25 Subcompact Cars with the Least Attractive Designs

When it comes to subcompact cars, practicality often takes precedence over aesthetics. However, some designs are just hard to overlook. In this article, we highlight 25 subcompact cars that, despite their functionality, fall short in the looks department. From outdated styles to uninspired shapes, these vehicles prove that beauty is indeed in the eye of the beholder.

Nissan Versa

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The Nissan Versa is often criticized for its bland and uninspired design. Its boxy shape and lack of distinctive features make it easily forgettable. Despite being a practical and affordable choice, its exterior styling feels dated and lacks the sleek lines and modern aesthetics found in other subcompacts.

Mitsubishi Mirage


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The Mitsubishi Mirage stands out for its unremarkable design. The car’s proportions seem awkward, with a narrow body and tall stance that make it look less stable. Its simplistic front grille and overall lack of character don’t help its case, making it one of the least attractive options in its class.

Chevrolet Spark


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The Chevrolet Spark has a polarizing design that many find unattractive. Its overly angular lines and small size give it a toy-like appearance. The front fascia, with its large grille and narrow headlights, fails to create a cohesive look, contributing to its unappealing design.

Toyota Yaris


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The Toyota Yaris, while reliable, doesn’t win any beauty contests. Its design is plain and lacks the flair of some of its competitors. The unassuming front end and basic silhouette make it blend into the background, failing to capture attention on the road.

Fiat 500L


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The Fiat 500L takes the charm of the original Fiat 500 and stretches it into a less appealing form. The elongated body and bulbous design detract from the cute and compact nature of its predecessor. Its awkward proportions and quirky styling choices often receive negative feedback.

Kia Rio


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The Kia Rio is practical but uninspiring in the looks department. Its conservative design features a bland front grille and uninspired body lines. While it’s a competent subcompact car, its appearance is more functional than fashionable, lacking the excitement of more stylish options.

Ford Fiesta


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The Ford Fiesta, though popular, is not known for its attractive design. Its small size and somewhat generic appearance don’t do much to stand out. The lack of distinctive styling elements and the somewhat dated design make it less appealing compared to other subcompacts.

Honda Fit


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The Honda Fit prioritizes practicality over aesthetics, resulting in a rather boxy and utilitarian design. Its tall roofline and short hood give it an odd shape that doesn’t resonate with those looking for stylish subcompact cars. Despite its excellent interior space, the exterior leaves much to be desired.

Hyundai Accent


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The Hyundai Accent has a design that is more functional than flashy. Its simple lines and unassuming grille fail to make a strong visual impression. While it’s a solid performer in terms of reliability and affordability, its aesthetics are not a strong selling point.

Suzuki Swift

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The Suzuki Swift’s design is considered bland by many. Its rounded shape and lack of aggressive styling cues make it look less dynamic. The front end is unremarkable, and the overall design doesn’t convey a sense of sportiness or excitement.

Smart Fortwo

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The Smart Fortwo is known for its unconventional design, which many find unattractive. Its extremely short length and upright stance give it a toy-like appearance. The two-seater configuration and tiny wheels further contribute to its quirky but not necessarily appealing look.

Renault Kwid

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The Renault Kwid’s design is simplistic and lacks sophistication. Its high ground clearance and boxy shape make it look more like a toy SUV than a sleek subcompact car. The front end is plain, and the overall design doesn’t exude the modernity seen in other cars in its class.

Datsun Go

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The Datsun Go has a basic design that doesn’t inspire much excitement. Its unremarkable front grille and generic body lines make it look dated. The lack of any bold styling features means it easily fades into the background, making it one of the less attractive subcompacts.

Scion iQ

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The Scion iQ’s design is unconventional and often criticized for its odd proportions. Its extremely short length and wide stance give it a unique but not necessarily attractive look. The unusual rear end and overall design quirks make it a less popular choice among subcompact cars.

Tata Nano

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The Tata Nano is known for its budget-friendly approach, which is reflected in its design. Its simplistic and utilitarian appearance lacks any style elements that might make it appealing. The tiny wheels and basic shape make it look more like a budget car than a stylish subcompact.

Volkswagen Up!

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The Volkswagen Up! has a straightforward and somewhat bland design. Its boxy shape and lack of distinctive features don’t make it stand out visually. While it’s practical and efficient, its aesthetics are more functional than fashionable, lacking the charm of more stylish subcompacts.

Peugeot 108

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The Peugeot 108’s design is considered unremarkable by many. Its small size and rounded edges give it a rather dull appearance. The front end, with its large headlights and simple grille, doesn’t convey a sense of excitement, making it one of the less visually appealing subcompacts.

Citroën C1

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The Citroën C1 has a design that is often seen as quirky but not necessarily attractive. Its compact size and unusual front fascia, with large round headlights, give it a distinctive but polarizing look. The overall design lacks the sleekness and sophistication of more attractive subcompacts.

Mazda 2

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The Mazda 2, while a solid performer, has a design that many find uninspiring. Its simple lines and lack of bold styling elements make it look plain. The front grille and headlights are not particularly distinctive, contributing to its overall unremarkable appearance.

Subaru Justy

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The Subaru Justy’s design is often considered outdated and bland. Its boxy shape and lack of modern styling cues make it look old-fashioned. The unassuming front end and basic silhouette don’t do much to capture attention, making it one of the less attractive subcompacts.

Lancia Ypsilon

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The Lancia Ypsilon’s design is considered polarizing, with many finding it unattractive. Its unusual shape and quirky styling choices don’t appeal to everyone. The front end, with its narrow headlights and small grille, doesn’t create a cohesive look, contributing to its less appealing design.

Skoda Citigo

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The Skoda Citigo has a straightforward and somewhat dull design. Its boxy shape and lack of distinctive features make it look more functional than fashionable. The simple front grille and headlights don’t add much excitement, making it one of the less visually appealing subcompacts.

Chery QQ

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The Chery QQ’s design is often criticized for its lack of sophistication. Its rounded shape and small size give it a toy-like appearance. The front end is plain, and the overall design doesn’t convey the modernity and style seen in other subcompact cars.

Geely LC

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The Geely LC has a simplistic design that many find unattractive. Its small size and unremarkable styling make it look less appealing. The front fascia, with its large headlights and plain grille, fails to create a strong visual impression, contributing to its overall bland appearance.

Daewoo Matiz

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The Daewoo Matiz’s design is often considered outdated and uninspired. Its small size and rounded edges give it a rather dull appearance. The front end, with its simple grille and large headlights, doesn’t convey a sense of excitement, making it one of the less attractive subcompacts.

This article originally appeared in MyCarMakesNoise.

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Author: Dave Johnston

Dave is a hands-on automotive technician with experience in performing service, diagnostics, and repairs on domestic and imported vehicles. He enjoys writing and sharing his knowledge far and wide.

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