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USA Today
5 days ago
- Automotive
- USA Today
The 10 dumbest cars of all time
The 10 dumbest cars of all time There are many kinds of dumb, especially when talking about cars. Automakers are prone to questionable design and engineering decisions and can occasionally push the envelope in places they shouldn't. Buyers can take what would be excellent vehicles in one arena and use them almost exclusively in another where their talents are completely wasted. There are times when technologies aren't invested in enough or are pushed too hard, to comical extremes. And then there are vehicles built for such a specific niche that they're doomed to commercial failure no matter how charming they are. These are our editors' picks for the dumbest automobiles. Tesla Cybertruck - Kristen Lee, Scott Evans Designed to offend and made in a way that maims, the Cybertruck has succeeded in gathering more haters than fans, empirically so considering the dueling subreddits dedicated to the truck. One look at the vehicle, even from a distance, is enough to catalyze an unbreakable perspective on whether or not the pickup is worthy of existence. Its impressive performance numbers and fresh technology are only important to those who can get past its looks. Those body lines include enough near-razor-sharp edges to rip clothing or tear open skin if you're unfortunate enough to encounter the end of almost any exterior panel (including the doors, which don't have handles). A general lack of reliability and high cost provide further ammo for the Cyberbeast's numerous haters, but as our Scott Evans noted, 'Cybertruck is up there, but it's gotten slightly less dumb as Tesla has activated the rest of the feature set.' Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet - Tom Rosquin, Aaron Gold Many automotive genre benders are celebrated, but the Murano convertible is not one of them. While far from the first vehicle with SUV proportions to feature an open top , this Murano variant stands out for a crossover cabrio with a hubris-huffing lack of self-awareness. The styling of the CrossCabriolet has been derided by MotorTrend staff for over a decade , but worse than that, very little was done to ensure the newly minted convertible was structurally sound. Even driving down a mildly bumpy road reveals a shocking lack of rigidity, hurting both ride and handling. Any utility the variant had was also tossed out, as the rear doors and effectively all the cargo space of the vehicle were left on the cutting room floor. After all that, the most shocking thing about the Murano is that something so badly thought out could be greenlit at all. As Aaron Gold noted, 'You could feel the cowl shake just by getting into the car.' Mazda MX-30 - Billy Rehbock As the first wave of electric SUVs swept through the automotive landscape, bringing practical EV motoring into the mainstream, the MX-30 ... didn't. With barely 100 miles of EPA-rated range (and thus less on the freeway and much less in the cold), the MX-30 was never taken seriously as a practical electric vehicle. Even as just about every other electric crossover blew past the 200-mile mark in the real world, the MX-30 couldn't reach half that on the optimistic EPA rating cycle. Priced and marketed like an equal to far superior rivals, the MX-30's agile handling and fun interior couldn't save it from an early grave . Toyota Mirai - Christian Seabaugh, Aaron Gold, Scott Evans Hydrogen used to be the fuel of the future, but as battery electric vehicles came onto the scene and cut out the middleman, that future became the past. With much of the already tenuous filling station network shutting down , we've come to the apparent end of using H2 to fuel cars. That once-rosy outlook also ends the now ironically named Mirai. Named for 'future' in Japanese, the Mirai went from ugly duckling to beautiful sedan in its two generations , dutifully supported by a Toyota initially skeptical of BEVs. But all the cool factor and styling in the world couldn't keep hydrogen from falling under the pressure of more practical and less expensive methods of locomotion. As Aaron Gold said, 'Mirai is awesome if you don't have anywhere to go.' Honda CR-V FCEV - Christian Seabaugh Similar negatives apply to the CR-V FCEV, though at least this everyday crossover turned hydropunk showcase can run as a battery electric vehicle for an EPA-rated 29 miles . That enhances its practicality a little bit, but just a little. (All-up range with a full battery charge and a full tank of hydrogen is 270 miles.) The high cost of producing it means it is only available for lease, just as GM's EV1 was before BEV technology advanced to the point of practicality. Besides the rather annoying noises made by the hydrogen system, the CR-V FCEV tries its best to seem like a normal CR-V, but it's unlikely you'll ever be able to go outside Southern California (or, perhaps, very far within Southern California) in one. Aston Martin Cygnet - Scott Evans 'Talk about brand dilution,' Scott Evans remarked on this so-called Aston Martin. As one of the worst examples of badge engineering in recent memory, the Cygnet claims many firsts and superlatives for the famed British brand. But are they worth bragging about? Under the not-that-different bodywork, this Aston was a Toyota/Scion iQ , a tiny city car that was admirable for its price but not known for luxury, refinement, or … well, anything but its miniscule size, really. Built to bring up Aston Martin's average fuel economy ratings for the sake of government regulations, the Cygnet received a dramatic interior and the same 97-hp economy-focused engine as the Scion. For $37,000 in 2010 dollars, it may have served its purpose for the brand, but it didn't exactly serve up a real Aston Martin experience for owners. 2025 Mercedes-Benz G-Class - Alex Leanse The Mercedes-Benz G-Class is a controversial choice for the list among the MotorTrend staff, but consider this: What other vehicle commands so much money while being so compromised for the daily-driver duty it is universally pressed into? Ubiquitous on posh main streets and reality TV shows while being utterly absent from ORV parks and trails, the G-Wagen's formidable off-road capabilities are a complete mismatch for its use case, and swaddling a military-inspired 4x4 in luxury trappings seems dumb indeed. All that said, in response to these charges, all Christian Seabaugh had to say to our on-staff G-Wagen haters was, 'Booo, go home.' Chevrolet SSR - Erik Johnson Dumb doesn't mean bad. Did anyone ask for a convertible truck that couldn't actually tow or haul like Americans expect a pickup to? No. Is the SSR still awesome? Yes. But this real-life Hot Wheels car's cool factor and very unique combination of features didn't result in anything but the most tepid of sales figures. To be fair, the SSR now has a cult following, decades after it ended production. And yes, it was watered down from the concept and lacked the dynamics to match its looks , but none of that keeps it from being very, very cool. Nor does it keep it from being dumb. Reliant Robin - Erik Johnson While dumb doesn't have to mean bad, it certainly can mean bad. The Robin is undeniably bad, in every sense of the word, and that makes it undeniably dumb. For one, its three-legged layout leads to terminal instability, making the Robin infamous for rolling over (even though much of that fame is down to somewhat disingenuous Top Gear stunts). A car with a single narrow wheel up front is a dumb car, full stop. Nor was the Robin anything but a rolling (forward, or over) indictment of the quality control and reliability struggles of the British auto industry at the time, which struggled mightily for most of the Robin's remarkable (and horrifying) three-decade production run. Chrysler TC by Maserati - Erik Johnson Chrysler executives were convinced that a second-gen K-car sold as a Maserati was a good idea, but hindsight clearly proves otherwise. In what universe is building a late 1980s Chrysler on a Maserati production line in Italy anything but a dumb idea? Astronomical costs and the blindingly obvious and undeniable truth that the TC was a kind of lousy American car built by a kind of lousy Italian automaker made it an exceedingly stupid move. That the TC has a cult-classic appeal to modern car enthusiast weirdos is beside the point. The TC was dumb. Photos by Manufacturer, Ryan Lugo
Scottish Sun
23-05-2025
- Automotive
- Scottish Sun
Major car brand discontinues its first and ONLY electric car that was hamstrung by short range & poor practicality
However, they plan to make another attempt at an EV next year END OF THE ROAD Major car brand discontinues its first and ONLY electric car that was hamstrung by short range & poor practicality MAZDA is pulling the plug on its first and only electric car, criticised during its four-year run for its limited range and cramped cabin. The MX-30, which made its world debut back in 2019 at the Tokyo Motor Show, is a subcompact crossover SUV offered as an EV and as a plug-in hybrid. 4 Mazda's first EV, the MX-30, is being discontinued after four years of mixed reviews Credit: SUPPLIED 4 The MX-30's 124-mile range, due to its small 35.5kWh battery, was a key factor in its struggles against rivals Credit: Supplied 4 New EVs like the Jeep Avenger and MINI Aceman now dominate the subcompact electric SUV market Credit: SUPPLIED 4 Its awkward, coach-style rear doors were also criticised Credit: Supplied But now, it's electric variant has quietly reached the end of its production lifespan. Launched in the UK in 2021, the MX-30 was positioned against the likes of the Kia Soul EV and Peugeot e-2008. However, it struggled to gain traction, primarily due to its short range and limited practicality. One of the most significant criticisms of the MX-30 - aside from its bizarre, coach-style doors - was its modest range of just 124 miles, thanks to its 35.5kWh battery. The smaller battery size, chosen to reduce the car's weight, improved its handling and lowered its CO2 emissions during production, but also resulted in persistent range anxiety among drivers. Indeed, today, rivals like the Jeep Avenger, Renault 4, and MINI Aceman offer ranges of around 250 miles - further highlighting the MX-30's shortcomings. WHAT'S NEXT? While the fully electric MX-30 has been axed, the plug-in hybrid version remains on sale in the UK. This variant, equipped with a fully charged battery and a full tank of petrol, can cover more than 400 miles, according to Mazda. What's more, the brand is set to give electric cars another stab next year with the 6e saloon, which is poised to be in the same segment as the top-selling Tesla Model 3. A fully electric SUV is also in the pipeline, but the decision to temporarily pluck its only pure electric vehicle in its lineup is bold - particularly in light of the UK Government's ZEV mandate. EZ-6 Under the current mandate, at least 28% of manufacturers' new car sales must be zero-emissions vehicles by 2025, prompting many brands to prioritise EV production. As reported by Auto Express, a Mazda spokesperson said: 'Mazda will meet the requirements of the ZEV/VETS legislation through the various flexibilities within the scheme and the introduction of further BEVs.' This comes as Sun Motors supremo Rob Gill recently got to road-test the new Mazda 3, featuring a gutsy 2.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine.
The Irish Sun
23-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Irish Sun
Major car brand discontinues its first and ONLY electric car that was hamstrung by short range & poor practicality
MAZDA is pulling the plug on its first and only electric car, criticised during its four-year run for its limited range and cramped cabin. The MX-30, which made its world debut back in 2019 at the Tokyo Motor Show, is a subcompact crossover SUV offered as an EV and as a plug-in hybrid. 4 Mazda's first EV, the MX-30, is being discontinued after four years of mixed reviews Credit: SUPPLIED 4 The MX-30's 124-mile range, due to its small 35.5kWh battery, was a key factor in its struggles against rivals Credit: Supplied 4 New EVs like the Jeep Avenger and MINI Aceman now dominate the subcompact electric SUV market Credit: SUPPLIED 4 Its awkward, coach-style rear doors were also criticised Credit: Supplied But now, it's electric variant has quietly reached the end of its production lifespan. Launched in the UK in 2021, the MX-30 was positioned against the likes of the Kia Soul EV and Peugeot e-2008. However, it struggled to gain traction, primarily due to its short range and limited practicality. One of the most significant criticisms of the MX-30 - aside from its bizarre, coach-style doors - was its modest range of just 124 miles, thanks to its 35.5kWh battery. Read more Motors News The smaller battery size, chosen to reduce the car's weight, improved its handling and lowered its CO2 emissions during production, but also resulted in persistent range anxiety among drivers. Indeed, today, rivals like the Jeep Avenger, Renault 4, and MINI Aceman offer ranges of around 250 miles - further highlighting the MX-30's shortcomings. WHAT'S NEXT? While the fully electric MX-30 has been axed, the plug-in hybrid version remains on sale in the UK. This variant, equipped with a fully charged battery and a full tank of petrol, can cover more than 400 miles, according to Mazda. Most read in Motors What's more, the brand is set to give electric cars another stab next year with the 6e saloon, which is poised to be in the same segment as the top-selling Tesla Model 3. A fully electric SUV is also in the pipeline, but the decision to temporarily pluck its only pure electric vehicle in its lineup is bold - particularly in light of the UK Government's ZEV mandate. EZ-6 Under the current mandate, at least 28% of manufacturers' new car sales must be zero-emissions vehicles by 2025, prompting many brands to prioritise EV production. As reported by This comes as Sun Motors supremo Rob Gill
Canberra Times
29-04-2025
- Automotive
- Canberra Times
The powertrain GWM says it "would rather die" than build
Mazda has also given EREVs a go with its MX-30, but the small electrified SUV was sold only sold here in pure-electric and mild-hybrid forms. It was discontinued after nearly three years in the Australian market, with a total of 2297 examples sold.
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Here's How Mazda Is Revamping Its Electric Vehicle Strategy
Mazda updates its EV strategy for the second half of the decade, planning to decrease its investment in EVs while still introducing new models. The automaker is adopting what it calls a Lean Asset Strategy for EVs, relying on existing partnerships and reducing capital investment with common assembly lines for ICE and EV models in coming years. Mazda has been a notable holdout when it comes to mass-market EVs, at least in the US, recently launching an electric sedan in China and planning another more global EV for 2027, set to be built in Japan. Mazda's recent EV efforts stateside have been underwhelming, with the automaker launching and withdrawing its short-range MX-30 model from the US market just a couple of years ago. The experiment certainly raised a few eyebrows, while also raising questions regarding the automaker's longer-term plans for EVs, just as many of its competitors from Japan were rolling out mass-market EVs. Those who have been hoping for an electric MX-5 will need to wait a while longer, we fear, as the automaker's latest EV strategy does not place all of its chips on battery-electric models. This month Mazda has revealed what it calls a Lean Asset Strategy, charting a course that will see the automaker rely on existing partnerships in the near future when it comes to electric models. The automaker says it will scale back its prior EV investment plans, announced in 2022, from $13.3 billion to $10 billion. Mazda also plans to reduce development costs of some of its planned EV models, while also relying on existing plants instead of separate ones to produce upcoming electric models. By using the same production lines for both ICE and BEV models—a tactic now common in the industry—Mazda says it will reduce the initial capital investment by some 85%. Overall, the automaker still views the next five years in conservative terms when it comes to EV adoption. "Mazda considers the period up to 2030 to be the 'dawn of electrification,' and under the 2030 Management Policy, the company will promote electrification with multi-solution to flexibly respond to diversifying customer needs and environmental regulations," the automaker said. The good news is that a new EV is on the way, slated to use a platform developed in-house and built in Japan for export. It is expected to be an SUV, adding to the 6e electric sedan that will go on sale in Europe later this year, produced with automaker Changan in China. "For the battery EV to be launched in 2027, the company expects to reduce development investment by 40% and development man-hours by 50% compared to conventional development through collaboration and partnership," the automaker said. In laying out its revised EV strategy, Mazda says it will continue to develop its internal-combustion engines in the coming years, signaling the debut of its SkyActiv-Z engine. This new powerplant, paired with Mazda's proprietary hybrid system, will arrive in 2027 under the hood of the CX-5. The SkyActiv-Z's gains in combustion efficiency will be applied to inline-six variants as well, the automaker hinted, and will also find its way into a rotary engine. So Mazda isn't moving away from its internal-combustion tech anytime soon, or rotary engines for that matter, with plans for additional development. But a reduction in the variety of engines is on the way. "Including SkyActiv-Z, the number of engine units will be reduced to less than half, and the control software will be consolidated to two-thirds in the future," the automaker noted. Mazda's overall strategy appears very cognizant of battery-electric vehicles' actual market share in a number of key regions at the moment, and also very cognizant of the automaker's own resources and core audience. These factors do not dictate a head-snapping turn to an EV-heavy lineup, but they do suggest some limited offerings in a couple of EV-friendly regions like China and western Europe. Mazda's battery-electric US offerings are expected to be beefed up by the end of the decade, but don't expect to see an electric version of every single Mazda model on sale by 2030. Should Mazda introduce more EVs into its lineup soon, or does this measured approach make sense for now? Let us know in the comments.
