2010s Car Flops Drivers Never Want To See Again

2. Chevrolet HHR

When the Chrysler PT Cruiser hit the market, it became an extremely desirable model – at least for a short while. Soon, Chevrolet decided they wanted in on the retro-design game, so they introduced the HHR for Heritage High Roof. The design resembled the classic panel vans and Suburbans of the ’50s.

Unfortunately, there was little that the HHR could offer besides its faux-retro looks. The drivetrain and driving dynamics were modest, and the interior materials were inferior.

3. Buick Lucerne

Even though the Buick Lucerne was an undeniably luxurious car with a V8 option and long list of features, it was the perfect example of why the U.S. government needed to bail out GM in 2009. The Lucerne looked like Volkswagen Passat, it had outdated interior styling, no exciting details of features, and it drove like the car from the ’80s.

Fortunately, since then, GM invested in Buick, changed its lineup, and turned it into a cool company. However, no one will miss the Lucerne.

4. Chevrolet Aveo

It’s never a good idea to take a car from a specific market and try to sell it in another market without a thorough redesign. That is exactly what Chevrolet did with the Aveo. They took the car from Daewoo in South Korea and turned it into a U.S.-spec model named the Aveo.

Although the Aveo was inexpensive and compact, it was terrible to drive, underpowered, and extremely ugly. Its replacement, the Sonic, is a bit better, but everyone is glad to see the Aveo disappear.

5. Jeep Liberty

Even though the Liberty sold in decent numbers, it was still a car most drivers don’t want to see again. It was just a re-bodied version of an old Cherokee. It lacked power, the interior was outdated, and the fit and finish weren’t the best.

When the second generation was introduced in 2008, Jeep gave it a boxy look. But regardless of the retro design, it was still a re-bodied version.

6. Lexus HS Hybrid

Toyota had a big hit with the Prius, which claimed the hybrid market for them. However, market strategists decided to explore the segment even further. Soon, they presented the HS Hybrid, which turned out to be a bust and a sales flop.

The Lexus HS Hybrid was just an ordinary Corolla with a hybrid powertrain, poor performance, and high base price. It was logical that it would be a flop, so Lexus killed the model after just a few years on the market.

7. Kia Sedona

The current Sedona is a big, comfortable, well-equipped, and decent-looking minivan. However, the old one they built between 2005 and 2014 was sub-standard. In fact, it was a dull and ugly people carrier with no real appeal. It was affordable, which was its only advantage.

Kia has done a lot to turn its image around, but most people are glad the old Sedona is gone. It was a dead, dull, and slow car in a dying segment.

8. Chrysler Town and Country

The original minivan saved Chrysler from its demise in the early ’80s. In fact, the Town and Country was one of the best-selling products of this company until the dawn of the 21st century. However, the rise of the SUV killed Chrysler’s dreams of selling the minivan for another 30 years.

Once considered a standard of the segment, in its last years, the Town and County was a dull, tired, old model with nothing new to show. Sure, it was spacious and equipped, but that’s about it. Most drivers think the current Chrysler Pacifica is a much better minivan.

9. Acura ZDX

Honda’s luxury division, Acura, is famous for its elegant vehicles, powerful engines, and quality products. But, Acura is also known for a strange, ugly model they named the ZDX. On sale for just three years, the Acura ZDX was Acura’s attempt to present something between a sedan and a crossover. Sadly, it ended up being neither of the two.

Despite its good technical layout, decent power, and interior features, car buyers simply didn’t like the ZDX. In the end, Acura managed to sell just 7,200 of them.

10. Suzuki Kizashi

The Suzuki Kizashi was an interesting proposition with solid mechanics, decent looks and updated engines. While all of that looked good on paper, it couldn’t translate to big sales figures. That was because of bad marketing and a somewhat bizarre recall due to the possibility of spiders weaving webs in the fuel tank.

Also, they offered the Kizashi within the Hyundai and Subaru dealer networks. Most buyers simply chose the brands they were more familiar with.

11. Honda Crosstour

The failure of the Acura ZDX didn’t stop Honda from building another strange car that ultimately became a sales flop. In 2010, Honda presented the Crosstour, a five-door hatchback crossover with decent mechanics but a strange design and ugly stance.

The Crosstour, as a whole, was a solid car with a nice selection of engines and equipment. However, it was ugly, so most people are delighted that it is gone.

12. Mazda 5

Mazda decided to produce a minivan that looked like a swollen Mazda 3, hoping that it would sell. You guessed it, it had failure written all over it. Although Mazda tried to sell it at an affordable price with additional equipment, it didn’t help the sales.

The problem was that minivans were out of fashion. Also, the Mazda 5 wasn’t interesting enough to draw any attention from car buyers.

13. Scion xB

No matter how hard Toyota tried to present the Scion xB as a cool, innovative alternative to regular economy cars, it will always be an ugly, boring, and slow shoebox on wheels.

For a brief moment, the Scion was the talk of the industry. But, as soon as car buyers realized it was nothing more than an ordinary Toyota in different clothes, the model was gone.

14. Toyota Venza

It looks like Toyota is famous for cars with no real character or recognition. They continue to offer cars for people who don’t care what they drive as long as it transports them from point A to point B. That is precisely what Venza is.

It is a crossover with bland styling, conventional Toyota engines, and the technology and appeal of a garbage can. While the Venza is decent to drive and has nice equipment, it will make you fall asleep. That is why most people are happy it is gone.

15. Honda Civic Hybrid

Honda didn’t have much luck with hybrid models. Like the Honda Insight or the CR-Z, the Civic Hybrid turned out to be a flop. They based the car on a regular Civic sedan, which is quite popular and a well-designed economy model. However, its hybrid version was boring to drive and slow. Also, it lacked power and was well below the standards of the class.

Just like the Insight and the CR-Z, Honda discontinued the Civic Hybrid, and nobody wants to see it again.

16. Jeep Compass

Jeep had a unique position in the SUV market as the brand in which the whole model range consisted only of SUVs and similar vehicles. That is why the Compass is even more disappointing. With a front end that looks like old Grand Cherokee, the Compass had outdated engines and a poor fit and finish.

Even though most people are glad Jeep is finally back on track with its current models, they are also happy they don’t have to see the Compass anymore.

17. Scion IQ

Trying to copy the Smart ForTwo, Toyota decided to use the Scion brand and introduced the diminutive IQ model. Sadly, no one can call this vehicle a proper car since it is about half the size of a regular compact. Also, it drives like a supermarket cart. Most people are glad it is gone.

18. Volkswagen Eos

The Volkswagen Eos debuted as the successor to the Golf convertible, but with a complicated, five-piece metal folding roof. Unfortunately for Germany, the market was already flooded with similar cars. That means the high demand was dying out by the time the Eos appeared.

Soon, the Eos earned a reputation as the slowest-selling Volkswagen model in history and a car nobody wanted. Although the open-air models are always exciting and refreshing to see, the Eos was too ordinary looking. Also, it wasn’t innovative or dynamic enough to draw attention from convertible-loving fans.

19. Chrysler 200

The Chrysler 200 has a fresh design and looks modern, which are significant accomplishments in a class full of exciting designs. However, the quality is not high, and the reliability score is less than average. Also, the rear passengers have a problem with comfort. Also, the 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine is not particularly fast or powerful.

Automotive journalists have published a lot of articles explaining why the 200 failed to hit its mark. Unfortunately, after the 2017 model year, they discontinued this car. Many drivers hope Chrysler will replace it with something truly remarkable to repair its damaged reputation.

20. Cadillac ELR

Cadillac made a brave attempt to break into the luxury EV market. However, it didn’t pay off since most customers ignored the ELR. The car was cool-looking and luxurious, but it came with a somewhat limited range, high price, and strange marketing.

Also, Cadillac introduced it at the same time Tesla started producing the more practical, cooler Model S. The ELR’s fate was sealed after just a couple of years on the market.

21. Honda CR-Z

When Honda introduced it in 2010, the CRZ was an innovative compact hybrid-powered coupe that looked like the spiritual successor to the legendary CRX. Unfortunately, it wasn’t even close with a sluggish 1.5-liter engine producing barely 130 HP. Thanks to the bulky hybrid add-ons, the CRZ was slow and didn’t handle as it should.

Honda didn’t have any luck with electric or hybrid cars, and the CRZ didn’t help. After all the money they invested in engineering and marketing, Honda probably wishes the CRZ never happened.

22. Jeep Patriot

The Jeep Patriot had a cool name, retro styling, and the famous Jeep letters on the front, and that’s about it. It was boxy, dull, and small. Buyers soon found out it was a terribly-assembled compact SUV, which fell short in many ways.

Today’s Renegade is a far better car than the Patriot, and many drivers wish Jeep never produced it.

23. Chevrolet Cruze

With the help of Daewoo and Opel, Chevrolet introduced the Cruze. It was a modern and decently equipped model with a good selection of engines and equipment. Although the car itself was not bad, it wasn’t good, either.

In fact, the styling was a bit strange and there were no specific or unique features, giving the Cruze a cheap rental car allure. Needless to say, most buyers weren’t impressed, so the Cruze sold poorly and didn’t leave a mark on the industry. That is why nobody will miss it, not even the Chevrolet dealers.

24. Nissan Juke

Although the Nissan Juke proved to be quite popular among young people and customers who needed a compact, urban crossover with decent handling, it is still critical when it comes to design. The Nissan Juke looks like a squished rubber ball with four wheels and four doors. Some motoring journalists even called it a “pile of melted plastic.”

Most people will agree that even if the Juke is a decent driving car, it is so ugly that they would be embarrassed to be seen in one. So, that is why most people are glad that it is gone.

25. Smart

The Smart ForTwo is still the smallest real car you can own. That means it is more like a fashion accessory you can park wherever you want, but it is not the best way to move around. The standards of the market have changed since they released the first Smart. Today, the new ForTwo has failed to convince buyers it is the best city car you can own. Thankfully, Smart is gone, and most drivers can’t express how glad they are.