Can You Identify These Ugly Cars from the '90s?

AUTO

By: Teresa M.

7 Min Quiz

Image: Wiki Commons via Michael Gil

About This Quiz

To be fair, the '90s were a great decade full of good music, groundbreaking films and a greater emphasis on fuel economy in cars. However, we think it's quite possible that all the fuss about function left a few important things like design out. Although they were popular at the time, some '90s cars left a lot to be desired in the looks department. 

Seemingly forgetting about aerodynamics, '90s cars were full of odd shapes. From egg-shaped miniature station wagons to boxy sedans, '90s cars came in all different styles and colors you could imagine. In an almost quirky way, '90s cars had their own personalities. And that's a good thing, because we all know that personality is more important than looks. 

As you go through this quiz, try to hold back the laughter at your desk. First, we don't want you getting in any trouble at work. Second, laughing might distract you from making the right choice. Last and most importantly, it's just not polite to laugh! You could hurt the car's feelings. 

Respond to our questions and study the photo. Once you're sure you know the name of the car, pick your poison. How many ugly '90s cars can you identify? 


What is the name of the boat on wheels in this photo?

Dating all the way back to 1958, the Chevy Impala was always a luxury car. We're not quite sure what happened in the '90s, but its enormous length and strange boxy/bubble design left a lot of the original personality of the car behind. Boasting a V8 engine and 16 miles per gallon, it didn't have much to write home about in the fuel efficiency department either.

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What is the name of this car with the noticeable backside?

Produced by the Chrysler Corporation, the Plymouth Acclaim was a strangely shaped, compact family car. Its odd design featured a large rear trunk that resembles a box attached to the rest of the car. Featuring front-wheel-drive steering, the Plymouth Acclaim could be purchased for under $15,000 back in the day.

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What is the name of the four-door beauty?

Manufactured in Japan, North America and Australia during the '90s, the Toyota Camry Coupe came in two different models. While the four-cylinder models were called the XV10 model, the six-cylinder version is known as the VCV10. Despite its ho-hum appearance, the model boasted plenty of leg room and a decent fuel consumption rate.

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What's the name of this long-nosed car?

With a front end that seems much larger than the back, the Audi 100 seems a little unbalanced. Although it boasted precision front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive steering, it might not have been the easiest car to parallel park!

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What's the name of this odd-looking car that used to be a muscle car?

Original manufacturing of the Pontiac LeMans dates all the way back to 1963. but the '90s version is a world different from early models. Available in a hatchback or a compact four-door model, the LeMans was a great city car. Its cleverly designed folding rear seats offered owners a lot of room to haul around some junk in their trunks.

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What's the name of this box on wheels?

Is it a minivan? It is an station wagon? Is it a car? No one really knows for sure, but when the Eagle Summit Wagon rolled by in the '90s, it was easily recognizable by the boxy body style and slanted rear window. It was discontinued in 1996.

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What's the name of this plain-looking car?

Although the Hyundai Excel boasted a healthy gas mileage, it left a lot to be desired when it comes to flashy design. This underwhelming little car could be purchased as a basic hatchback model or a small four-door compact car. The Excel's affordable price tag made it a hit for the company.

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What's the name of this lackluster model?

Developed by the American Motor Company, the Eagle Premier was a redesigned version of a Renault car. With a sharp, rectangular feel the good looks didn't end on the outside. The full-sized luxury car's interior resembles we would now call sparse and dated.

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What is the name of this so-ugly-it's-cute model?

Often prized by street racers, the Nissan Pulsar took the hatchback to a new level. With a powerful engine and precision steering, it was manufactured from 1978-2000. Although new models are slightly more aerodynamic, they still hold some of the quirky charm the car has always been known for.

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What's the name of this fishy-looking car?

The Subaru XT was made from 1989 - 1991. With its odd, thin shape, it sort of resembles a sideways fish out of water. A tapered front end and a squared off rear made this sporty little number turned plenty of heads back in the '90s.

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What is the name of this car that resembles a bug?

With its giant, round eyes and bubble shape, the Dodge Neon was a '90s phenomenon. Despite being adorable, the small compact came with front-wheel drive and above average fuel economy for cars at the time. Often turned into street racing cars, the '90s Dodge Neon still has a few fans.

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What's the name of this plenty-of-personality car?

First rolled out in 1995, the Pontiac Sunfire was created to replace the Pontiac Sunbird. With a lot of design inspiration taken from the Chevrolet Cavalier, the compact Sunfire was produced until 2005. With expressive headlights, this tiny car is chock full of personality, charm and a four-cylinder engine.

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What's the name of this compact sedan?

From 1989-1997, the Geo factory released a number of small vehicles as a collaboration between Japanese companies and General Motors. Rolled out in 1990, the Geo Prizm rivaled cars like the Toyota Corolla and the Hyundai Excel. The Chevrolet Prizm stayed in production until 2002.

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What would you call this bubble with tires?

While the Mercury Tracer didn't take home any prizes for looks in the '90s, its functionality was another story. Available as both a wagon and a sedan, the Mercury Tracer allowed drivers and passengers plenty of space to stretch their legs or to carry around the kids' sporting gear. It gave cars like the Toyota Camry Coupe a run for their money.

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What's the name of this squinty-looking ride?

The Buick Riviera has been around since 1963. Although the design has completely changed, the commitment to being a personal luxury car continued until 1999 when the large, stately car was discontinued. Its thin headlights seem to be squinting from underneath the hood. If you look close enough, you might see it wink.

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What's the name of this big car?

From 1989-2001, the Chevrolet Lumina provided stiff competition to other models like the Buick Skylark and the Oldsmobile line of cars. With its roomy interior and seating for 6, this luxury model offered buyers a cheaper alternative to a stately, family car.

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What's the name of this hatchback model?

Ford's Aspire might little like a tiny car, but it's a small giant. With a generous rear section, the Aspire kept the pace with competitor models during the '90s. It might look like a ladybug on wheels, but the Aspire has been a worldwide seller for the Ford Motor Company.

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What is the name of this sport-luxury car?

From 1991 to 1996, the Subaru SVX was a highly-turned two door coupe with style. Marketed as a luxury sports car, the SVX combined sleek styling with upmarket features. Its all-wheel drive handling ensured a smooth ride for owners.

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What is the name of this squatty car?

Also known as the Zastaza Florida, the Yugo Sana is the perfect example of an ugly '90s car. It wants to be boxy, but it wants to be efficient. It wants to be roomy, but it wants to be small. Although the Yugo Sana didn't do so great in North America, it was sold around the world until 2008.

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What is the name of this confusing looking car?

Not your every day '90s car, the Fiat Multipla appears to have many layers strapped onto its frame. From 1998-2010, the Fiat Multipla offered owners the versatility of a minivan, but the handling of a car. We're not sure how you could see anything with those tiny headlights, but they add to the overall ugliness of the Multipla's appearance.

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What is the name of this serious-looking car?

In 1993, the Saturn SW1 began to appear on car lots all over the United States. Boasting up to 31 highway miles per gallon, what the Saturn SW1 lacked in looks, it made up for in performance. The Saturn Corporation stopped selling cars in 2002.

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What's the name of this fancy pants car?

During the '90s, the Chrysler Imperial was one of the most recognizable luxury cars on the road. With generous space and a large trunk area, the Imperial was the picture of a smooth ride. With an appearance almost out of Cadillac's page, the Imperial set the bar high for other luxury sedans of the time.

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What is the name of this sleek car?

During the '90s big cars were all the rage, and the Oldsmobile Achieva was part of the game. Made from 1992-1998, it was a great source of competition for both Buick and Chevrolet models of the time. Available in sedan or coupe version, the Achieva had a reputation for quality.

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What the name of this car with a big backside?

With more than enough room for a growing family, the Chevrolet Caprice was a favorite among police departments and those in need of more room. Produced in North America until 1996, the Caprice originates all the way back in 1963. Although Chevy received a lot of heat for its '90s redesign, the car was a hit for them.

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What's the name of this family car?

Available as a wagon or a sedan, the Ford Taurus was quite the popular car during the '90s. Though it might resemble an oblong bubble on wheels, the Ford Taurus offered drivers plenty of space and their choice of a four-cylinder or six-cylinder engine. Now in its seventh generation, the Taurus is still produced for a Chinese market.

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What's the name of this two-seater?

Produced from only 1995 to 1997, the Suzuki X90 was quite the unique little car. With only two seats and a 94 horsepower engine, the tiny truck-like X90 was popular with enthusiasts and unmistakable while rolling down the road blasting some grunge music.

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What is the name of this crossover?

Until 1991, the Pontiac 6000 offered Pontiac lovers a nicely sized family sedan. Its mid-size flair offered lots of truck space and allowed drivers to stretch their legs. Classic touches from Pontiac's first days were added to the 6000 to set it apart from competitor's cars.

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What's the name given to this futuristic-looking car?

One of the rarest cars from the '90s, the GM EV1 was a groundbreaker for General Motors. From 1996 to 1999, this electric car had more than just its good looks to offer. Even the digital dashboard added to the car's futurist styling.

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What is the name of this stylized beauty?

Dating from 1993-1997, the Ford Probe came with a recommendation from Consumer Reports. Although small, the Ford Probe boasted sporty looks and an average of 26 miles per gallon. Ford accomplished this by installing a fuel economy computer beneath the dashboard.

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What is the name of this little number?

Although Toyota struggled with its image in the '90s, some of their vehicles sold quite well. Well, all of them except the Toyota Echo. Dubbed, "The car no one wants," the Echo seems to lack the personality and features of other cars in the '90s. However, collectors still clamor over it today.

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What's the name of this car?

From 1997-2000, the Daewoo Nubira was offered as a sedan, a hatchback, or a wagon. While not all the remarkable in looks, the Daewoo Nubira's looks were better than its functionality. The car received thumbs down every year of its production.

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What name does this subcompact car have?

The Chevrolet Cavalier was one of the biggest sellers of the '90s. Although it was completely redesigned, its subcompact style allowed drivers an efficient means of transportation without breaking the bank.

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What's the name of this strange machine?

If you blinked back in the '90s, you might have missed the Lamborghini El Diablo. This sports car's sleek, aerodynamic looks might be attractive to some, but was generally found to be one of the uglier Lamborghini models. From 0-60 in under 5 seconds, the Lamborghini El Diablo was thrilling to drive.

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What is the name of this funky car?

Although the Ford Escort came as a small-sized sedan or a wagon, it's the look of the '90s Ford Escort Wagon that caught our attention. With a bubble-like appearance and a four-cylinder engine the Ford Escort Wagon was a little car with a lot of spunk.

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What's the name of this sporty coupe?

One of Toyota's sportier models, the Supra was a little coupe with a whole lot of attitude. With its signature fin and its unique-looking headlights, the Toyota Supra remained on the market until 2002. Fans of the Supra are fond of its quick handling.

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What's the name of this oddball?

The Geo Metro Convertible was a tiny little car with a whole lot of personality. Its cutesy looks were enhanced by its high gas milage, and it was the perfect '90s city car. Also available as a hard top, the Geo Metro seemed to be a forerunner for smaller cars later to come.

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What's the name of this weird little car?

A little hatchback with a lot of design personality, the Volkswagen Golf was a '90s favorite for students and those seeking good fuel economy. The Golf's tiny size was easy to maneuver, and the car's functionality has never stopped evolving. No longer sold in the US, the Golf remains popular around the world.

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What's the name of this luxury car?

From 1989 until now, the Lexus LS400 is the picture of class. Although the '90s editions left a little to be desired in the looks department, the LS400 has always been the standard to beat in luxury sedans.

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What is the name of this boxy car?

BMW's M3 might not be the epitome of '90s style, but it was quite the ride. Prized by owners for its comfort and handling, the M3 evolved over time to some of the newer BMWs seen on the road today. The '90s M3 might be square, but it's also highly collected.

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What's the name of this larger-than-life car?

Although we're not sure if a bigger car ever existed, the Ford Crown Victoria could hold steady for it in a competition. Favored by police departments everywhere, the Crown Vic offers a roomy ride that feels like you're floating on air. Don't look for too much fuel efficiency out of this car's V8, though.

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