The 1980s had no shortage of memorable style choices—wild hair, neon fashion, and some really unforgettable car designs. And while the decade gave us some automotive gems, it also produced some downright ugly cars. Here’s a rundown of the ‘80s cars that were, let’s say, less than visually pleasing. Even if we had a soft spot for some of them, looking back, they’re a little hard on the eyes!
1. Pontiac Fiero
The Fiero was a sporty attempt from Pontiac but often looked like a cheap toy. With a boxy body and angular lines, it was trying to be a mini Ferrari—but let’s be real, it was all Pontiac. The interior was cramped, and it had some notable safety issues, too, but we all knew someone who swore this was the car.
2. Ford EXP
Ford’s EXP looked like it couldn’t decide if it was sporty or practical, and that confusion showed. With its awkward compact shape and sloping front, it had a unique look, but not in a good way. Despite its sporty intentions, it didn’t deliver much on power or style.
3. Chevrolet Citation
The Chevy Citation was supposed to be a new chapter for Chevrolet, but it ended up being more like a footnote. Its bland, boxy design made it look outdated almost as soon as it hit the showroom, and it often suffered from quality issues, leaving owners scratching their heads.
4. Cadillac Cimarron
Cadillac tried to enter the compact car market with the Cimarron, and… well, let’s just say it didn’t work out. It looked more like a dressed-up Chevy Cavalier than a luxury Cadillac. The Cimarron was supposed to appeal to young professionals but mostly got ignored.
5. Yugo GV
The Yugo GV was affordable but incredibly underwhelming in every other way. It was small, boxy, and simple, but not in a good way. The Yugo’s plain design, reliability issues, and lack of features quickly made it the butt of jokes everywhere.
6. Renault Alliance
The Renault Alliance was another odd duck. Designed in partnership with AMC, this compact car wasn’t much to look at, with a rounded shape and modest styling that came off as more frumpy than fun. It didn’t catch on, and it wasn’t long before it faded from the scene.
7. Dodge Aries K-Car
The K-Car was Chrysler’s budget-saving darling, but it looked as boring as it was practical. The boxy shape, minimal styling, and basic features were great for families and reliability, but it didn’t exactly turn heads. Still, there’s something nostalgic about how it just kept on trucking.
8. Buick Skyhawk
With its mismatched proportions, the Buick Skyhawk looked like it was put together from leftover parts. It was supposed to be a sporty coupe but didn’t have much to brag about. The grille-heavy front end and small wheels left it looking awkward on the road.
9. Plymouth Horizon
The Plymouth Horizon might have been functional, but pretty? Not so much. Its boxy, utilitarian design and tiny wheels made it look like it was always working hard to keep up with the rest of traffic. We loved it for being reliable, but we never loved its looks.
10. Nissan Pulsar NX
The Pulsar NX was a car that tried to be sporty but somehow fell flat. Its odd shape and lackluster engine didn’t quite live up to the flashy ads. And with the funky, pop-up headlights and boxy back, it ended up looking more weird than wow.
11. AMC Eagle
The AMC Eagle was a unique concept—one of the first crossovers with four-wheel drive—but it came with some unfortunate looks. It was raised up like an SUV but built like a car, with a shape that just seemed confused. Still, we have to give it credit for originality!
12. Hyundai Excel
The Hyundai Excel was the company’s big American debut, but the design was nothing to write home about. Its bland, cookie-cutter appearance didn’t inspire confidence, though it was affordable. Over time, Hyundai would become a major player in style, but the Excel was not their crowning achievement.
The 1980s had some real design risks, and while they didn’t all pay off, they gave us some unforgettable rides—awkward looks and all!
