:CONTROVERSIAL: Worst cars of the 2000s :CONTROVERSIAL:

[-Fred-]

The Echo sedan and coupe were atrocious, that is certain.

However, and this is where I think it differs, Toyota sold the Echo hatchback up here in Canada, and aside the name and weird interior design, it was a totally different little car. My sister had one for a while, a few years ago, and while it wasn't groundbreaking, it was good at doing what it was designed for... getting you from point A to point B cheaply and efficiently, without feeling like you were stuck in a tin can (the Geo Metro/Pontiac Firefly/Suzuki Swift trio comes to mind here)

I'd like to chalk one up, personally, for the Honda Element, and not just for its looks.

 

[niky]

I see the batteries fail in a Toyota Prius within two years of owning one. The Smart to me is better car than that.

That's funny... most Prius batteries fail after a much longer time than that.

In fact... going by the secondhand market, the Prius is actually the least problematic hybrid on the road... and actually more reliable than many non-hybrids.

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The one car I don't agree with there is the Echo. The Echo was not a horrible car... just the wrong car at the wrong time... there are dozens of subcompacts that would qualify for worst car of the 00s long before you got to the Echo.

Aveo, anyone? Hell... the Aveo should be number one with a bullet. And it doesn't even qualify as a double-entry, since it's not badged as a Daewoo...

 

[Adamgp]

I don't think the Aztek was terrible. I know a few who own them and love them. They are ugly, no arguement there, but they are also useful vehicles. A good idea executed poorly, IMO.

X-Type and Catera shouldn't be on the list.

I agree with the others. Especially the Smart as #1.

 

[Tornado]

X-Type and Catera shouldn't be on the list.

Broke. All the time.

 

[YSSMAN]

Well, at least in the case of the Catera, if we're going to give a "free pass" to the Aztek and Echo for being "ahead of their time," I think the Cadillac fits into the same category. No, it was not a well done car, but without it, we wouldn't have the CTS. Without the CTS, we wouldn't have had the Cadillac we have today - Arguably the most-competitive American car manufacturer that can go toe-to-toe with others and actually stand a chance of winning.

Otherwise, I agree with the list. The X-Type was dreadful, despite my love for all things Jaguar. The Sebring hasn't been a decent car since the mid '90s, and the Compass remains one of the worst automotive ideas of all time.

 

[turboash78]

Talking about worst car, here's one

Sweet! I'm gonna boost the s**t out of that in GT5!!! lol

 

[sumbrownkid]

I think the Smart Car can be placed on the list. For the money, you can buy a Nissan Versa and get added space and safety. I think the gas mileage is slightly worse than the Smart Car and that's about it. And being in America, I'd take my chances in a Versa than a Smart Car.

It's also overpriced.

 

[Philly]

Broke. All the time.

But I don't see any Volkswagens ect. on the list.

In fact, I'm actually a little surprised that the Passat W8 didn't make it onto the list. As awesome as it is and as much as I love them, it is supposedly very unreliable and something without a purpose. Because only hardcore VW fans would buy a VW with a W8 when you could have a somewhat nicer Audi for probably around the same price. Granted, though, that the W8 Passat was probably sent over here as a special edition or something.

I think the Smart Car can be placed on the list. For the money, you can buy a Nissan Versa and get added space and safety. I think the gas mileage is slightly worse than the Smart Car and that's about it. And being in America, I'd take my chances in a Versa than a Smar Car.

But the Smart really isn't much more than a toy. Same with the Mini, 500 and all those electrics you see in the nice neighborhoods. Just because they're a subcompact designed to be more of a statement than an actual car doesn't make them bad cars.

 

[Tornado]

But I don't see any Volkswagens ect. on the list.

VWs tend to also be competitive. The Catera was shoddy, unreliable and wasn't particularly good to begin with before both of those were taken into account. The X-Type was the same way, only to a far lesser extent.

Just because they're a subcompact designed to be more of a statement than an actual car doesn't make them bad cars.

No it doesn't. But it is the bad gearbox, cheap interior, poor engine and uncompetitive price that make the smart bad.

 

[YSSMAN]

... Passat W8... it is supposedly very unreliable and something without a purpose...

Eh? I personally haven't heard of any major mechanical bits of unreliability, but per the typical VW issues (bad window motors, broken switches, other electronic "ghosts"), yeah, its about as good as it gets. Otherwise the lack of purpose was a big VW trait at the time. Peich wanted the brand to go upmarket, which it did, and hasn't been the same since. Then the Phaeton rolled around. Ooops!

Still, B5 Passat > B5 A4... Just sayin'

 

[Keef]

I'd like to chalk one up, personally, for the Honda Element, and not just for its looks.

You're crazy. The Element is so intensely practical and useful it's not even funny. One of few modern crossover/SUV thingies that actually has a point. Or call it a van, whatever, but either way it's fantastic.

 

[Danny]

I cast my vote for booting the ForTwo and VehiCROSS from the list

Agreed.

 

[Delirious]

What's wrong with the Catera?? I'm lost I thought it'd be a great car for a great price...what am I missing here?

 

[-Fred-]

You're crazy. The Element is so intensely practical and useful it's not even funny. One of few modern crossover/SUV thingies that actually has a point. Or call it a van, whatever, but either way it's fantastic.

3 letters. CR-V. Funky interior and strange styling aside, it does everything the Element does, since it's... uhh, exactly the same underneath.

The rear seat in an Element is pretty much the worst place one could ever be, because not only are you sitting higher than the front seats, if you're over 5'10, you can't see outside. Brick like aerodynamics and more weight to lug around means it's also less fuel efficient than said CR-V.

 

[Prosthetic]

I dont' see anywhere in the article where it said "World's worst cars of the 2000s"

Quoted from the first paragraph in the article.

A car had to be sold at any point in the 2000s to be eligible for this list; some of these models were only on the market for a few years, while others are still being sold today.

I agree with some, but in my opinion, the current gen STi hatchback is as ugly as a car can get. It's hideous.

It comes close to the Pontiac Aztek...

I don't agree with that, but even then; a ugly car doesn't make it a bad car.

It didn't say that it was just for the U.S. either.

The way the whole article is put into context makes it sound directed towards the US market. If that's not enough, the prices they mention are all US mark directed.

Talking about worst car, here's one

And you know this by just looking at a picture of a concept?

 

[Azure Flare]

They don't sell them in US. Thank god.


Doesn't matter, it was still on sale in the 2000's.


Not sold in the US.

what are you talking about, everything we have is made in China

 

[mPWRD]

I know why the Smart is the worst of the 2000s... it's not really a car. It's just a golf cart on steroids.

I am surprised they didn't include the Volkswagen Eurovan:

or the Kia Rio

two of the worst cars I have ever driven.

 

[Appie]

I know why the Smart is the worst of the 2000s... it's not really a car. It's just a golf cart on steroids.

I am surprised they didn't include the Volkswagen Eurovan:

two of the worst cars I have ever driven.

Had a Transporter and it was pretty good. Don't know what your point is.

 

[niky]

Kia Rio >>>>>>>>>>> anything Daewoo. Even the "Chevy" Daewoos.

Although... that particular Rio <<< anything Japanese. The one after it was just <.

 

[homeforsummer]

I am surprised they didn't include the Volkswagen Eurovan:

Woah, step back there. One of the most sought-after commercial vehicles in the whole of Europe. Why? Because they last forever (in diesel form at least), don't rust anywhere near as much as the equivalent Ford/Merc vans that would otherwise be used as modern-day campers, and because parts for them grow on trees.

These things still command quite a premium over here, people fall over themselves getting hold of them for a decent price even though we've had the T5 replace the T4 (/Eurovan) since.

I've driven a T5 (successor to the T4/Eurovan) and I can honestly say that it's better to drive than a good few cars that I've driven.

 

[JCE]

The Smart cars are not ugly. The VehiCROSS is not ugly. The Catera is not ugly. Everything else is bleh.

 

[Leonidae]

What's wrong with the Catera?? I'm lost I thought it'd be a great car for a great price...what am I missing here?

It's an Opel Omega B MV6 with a badge job. Think it as a poor guy, living on welfare, but who has bought a nice, used tuxedo from recycling center.

 

[mPWRD]

Woah, step back there. One of the most sought-after commercial vehicles in the whole of Europe. Why? Because they last forever (in diesel form at least), don't rust anywhere near as much as the equivalent Ford/Merc vans that would otherwise be used as modern-day campers, and because parts for them grow on trees.

These things still command quite a premium over here, people fall over themselves getting hold of them for a decent price even though we've had the T5 replace the T4 (/Eurovan) since.

I've driven a T5 (successor to the T4/Eurovan) and I can honestly say that it's better to drive than a good few cars that I've driven.

Ah, but you say "commercial." Since when have commercial vans been inspiring in any way? The T5 is a newer version - the original Eurovan like the one in the picture was huge and as slow as an alcoholic tortoise.

 

[mafia_boy]

I can't believe that some of China's worst atrocities aren't anywhere on this list....

May I present to you the biggest abortion to the automotive industry, GREAT WALL MOTORS!!

First, I present the Great Wall SA220

And then the Great Wall V240

Then you can have a look at the advertising for the V240 for a laugh...

Yeah it's loaded alright, with a GREAT big heap of crap! This is the ugly side of free trade agreements with China, we have to accept 🤬 like this!

 

[Danny]

Oh. Oh God. Please. Just, take it away.

 

[-Fred-]

The front end of the first one looks like it's been ripped off a Nissan...

 

[Jim Prower]

It's probably a license-built (or unlicensed) previous-gen Frontier/Navara. In fact, I don't doubt Great Wall has a contract with Nissan.

 

[Sniffs]

I hate to tell ya, people, but Aztecs and Sunfires are the only surviving Pontiacs I see on the road, now. i think all the Grand Am\Grand Prix\Bonneville have been turned in for clunkers, cause I only see the occasional rare G6.

the Smart is oriented towards the narrow angular city streets prevalent in Europe that are still around from the Horse Cart days. I don't think most Smarts have to go hill climbing, either.

refering to the Eurovan/Vanagon: VW gave up on em over here. you know how Americans are oriented towards Power and Torque...the ones we got didn't have enough of either. even stuffing a 200 horse engine in a Eurovan in its last year didn't work.

do European market VAG's really have their electrics as their weak spot? sounds like US market Toyotas (i should know) and Fords (ditto).

 

[niky]

I can't believe that some of China's worst atrocities aren't anywhere on this list....

May I present to you the biggest abortion to the automotive industry, GREAT WALL MOTORS!!

First, I present the Great Wall SA220

And then the Great Wall V240

Then you can have a look at the advertising for the V240 for a laugh...

Yeah it's loaded alright, with a GREAT big heap of crap! This is the ugly side of free trade agreements with China, we have to accept 🤬 like this!

We're talking cars designed and sold in the 2000s. Not cars designed in the middle ages and pirated by Chinese manufacturers.

 

[sennarose88]

I think thats unlicensed. The whole body isn't the same as Frontier. Remember Chevrolet gives protest to Chery QQ for copying the design of Matiz/Spark...

Ugly face. Great! Whadda crap... One of the ugliest car I've ever seen. As I take a look inside...

...this toy is using the dashboard from Isuzu D-Max:

Never learn to be creative? 👎👎👎