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The Dark Side Of Popularity: Hot Cars That Are Actually Tough To Sell

Cameron Eittreim March 9, 2023

2012 Toyota Prius Via Car And Driver — Photo Credit: Car and Driver

Second-Generation Toyota Prius (2003-2009)

The second-generation Toyota Prius was made from 2003 to 2009. It was an improvement over the first-generation model with a larger body and more interior space for passengers. The car had a more powerful engine and a more efficient hybrid system, which resulted in higher fuel economy than its predecessor. The second-generation Prius had a more refined and modern design with a sleek exterior and more aerodynamic shape (via Car Buzz).

It was also equipped with more advanced technology, including a touchscreen display and a rearview camera, making it more convenient and safe to drive. The second-generation Prius continued to be a popular choice for eco-conscious drivers who wanted a fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly vehicle. It was a significant step forward in the evolution of hybrid cars and helped pave the way for even more advanced and efficient models in the future. However, with even more technological advancements of today, the second-generation Prius is a tough sell today.

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2002 Isuzu Trooper

The second-generation Trooper was produced from 1991 to 2002. It was a mid-size SUV that was popular among off-road enthusiasts and families who needed a rugged vehicle for outdoor activities. The Trooper had a spacious interior with room for up to seven passengers and ample cargo space. It had a boxy and muscular design that gave it a tough, durable appearance (via Gear Patrol).

It was equipped with a four-wheel-drive system that provided excellent traction and control in rough terrain. The Trooper also had a powerful engine and a towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds, making it capable of handling heavy loads. The second-generation Isuzu Trooper was a reliable and versatile SUV that could handle a wide range of driving conditions and was a popular choice for outdoor enthusiasts and families. But it just doesn’t translate to today’s SUV-heavy automotive landscape where there are many better crossovers and SUVs available.

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Buick Rendezvous

The second-generation Rendezvous was produced from 2002 to 2007. It was a mid-size SUV that was designed for families who wanted a comfortable and spacious vehicle for long road trips. The Rendezvous had a roomy interior with seating for up to five passengers and ample cargo space. The second generation had a sleek and modern design with a curved exterior and a stylish grille (via Repair Pal).

It was equipped with advanced features like a DVD player and a navigation system, making it a convenient and luxurious option for families. The Rendezvous also had a smooth and quiet ride, thanks to its advanced suspension system, which made it a comfortable option for long trips. The second-generation Buick Rendezvous was a reliable SUV that was popular among families who wanted a spacious and luxurious vehicle for their daily commute and road trips. But like other older SUVs from this era, the technology of today’s sports utility vehicles has simply passed it by.

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Mitsubishi Lancer

The second-generation Lancer was produced from 2000 to 2007. It was a compact car that was designed for drivers who wanted a reliable and affordable vehicle. The Lancer had a sporty and sleek exterior design that was inspired by the company’s racing heritage. It was available in sedan and hatchback versions, providing customers with a choice of body styles. The second-generation Lancer was equipped with advanced features like a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and a touchscreen navigation system, making it a convenient and modern option for drivers (via Us News).

It also had a more refined interior with comfortable seats and a spacious cabin, providing passengers with a comfortable ride. The second-generation Lancer was a well-rounded, reliable car that many car fans liked. But you rarely see them on the road or sold today as it remains a memory of a car era gone by.

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Dodge Stratus

The Stratus hit the market in 1995. It was a mid-size sedan that was designed for families who wanted a comfortable and practical vehicle for their daily commute. It had a spacious interior with room for up to five passengers and ample cargo space. The Stratus was available in both sedan and coupe versions, providing customers with a choice of body styles. The coupe shared underpinnings with the Mitsubishi Eclipse. The design of both cars offered a new modern design for the Stratus Coupe (via Repair Pal).

It also had advanced features like a CD player and power windows, making it a convenient and modern option for drivers. The Stratus had a sleek and aerodynamic design that gave it a stylish appearance, making it an attractive choice for drivers who wanted a car that looked good on the road. The Stratus was a well-rounded car that offered good value, but it just isn’t a hot product today due to its outdated look.

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Chrysler 300M

The 300M hit the market in 1999. It had a spacious interior with comfortable seats and advanced features like a premium sound system and a navigation system. The fact that the platform and body are the same as the Intrepid turned a lot of consumers off. But the basic design of the car is still attractive today, yet it is increasingly difficult to sell the car. The performance of the 300M did a great job of selling the car to consumers who wanted a fast luxury sedan. The sculpted exterior had all of the bells and whistles that you’d expect a luxury car to have, coupled with the signature Chrysler grill (via Repair Pal).

The 300M had a sleek and modern design with a distinctive grille and stylish headlights. It was available in a range of colors, allowing customers to choose a car that suited their style. The Chrysler 300M was a stylish car that offered a high level of comfort and performance. The sales numbers were low and nowadays it’s very hard to sell the car. Part of the reason for the lackluster sales is the weird-looking cab-forward styling that Chrysler had during this era.

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Honda Passport

The Passport hit the market in 1994. It was a mid-size SUV that was designed for drivers who wanted a versatile and practical vehicle for their daily needs. The first-generation Passport was a collaboration between Honda and Isuzu with Isuzu providing the mechanical components and Honda handling the design and marketing. The Passport had a rugged and capable exterior design with a spacious and functional interior. The Isuzu-based design meant that the Passport had a capable off-road demeanor. Competing against Jeep at the time meant that off-road capability mattered (via Edmunds).

The first-generation Honda Passport had a reliable engine and a smooth and comfortable ride. The frame and basic design of the Passport are the same as the Isuzu Rodeo. It was also available in a four-wheel drive version, making it capable of handling off-road terrain. The Passport had advanced features like power windows and a CD player, making it a convenient and modern option for drivers. The first-generation Passport was a well-built and practical SUV. However, it fell victim to the current SUV boom where many better models are available.

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Pontiac Montana

The Montana was produced from 1998-2009. It had the look of an SUV and the versatility of a minivan. The Montana had a spacious interior with room for up to seven passengers and ample cargo space. It was available in both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive versions, providing customers with a choice of drivetrains (via Repair Pal).

It also had advanced features like power sliding doors and a DVD entertainment system, making it a convenient and modern option for drivers. The Montana had a sleek and aerodynamic design that gave it a stylish appearance, making it an attractive choice for drivers who wanted a minivan that looked good on the road. The Pontiac Montana was a solid minivan but it just doesn’t sell well now as minivans have largely gone out of style.

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Scion XA

The Scion XA was produced from 2004-2006. The XA had a compact and efficient design that made it easy to maneuver in urban environments. It had a reliable engine and a smooth and comfortable ride, making it a practical option for drivers who wanted a car for their daily commute (via Edmunds).

The XA had a modern and sleek design with a distinctive grille and stylish headlights. It was available in a range of colors, allowing customers to choose a car that suited their style. The XA had advanced features like power windows and a premium sound system, making it a convenient and modern option for drivers. The XA was also fuel-efficient, with an estimated fuel economy of up to 37 miles per gallon on the highway. The Scion XA was a well-built car but its outdated style makes it hard to sell nowadays.

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Mitsubishi Eclipse

The Eclipse was a sports car produced from 1989 to 2012. It was a popular car with drivers who want a stylish and fun-to-drive vehicle. The Eclipse had a sleek and aerodynamic design with a distinctive front grille and stylish headlights. It has a powerful engine and responsive handling, making it a popular choice among driving enthusiasts. The Eclipse was available in both convertible and hardtop versions, providing customers with a choice of body styles (via Car & Driver).

It had a comfortable interior with supportive seats and advanced features like a premium sound system and a navigation system. The Eclipse also had a good safety rating, making it a practical option for drivers who wanted a sports car with a good balance of performance and safety. But it is also a relic of a foregone era, making it hard to sell today.

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Mitsubishi Outlander

The first-generation Outlander hit the market in 2001. It was a compact SUV for drivers who want a versatile and reliable vehicle for their daily needs. The Outlander had a boxy and practical design that made it easy to maneuver in urban environments. It has a reliable engine and had a smooth and comfortable ride. The first-generation Outlander had a spacious interior with comfortable seating for up to five passengers (via Car & Driver).

It was available in both front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive versions, providing customers with a choice of drivetrains. The Outlander had advanced features like power windows and a premium sound system, making it a convenient and modern option for drivers. It also had a good safety rating, making it a practical option for families. But its styling has become outdated, making it a tough sale these days.

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Dodge Durango

The first-generation Durango hit the market in 1998. It was a mid-size SUV that had a body-on-frame design. The Durango is larger than most SUVs of its time. It had a towing capacity of up to 8,950 pounds. The vehicle was available with either rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive. One of the most significant features of the first-generation Durango was its spacious and comfortable interior. It had enough space to accommodate up to eight passengers (via Cars).

Additionally, the Durango had a strong and reliable V8 engine that provided plenty of power for towing and hauling. Despite its large size, the Durango was surprisingly agile and easy to maneuver, making it a favorite among drivers who needed a capable and versatile SUV. The first-generation Durango was a dependable vehicle that set the standard for mid-size SUVs of its time. But it hasn’t held up to more fuel-efficient SUVs of today, making it a tough buy on the resale market.

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Isuzu Axiom

The first-generation Axiom hit the market in 2002. It was a mid-size SUV that featured a body-on-frame design with a spacious interior. The Axiom had both rear-wheel and four-wheel drive and had a towing capacity of up to 4,500 pounds. Its rugged design and powerful engine made it a popular choice among drivers who needed a versatile and capable SUV. One of the most notable features of the first-generation Isuzu Axiom was its distinctive styling (via Edmunds).

It had a unique and edgy design that set it apart from other mid-sized SUVs. The Axiom also had a comfortable and well-equipped interior, with plenty of room for up to five passengers. It also had a V6 engine with plenty of power for both on-road and off-road driving. Overall, the first-generation Axiom was a capable SUV that offered a unique and stylish alternative to other mid-sized SUVs of its time. But styles change, and the Axiom hasn’t held up to consumers’ preferences of the day.

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Ford Contour SVT

The Contour SVT is a high-performance sedan that hit the market in 1998. It was part of the Ford SVT (Special Vehicle Team) line of vehicles designed to offer a more powerful and sporty driving experience. The Contour SVT featured a 2.5-liter V6 engine that produced 195 horsepower and 165 lb.-ft of torque, along with a sport-tuned suspension and upgraded brakes. One of the most significant features of the Ford Contour SVT was its handling (via Motor Trend).

It had a well-balanced chassis that allowed for nimble and responsive handling on both city streets and winding roads. The sport-tuned suspension provided a firm yet comfortable ride, and the upgraded brakes provided excellent stopping power. Additionally, the Contour SVT had a stylish and aerodynamic design that gave it a sleek and modern appearance. The Contour SVT was a high-performance sedan that offered a fun and exciting driving experience, making it a favorite among car enthusiasts. But performance advancements have kind of left it in the dust as a used car, making this once-popular car a tough sell nowadays.

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Ford Taurus SHO

The third generation of the Taurus SHO hit the market in 1999 with a powerful V8 under the hood. With its powerful Yamaha V8 engine, the Taurus SHO was able to deliver impressive speed and acceleration. Very few drivers realized that there was indeed a V8 version of the Taurus that hit the market during a transition decade for Ford (via Auto Trader).

The car also featured a sport-tuned suspension and larger brakes, which made it more agile and responsive on the road. In addition, the Taurus SHO boasted a stylish exterior design with unique wheels and a distinctive grille. Overall, the Ford Taurus SHO was a formidable competitor in the sports sedan category and a testament to Ford’s commitment to performance and innovation. Although the SHO had a V8 engine, most of the car remained the same, from the exterior to the interior. Ford did not update a majority of the Taurus SHO to differentiate it from the standard model. However, like the Contour SVT, it just doesn’t really hold up well against the speedy performance cars of 2023, making it yet another tough sell.

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The Dark Side Of Popularity: Hot Cars That Are Actually Tough To Sell

Second-Generation Toyota Prius (2003-2009)

2002 Isuzu Trooper

Buick Rendezvous

Mitsubishi Lancer

Dodge Stratus

Chrysler 300M

Honda Passport

Pontiac Montana

Scion XA

Mitsubishi Eclipse

Mitsubishi Outlander

Dodge Durango

Isuzu Axiom

Ford Contour SVT

Ford Taurus SHO

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