Latest news with #PontiacAztek
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
These Are The Ugliest Cars Our Readers Still Love Anyway
When you try something different with car design, it may be a hit, or it could end up universally reviled. It could also be loved by some and hated by others, as we've seen with many newer Hyundai and Kia models. Alternatively, what's considered ugly when a car is new could simply be ahead of its time, and years later, people may finally appreciate the genius of the design. After all, not everyone was ready for the Pontiac Aztek, and look how normal the Aztek's design feels today. OK, maybe that last one was a bit of a stretch, but my point still stands. You can also appreciate a design that you're pretty sure everyone else hates, and that's OK, too. On Tuesday, we asked you about the ugliest cars you still like anyway, and we got all sorts of responses, even if some were more defensible than others. Let's take a look at some of the most popular ones and see if you agree that these cars are actually great (in their own ways). Read more: The Best-Looking Pickup Trucks Ever Sold, According To Our Readers The kia soul, though I don't think its even that ugly. The marketing campaign and reputation of Hyundai in that era hurt this car's image alot, but it was never a particularly bad car. In fact, it may have even made sense for alot of people. A small, boxy suv-hatchback type thing makes sense for our market. Apart from any non-unique reliability issues, it was a fairly decent car as far as I can tell. Also the Nissan juke. That car IS ugly but I also found that car slightly appealing when it was sold here. Suggested by: Nauman Usmani For me, it's the 1995-1999 Buick Riviera. A lot of people would say it's not a pretty car. And it does have gawkish proportions--a short hood, a long wheelbase (it's about the same length overall as a Rolls-Royce Wraith), and a long deck, plus curves that look more nautical than automotive. But, I dunno, I've always loved it. Suggested by: G. K. Chrysler PT Cruiser... one of my buddies in high school had one and we spent a lot of time cruising around in it. I enjoyed it. They made a convertible, a turbo model, manual transmissions were available, all kinds of aftermarket support, etc. Others have mentioned the Juke and Soul, the Soul was honestly the first that popped to mind but the Juke is one I spent a couple days driving and really enjoyed it. Suggested by: cintocrunch1 Subaru WRX. I don't think they look good, but I still want one. Alas, probably just a touch out of my price range anyway. Edit to add...I love that purple paint that Subaru just added. Car back cool colors. Looking at you Honda with regard to the Civic Si. Suggested by: Crucial Taunt (Flame suit deployed) - Fiat Multipla. It is uglier than all sin. It has a design that looks cobbled together by designers who refused to talk to each other. But you know, 50 years from now, we're still going to be talking about that strange, odd, and ugly Fiat. And maybe it stands out more as the roads all over the world fills up with larger CUVs that tend to look the same. If I lived in Europe, and had the chance to get one in decent shape, I don't think I could say No. Suggested by: Xavier96 1st gen Geo Metro. Convertible. Spirited driving? HAH. A total death trap? ABSOLUTELY. Will it shake itself to pieces if driven over anything but pool table smooth pavement? OF COURSE. Are they dirt cheap, available with a stick, and generally painted fun colors? Yes. Yes they are. Love 'em. Suggested by: Stillnotatony Nissan Juke. I never thought it was ugly, however that seems to be a minority opinion. Suggested by: Earthbound Misfit I Mini Cooper Coupe JCW - AKA the backwards ball cap Suggested by: Something Something The Alfa Romeo Milano from the 80s. It still amuses me that this was designed by the same company that was responsible for the beautiful GTV Juniors from the early 70s. I thought these were hideous when I first saw them as a kid. Now I think they're rather ugly-cute. But one pull in 2nd to 3rd and the sound from that Busso V-6 forgives all. Suggested by: LarriveeC05 One of the vehicles which everyone seemed to think was ugly at that time, but I liked was the Isuzu Vehicross which came out in 2001. Anyone remember those? It has been probably 20 years since I've seen one so I don't think they proved popular. I am also a fan of Gremlins which a lot of people didn't care for. But I think they look great, especially in the GT setup with fun colors. The fact that they evolved from the AMX-GT concept which was one of the best AMX concepts IMHO, only made them cooler. Suggested by: Dan60 The Buick Rendezvous. Its like they couldn't decide if they wanted it to be a crossover... or a LeSabre... and the designers got stuck and made a compromise between the two.... giving it some very wonky angles. Its close relation to the "Legendary of Ugly" Pontiac Aztek is very noticeable. But then... my mom had to go and get one. And I loved it. It was actually a good car.... who knew? So now I have a soft spot for them. Suggested by: PLAN-B 77 Once again, I am back to foolishly endorse the utterly moronic, and yet inexplicably irresistible Chevy SSR. The "Wrong Truck." It doesn't make sense, but I don't care. I love it. Suggested by: Give Me Tacos or Give Me Death Want more like this? Join the Jalopnik newsletter to get the latest auto news sent straight to your inbox... Read the original article on Jalopnik.
Forbes
03-04-2025
- Automotive
- Forbes
Elon Musk's Epic Cybertruck Fail
The list of famous auto industry flops is long and storied, topped by stinkers like Ford's Edsel and exploding Pinto and General Motors's unsightly Pontiac Aztek crossover SUV. Even John Delorean's sleek, stainless steel DMC-12, iconic from its role in the 'Back To The Future' films, was a sales dud that drove the company to bankruptcy. Elon Musk's pet project, the dumpster-driving Tesla Cybertruck, now tops that list. After a little over a year at market, sales of the 6,600-pound vehicle, priced from $82,000, are laughably below what Musk predicted. Its lousy reputation for quality–with eight recalls in the past 13 months, the latest for body panels that fall off–and polarizing look made it a punchline for comedians. Unlike past auto flops that just looked ridiculous or sold badly, Musk's truck is also a focal point for global Tesla protests spurred by the billionaire's job-slashing DOGE role and MAGA politics. 'It's right up there with Edsel,' said Eric Noble, president of consultancy CARLAB and a professor at ArtCenter College of Design in Pasadena, California (Tesla design chief Franz von Holzhausen, who styled Cybertruck for Musk, is a graduate of its famed transportation design program). 'It's a huge swing and a huge miss.' 'I do zero market research whatsoever.' Judged solely on sales, Musk's Cybertruck is actually doing a lot worse than Edsel, a name that's become synonymous with a disastrous product misfire. Ford hoped to sell 200,000 Edsels a year when it hit the market in 1958, but managed just 63,000. Sales plunged in 1959 and the brand was dumped in 1960. Musk predicted that Cybertruck might see 250,000 annual sales. Tesla sold just under 40,000 in 2024, its first full year. There's no sign that volume is rising this year, with sales trending lower in January and February, according to Cox Automotive. And Tesla's overall sales are plummeting this year, with deliveries tumbling 13% in the first quarter to 337,000 units, well below consensus expectations of 408,000. The company did not break out Cybertruck sales, which is lumped in with the Model S and Model X, its priciest segment. But it's clear Cybertruck sales were hurt this quarter by the need to make recall-related fixes, Ben Kallo, an equity analyst for Baird, said in a research note. Tesla didn't immediately respond to a request for comment. The quarterly slowdown underscores the fact that when it comes to the Cybertruck, results are nowhere near the billionaire entrepreneur's carnival barker claims. 'Demand is off the charts,' he crowed during a results call in November 2023, just before the first units started shipping to customers. 'We have over 1 million people who have reserved the car.' In anticipation of high sales, Tesla even modified its Austin Gigafactory so it could produce up to 250,000 Cybertrucks a year, capacity investments that aren't likely to be recouped. 'They didn't just say they wanted to sell a lot. They capacitized to sell a lot,' said industry researcher Glenn Mercer, who leads Cleveland-based advisory firm GM Automotive. But the assumption of massive demand has proven foolhardy. And it failed to account for self-inflicted wounds that further stymied sales. Turns out the elephantine Cybertruck is either too large or non-compliant with some countries' pedestrian safety rules, so there's little opportunity to boost sales with exports. 'They haven't sold a lot and it's unlikely in this case that overseas markets can save them, even China that's been huge for Tesla cars,' Mercer said. 'It's really just for this market.' A Cybertruck drives by protesters at the Tesla Showroom in Somerset, Massachusetts. More than a decade before Cybertruck went into production, Musk hinted that Tesla would eventually do some kind of electric pickup. When he unveiled his design to the world for the first time, Musk was clear that he did not want a conventional aesthetic or even something that played with pickup looks a bit but was still familiar, the approach Rivian took with its R1T pickup. 'Pickup trucks have been the same for 100 years,' and Cybertruck 'doesn't look like anything else,' said Musk, who earlier that month had proudly told an audience at a conference for space entrepreneurs, 'I do zero market research whatsoever.' That would be an apt tagline for Musk's preposterous pickup. 'The spectacular failure of Cybertruck was a failure of empathy,' said CARLAB's Noble, whose company helps carmakers develop products based on consumer research. 'Everything from the bed configuration to the cab configuration to its performance and all sorts of pickup truck duty-cycle issues, it's just not empathetic to a pickup truck buyer.' Cybertruck's distinctive look resulted from two key forces, said a person familiar with the development process, who asked not to be identified because the information isn't public. One was Musk's passion for sci-fi designs. The other was an early decision to create a vehicle that didn't need to be painted. If Tesla opted not to paint the trucks, it wouldn't need to install a new $200 million paintshop, a big potential cost savings. And it wouldn't have to worry about EPA scrutiny from the harmful emissions and runoff those facilities often produce. 'They drooled over not spending $200 million on a paint shop, but probably spent that much trying to get the stainless steel to work.' Ultimately, Musk opted for a stainless steel exterior, the same choice Delorean made for his ill-fated sports car four decades earlier. But because Musk isn't a production engineer, he may not have fully appreciated the challenges it presents versus aluminum or composite materials, the person said. Aside from the fact that stainless steel shows handprints–a common gripe about kitchen appliances–it's hard to bend and likes to snap back to its original shape, one of the reasons there have been problems with Cybertruck body panels. 'This is where I think they misconstrued the tradeoff,' Mercer said. 'They drooled over not spending $200 million on a paint shop, but probably spent that much trying to get the stainless steel to work.' Developing Cybertruck, including tooling expenses to make it in Austin, probably cost Tesla about $900 million, he estimated. And unlike the company's other vehicles, like the Model 3 sedan and Model Y crossover, it doesn't appear that the Cybertruck shares any development and production costs with other Tesla products. 'Does it have a demonstrated technology that could be used elsewhere by the company? That is not the case,' Mercer said. 'Can the manufacturing plant make all this other stuff based on investments for Cybertruck? No, it can't. An unpainted stainless steel vehicle just doesn't have that much broad traction.' There were bad omens from the start. At the vehicle's unveiling in November 2019 to raucous Tesla fans in Los Angeles, a demonstration of Cybertruck's supposedly shatter-proof 'armor' glass by Musk and von Holzhausen went hilariously awry when a steel ball hurled at the vehicle busted the driver-side window twice. 'Oh my fucking God,' a chagrined Musk said. 'We'll fix it in post.' Then there was the price. Musk had promised that a base version of the vehicle with 250 miles of range would start at $39,900. He was off by about half. Currently, the base version of the truck, ostensibly priced from $72,490, costs $82,235 before a $7,500 federal tax credit that President Trump has vowed to eliminate. It claims up to 325 miles of range–if you don't tow anything or drive too fast. The top-end 'Cyberbeast' version is $105,735 and too pricey for the credit. Though Tesla isn't making the entry-level version Musk promised in 2019, plunging resale values have made used Cybertrucks quite a bit more affordable, according to auto news site Jalopnik. You can get a lightly used one for less than $70,000, assuming you're comfortable with the implied risk of vandalism. And prices could go lower still, exacerbated by about $200 million of unsold inventory the company is sitting on, Tesla fansite Electrek said this week. In the end, Musk cursed the Cybertruck by ignoring the reasons people buy pickup trucks — to haul things around and drive well in offroad conditions. The vehicle isn't competent at either of those things, as has been endlessly documented in scathing reviews, a steady stream of 'Cybertruck fail' videos and a 280,000-member 'CyberStuck' Subreddit. Adding to the embarrassment is a developing sub-genre of videos showing stymied Cybertrucks being towed to safety by Ford F-150s or GM Silverados. 'If there's anything the Detroit Three know how to do, it's full-size pickup trucks with extremely loyal buyers,' Mercer said. 'He launched Cybertruck into the teeth of the hardest segment to crack.'
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
The Next-Gen Hyundai Nexo Looks Awesome, It's Just A Shame Hydrogen Isn't Gonna Happen
After previewing it with the Initium concept at last year's Los Angeles Auto Show, Hyundai has revealed the second generation of the Nexo hydrogen fuel-cell crossover, and it looks awesome. It's nearly identical to that concept, in fact, with a boxy design that looks totally unlike any other Hyundai while still obviously looking like a Hyundai. The second-gen Nexo also has a luxe interior and a new, more efficient powertrain. Too bad hydrogen cars still just aren't gonna happen, despite Hyundai calling the new Nexo "a significant milestone in hydrogen mobility." The first-gen Nexo was handsome and interesting enough but didn't really stand out among a sea of other softly shaped crossovers. This new one, though, is rad as hell. Hyundai's new design language is called Art of Steel, which it says "reflects the inherent strength and natural formability of the material." The new Nexo is boxy and bold, with a Pontiac Aztek–like C- and D-pillar setup that actually works, angular creases and cutlines, prominent cladding and H-shaped bumper elements. What Hyundai calls "HTWO" lights (the brand's "Hydrogen for Humanity" message), a large square made up of four small squares of light, are used as the front foglights and taillights. It all just looks rad as hell. Read more: The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe Is The Crossover To End All Crossovers On the inside the second-gen Nexo looks more similar to other new Hyundais like the Palisade, but it still has some unique design elements. Though its wheelbase is the same, the new model is longer, wider and taller than the outgoing Nexo, and it has more passenger and cargo space as a result. Hyundai says the cargo area can fit four golf bags, and there's some sort of customizable platform for accessories. The rear doors open wider than before, too. The two-tier dashboard has an upper section that looks padded like a space suit, with the door panels ribbed to match. There's a curved dual-screen display and a row of climate controls in the dash, and the center console affixed to the floor has storage cubbies and cupholders. Then you've got an "island-type" armrest with charging ports and pads, some hard controls and the fingerprint sensors. The Nexo will be available with Hyundai's Premium Relaxation Seats that recline far back and have extendable legrests, as well as ventilated seats, a Bang & Olufsen sound system, ambient lighting, a "vision roof" (no idea what that is yet), new active-safety features, a built-in front and rear dash cam and other tech items. Powering the Nexo is a 2.6-kWh battery pack with an 80-kW output (up by 1 kWh and 40 kW), a trio of 6.7-kg hydrogen tanks (up from 6.3 kg), and an electric motor that makes 201 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque (up by 40 hp and down by 33 lb-ft). The hydrogen fuel-cell stack now delivers a gross power of 148 hp, up by 16%, and total output from the whole powertrain system is now 258 hp, an increase of 77 hp. Hyundai says the new Nexo will hit 62 mph in 7.8 seconds, an improvement of a second and a half, and it will have a range of more than 435 miles. A route planner in the infotainment system aims to make long trips and fill-ups easier to plan. The fuel-cell stack has improved durability and low-temperature operation, with a new "Wake Up" anti-freezing function that should make the Nexo easy to start year-round. Hyundai implemented all sorts of aerodynamic enhancements to increase efficiency and reduce noise, plus the Nexo wears special tires and has an active noise cancelation system. The regenerative braking system has an adaptive mode that takes into account navigation data, speed cameras, speed humps and the cars around you. Hyundai says the new Nexo is "coming to global markets later this year" as part of the company's push to be "a pioneer in hydrogen mobility." That will ostensibly include the U.S., where the first-gen Nexo has been sold since 2018. But as cool as I think the new Nexo is, and as much as I would love it if hydrogen tech suddenly became widespread, I just don't think it's going to happen — and especially not in the U.S. with Trump in the White House. Global hydrogen car sales dropped by 22% in 2024 with only 12,866 new fuel-cell vehicles registered worldwide. To put that into perspective, Hyundai sold 44,400 electric Ioniq 5s just in the U.S. last year. Of those 12,866 hydrogen cars sold globally last year, 7,113 went to China and 3,688 went to South Korea, the latter being a 20.4% drop. In its seven-year lifespan Hyundai has sold barely 40,000 Nexos, fewer than 2,000 of which went to American consumers. The number of hydrogen stations in the U.S. is dwindling too, down to just 54 last year, the vast majority of which are in California. Though Hyundai says it's committed to expanding hydrogen infrastructure, and I'm sure that may be possible in Asia and other parts of the world (if only for trucking), I can't help but think the new Nexo would be a much better product if it were just one of Hyundai's excellent EVs. Want more like this? Join the Jalopnik newsletter to get the latest auto news sent straight to your inbox... Read the original article on Jalopnik.
Yahoo
21-02-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
I'm Going From Work From Home To A 100-Mile Commute! What Car Should I Buy?
Like many folks, Mark was working from home and now has to head back to the office, but his drive will be about 100 miles each way. This isn't the ideal scenario for his 2008 Mini Cooper and is looking for something with more tech and comfort. With a $30,000 budget, what car should he buy? (Welcome back to What Car Should You Buy? Where we give real people real advice about buying cars. Do you want us to help you find a car? Submit your story on our form.) Here is the scenarioL My commute just ballooned from stay at home to 100 miles each way. I am currently working remote, but just accepted a new job that will have me driving 100miles each way twice a week. My '08 Mini Cooper S is my attainable dream car, but I don't think my ears or my back could survive the gauntlet. I need something comfortable and economical, but not boring. I love quirky and unique cars (I once owned a Pontiac Aztek) and want something fun to drive, but common sense may win out here. I'll be driving in Metro Detroit, so that means potholes and traffic. I would love all the latest tech like adaptive cruise and apple car play, but they are not necessary. I can spend up to $30,000 Budget: up to $30,000 Location: Battle Creek, MI Daily Driver: Yes Wants: Modern Tech, Comfort, Economical Doesn't want: An SUV Read more: Honda Prologue Costs Less, Gets More Range Than Chevy Blazer EV Sibling As fun as your Mini Cooper is, I can understand why you wouldn't want to deal with a 100-mile commute with it. I had an '04 Cooper S and after college while I worked some odd jobs, one of which involved a lot of driving. While the Mini was a hoot on curvy back roads it can be a drag for long stretches. You need something that has a balance of enjoyment, but also offers some level of comfort and tech to make the long drive bearable. Right now the best daily driver for the money is the Honda Civic Hybrid. It's not the most interesting car, but that's kind of the point. It will offer plenty of punch for highway passing and sporty enough handling making it feel a tick above your average econo box. You get an impressive 200 horsepower and 232 pounds-feet of torque which rivals the "sportier" Si and the ability to get up to 47 MPG on the highway. All the safety equipment and infotainment you desire is standard. A Sport trim is going to max your budget with an MSRP of just over $30,000, but you may be able to score one a tad below that with some smart shopping. I will admit that without knowing your exact circumstances regarding parking and charging availability, an electric car is either the best answer to your question, or an untenably difficult one. If you have a reliable electrical outlet anywhere near your parking spot, either at work or at home, then I can't recommend one enough. Even the cheapest and most workaday EV is going to make your 100 mile commute significantly nicer and easier. The quiet and relaxation that comes from the effortlessly NVH-lacking experience of EV commuting is unbeatable. Here, then, is a cheap and cheerful option that won't destroy your back on Detroit's pothole pockmarked highways. The hometown hero Chevrolet Bolt EUV provides enough range to easily tackle your day and then some, even in the cold depths of winter, and at nearly ten grand less than your proposed budget gives you plenty of leeway to keep your dream car Mini, and perhaps even affect some more fun modifications. This particular example, a 2023 model with just 17,000 miles on the odometer, is a very affordable $20,900. The Bolt is a pretty great option for most commuters, and the EUV version gives you a little more ride height and suspension travel for the worst of the road conditions you'll face. I might also recommend finding a cool set of rally-inspired wheels in a smaller size and fitting a tire with a taller sidewall to help cushion those pothole impacts. And be sure to get a second set of wheels to fit some winter tires, and you'll be surefooted through the darkest of Michigan winters. Congratulations on the new job, but commiserations on the much, much longer commute that you now must endure! At least it's only twice a week. A Mini would be a lovely little treat to celebrate the new job, but you're right that it maybe isn't the best for such a long drive. With so far to travel, you also don't want to be stuck with a sky high gas bill just for getting to work, right? For that reason, I reckon it's time for you to make the jump to electric power, and what better pick to quench your thirst for quirky cars than a lovely Hyundai Ioniq 6. These electric sedans are perfect for your long commute, as they've got oodles of range to easily eat up that long distance, and come packed with great tech to make the ride as easy as can be. What's more, the styling is much more distinctive than most commuter cars you see around today, and in this pearlescent blue that this bargain 2023 model is finished in, you'll be a very happy driver, I'm sure. Alright, so most people are going to hear "100 miles each way" and think hybrid or electric. I mean, it makes sense. If driving to work and back is 200 miles round trip, you'll spend a lot less on gas if you get something that doesn't burn gas like it's going out of style. Except you won't be driving 1,000 miles a week for work. You'll only be driving 400. That's a lot, but I don't know if you really want to go all-in on a long-distance commuter car when you'll only be commuting two days a week. Lucky for you, I used to live in Detroit within walking distance of the The Bronx Bar. I may be a Southern guy, but I've got you. You can trust me. And if there's one thing I know Michigan loves, it's Dodge Challengers. All day and all night, all I would hear was Chargers and Challengers. So why resist? Join the club. They clearly know something. Plus, the Challenger is super comfortable, so it will be great for long drives, while also keeping you entertained every time you have a doctor's appointment or need groceries. I know you're also worried about the wind and road noise in your Mini, so that's why you buy this one — a 2018 Dodge Challenger R/T Scat Pack. Its 6.4-liter naturally aspirated V8 will drown out any wind or road noise that so much as dares to enter the cabin. And if you ever get stuck in traffic, the automatic transmission will make dealing with it a breeze. Sure, you'll spend more on gas than if you got the Bolt or Civic, and there's the tiny, itsy-bitsy risk of it getting stolen, but until that happens, you'll be living the dream. Read the original article on Jalopnik.
Yahoo
29-01-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
These Are Perfect Features Found On Awful Cars
We all love finding automotive diamonds in the rough. However, sometimes that diamond can be embedded inside a massive lump of coal. Earlier this week we asked what are the standout unique features of cars that aren't worth aspiring to own. The comments had various answers ranging from basic automated operations to basically the entire Pontiac Aztek. Without further ado, here are the best features found on awful cars: Here is an off-the-wall one. My old SAAB 9-3SS would automatically turn the recirc on when you used the windshield washer. This prevented the smell of washer fluid from entering the cabin. Sounds pointless until you have a car that doesn't do that and you get a whiff of who knows how old washer fluid when you go to use it. It also had a cooled glove box that I used exactly once. The infamous Night Panel could also dim and turn off all the interior backlighting with the exception of the speedometer at night. I think Rivian is starting to do this with their upcoming vehicles and I wish others would as well since every car has a dash full screen now. Submitted by: Caj As much as I hate to give the many credit, I do like how Tesla's watch themselves when parked and have that Dog mode so you can leave your pooch in there for a few minutes. However, I'd still never buy one of those swasticars, new or used. Submitted by: ReluctantFloridaMan I had a base model, poverty spec, first-gen Kia Sorento. We're talking stick shift, steel wheel model. It was not a terrible car, but it was far from great, and it slowly fell apart over the years. But it had a heater for the base of the windshield so your wipers never froze! My neighbor, who had a top-of-the-line Harley-Davidson F150 SuperCrew was really annoyed my SUV had that, and his truck didn't. Submitted by: Anthony Thornton Check out this feature list: - Removable cooler: The center console can be removed and used as a cooler for drinks- Sliding cargo tray: The cargo area has a sliding tray that can hold up to 400 pounds- Rear-mounted stereo: The cargo area has rear-mounted audio controls for the sound system- Removable rear seats: The rear seats can be removed to create a large 'living space'- Air compressor: An on-board air compressor can inflate an air mattress- Attachable tent: An optional camping package includes an attachable tent.- Utility packs: The front doors have removable utility packs It can all be yours in the Pontiac Aztec. Submitted by: PostOMatic2000 The glovebox beer cooler fridge (aka the DUI compartment) found in late-00s Dodge products. Definitely not a 'perfect' feature or really even a good one, but hilarious that the cars with the highest DUI rate came with a chilled cupholder you could use to keep your beer cold (and hidden from police) while drinking and driving. Submitted by: BigRed91 I had a '97 Dodge Stratus 2.0 5-speed, base model, crank windows, etc. It was not a terrible car but it has a reputation as such. I had some excellent attributes. It's a minor thing but I always thought the layout of the dash and controls was perfect, and overall excellent visibility and ergonomics. A/C was incorporated into the fan switch- so 12 o'clock was off. To turn on the A/C you turned the switch 1,2, or 3 clicks to the left, for heat/vent you did the same to the right. Easy-peasy 3-dial single zone HVAC controls. Simple is best. Submitted by: spookiness If one goes from an enthusiast perspective instead of a rational one, the rock-solid reliability of cars that enthusiasts hate. Camrys, Priuses, Civics and Accords, boring cars that every enthusiast KNOWS are TERRIBLE to drive and the worst thing ever and yet, they just keep going and going. Meanwhile, your M3 is in the shop again, your GTI is broken, your WRX just vomited its transmission onto your garage floor. Submitted by: Buckfiddiousagain VW and Audi had a feature where if you hold the lock button (or in older cars turn the key in lock position) and it puts up all the windows, or puts all the windows down if held in unlock. Not sure how many other cars have that feature. My other answer is the keypad on Ford/Mercury/Lincolns. Many poorly built cars had that sweet keypad to lock/unlock the car without keys. Submitted by: klone121 This probably doesn't count because it's bass-ackwards of what you asked, but... Tesla Model Y. Everything is pretty nice except for the company's CEO. I'd probably own one if the company belonged to someone else. so.... generally good car, but one very bad feature.... Submitted by: Grasscatcher2 I'd have to say swivel 2nd row seats in large SUVs and minivans. Only the Chrysler T&C had this as well as the non-US Kia EV9. It seems like a no-brainer to allow for flexible interior seating in 3-row vehicles. Submitted by: JSinclair39 I have said it before, but I am 100% down for steering wheel-based blinkers. Since the 'new' advent of push forward on the blinker stalk for high beams, I hate that, even with my big hands, reaching the stalk is a stretch when they are one. To be fair it's a minor gripe as I don't use the high beams often, but it's annoying. Submitted by: liffie420 For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
