People can’t agree on much — except that this was the ugliest car of 2025
Sharp angles, boxy silhouettes, and oversized grilles fueled heated reactions — but one car emerged as the most polarizing by far.
Car design rarely lands in the middle. Bold choices can attract attention or invite criticism, and online forums tend to amplify both. A recent Reddit thread asked users to name the ugliest car released in 2025, prompting thousands of blunt, often humorous responses. While many models were mentioned, one vehicle drew consistent criticism and emerged as the clear focus of the debate.
The story
The original Reddit post sparked controversial replies within hours when one user asked, “What’s the most ugliest car to you that was made in 2025?” There were a lot of strong opinions, some mixed with humor. It quickly became clear that the discussion had a lot to do with personal taste. It was a glimpse at how passionate people are about car aesthetics and how small design choices can spark heated discussion among enthusiasts. Here are some of the vehicles the thread singled out, finishing the list with the ugliest one, according to people.
Hyundai Santa Fe
The redesigned Hyundai Santa Fe was one of the most frequently criticized mainstream SUVs in the thread. Users described it as looking like a “fridge on wheels” or a “toaster,” with tail lights and proportions that felt especially off. One comment said, “Hamster cars from the 2000s look better. God, they’re so awful, front and back.” The blunt commentary reflects frustration with bold design choices that stray too far from mainstream expectations. While Hyundai’s vehicles have a strong reliability record and the Santa Fe ranks among the best hybrid SUVs, car enthusiasts were not pleased with the new “boxy” design.
Subaru Outback and Wilderness trims
Subaru’s Outback and Wilderness trims caught heat for their heavy plastic cladding. The plastic is there for a good reason, but multiple users compared it to the Pontiac Aztec, a design that still carries a sting years later. Subaru’s outdoorsy image does make sense for their general market, but commenters felt the execution was overdone. The bulky trim was seen as distracting, especially when compared to earlier Outback designs.
BMW X3/XM and the ‘bucktooth’ design
BMW’s modern front-end styling divided people in the thread. Models like the X3 and XM were singled out for their oversized grilles and referred to as “bucktooth” or “butt cheek” designs. Even longtime BMW fans admitted the look feels aggressive in a way that doesn’t always suit the vehicle. Expectations from such a luxury brand made the backlash sharper.
Nissan lineup (Juke, Kicks, Pathfinder)
Nissan models were criticized for what users called “roller-skate” proportions and odd silhouettes. The Juke and Kicks, in particular, were described as awkward and overstyled, and the Pathfinder was lumped in with the growing trend of boxy, appliance-like SUVs. The humor in these comments means people want personality, but not at the expense of visual coherence. People were being funny about it in the comments, but they really don’t want to jeopardize visual coherence for personality.
Mitsubishi Eclipse crossover & Kia Tasman/Soul
Smaller crossovers like the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross and Kia’s quirkier models received lighter criticism. Some commenters admitted they weren’t attractive, but at least they were practical or intentionally weird. As we can see clearly in the comment section, “ugly” isn’t always a deal breaker, but confusion can be.
The ugliest car of 2025
If there was a clear winner for ugliest car in the thread, it was the Tesla Cybertruck, which showed up again and again in the comments. Some users simply wrote “Cybertruck by far,” while others went further, calling it the “ugliest vehicle ever made in automotive history”, and much of the criticism focused on the truck’s extreme design choices.
Commenters took aim at the sharp angles and flat stainless-steel panels, saying that overall, the truck looks unfinished. Redditors called it everything from a “low-poly video game asset” to a “design experiment that escaped the concept stage”. One user joked, “I kinda feel like the cyber truck is an Aztek in a bad Halloween costume.” It summed up the tone of the discussion, which was honest and completely unfiltered.
A lot of the negativity comes from recognition and not necessarily confusion. People know exactly what Tesla was trying to do. The truck rejects traditional design, and that’s exactly why it provokes such strong reactions. But whether people love it or hate it, they make a spectacle of them.
The iconic metallic design has become a cultural talking point, sparking mixed reactions when seen driving on the street. In that sense, the Cybertruck earns its place as the ugliest car of 2025. It’s polarizing and impossible to ignore. The internet may have crowned it unattractive, but it also made it unforgettable. Maybe that might have been the point all along.
