When it comes to car design, wheels are more than just functional—they’re a major part of a vehicle’s aesthetic appeal. But every now and then, automakers get it hilariously wrong. From poorly designed rims to tires that are too small – there are plenty of ways manufacturers disappoint buyers.
We scoured forums, Reddit and comments on some car blogs to come up with a list of wheels that consumers found plain ugly.
Pontiac Aztek’s Plastic Wheel Covers
Pontiac’s Aztek is infamous for its overall design, but its wheel covers are a whole different level of questionable. The plastic wheel covers on the Aztek was designed to mimic alloy wheels but ended up looking like cheap Frisbees. They were prone to cracking and discoloration, making them look bad even when they were new.
The wheel covers were part of Aztek’s attempt to look futuristic but just ended up being a blunder. It’s a design choice that’s aged about as well as the car itself, which is to say, not well at all.
Chrysler PT Cruiser’s Chrome Spokes
The Chrysler PT Cruiser was known for its retro styling, but the chrome-spoked wheels they put on some models were anything but stylish. The wheels looked more like something you’d see on a bad 90s gangsta’ rap album cover rather than on a cool, retro-inspired vehicle.
The overly shiny chrome and busy spoke design clashed horribly with the PT Cruiser’s already quirky aesthetic. It was a wheel design that did nothing to enhance the car’s appearance and instead made it look even more outdated.
Honda Element’s Clunky 5-Spoke Wheels
The Honda Element was marketed as a rugged, utilitarian vehicle, but its wheels were anything but. The factory 5-spoke wheels were bulky and had an awkward, overbearing presence that seemed more at home on a farm tractor than a city SUV.
They did nothing to complement the Element’s boxy design. Instead, they made the car look like it was struggling to stay in the 21st century, blending in poorly with the rest of the vehicle’s aesthetics.
Ford Taurus SHO’s Obnoxious Multi-Spoke Wheels
The Ford Taurus SHO had performance chops, but its multi-spoke wheels were more about drawing attention for all the wrong reasons. The wheels had an overly complex design that was meant to look sporty but just came off as messy and distracting.
Instead of adding to the car’s performance image, these wheels detracted from it, making the SHO look like it was trying too hard. The busy spoke pattern just didn’t match the clean lines of the car.
Subaru Baja’s Oddball Alloy Wheels
Subaru’s Baja was an unusual vehicle in its own right, and its alloy wheels only added to the confusion. With an odd pattern and a design that seemed to try too hard to be different, these wheels ended up looking awkward and out of place.
They didn’t do the Baja any favors in terms of aesthetics, which was already a tricky sell. The wheels just seemed to exaggerate the car’s quirky look rather than complementing it.
Toyota Matrix’s Disjointed 10-Spoke Wheels
The Toyota Matrix was supposed to be a sporty hatchback, but the factory 10-spoke wheels were anything but. They had a design that was overly busy, making the Matrix look more like a toy car than a serious vehicle.
The disjointed look of the wheels contrasted sharply with the Matrix’s relatively sleek design, creating an overall effect that was more chaotic than stylish. They made the car look less refined and more cluttered.
Hyundai Tiburon’s Weird Split-Spoke Wheels
Hyundai’s Tiburon had its fair share of design quirks, and the split-spoke wheels were among the most notable. The wheels had a split design that looked like a failed experiment in creating a sporty look. Instead, they came off as awkward and out of touch.
The split-spoke pattern didn’t do the Tiburon any favors, making it look like a design prototype that should have stayed in the studio. They were a mismatch with the car’s overall design ethos.
Nissan Juke’s Overly Complex Wheels
The Nissan Juke is known for its bold styling, but the factory wheels were a major letdown. The overly complex design had too many angles and lines that made it look like a bad science fiction prop.
Instead of enhancing the car’s quirky character, the wheels ended up making it look even more outlandish and not in a good way. They were a prime example of style over substance gone wrong.
Jeep Compass’ Uninspired Steel Wheels
The Jeep Compass had some great off-road capabilities, but its steel wheels were anything but inspiring. The design was basic to the point of being bland, making the car look like it was stuck in the early 2000s.
These wheels didn’t do justice to the Compass’s rugged nature and instead made it look like a stripped-down budget version. They were functional but far from fashionable.
Kia Soul’s Bizarre Circular Wheels
Kia’s Soul is known for its unique look, but the factory circular wheels took things a step too far. The wheels had an unconventional circular pattern that looked like a bad arts and crafts project gone wrong.
Instead of enhancing the Soul’s funky design, the wheels made the car look even more bizarre and less polished. They were a prime example of design gone wrong in an attempt to stand out.
Volkswagen Phaeton’s Heavy-Duty Wheels
The Volkswagen Phaeton was a luxury sedan with some questionable wheel choices. The heavy-duty wheels were overly bulky and gave the Phaeton a look that was more suited for a truck than a high-end vehicle.
These wheels clashed with the Phaeton’s sleek, luxurious design, making the car look less refined and more utilitarian. It was a mismatched choice that did the luxury sedan a disservice.
Mercedes-Benz W210 Wheels Lack Luxury
Some find the wheels on the Mercedes-Benz W210 straight-up hideous. The bland and uninspired design was as exciting as watching paint dry. It’s no wonder that the first thing most W210 owners did was ditch those eyesores for some proper aftermarket wheels or at least swap them out for something from a higher-end Merc.
Seriously, spotting a W210 rolling on its original wheels is like seeing a supermodel wearing Crocs – it just doesn’t compute. But hey, with the right set of stylish, period-correct wheels, the W210 can still turn heads and make you remember why you fell in love with that classic Mercedes look in the first place.
Ford Fusion’s Puzzling 10-Spoke Wheels
The Ford Fusion had some decent design elements, but its spoke alloy wheels were not among them. The wheels featured an overly complex and disjointed spoke pattern that made them look like an awkward attempt at modern design.
Instead of complementing the Fusion’s clean lines, these wheels only clutter the car’s overall look. They ended up being more confusing than stylish, and not in a good way.
10 Slow Selling Cars That Could Make for a Good Deal
If you are considering buying a new car and money is an issue – this list features 10 cars that are not selling well. This means great deals for you and more room to negotiate.
Cars That Completely Defied Design Norms
Some of the cars not only have weird wheels, but are simply weird cars. These were creative cars that defied what car enthusiasts consider normal. A few of these cars actually made it into production, although on a small scale, while others remained conceptual ideas.
Be sure to follow us on MSN to get more transportation news and articles or visit the Grease Culture website.
