BusinessWeek.com figures that automakers are bound to get some designs wrong given the multitude of new models released each and every year. And amongst all the ugly cars released over the last 50 years, Business Week picked out 50 it believes to be “just plain homely”. Except, rather than write a design-led piece on the last half-century’s mess-ups and design disasters, BusinessWeek’s Damian Joseph appears to have gone out of his way to be entirely subjective.
Take Automobile‘s Robert Cumberford as somebody who will be subjective; but from an educated point of view. Or consider The Good Car Guy, who will be subjective; but makes very clear that GoodCarBadCar.net is a subjective soloist entity for a reason. GCBC might be inclined to announce The Good Car Guy’s picks for the 50 ugliest cars of the last 50 years, but a publication like Business Week shouldn’t publish the 50 ugliest cars of the last 50 years if the article is really Damian Joseph’s picks for the 50 ugliest. If Business Week, of all websites, decides against utilizing true design credentials, bring in a flock of editors who can work together.
Why am I so hot and bothered? Mainly because of a few cars that, though possibly hated by a wide swath of the population, can by no means be graded as one of the 50 ugliest cars of the last 50 years. Those five cars are listed below. Do scroll. If you want to see Joseph’s other picks, check out the article.
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Volvo 240
Nissan Cube
Volkswagen New Beetle
Skoda Roomster
Chrysler PT Cruiser
Saw this and disagreed with a lot more than five. I hate the Beetle. But you're right. It's not ugly by definition. the Roomoster is weird, not ugly. ThePT cruiser has bad bumpers. The Cube is unique. The 240 is design-less. But none are ugly. And I'd add the El Camino, Escalade, Element, and Prowler to the list of cars that don't belong.
Since the front looks like the rear, the New Beetle deserves to be there.
Now I want a Roomster even more. And I shall never have one.
Volvo 240? Boxes aren't designed, or haven't been since the inventor of a box thousands of years ago. Thus, it's ugly.