10 ugly cars that later became amazing

In the automotive industry, aesthetics play an important role. Some vehicles over the years have become saddled with the unpleasant distinction of being called the ugliest cars ever created. While most of these Used cars They have more than lived up to that title as of today, there is no denying that they used to be the best looking models on the market at one point in time.

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Today we’ll take a look at how some cars have transformed over time, highlighting the flaws in their early design that they later overcame. Every vehicle on our list is a tribute to automakers’ willingness to listen to their customers, learn from their mistakes, and continually innovate.

10 Toyota Prius

When the first Toyota Prius appeared in the late 1990s, it attracted massive criticism because of its unique appearance. Early Prius models had a wedge-shaped design and a rear-facing appearance that appealed to the public. However, Toyota has remained steadfast in its commitment to hybrid technology and fuel economy. In terms of design, the Prius has evolved its model over the years.

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Today, the exterior of the latest versions offers a more polished and aerodynamic appearance. These modifications have improved its aesthetic appeal while the Prius continues to deliver on other fronts as well, such as environmental friendliness and innovation. The upcoming 2024 Toyota Prius also promises a newer look.

9 Cayenne Porsche

When the Cayenne came into the picture, the market saw a radical departure from Porsche’s classic sports car lineage. The first generation elicited mixed reviews, suggesting that the car looked larger and at odds with the brand’s popular sports car design range.

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Later incarnations of the Cayenne brought sleeker, more refined styling, smoother lines and a sportier demeanor. This design evolution significantly improved its aesthetic appeal and represented Porsche’s commitment to combining high-performance engineering with elegance in the SUV segment. Today, the Porsche Cayenne is known as a monument to Porsche’s adaptability and innovation, combining sportiness and utility in one impressive package.

8 Chrysler 300

The evolution of the Chrysler 300 from its early versions to its current form has been a long story of incredible transformation. The 300’s first design was boxier and older, raising doubts among the public about its place in the contemporary luxury market. This led Chrysler to realize the need for change and the company surprisingly responded with a massive redesign.

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The look of the car changed as it received a nice facelift for the second generation, ditching the boxy outlines and moving towards giving it a sleeker, more modern look. The latest fourth-generation model also features sharper lines and a prominent grille, representing the 300’s continued design evolution in Chrysler’s dedication to offering something the market agrees on. With this updated look, the 300 turned over new pages and was already recognized as one of the best American sleepers.

7 Toyota 86

The Scion FR-S, also known as the Toyota 86, has undergone substantial design changes over the years, fully reflecting the growth as a sports coupe. The car was denounced in the first generation for its bland and uninteresting appearance, but we’ve come a long way since then.

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Given the disappointment among enthusiasts with this model, Toyota immediately responded to the suggestions by looking for ways to improve the sporty and aesthetic appearance of the model. The result was a stunning overhaul with a leaner, more aggressive style featuring sharper lines and a reworked front end. The redesigned Toyota 86 is a perfect example of the brand’s dedication to providing an exciting and thrilling sports car experience to the masses.

6 Bentley Flying Spur

The Flying Spur is one of the most iconic cars to wear the Bentley badge. It has always embodied elegance and opulence, but previous generations were often ridiculed for looking slightly less sophisticated than other Bentley models. Fans considered the Flying Spur’s exterior design to be larger and less streamlined. Bentley, always known for striving for perfection, responded with a major makeover that transformed the Flying Spur into a stunning, modern luxury sedan for the next generation.

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Today the latest generation Bentley Flying Spur is recognized as an absolute work of art. It represents the pinnacle of luxury sedans and speaks to the brand’s dedication to achieving stunning and timeless design. This has raised Bentley’s status as a symbol of luxury and sophistication.

5 BMW 6 Series

The first generation BMW 6 Series lineup was perhaps one of the worst looking cars ever. Some considered it to have less cohesive aesthetics and give a more polarizing look. What should have set off alarm bells for the German automaker seems to have had no effect, as the brand has continued this design philosophy in subsequent generations as well.

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It’s only in the third and fourth generation models that we really see some improvement in the 6 Series lineup. The new look brought sharper lines as well as a more beautiful and cohesive exterior that resonates strongly with BMW’s reputation for making sporty and elegant cars. Nowadays, the BMW 6 Series is the perfect representation of modernity, sophistication and performance thanks to its overall pleasing design philosophy.

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4 Honda Ridgeline

When the Honda Ridgeline debuted in 2006, it seemed quite unusual for a pickup truck. This less traditional character was mostly due to the distinctive one-piece construction featuring rounded lines. After nearly a decade on the market, Honda realized that if it wanted to appeal to a larger base of pickup truck consumers, a radical change to the Ridgeline was necessary.

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The manufacturer gave a one-year gap to the lineup and eventually came out with the second generation in 2016. The new Ridgeline had sharper lines, a bolder front grille and squared-off corners, giving it a more solid and classic pickup truck look. . This change likely saved the truck from certain death, breathing new life into Honda’s midsize pickup.

3 Cadillac CTS

Previous years of the CTS tried to carry on the legacy of classic Cadillac luxury models, but they turned out to be bland and unattractive. For a car that targeted a place in the luxury segment, this was a big challenge to overcome. However, despite its generic lines and uninspiring exterior design, the CTS still manages to impress in terms of sales.

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Given the potential, Cadillac didn’t waste much time requesting a redesign of the CTS. Within five years of its launch, the renewed second generation was launched. Although it was not a complete turnaround, it showed a step in the right direction. Cadillac continued to strive forward with each generation, and the CTS slowly modified itself. Nowadays, despite its discontinuation, the Cadillac CTS is a perfect example of modern American luxury and a slow but steady design evolution that has finally worked out for the best.

2 Ford Fusion/Mondeo

The Ford Fusion, also known as the Ford Mondeo, initially failed to make an impact in the midsize sedan market. Although it was introduced in the early 1990s, the car was one of the ugliest cars ever made, appearing as if no real work had been done to its exterior. It had a very bland exterior and showed no real personality to help it stand out in the competitive market.

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It’s been several generations but the Ford Fusion’s design has never been more impressive. If not for the fourth generation, this Ford would likely have been long forgotten. Fortunately, the new look has saved the mid-size car with a major design update, featuring smoother lines, a more upscale front grille, and a more elegant overall appearance.

1 Nissan Juke

Nissan Juke is unanimously recognized as an ugly car by almost every car enthusiast. The Juke was introduced in 2010, and for most of its run, it was an odd-looking vehicle that necessarily looked chunky. While some fans thought the design was new and unique, for others it was a huge turn-off due to its strange appearance.

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Nissan later decided to discontinue the original Juke and introduced the Juke Nismo with a facelift. The new version of the Juke was not a huge break from its previous models, but it showed the right intent. Fortunately, by the time the second-generation Juke came out, Nissan had spent enough time reworking the formula and it showed. With the second generation models, the Juke becomes a more competitive and attractive compact SUV. It doesn’t hurt that it’s easier on the eyes too!