People often cite the famous aircraft designer Tupolev who said, “Only beautiful planes fly well.” That idea suits cars just as well. A striking design can captivate buyers, yet style alone won’t sell if the vehicle fails on the road or drains the wallet. When design feels amateur, neither a trendy silhouette nor clever marketing can truly convert customers.
Below is a list of ten controversial cars from recent times whose looks sparked debate, sparked controversy, or even forced design revisions. Some never found a mass audience, others were pulled from production, and a few underwent what insiders call a cosmetic overhaul to recover their image.
Audi A2
Unveiled in 1999, the A2 made jaws drop. It marked Audi first foray into a compact van format and stood in stark contrast to the conventional sedans and wagons of the era. For many observers the bold design felt almost disruptive, especially the oversized windshield, the dramatic taper of the roof, and the distinctive fifth door. The most talked about feature was the hood that did not lift but was instead replaced by an unusual, fixed plane.
The A2 showcased an all aluminum body, a rarity at the time outside of the flagship A8. That material choice kept the curb weight at about 895 kilograms. It paired with a 1.2 liter diesel to deliver astonishing fuel economy, around 3 liters per 100 kilometers, making it one of the most economical cars of its era.
Despite its clever engineering, the A2 failed to win broad appeal. Production ended in 2005, with roughly 176,377 units built.
Audi A2
Ford EcoSport
Debuting in 2012 as a compact crossover alternative to a larger model, the EcoSport offered an available all wheel drive option that its predecessor lacked. Yet the exterior design drew sharp criticism. The styling from the Brazilian studio responsible for the look produced a short, narrow yet tall profile that many perceived as cartoonish.
Bits that struck a nerve included a spare tire mounted on the tailgate. Some winter enthusiasts even tried to print durable, ice resistant spare tire covers only to hear strong language as a response. Overall, the EcoSport did not win the market in Russia and sales remained weak enough that Ford exited the region in 2019.
Ford EcoSport
Jeep Compass
By the mid 2000s the crossover boom was underway and compact crossovers were a hot segment. The Jeep brand, renowned for sturdy off road capability, entered a crowded field that already included Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, and Subaru Forester. In 2006 Jeep introduced the Compass. The design drew immediate criticism as some American outlets placed it among the year’s notable styling missteps. The vehicle looked chunky with rounded headlamps, and its proportions reminded many of a hamster on wheels, a far cry from Jeep’s rugged heritage.
Later, the restyling adopted the stance of the flagship Grand Cherokee, yet the timing did not rescue its popularity. The Compass remained a controversial model rather than a best seller.
Jeep Compass
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