punch and sporty handling. It sold more than a million units worldwide.
