What is the most unattractive Subaru ever produced? | Carscoops

      The new Outback has faced significant criticism online, yet it encounters stiff competition from various other Subaru models.

      May 4, 2025, at 16:40

      by Chris Chilton

      In contrast to Italian automakers, Japanese brands don't quite evoke the same sense of stunning car design. While they tend to offer more reliability, models such as the Mazda RX-7 FD and Lexus LFA are in a different league in terms of aesthetics.

      Subaru has its share of models that aren’t chosen for their appearance, but which one stands out as the most unattractive?

      At this year's New York International Auto Show, Subaru unveiled the all-new 2026 Outback, and it's safe to say that reactions online were far from positive. In the comments on our launch coverage, many of you criticized the design, with some even likening it to Clark Griswald’s Wagon Queen Family Truckster from the National Lampoon’s Vacation movie.

      But is it truly the ugliest ever? The Outback certainly faces stiff competition as it is not the only Subaru model with aesthetic challenges.

      Let’s look at a few contenders alongside the 2026 Outback, and you can let us know which one you think was most affected by the “ugly stick,” or suggest others in the comments if we missed any.

      2026 Subaru Outback Wilderness

      Related: Subaru Finally Acknowledges It’s Dull and Wants STI Back But Not in the Way You Remember

      The standard version of the new Outback isn’t exactly a masterpiece, but most of the harsh criticism at the launch was directed at the trail-oriented Wilderness model, which features a different front-end design that somehow appears even less appealing.

      1985-1991 Subaru XT

      Indeed, the 1980s style is back in vogue, and it’s tough to dislike a car with pop-up headlights; the front of the XT coupe has a sleek look reminiscent of a Toyota MR2 or Honda Prelude. However, things take a turn for the worse toward the rear. The lowered window line might work on a Lamborghini Diablo, but here it disrupts the glass-to-door ratio, while the back end is just unfortunate, featuring an awkward overhang, a narrow track, and a diving-board bumper.

      2006-2014 Subaru Tribeca

      Subaru’s attempt to enter the upscale market in the 2000s resulted in this awkward SUV named after a posh New York area. With a face resembling a Kia Amanti with a fake mustache, the Tribeca had trouble getting recognition and was revamped, later resembling a Chrysler Voyager. Strangely, while I disliked the original design back in its day, it appears somewhat acceptable to me now. Could it be due to my glasses being misplaced, or have I simply softened with age?

      Subaru Impreza Casa Blanca

      Retro designs were all the rage at the dawn of the millennium, and Subaru wanted part of that trend. The outcome was a 1999 Impreza that mimicked a 1960s British sedan, even more unappealing than the blob-eye 2001 Impreza that stirred up fan emotions a couple of years later.

      These are just some examples of unattractive cars that the Japanese automaker has produced over the years. We should also mention the downright ugly Baja pickup and the quirky yet hardly attractive 360. And while the new 2025 Forester received its fair share of criticism, put aside any nostalgia, reassess what it replaced, and try to argue that it wasn’t a design catastrophe. You can’t, right?

      What do you think is the worst-looking Subaru of all time? Perhaps there’s an obscure model you feel deserves recognition in the "ugly car hall of fame" that we may have overlooked. We’re eager to hear your thoughts.

      Share your opinions, grievances, or sharp comments in the section below. After all, a little good-natured car-related banter never hurt anyone—unless you happen to own the car in question, in which case, we apologize. Well, not really—unless you’re a lawyer or willing to hire one to pursue legal action against us.

      All images: Subaru