Maybe it was the engine, the design, the price, the marketing or simply that it didn’t succeed as intended. In this list, you’ll find some of the biggest car fails of the 21st century, with a few being extremely costly mistakes.
BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo
BMW wanted to create a more spacious car, but the target market was too small, and many people felt it looked too similar to other models.
Bufori Geneva
The "Malaysian Rolls-Royce" wasn’t exactly the best nickname for a brand trying to establish its own identity in the car industry. With a target market that was too small due to its high price and large dimensions, the Geneva didn’t succeed as expected.
SsangYong Rodius
The looks don’t deceive you, this car was called some pretty unkind names. The first generation of this South Korean model was even voted "one of the ugliest cars". At least the newer generations are trying to change that reputation.
Hyundai Amica/Atos
The goal was to build a simple car for city life and they achieved that, but went a bit too far. It was criticized for its poor quality, lack of equipment, and unattractive design.
Mini Clubman
They seemed to forget their own name, the Mini Clubman is anything but ‘mini’ and agile. Fans didn’t exactly welcome it with the warmest reception.
Fiat 124 Spider
Inspired by a classic Fiat, they aimed to combine nostalgia and elegance with modern design. But between the styling, engine, drivability, and price, it turned out to be a failure.
Lotus Europa S
Lotus Cars failed to balance sportiness and comfort. It was poorly received by both purists and regular buyers.
Renault Clio RS Mk IV
It had some big shoes to fill, but as the heir to the previous models, it didn’t quite succeed. On top of that, some parts in the car were flawed.
Subaru Levorg
With a controversial name and design; a mix of family car and sports car that didn’t fully connect with customers, leading to lukewarm reviews despite its practicality.
Citroën C6
This car had no major issues, it looked good and had solid packaging overall. The problem was sales; it simply didn’t reach its target.
Covini C6W
A six-wheeled supercar, a striking idea, but impractical and commercially absurd; it’s considered a failed market experiment.
Vauxhall/Opel Zafira VXR
It was a super-powerful car for its intended purpose: a family car. With too much power for a platform that couldn’t handle it well.
Citroën C3 Pluriel
"Five cars in one" promised versatility; in practice, the system was complex and expensive, resulting in a product that was incoherent and fragile.
Aston Martin Cygnet
Between the cost and the car itself, it didn’t convince anyone, and people found it very similar to another, cheaper model.
Honda CR-Z
Presented as a "sports car", it didn’t deliver the expected sportiness, and its execution for the intended market was poor.
Renault Vel Satis
Renault tried to experiment with its style, but some reviews didn’t support the design. Between low sales and drivability issues, it’s considered a failure.
Volkswagen Phaeton
High-end luxury with top-tier technology, but a "Volkswagen" badge that clashed with expectations. Phaeton sales fell far short of projections.
Chevrolet SSR
A mix of a retro pickup and modern features, impractical, heavy, oddly designed, and expensive. This Chevrolet was a failure.
Hummer H2
Excessive in its consumption and style, some people saw it as a device of ostentation that provoked disgust. Essentially, a civilian version of a war machine.
Peugeot 308 CC
Neither the design nor the drivability hit the mark, and with an overly heavy movable rooftop, Peugeot missed the target.
Infiniti M37
Late to the party compared to its competitors, this Nissan it’s a good car, but reception and sales tell a different story.
Youabian Puma
This weird and tasteless design speaks for itself, and, of course, it’s overpriced.
McLaren X-1
This McLaren is unique and spectacular, featuring butterfly doors. But it was also a big miss with its intended customers, misaligned with what McLaren buyers expect.
Ineos Grenadier
A good off-road vehicle, but with quality issues, some recalls, and criticism over its execution. On top of that, it’s difficult to drive in the city.
Pontiac Aztek
The "Walter White car" has become a meme icon due to its weird design and poor sales performance.
Jaguar X-Type
Jaguar wanted to create a more accessible car for the public, but it was criticized for losing perceived quality and prestige.
Lincoln Blackwood
A luxury pickup, strong on looks but terrible in utility. Discontinued after one year, it combined a high price with low demand.
Pontiac GTO
A revival gone wrong, both in design and target audience. This Pontiac’s sales were very underwhelming.
Mitsubishi Mirage
A small, budget-friendly car that was heavily criticized for its handling, interior, and cheap feel; several publications included it on lists of cars to avoid.
Bollinger B1
An all-electric off-road SUV with a minimalist, boxy design, the vehicle faced several challenges that limited its commercial success.
