12 Popular Cars That We All Hate (No. 9 Is Literally the Worst)

There are some cars consumers just love to hate.

ford flex for sale at dealership
Updated June 27, 2024
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Do you have a deep, irrational hatred for a popular car? You might not be as alone as you think.

Some cars that are popular options on the road still generate widespread disapproval from other drivers. These are vehicles that many folks would never own, even if they get great mileage or allow you to save money on car insurance.

So, which cars do you love to hate? See if one or more of those vehicles makes the list.

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Toyota Camry

Courtesy of Toyota toyota camry

The Toyota Camry was the best-selling sedan in the U.S. in 2023 and is known as a reliable and affordable vehicle.

But there is a reason sedans aren’t as popular as now they once were: There’s nothing that makes a sedan like a Camry stand out when it comes to looks or charm. That is why many drivers agree that the Camry is affordable, reliable — and boring.

Ram Pickup

Glebiy/Adobe Powerful american pickup Dodge Ram

The Ram Pickup was the third-best-selling vehicle in 2023 behind Ford F-Series trucks and the Chevy Silverado.

In a country where pickup trucks dominate sales, the Ram is popular. But this vehicle doesn’t elicit a lot of love, especially compared to the dedication shown by buyers of Ford and Chevy trucks.

Mini Cooper

Grigory Bruev/Adobe Red mini cooper With White Stripes

Some drivers love driving the Mini Cooper: The small size makes it easy to maneuver or parallel park in urban areas. Others like the unique styling of the British car.

However, a lot of drivers simply find the vehicles to be a little too cute. Others get frustrated when they see what appears to be an open spot in a parking lot — until they get really close and discover a tiny Mini Cooper is already there.

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Ford Flex

jetcityimage/Adobe ford flex for sale at dealership

You may still be able to find a Ford Flex on the road, even though the 2019 model was the last one produced.

Perhaps you will understand why Ford canceled the Flex when you see one: It looks like a minivan mixed with a big, boxy station wagon.

Many drivers prefer the Ford Escape, which is a better-looking option with similar features.

Jeep Wrangler

Gabe Shakour/Adobe Red Jeep Wrangler Rubicon

The Jeep Wrangler has been around for decades and has some features that make it stand out, such as its off-roading capabilities or the ability to remove the doors so you can drive in the open air.

However, the vehicle looks a little lost when you see it driving down suburban streets or parked at the local organic grocery store. In those environments, many people think the Wrangler doesn’t look so hot.

BMW XM

bondvit/Adobe BMW XM for sale at dealership

BMW has plenty of options that look sleek or offer great performance and handling.

Then there is the BMW XM, which might not have that special something a typical BMW needs to justify its $159,000 starting price.

“Everything about this car is awful,” lamented Reddit user CuriousTravlr. Reddit user shawizkid simply called it “absolutely atrocious.”

Nissan Leaf

Santi Rodríguez/Adobe Nissan Leaf at Automobile Barcelona 2023

The Nissan Leaf was at the forefront of the electric vehicle trend, with the first models rolling off the assembly line in 2010.

Those early models also had their own specific design, including a weird front grill that turned off potential buyers.

The carmaker has changed things since those early models, with newer options looking more like a typical sedan. But the change hasn’t been enough to win over some detractors.

Honda Civic

Courtesy of Honda honda civic

Like the Toyota Camry, the Honda Civic sells well. More than 200,000 cars headed home with buyers in 2023.

Like the Camry, the Civic is known for being reliable and affordable, but its styling is bland and boring.

Chrysler PT Cruiser

vector_master/Adobe red car in motion on street

The Chrysler PT Cruiser was only manufactured from 2001 to 2010, but you can still find these cars on the road today.

You’ll know it’s a PT Cruiser by its unique exterior design that made a bad impression. In fact, the PT Cruiser is still remembered as an awful car to this day.

As Reddit user vwvXCELLvwv once wrote, “I think you mean PT Loser Cruiser.”

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Tesla Model Y

Mike Mareen/Adobe Tesla Model Y on mountain

The Tesla Model Y had a huge year in 2023, with more than 385,000 vehicles sold. It finished in the top five of best-selling cars for the year.

However, issues at the carmaker — including extremely long wait times for repairs compared to other manufacturers — have turned off customers.

Tesla has also taken some hits lately due to CEO Elon Musk's controversial antics. The negative response to the company’s Cybertruck — which critics and consumers have panned — hasn’t helped.

Subaru Forester

Courtesy of Subaru subaru forester

The Subaru Forester is a reliable car. Ironically, that’s why a small group of people really hate the vehicle.

Mechanics hate the Forester because it rarely needs servicing — and when it does, parts are easy to find, and fixes are usually relatively cheap.

That may be a good endorsement for the car if you are a driver, but not so much if your job is to fix broken vehicles.

Any minivan

art_zzz/Adobe Chrysler Town & Country on street

It doesn’t matter if it’s a Chrysler Pacifica, Toyota Sienna, Honda Odyssey, or any other model: There's something about a minivan that causes drivers to have very strong opinions about how good or bad it is.

“When SUVs rose in popularity, it all but killed the desire for minivans,” said Reddit user Varekai79. “Minivans have never been cool, but the presence of a cooler alternative, even if it's less practical, sealed the deal.”

Bottom line

Kiattisak/Adobe girl enjoying road trip in car

The beauty of a car is in the eye of the beholder. But many vehicles are disliked by a wide swath of drivers.

Still, you might want to try to get over your bad feelings about a car if you can get a great deal on a particular model that isn’t your cup of tea.

After all, if you score a bargain, you can take the money you save and invest it in a way that will let you build wealth while you sleep. That way, getting a great deal on a car you aren’t wild about can pay dividends for years to come.

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