12 Popular Cars That We All Hate (No. 9 Is Literally the Worst)

Do you have a deep, irrational hatred for a popular car? You might not be as alone as you think.

Some cars that are popular options on the road still generate widespread disapproval from other drivers. These are vehicles that many folks would never own, even if they get great mileage or allow you to save money on car insurance .

So, which cars do you love to hate? See if one or more of those vehicles makes the list.

1. Toyota Camry

Courtesy of Toyota

The Toyota Camry was the best-selling sedan in the U.S. in 2023 and is known as a reliable and affordable vehicle.

But there is a reason sedans aren’t as popular as now they once were: There’s nothing that makes a sedan like a Camry stand out when it comes to looks or charm. That is why many drivers agree that the Camry is affordable, reliable — and boring.

2. Ram Pickup

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The Ram Pickup was the third-best-selling vehicle in 2023 behind Ford F-Series trucks and the Chevy Silverado.

In a country where pickup trucks dominate sales, the Ram is popular. But this vehicle doesn’t elicit a lot of love, especially compared to the dedication shown by buyers of Ford and Chevy trucks.

3. Mini Cooper

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Some drivers love driving the Mini Cooper: The small size makes it easy to maneuver or parallel park in urban areas. Others like the unique styling of the British car.

However, a lot of drivers simply find the vehicles to be a little too cute. Others get frustrated when they see what appears to be an open spot in a parking lot — until they get really close and discover a tiny Mini Cooper is already there.

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4. Ford Flex

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You may still be able to find a Ford Flex on the road, even though the 2019 model was the last one produced.

Perhaps you will understand why Ford canceled the Flex when you see one: It looks like a minivan mixed with a big, boxy station wagon.

Many drivers prefer the Ford Escape, which is a better-looking option with similar features.

5. Jeep Wrangler

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The Jeep Wrangler has been around for decades and has some features that make it stand out, such as its off-roading capabilities or the ability to remove the doors so you can drive in the open air.

However, the vehicle looks a little lost when you see it driving down suburban streets or parked at the local organic grocery store. In those environments, many people think the Wrangler doesn’t look so hot.

6. BMW XM

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BMW has plenty of options that look sleek or offer great performance and handling.

Then there is the BMW XM, which might not have that special something a typical BMW needs to justify its $159,000 starting price.

“Everything about this car is awful,” lamented Reddit user CuriousTravlr. Reddit user shawizkid simply called it “absolutely atrocious.”

7. Nissan Leaf

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The Nissan Leaf was at the forefront of the electric vehicle trend, with the first models rolling off the assembly line in 2010.

Those early models also had their own specific design, including a weird front grill that turned off potential buyers.

The carmaker has changed things since those early models, with newer options looking more like a typical sedan. But the change hasn’t been enough to win over some detractors.

8. Honda Civic

Courtesy of Honda

Like the Toyota Camry, the Honda Civic sells well. More than 200,000 cars headed home with buyers in 2023.

Like the Camry, the Civic is known for being reliable and affordable, but its styling is bland and boring.

9. Chrysler PT Cruiser

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The Chrysler PT Cruiser was only manufactured from 2001 to 2010, but you can still find these cars on the road today.

You’ll know it’s a PT Cruiser by its unique exterior design that made a bad impression. In fact, the PT Cruiser is still remembered as an awful car to this day.

As Reddit user vwvXCELLvwv once wrote, “I think you mean PT Loser Cruiser.”

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10. Tesla Model Y

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The Tesla Model Y had a huge year in 2023, with more than 385,000 vehicles sold. It finished in the top five of best-selling cars for the year.

However, issues at the carmaker — including extremely long wait times for repairs compared to other manufacturers — have turned off customers.

Tesla has also taken some hits lately due to CEO Elon Musk's controversial antics. The negative response to the company’s Cybertruck — which critics and consumers have panned — hasn’t helped.

11. Subaru Forester

Courtesy of Subaru

The Subaru Forester is a reliable car. Ironically, that’s why a small group of people really hate the vehicle.

Mechanics hate the Forester because it rarely needs servicing — and when it does, parts are easy to find, and fixes are usually relatively cheap.

That may be a good endorsement for the car if you are a driver, but not so much if your job is to fix broken vehicles.

12. Any minivan

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It doesn’t matter if it’s a Chrysler Pacifica, Toyota Sienna, Honda Odyssey, or any other model: There's something about a minivan that causes drivers to have very strong opinions about how good or bad it is.

“When SUVs rose in popularity, it all but killed the desire for minivans,” said Reddit user Varekai79. “Minivans have never been cool, but the presence of a cooler alternative, even if it's less practical, sealed the deal.”

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Bottom line

The beauty of a car is in the eye of the beholder. But many vehicles are disliked by a wide swath of drivers.

Still, you might want to try to get over your bad feelings about a car if you can get a great deal on a particular model that isn’t your cup of tea.

After all, if you score a bargain, you can take the money you save and start investing to build lasting wealth. That way, getting a great deal on a car you aren’t wild about can pay dividends for years to come.

Money tips that can work for everyone

No matter what your bank account balance is, there's always an opportunity to optimize and improve your finances. Here's a quick checklist of things you can look at today.

Focus on paying off your debt. Debt can hold you back from making progress with your overall financial well-being. Aside from cutting expenses, there are tools that can help you pay off debt faster like balance transfer credit cards and debt counseling.

Earning extra income can give you breathing room. If finances are tight, earning some extra money to supplement your income can make a huge difference. A new job is one option to consider, but if you're not ready to make a big change or already retired, a part-time side job could be a better choice.

Cut your expenses. It sounds painful and so not fun, but it doesn't have to be. Take a look at your biggest expenses because that's where you'll probably find the biggest savings. For example, auto insurance rates have been soaring so shopping around for a new insurance company can be the fastest way to cut your bill. Also, look for ways to cut your grocery bill (despite rising inflation).