Based on J.D. Power polling, the following are the top 10 vehicles purchased strictly for appearance sake or, according to Denove, because their buyers said, “I like the way that looks and don’t care about anything else.”

1. Chevrolet SSR

2. Chrysler Crossfire

3. Dodge Magnum

4. Chrysler PT Cruiser

5. Mini Cooper

6. Chrysler 300

7. Volkswagen Beetle

8. Ford Thunderbird

9. Mitsubishi Eclipse

10. Cadillac XLR

Conversely, what follows are 10 vehicles that polled consumers deemed the ugliest, saying, according to Denove, “That thing is not getting near my driveway.”

1. Honda Element

2. Infiniti Q45

3. Pontiac Aztek

4. Mazda RX-8

5. Chevrolet Avalanche

6. Scion xB

7. Toyota Celica

8. Lexus LS 430

9. Infiniti QX56

10. Mitsubishi Diamante

A vehicle that almost made the ugly list ironically was at the top of the list of vehicles most bought for their looks: the Chevy SSR, a combination pickup-roadster-convertible. There’s a fine line between love and hate.


Scion xB: Anti-style.
Although many consumers call the poor-selling Aztek homely, its buyers love its looks, says Denove. “It’s just that there are not enough of those people.”

Rogers says a senior designer at General Motors Corp., said of the Aztek: “Good idea, bad execution.”

Styling takes a back seat if a vehicle has other attributes that are stronger.

Denove cites the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord. “They are top sellers, but styling for both is a non-starter because people buy them for reliability.”

He says Chrysler Group – unable to beat Toyota and Honda in perceived reliability – is wisely designing eye-catching vehicles.

“You can’t overnight change perceptions of reliability, but you can quickly change perceptions about styling,” says Denove. “That’s what Chrysler is doing with the Chrysler 300, Dodge Magnum and Dodge Charger. “Blandness is fine for Camry and Accord, not for Chrysler and Ford.”

Full text : Here

 

The ugly list, makes sense, I can see those cars there.
TheI got to have b/c of styling, well, I guess that is a reason a couple of those cars sell but I'd rather some other cars.

 

I can't believe the LS430 is on there - I think it looks great. I would certainly prefer its looks over the GS430 - and I own a GS!!

Jonny

 

i can't believe the LS430 was judged to be such an ugly car...I think the consensus would be that it's not exactly ugly, but just a car that doesn't stir much emotion...but just because of that, it shouldn't be deemed ugly. Obviously someone is smoking crack over there because the Chevy SSR is by far not one of the prettiest cars...

 

How in the world is the Crossfire on the good-looking list??

 

In the background playing "You're so vain....."

 

No shocker than MOST of the attractive cars are American. No Lexus, Toyota, Nissian, etc. phhfff and the LS 430!?

 

I don't think the LS, Celica, or the RX-8 should be on there. I'll agree that the LS doesn't evoke as much emotion in its design as its Euro counterparts and it can be percieved as bland... but bland isn't ugly. The Asstec and the Element are actually painful to look at. "bland" toyota products aren't painful to look at... some people just may say non-exctining.

And it was always my impression that there were many many people who thought the celica and RX8 were at least kinda cool looking if not good looking. I don't think either are offensive looking enough to be "ugly". If anything, i think that SSR should be on the ugly list.

 

Exactly, How is the LS ugly? That SSR is a joke and the VW beetle on the top ten list.....No offense to any beetle owners on CL (if there are any) but that car should not be driven by anyone over the age of 21 and I'll leave it at that. Who are these people used for this very unscientific poll???

 

i hate JD power coz' they put my ls430 on there

 

Seriously bro!

 

You have got to be kidding me.

First off, no offense to any owners on CL, but I disagree. Almost entirely.

Who the hell did they survey for this? 8 year olds, or 80 year olds? I mean, seriously, come on. They're all retro-styled vehicles besides the Eclipse!

I don't get how the Celica ended up on the "ugly" list That car is beautiful. The rest of the list I agree with for the most part, minus the LS430. I'd kill to have an LS430. It doesn't surprise me that the Q45's on the same list as the LS430, as they look somewhat similar, but I'd definitely vote for the M35 (the previous generation, not the current). No ugly vote here on the RX-8 though, that's a sexy car.

 

J D power is crap!

 

Of course though, when they rate Lexus #1 in tests..

 

Here is my own list of 10 best looking and 10 ugliest cars(only those currently being sold in the U.S. as new car):

10 best looking vehicles:
Ferrari F430
BMW M3/330Ci/325Ci
Honda S2000
Chevrolet Corvette
Acura RSX TYPE S
Infiniti G35 sedan
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX
Lotus Elise
Acura TSX
Lexus RX330/RX400h


10 ugliest vehicles:
Chrysler PT Cruiser
Pontiac Aztek
Chevrolet HHR
Chevrolet SSR
Ford Thunderbird
Chrysler Crossfire
Volkswagen Beetle
Lexus SC430
Honda Insight
Buick LaCrosse