12 Worst Cars of the 21st Century

It can be quite difficult to define the worst cars that were released during the past 20 years and the final decision will always be controversial for someone. However, there are certain car models that are quite unreliable and even ridiculous. These are cars that can be considered not only unsuccessful but even irrelevant. 

The automotive world has undergone tremendous changes in the last 20 years. Cars with relatively simple devices devoid of comfort have turned into gadgets on wheels filled with electronics. If you are looking for the best car to lease or buy, it is better to avoid these 12 worst cars of the 21st century.

1. Jaguar X-Type (2001)

The Jaguar X-Type is just a too expensive Mondeo. Those were the days when Jaguar was still part of the Ford Group as part of the Premier Automotive Group, along with Land Rover and Aston Martin. Ford decided to launch the Jaguar brand with a cheaper model that would appeal to younger buyers. This is why the X-Type looks like a miniature of a large XJ. Plus, hardly anyone wanted to buy a Jaguar that drove like a Mondeo and was built using the same components as the popular Ford. Customers of this brand wanted to pamper themselves and know that they had a one-of-a-kind product.

2. Lexus SC 430 (2002)

Lexus SC 430 was supposed to be a competition for the Mercedes SL, but it never happened. First of all, the luxurious Lexus Roadster was only available with one engine ( a 300-horsepower V8) which didn’t guarantee good performance. Additionally, the Lexus SC 430 was extremely heavy. It didn’t offer anything special and the quality of the interior and equipment was closer to GS-like models than to the luxurious LS. It was definitely worth more than the GS sedans. The only advantage is that the quality of the finish was excellent as well as trouble-free operation.

3. BMW 7 Series (2002)

By installing an iDrive prototype in it, BMW decided to scare off many buyers who (after the 7 Series test drives) went to Mercedes dealers to buy an S-Class. The underdeveloped iDrive may have been innovative, but terribly awkward to use. Mainly because of the complex menu layout. Even changing radio stations in computer science. Fortunately, iDrive is now much easier to use.

4. Chrysler Crossfire (2003)

Chrysler Crossfire is another Chrysler “masterpiece” from a failed cooperation with Daimler. By the way, this is further proof that it is impossible to make a good modern car by randomly choosing components, mainly those that have been in basements in Stuttgart for several years. The Crossfire was created using almost all parts of the old Mercedes SLK, which the engineers managed to put together to create a car with poor suspension and steering. 

5. Nissan Micra C+C (2005)

Nissan Micra C+C looked best in pink. The Micra C+C is one of the few cars without benefits. It looked bad, drove badly, had weak engines under the hood, and the body was unbalanced. The rigidity of the structure was terribly weak and this function was doubled when the hardtop was assembled. Even at Nissan, they figured out that this poor car and the Micra C+C quickly disappeared from the market.

6. Dodge Caliber (2006)

The ambitious plans of the brand, then operating within the DaimlerChrysler concern, predicted that the Caliber would become a competitor to the Golf. It is bigger, better equipped, and has its own style. The caliber was trimmed at the level of American limousines (and this is not a compliment), the suspension is not at all adapted to buyer’s tastes, and the equipment is rich, but the fashion of Korean cars 15 years ago. Additionally, the Caliber was larger than the Golf, but the interior was much denser. 

7. Saab 9-7x (2006)

Saab 9-7x is one of the models that marked the decline of Saab (next to the 9-2x, which was based on the Subaru Impreza). Those were the days when Saab was already a brand that hardly anyone cared about. The 9-7x was based on the mid-range American SUVs and its closest relative was the Chevrolet Trailblazer. Unfortunately, the engineers didn’t make such significant changes to convert Chevrolet to Saab. Some say the 9-7x is one of many pieces of evidence that General Motors didn't know what to do with Saab at all.

8. Jeep Compass (2007)

The times when the Jeep thought they could make any car and people would accept it. Even though today's Jeep models are really good in their class, the Compass of that time was terrible. It was built on the Dodge Calibra chassis, which has nothing to do with SUVs. Additionally, the Compass didn't even have all-wheel drive as standard. 

9. Maybach 57 and 62 (2008)

The great return of the legendary brand that had been owned by Mercedes for years was a big setback. Hardly anyone wanted to buy a luxury car for a significant amount of money that looks too similar to the Mercedes S-Class. Besides, the car didn't look very good. The style has caused a lot of controversies since it is heavy and pretentious. As a result, the Maybach brand suffered a terrible defeat in a conflict with the legendary Rolls-Royce and Bentley. But now, Mercedes is using it to refer to the most luxurious variants of its models. 

10. BMW X6 (2008)

Overall, the X6 is a decent car, and the X6 M is phenomenal in its own way. However, it's hard to disagree with Jeri Clarkson, who on Top Gear called the BMW X6 "the world's stupidest car." In general, the combination of an SUV and a coupe doesn’t make sense and it is difficult to say why such cars are promoted by manufacturers so much. Plus, the first X6 did look ugly that was probably not what the designers intended. If someone thinks rationally when buying cars, then they just gravitate towards the X5.

11. Aston Martin Cygnet (2011)

A car that was only built to ensure that the average CO2 emissions in the Aston Martin range are equal to required. The Cygnet was completely devoid of market sensibility because it was not a new model. This car appeared when the Toyota IQ was slightly tweaked, which is one of the weird city cars of the day. Added higher quality materials, slightly more effective soundproofing materials and that's it. 

12. Mitsubishi Space Star (2012)

A city car that did indeed have the size of a Colt, from which Mitsubishi refused for unknown reasons. It was decided to return to the name Space Star, which was well known for the rather successful compact minivan from the turn of the 20th and 21st century. But the modern Space Star has nothing to do with this. Moreover, it is an expensive and poorly made car with noisy engines that consume too much fuel for its performance. The Mitsubishi Space Star should have been pretty, but it didn't work.