The 12 Most Embarrassing Cars from the Last Decade
Justin Lloyd-Miller

12. Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet
Based on an SUV but featuring the retractable roof of a convertible, the Nissan (NSANY.PK)Murano CrossCabriolet doesn’t really fit into either camp. It’s too big andbulky to enjoy as a convertible but really has none of the utility or practicalnature that would make it a sensible SUV, either. It scored a 0.3 on the scale.

11.Chevrolet HHR
Retro-inspired design seems to be a big hit-or-miss strategy with newer cars, and it appears that Chevrolet’s (NYSE:GM) application of the aesthetic to the HHR scored moreon the hit side with the participants, as the car scored a lowly 0.7 on the cringeworthy scale — and given the nature of this list, that’s a good thing.

10. Honda Element
Boxy and square in just about every measure, the Honda (NYSE:HMC) Element’s styling cuescertainly weren’t for everybody, though the car does appeal to the avid outdoorcrowd. There were apparently a few members of that crowd among the participants,as the Element scored a 0.9 for cringeworthiness.

9. ChryslerPT Cruiser
A similar approach to the Chevy HHR, the Chrysler (FIATY.PK) PT Cruiser set the benchmark for the return to retro. It seems that the HHR was able to pull it off more effectively though, as the survey’s participants awarded the PT Cruiser a scoreof 1.

8. Pontiac Aztek
We’re actually a bit surprised that the Aztek didn’t end up higher on the list, as ithas been dubbed one of the ugliest cars ever by numerous parties, including the court of public opinion. Its quirky, plastic-laden, oddly proportioned figurewas given a rating of 1.4 on the cringe scale.

7. LincolnTown Car
The entry of the Lincoln (NYSE:F) Town Car had us a little puzzled, too. Perhaps its scoreof 1.6 is due to its nearly identical resemblance to its Crown Victoria sibling— or maybe it’s the car’s unbreakable bond to the geriatric set. Regardless,the Town Car enjoyed tremendous success, particularly among the businesstraveler class.

6. Subaru Baja
Part truck and part car, the Subaru Baja was a sort of Japanese take on the El Camino.Though it proved itself to be a very capable vehicle, it was also quite apolarizing spectacle to lay eyes on. Its score is tied with the Town Car, at1.6.

5.Volkswagen New Beetle
The Volkswagen (VLKAY.PK) Beetle’s return has been met with mixed results, andwhile the older new Beetles were a decidedly feminine car, VW tried to “man up”the car a bit with a more aggressive stance and a meaner scowl. Still, itranked No. 5 on the list, with a score of 1.9.

4. Chevrolet SSR
Part hotrod, part truck, the Chevy SSR fell into a wide range of definitions andrepresented one of the most peculiar models in GM’s arsenal at the time. Thoughit was definitely a car meant for the pleasure of driving (i.e., it was not awork truck), participants gave the SSR a score of 2.1.

3. Hummer H2
“Women really didn’t like the H2,” Toups, CarInsurance.com’s managing editor, said.That’s not too surprising, either, as the behemoth vehicle was really designedto convey the most masculine demeanor possible. Participants slapped the carwith a 3.5-point cringe score.

2. Nissan Cube
Say what youwant about Nissan’s Cube, but the one thing you can’t hold against the companyis that it nailed the name for this car. Nissan tried to bring the distinctlyJapanese styling to the States, but the vehicle just wasn’t met with the samewarmth that it got from its domestic market. Participants were not feelingparticularly warm toward it either, and it scored a 3.6 on the scale.

1. Smart ForTwo
The Smart Fortwo took the top — or bottom? — spot on the list by a wide margin and ascore of 7.6. It “looks like I couldn’t afford a full-size car.” It’s “too dorky.” It “looks like a toy.” Those were just some of the thoughts that CarInsurance.com participants had regarding the tiny car. However, if parallel parking is a sore subject for you, the Smart might be worth a second look.

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