10 Cars From the 80s That Tried to Be High-Tech and Ended Up Hilarious

Cameron Eittreim August 30, 2025

The 1980s were a time of technological optimism in the automotive industry. Manufacturers eagerly integrated futuristic features, envisioning a new era of high-tech vehicles. However, this rush to innovate often led to unexpected and humorous outcomes. Cars that were meant to embody cutting-edge technology sometimes ended up as cautionary tales of overambition and underperformance. This article explores ten such vehicles that, despite their high-tech aspirations, became sources of amusement and lessons in automotive history.

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1. Pontiac Fiero: The Fire-Prone Trendsetter

The Pontiac Fiero, introduced in 1984, was a mid-engine sports car that aimed to revolutionize the automotive market with its futuristic composite panels and innovative design. However, its ambitious engineering led to significant reliability issues, notably engine overheating and fires. These problems were primarily due to a small oil reservoir and defective connecting rods, which, when combined with low oil levels, could result in catastrophic engine failures. As a result, the Fiero’s high-tech aspirations were overshadowed by its fiery reputation. (autonews.com)

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2. Subaru XT: Origami Styling Meets Cockpit Controls

1753547041 1024px subaru xt6 — A Subaru XT’s cockpit showcases its unique digital dashboard and unconventional car controls. | Image from www.flickr.com (Creative Commons Licensed)

The Subaru XT, introduced in 1985, was a two-door coupé that aimed to blend futuristic design with advanced technology. Its distinctive wedge shape and aviation-inspired cockpit, featuring a digital dashboard and a steering wheel adorned with numerous buttons, were intended to set it apart in the market. However, these features often overwhelmed drivers, leading to confusion and a steep learning curve. Despite its innovative approach, the XT’s complex controls and unconventional design failed to resonate with a broad audience, resulting in limited sales and a niche following. (en.wikipedia.org)

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3. Cadillac Cimarron: Upscale Aspirations Dashed

1982 cadillac cimarron — A 1983 Cadillac Cimarron, emblematic of 1980s luxury missteps, showcasing outdated technology and design. | Image from www.rawpixel.com (Creative Commons Licensed)

Introduced in 1982, the Cadillac Cimarron was an ambitious attempt to bring luxury features to the compact car segment. Built on the Chevrolet Cavalier platform, it featured upscale touches like leather upholstery and digital displays. However, the Cimarron faced criticism for its high price point, which was nearly double that of the Cavalier, and its performance, which failed to meet the expectations set by its luxury branding. This misalignment led to poor sales and a tarnished reputation for Cadillac. (autoweek.com)

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4. Renault Fuego: Voice Alerts Gone Wild

Renault fuego 9 — A 1984 Renault Fuego GTX with a talking dashboard system, featuring voice alerts for various functions. | Image from fr.m.wikipedia.org (Creative Commons Licensed)

The Renault Fuego, produced from 1980 to 1986, was a sport hatchback that aimed to blend innovative technology with sporty design. One of its standout features was a talking dashboard that provided voice alerts to inform drivers of open doors, low fuel, and other essential notifications. While intended to enhance the driving experience, this feature often startled and annoyed owners, leading to its reputation as a quirky and sometimes intrusive addition. (en.wikipedia.org)

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5. Nissan Maxima: The ‘Digital’ Car Phone Pioneer

1984 Datsun 810 Maxima — A Nissan Maxima’s digital dashboard seamlessly integrates with a smartphone, offering intuitive controls and connectivity. | Image from commons.wikimedia.org (Creative Commons Licensed)

The 1985 Nissan Maxima, often dubbed the first ‘4-Door Sports Car,’ was a trailblazer in integrating digital technology into everyday vehicles. It featured a digital dashboard and a voice-warning system that provided alerts for various vehicle statuses. Additionally, the Maxima offered keyless entry and an early version of a car phone, positioning it as a technological frontrunner. However, these innovations were often plagued by reliability issues, leading to driver frustration and overshadowing the car’s high-tech ambitions. (caranddriver.com)

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6. Chrysler LeBaron: The Talking Wonder

The Chrysler LeBaron, introduced in 1983, featured the Electronic Voice Alert (EVA) system, a pioneering technology that provided drivers with spoken warnings about various vehicle conditions. Utilizing speech synthesis technology from Texas Instruments, similar to that used in the Speak & Spell toy, the EVA system would automatically lower the radio volume and deliver messages such as “A door is ajar” or “Your engine oil pressure is low.” While innovative, the system’s constant reminders often became a source of annoyance for drivers, leading many to disable it by removing a fuse, which sometimes also deactivated the fuel gauge. Later models addressed this by adding a switch in the glove compartment to turn off the EVA system. (moparinsiders.com)

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7. DeLorean DMC-12: Futuristic Look, Flawed Engineering

The DeLorean DMC-12, introduced in 1981, was renowned for its distinctive gull-wing doors and brushed stainless-steel body panels, giving it a futuristic appearance. However, beneath this striking exterior, the vehicle faced significant engineering challenges. Powered by a 2.85-liter V6 engine producing 130 horsepower, the DMC-12’s performance was underwhelming, with a 0 to 60 mph acceleration time of approximately 10.5 seconds. Additionally, the car suffered from quality control issues, including electrical system failures, overheating problems, and corrosion due to inadequate rust protection. These shortcomings led to a limited production run and a reputation for being more of a cinematic icon than a reliable sports car. (en.wikipedia.org)

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8. Oldsmobile Toronado Trofeo: Touchscreen Trouble

1990 oldsmobile toronado exterior 1990 oldsmobile trofeo 1 45312 — A 1990 Oldsmobile Toronado Trofeo’s dashboard showcasing its advanced touchscreen Visual Information Center. | Image from en.wikipedia.org (Creative Commons Licensed)

The 1990 Oldsmobile Toronado Trofeo introduced the Visual Information Center (VIC), an early touchscreen system that controlled climate, audio, and provided vehicle diagnostics. While innovative, the VIC was plagued by laggy responses and frequent technical glitches, leading to driver frustration. Despite its ambitious design, the system’s unreliability turned it into a punchline rather than a technological marvel. For more details, see The Drive.

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9. Aston Martin Lagonda: Digital Luxury, Exorbitant Headaches

Aston martin lagonda 41 — Aston Martin Lagonda’s interior showcases a futuristic digital dashboard, epitomizing luxury car technology. | Image from fr.m.wikipedia.org (Creative Commons Licensed)

The Aston Martin Lagonda, introduced in 1976, was a groundbreaking luxury sedan that combined futuristic wedge styling with advanced technology, including the first production car to feature a digital instrument panel. This digital dashboard, along with touch-sensitive controls, was intended to set new standards in automotive design. However, the ambitious electronics were plagued with reliability issues, leading to frequent malfunctions and rendering the high-tech features more of a burden than a benefit. For further reading, see Top Gear.

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10. Buick Reatta: CRT Dashboards and Futuristic Fumbles

The 1988 Buick Reatta introduced a cathode ray tube (CRT) touchscreen, offering control over climate, audio, and vehicle diagnostics. While revolutionary, the system suffered from lag and malfunctions, leading to driver frustration. This ambitious technology failed to age well, and Buick eventually replaced it with conventional controls in later models. For more details, see MotorTrend.

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