Ugly ducklings

Words Cyril Klopper

Cars you find attractive may look less so to your neighbour. Tastes differ, after all. We asked readers for their opinions on some of the more distinctive vehicles on our roads. Do note, these aren’t necessarily bad vehicles; it’s all about the looks…

2000 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER

American Bryan Nesbitt was obsessed with the cars of the 1930s, and when the wave of nostalgia hit the car industry with models such as the VW Beetle and the Mini Cooper, Bryan found his calling. His PT Cruiser looked great as a concept car, but something went wrong along the way. The size of the PT Cruiser’s boot was praised in advertisements, but due to those chunky wheel arches, it’s pretty tight inside.

2010 NISSAN JUKE

The Juke is a product of Nissan’s European design studio in London, but Shiro Nakamura at Nissan Japan signed off on it. The Juke was launched in Johannesburg in October 2011, and South Africans were devided by its appearance from the start. Some Juke owners are like bull terrier parents – if you dare say something negative, you’ll be corrected immediately. We expect to be set straight after writing these words.

2002 TATA TELCOLINE

We couldn’t find the designer’s name, but it was probably an engineer who valued function over form. Owners’ feedback on this Indian bakkie is that it either keeps working forever or packs up well within its warranty period. Behind its boring lines and wheel hubs that stick out like pimples lies a sturdy chassis and a fairly solid body. However, many a Telcoline has had its engine replaced.

1998 FIAT MULTIPLA

Italian designer Roberto Giolito wanted to create the ideal family vehicle, and he largely succeeded. The problem is that kids are bullied after Mom drops them off at school with a Multipla. It’s a lovely ride, yes, but its front has been described as “that of a psychotic cartoon duck”. The Multipla performed the worst in our poll.