But car obsession is hardly restricted to the realms of exotic super-cars and classic muscle legends, and perhaps the most endearing cars are often the ones which fell short of being truly great. They could be contentious, have undershot sale expectations, failed to meet their performance aims, but at the end of the day they’ve created a legacy, more by being quirky than by being perfect.

It’s likely every auto lover has at least one forbidden fruity-a car that on paper shouldn’t exist or makes no earthly sense, yet somehow captures and holds a lasting space in our psyche. Odd and unexpected designs, with peculiar configurations and peculiar quirks to boot, these were models willing to take risks while competitors tread carefully. Some made no sense to critics or public, but now generations later many have earned considerable reverence.

This series honors automotive outliers. These vehicles failed commercially, developed notoriety as eccentric, niche-y, or plain odd yet they always offered something special on wheels through smart design, uncanny utility, or just plain daring. They’re proof that a car’s real legacy isn’t the one born in the dealership’s showroom but on the open road by machines daring enough to risk being different.

1. Pontiac Aztek

There are few cars as infamous for their unusual styling as the Pontiac Aztek. Responsible (at least in some part) for the demise of Pontiac, this odd-shaped wagon split opinion from the very first glimpse and remains the subject of much discussion many years later. Following a line of vehicles known for their appealing styling and performance credentials, the Aztek was certainly a departure and one that many purchasers could not get on board with. Even now, it ranks among the best known examples of a car where the gamble simply didn’t pay off.

Bold Design Hid Practical Innovation:

• Distinctive styling divided public opinion
• Versatile interior improved everyday usability
• Clever storage boosted practicality
• Camping accessories expanded its capabilities
• Innovative features influenced modern crossovers

But there was a surprising bit of common sense nestled below all that visual strangeness. The Aztek had a lift-out center console armrest cooler and the two-piece tailgate allowed for significantly more loading space. In fact, Pontiac sold accessories for the SUV including an optional inflatable mattress and sleeping bag set that essentially converted the vehicle into a camper. It proves that its creators paid a good deal of attention to livability.

While not the hit Pontiac intended, the Aztek has managed to earn a fair amount of respect for its pragmatism thanks to the passage of time. Several of the features that made life easier in Pontiac’s bizarre crossover SUV are now commonplace in today’s segment. It had the guts to be original, the utility to back it up, and after a period of universal derision, it has slowly but surely evolved into an automotive cult classic ready for a reappraisal.

2. Alfa Romeo Brera

Italian style still reigns Supreme Sometimes, though, beauty transcends the bad elements of a car. Design of the Alfa Romeo Brera did precisely that. Sharp facial features, sleek sides and pleasingly balanced shape make the Brera Italian through and through. Its was the kind of shape a man just kept on going back to take one more admiring look once the car had been parked a definite sign of success.

Italian Style With Lasting Appeal:

• Stunning design turned heads everywhere
• Premium cabin enhanced driving experience
• Grand touring focus prioritized comfort
• Distinctive styling created timeless appeal
• Emotional character outweighed performance flaws

However stylish, it wasn’t the performance we were looking for. We all expected it and hoped for it in spades the sharper performance in an Alfa Romeo sports coupé. A bit too heavy for some tastes for its size, it just didn’t deliver performance in the league expected. Furthermore economy wasn’t stellar and the chassis gave handling of the relaxed grand tourer type rather than out and out performance so those who wanted a true sports car were more attracted elsewhere like the Nissan 350Z.

That aside, the Brera is an incredibly likable car. Not all desirable cars need to have the most agile handling, best driving dynamics or outright blistering pace in a certain area. Sometimes it comes down to craftsmanship and enduring, classic design elements to make something stick with us, and even if the Brera didn’t deliver on quite all of its athletic aspirations, its sheer Italian grace still ensures it remains one of Alfa’s more recent hits.

3. Suzuki X-90

What happens when you take the Suzuki X-90? That would involve taking the mechanicals of the very capable Suzuki Vitara, and placing them under the body of one of the oddest looking two-seaters Suzuki has ever designed, complete with removable t-top roof panel and an interior that could generously be described as sparse. What ended up with was a very small convertible SUV-thing that didn’t quite fit anything else on the automotive landscape.

A Quirky SUV Unlike Any Other:

• Unique styling made it unforgettable
• Removable T-top roof added open-air fun
• Compact size improved off-road agility
• Practical features enhanced everyday comfort
• Rare design earned cult status

Notwithstanding its fun dimensions, the X-90 was significantly more civilized than many of the tough little 4x4s from which it directly descended. Power steering and windows were quite luxurious for such an off-roader at the time. It weighed about 1100kg which allowed it to bounce across rocky tracks and still make good progress along dirt roads. Its humble 95bhp motor wasn’t quick, particularly up big hills, but in the hands of a user who prioritized adventuring over speed, it was perfectly competent.

That niche appeal didn’t win many sales though, and the X-90 remains one of Suzuki’s most eccentric oddities. Which is today one of the Suzuki’s biggest assets; car lovers appreciate a machine that clearly had absolutely no interest in following market trends. The Suzuki X-90 proves that quirky doesn’t have to be too big, boring or inauthentic.

4. Renault Avantime

At first glance, you might expect to see this car rolled on-stage on an auto show stand, barely having bothered to tone down its exotic features for the reality of a mass-produced vehicle. That’s the type of vibe the Renault Avantime gives, trying to do the unthinkable melding the versatility of an MPV with the elegance of a coupe. It wasn’t, by any means, the first time anyone had come up with such a thought process, but it was quite daring at the time.

A Bold Design Ahead Of Its Time:

• Coupe styling met MPV practicality
• Pillarless design created an airy cabin
• V6 engine delivered confident performance
• Futuristic appearance stood apart instantly
• Unique concept earned cult admiration

The showcar’s stunning styling also boasted equally audacious engineering. The car’s V6 engine a spirited 3.0-litres gave it power and performance that the car’s space-age look demanded. The pillarless cabin was phenomenally bright with its huge windows wound down, and the characteristic silver roof arches meant there was simply no mistaking it for anything else on the road. Renault worked extremely hard to make sure that the ambitious concept became a realistic car, without watering down the idea too much.

Although it never succeeded as a commercial vehicle, its lack of market acceptance only further solidified the Avantime’s place in the pantheon of beloved and obscure vehicles for its bold and truly innovative take on the automotive form; it was a type of imaginative leap you wouldn’t dare make in today’s current manufacturing culture that plays it safe and bland with its styling. The Avantime proves that sometimes, the most loved vehicles end up not to be those which found success with a mass audience.

5. Volvo 480

Breaking all expectations Volvo never knew the world expected from them was the 480. Forget the boring boxy shape synonymous with the Swedish marque; the 480 burst onto the scene in a slinky wedge shape complete with pop-up headlights and a profile that wouldn’t have looked out of place beside an European coupe. Compared to the like of the iconic Porsche 944, a styling language unlike anything else Volvo made.

Sporty Styling Redefined Volvo’s Image:

• Sleek wedge-shaped design stood out
• Pop-up headlights added distinctive character
• Turbocharged engine improved performance
• Comfortable ride balanced everyday usability
• Innovative design challenged brand traditions

While earlier incarnations of the 480 came in for flak for not having the pace to match their dynamic looks Volvo rectified that with the arrival of a turbocharged 1.7 litre in later versions. Power increased dramatically and the 480 was now capable of over 120mph and looked the part with the confidence that high speeds brought it though the refined experience remained with something sporty and fun to drive to mark it out from its rivals.

More unique than almost anything else in brand history the 480ES was evidence that Volvo needn’t forget it’s best qualities to experiment, but rather could embrace them into new and outlandish forms. With its quirky shape, brilliant packaging and status as a fast-emerging modern classic, the 480 is a sweet monument to the times Volvo turned away from the expected.

6. Chevrolet SSR

One such vehicle that defying categorization was the Chevrolet SSR; part-truck, part convertible roadster, part-retro hot rod part well it defies description truly. It began with the GM smallblock 5.3-litre producing a healthy 300-hp and while it’s performance didn’t perhaps match the outrageous visuals it surely showed that GM was willing to take some risks.

Retro Pickup With Convertible Character:

• Unique design blended multiple vehicle styles
• Retractable hardtop created open-air driving
• Powerful V8 delivered strong performance
• Bold styling attracted attention everywhere
• Rare production increased collector appeal

One of the standout points was an electrically retractable hard-top, disappearing at the press of a button in roughly 20 seconds, turning it into an open-top cruiser. And of course, the classic-inspired body shell turning heads for miles and miles, imbuing the SSR with broad presence and style matched by few other cars out there. In terms of road-testing it the exciting idea still ran into trouble: with its vibration on road bumps and lack of agility understeer in abundance the roadster missed the sweet spot between a toy and proper drivers’ machine.

And yet, even with those compromises, the SSR holds its own as one of Chevrolet’s most daring production cars. It lived a short four model years and thus can be pretty scarce today, but no one who sees its audacious exterior is apt to forget it quickly. It wasn’t a huge seller by any stretch of the imagination, but in a nutshell, the SSR is what happens when people build a vehicle because, well, they can and damned well have done.

7. DeLorean DMC-12

Not many cars could stand comparison with the visual status of the DeLorean DMC-12. Brushed stainless steel paneling combined with raking, sweeping gull wing doors, lent the DMC-12 a style that seemed more than a decade ahead of the curve, even before a starring role catapulted it into the pantheon of pop culture icon cars. In reality, even on launch, the DMC-12 represented something of a quantum jump compared to almost every other sports car. It had promise of the driving future dressed in one of the world’s most unique looking bodies.

Futuristic Design Became An Icon:

• Stainless-steel body created a unique look
• Gull-wing doors added dramatic appeal
• Lotus-developed chassis improved handling
• Distinctive styling ensured lasting recognition
• Cultural impact surpassed its performance

Sadly, its performance couldn’t live up to the visual hype. With around 130 horsepower on tap from its 2.8 litre, naturally aspirated V6 engine, it felt pretty slow against competitors. Build quality proved to be something of an lottery among prospective owners, and to cap it all off the only option transmission was a three-speed automatic, which hardly aided driving pleasure. Big hopes, small reality.

However none of these issues have managed to take any luster away from the DMC-12; the lotus tuned chassis offered reasonable grip on road and every curve, not to mention each bit of trim, in stainless steel would get it noticed for the first and last years. Of the numerous failed brands from automotive history this must surely be one of the most memorable showing that with the right personality and iconic imagery performance could certainly come a bad second. It a badly designed diamond that people still worship today.

8. Lamborghini LM002

Way before it seemed like it would become the latest obsession of the car industry in general, a Lamborghini performance SUV the one and only LM002stunned everyone with its boldness. Lamborghini’s rugged beast started life as military hardware. In the end, Lamborghini’s SUV did not get the military contract that it was originally developed to satisfy. However, instead of scrapping the design altogether Lamborghini came up with this.

A Supercar Engine In An SUV:

• Countach V12 created unmatched performance
• Military origins shaped rugged capability
• Massive design delivered road presence
• Off-road ability defied expectations
• Legendary status grew over time

Lamborghini took the existing engine and dropped in their much loved 5.2litre V12 taken from the Countach. Suddenly they created a SUV, a supercar. This giant weighing around three tonnes was good for 0-60mph in about 8 seconds and making a sound that only the soundtrack from a Lambo V12 could make. Big wheels and huge proportions along with it’s bona fide off road capabilities helped create an object the like of which the world hadn’t seen before.

“Judged purely on utilitarian terms the LM002 barely made any sense. It was abandoned at the first hurdle of achieving military success, it guzzled fuel at a remarkable rate and life alongside it wasn’t a cinch. But it’s that absence of practicality, ironically, that has earned it’s place in the pantheon. It predated luxury performance SUVs by a decades, showing that sometimes insane ideas beat the market there by far.”

9. Minivans

A minivan isn’t something typically found at the top of any “wish list,” and maybe that’s why it’s such a fun guilty pleasure. It’s no-apologies, mega-cargo, ultra-practicality on wheels that would put almost anything from the exotic and luxurious to the super-fast-and-awesome sportscars to shame on a day-to-day level. You won’t find anyone to hang out with to take photos of your vehicle at car-meets, but you will have a bold, unabashed confidence that comes with having an unpretentious plan.

Practicality Becomes Its Greatest Strength:

• Exceptional space supports everyday needs
• Flexible interiors improve versatility
• Easy loading simplifies daily tasks
• Modern features challenge old stereotypes
• Functional design earns loyal fans

What separates a van is its competence in practically every real-life situation. Transporting people, accommodating cargo, or just taking kids to practice in less-than-ideal weather conditions minivans were built for it all. And with its low floor, vast seating capacity, and enclosed cargo area, little else can match its sheer utilitarian design. Although certain motorists might find vans dull, minivan owners know what liberation feels like.

Minivans today have come a long way from the days of boring, lumbering vehicles. Most of today’s models pack potent engines, feature great technology, come with comfortable cabins and deliver ride and handling closer to those of sport-utility vehicles than the vehicles we’ve previously expected from people-haulers. Perhaps less thrilling than a sports car, but honest engineering made for real people. So if you love a minivan, it’s because you respect a car with no pretensions a car that, in effect, loves itself for what it is.

10. Isuzu VehiCROSS

When the Isuzu VehiCROSS arrived in 1997, it looked like a vehicle from the future that had somehow reached production early. Its sharp lines, unusual body shape, and extensive use of black protective cladding created a design unlike anything else on the market. Many buyers struggled to understand its appearance, but that uniqueness is exactly what has helped it gain a dedicated following among enthusiasts.

A Futuristic SUV With Real Capability:

• Unusual styling created instant recognition
• Compact size improved urban usability
• Strong V6 engine delivered performance
• Off-road engineering enhanced versatility
• Limited production increased collector appeal

Beneath its unusual styling was a genuinely capable machine. Isuzu’s experience building durable commercial vehicles helped create an SUV with impressive off-road ability and strong mechanical foundations. The 3.5-litre V6 engine produced around 215 horsepower, giving the compact SUV enough strength for both adventurous driving and everyday use. It wasn’t simply a design experiment it was a properly engineered vehicle hidden beneath a controversial exterior.

One of the VehiCROSS’s greatest strengths was its compact size. Measuring just over four meters long, it offered a combination of city-friendly dimensions and rugged capability that few vehicles could match. It was bold, practical, and unlike anything else produced during its era. Although sales remained limited, the VehiCROSS has become a respected example of a manufacturer taking a creative risk and building something truly memorable.

11. Subaru SVX

The Subaru SVX was a fascinating departure from everything the company was known for. Best recognised for reliable wagons and practical all-wheel-drive vehicles, Subaru surprised the world with a luxury grand touring coupe featuring dramatic styling and a futuristic glass-heavy design. Created by legendary designer Giorgetto Giugiaro, the SVX looked more like a concept car than a vehicle from a brand associated with practicality.

A Futuristic Coupe From Subaru:

• Giugiaro design created a unique appearance
• Glass-heavy styling looked ahead of its time
• Flat-six engine delivered smooth performance
• Luxury focus expanded Subaru’s image
• Bold ambition created lasting admiration

Its aircraft-inspired cabin design and unique “window-within-a-window” side glass gave it an unmistakable appearance. Underneath the futuristic exterior was a sophisticated 3.3-litre flat-six engine producing around 230 horsepower, providing smooth and refined performance. However, the decision to offer only a four-speed automatic transmission limited its sporting potential and prevented the SVX from competing effectively against more established luxury coupes.

The SVX was also expensive compared with many Subaru models, making it difficult to attract mainstream buyers. Yet its ambition remains impressive decades later. It represented a moment when Subaru chose creativity over convention and attempted something completely different. While it never became a sales success, the SVX earned admiration for its courage, originality, and willingness to challenge expectations.

12. Chrysler PT Cruiser

Few vehicles have generated as much debate as the Chrysler PT Cruiser. Its retro-inspired design immediately divided opinions, with some praising its personality while others criticised its unusual proportions and styling choices. Combined with modest performance and disappointing safety results, the PT Cruiser became an easy target for critics. Yet its ability to create such strong reactions is part of what made it memorable.

A Retro Design That Divided Opinions:

• Unique styling challenged conventional designs
• Hot rod influences created personality
• Tall roof improved interior practicality
• Distinctive appearance attracted loyal fans
• Bold character separated it from rivals

At a time when many vehicles were becoming increasingly similar, the PT Cruiser refused to disappear into the crowd. Its design borrowed inspiration from classic hot rods, featuring rounded bodywork, a tall roofline, and distinctive details that gave it a character all its own. It was not trying to imitate traditional luxury or performance vehicles it simply wanted to be different, and that confidence helped it stand out.

The PT Cruiser may not have been perfect, but perfection was never its greatest strength. It offered individuality in an era when many cars focused on playing it safe. Whether loved or criticised, it created conversations and built a loyal group of fans who appreciated its personality. In a world filled with predictable designs, the PT Cruiser remains a reminder that originality still has value.