Fiat Multipla tops poll of most embarrassing cars ever built
From the Fiat Multipla to the Cadillac Cimarron, a reader poll by Autobild magazine highlights the vehicles that left manufacturers, and owners, red-faced over 125 years of motoring history.
The Fiat Multipla has been named the most embarrassing car of all time in a poll conducted by Autobild magazine, beating a field of notorious missteps from across the industry. The survey, held to mark 125 years since the birth of the automobile, asked readers to nominate the cars that manufacturers would rather forget.
What made these cars infamous?
The Multipla’s victory is no surprise to many in the trade. Its bulbous, bug-eyed looks and unconventional proportions made it a regular target for ridicule from launch. Intended as a practical family MPV, the car’s design and interior layout were divisive, with some praising its space efficiency but most unable to get past the styling. Fiat’s advertising campaign did little to help, and even celebrity endorsements failed to shake its reputation.
Other models on the list fell short for different reasons. The Cadillac Cimarron, for example, was General Motors’ attempt to badge-engineer a compact saloon for the luxury market in the 1980s. Built on the same platform as the Chevrolet Cavalier with minimal differentiation, it drew widespread criticism for lacking the refinement and quality expected from the brand. The Cimarron’s failure is often cited as a symbol of GM’s missteps during that era.
British entries include the Austin Allegro and Mini Metro. Both were intended as mass-market solutions but suffered from poor build quality and lacklustre driving dynamics. The Allegro’s square steering wheel and awkward lines became punchlines for a generation, while the Metro’s early promise was undermined by reliability issues.
A global collection of mishaps
The list also highlights how embarrassing cars are not limited to one country or segment. The American Motors Gremlin, with its truncated rear and basic interior, and the Yugo 65 Cabrio, a cut-price convertible from the former Yugoslavia, both made the cut. The Ford Edsel, remembered for its awkward grille and disappointing sales, remains a cautionary tale for ambitious product launches.
- Fiat Multipla: Criticised for awkward styling and divisive design
- Cadillac Cimarron: Badge-engineered luxury car that failed to meet expectations
- Austin Allegro: Notorious for poor build and unusual steering wheel
- Mini Metro: Early reliability issues and dated design
- Talbot Tagora: Large executive saloon that failed to find buyers
- Chevrolet Corvair: Safety concerns and negative publicity
- Alfa Arna: Unloved Nissan-Alfa Romeo collaboration
- AMC Gremlin: Odd styling and basic specification
- Yugo 65 Cabrio: Budget convertible with poor quality
- Ford Edsel: Overhyped launch and underwhelming product
- Maybach 62 S: Overpriced luxury saloon with limited appeal
- VW 411: Unpopular large Volkswagen
- SsangYong Rodius: Widely mocked for its appearance
- Audi Q7 V12 TDI: Criticised for excess and high cost
- AWS Shopper: Little-known East German microcar
Why these cars still matter
While most of these vehicles failed to deliver on their makers’ promises, they continue to serve as reminders of the risks involved in automotive design and marketing. For manufacturers, the reputational damage lingers long after production ends. For buyers, these cars are often cheap to buy but expensive to own, with parts supply and reliability remaining ongoing concerns.
