Six cars that shouldn't be good but are (list) | GRR
There are a number of factors that virtually guarantee a car will be good. Whether it’s a certain brand or setup, you can have a decent idea of whether the car will be fun to drive or a bit of a lemon. However, there are a few cars that buck the trend and surprise everyone by being rather special despite assumptions. On paper, the cars on this list shouldn’t work, but somehow they just do.
2019 Suzuki Jimny
When the new shape of Jimny was revealed to the world, there was a collective gasp. The previous model’s rather generic small 4x4 design was thrown out the window in favour of a new boxy, chunky design. There was pretty much universal approval of the styling looking like a mini Land Rover Defender.
When you look further than the exterior and you see the spec sheet including a fairly primitive ladder frame and non-independent suspension, you’re not filled with hope for the driving experience. However, once inside the austere and robust Jimny interior and you venture onto the open roads, it’ll take a lot to resist cracking a massive smile. Even though the 1.5-litre engine is pretty poor, you really don’t care as you’re somehow having the time of your life. There is nothing to tell you that the Jimny will be any good, but as soon as you’re driving, it’s nothing short of fantastic fun.
Fiat Panda 100HP
I’ve been accused of bias when talking about the Fiat Panda 100HP in the past, mainly because I owned one, but I’ll always stand by the mini Italian stallion. The Fiat Panda has never been known as a performance vehicle, and rightly so. It’s the fun little hatchback that fits down small Italian streets with more charm than you can shake a cannoli at.
Indeed, labelling the performance model proudly as ‘100HP’ feels like a bit of a paradox. The 0-62mph time of 9.5 seconds is also unimpressive. But as you start up the plucky 1.4-litre engine, all doubts dissolve. If there was ever a car to punch above its weight, it’s this. Even if you’re never breaking the speed limit, you’re always using 100% of the power as you change through the six-speed gearbox. The ride may be firm, but comfort is a worthwhile sacrifice for its cornering ability.
If you speak to anyone that’s driven one, I can almost guarantee that they’ll grin before they respond.
Kia Stinger
The Kia Stinger came a bit out of the blue. We had Kia firmly down as a manufacturer dedicated to making affordable family-sized and smaller cars that’ll have a warranty that lasts until the new millennium. Then, all of a sudden, they start targeting the luxury executive cars of Germany. We doubt BMW, Mercedes and Audi were quaking in their boots at first, especially after seeing the £43k price tag. However, surprisingly, the Stinger was rather good. The 3.3-litre V6 was good enough for 366PS (266kW) and a 0-60mph time of 4.8 seconds. With that power and a RWD setup honed by Albert Biermann of E46 BMW M3 and E39 BMW M5 fame, it makes for a rather fun tail-happy experience.
On longer journeys, the Kia wafts along and does everything you could want from a GT car. It feels refined and not a long way away from its German rivals. All in all, it's a car that has no right to be as good as it is.
Alfa Romeo 147 GTA
Here is a prime example of a car setup that just should not work in the slightest. A big heavy 256PS (186kW) 3.2-litre V6, no limited-slip diff and all that power being sent through the front wheels. All of that results in an ungodly amount of understeer and what looks like a terrible driving experience. Yet still, you can’t help but smile.
Any dynamic woes are washed away by the sound of Busso engine coming to life. Alfa Romeo may have lost their way a bit with some modern models (we’re looking at you Mito), but the 147 GTA is not one of them.
Fiat Multipla
We can’t confirm these rumours, but apparently, upon the reveal of the Fiat Multipla, the Pope announced an official day of mourning. Although these unfounded rumours may sound harsh, when you see the front end design, it was an understandable, if not body-positive decision.
The exterior caused so much debate that the Museum of Modern Art displayed it in New York for its “Different Roads - Automobiles for the Next Century” exhibition. That’s right, it’s art now. Underneath the striking looks of the Italian people carrier, though, it was actually a fantastic car. Alongside its appearance at the top of the ‘Ugliest Car’ award, it also won the ‘Family Car of the Year’ award four years in a row in the Top Gear awards.
The one feature that we always remember when thinking about the Multipla was the unorthodox 3+3 seat set up. Three seats in the front should be way more common. If anything, it doubles the chance of having a decent conversation with your passengers on a long car journey. If front seat passenger number one starts talking about cryptocurrency, you’ve got a backup to talk to instead.
Ford Scorpio Ultima 2.9-litre V6 24V Cosworth
Another car that hit every branch on its way down the ugly tree, the Ford Scorpio was not a big success on release for obvious reasons. Saying this, I do actually like the looks, but I’ve been told by the rest of the office I have something seriously wrong with me, so I’ll concede to the majority.
Even if it was considered ugly, it still had that famous Cosworth name and that wasn’t just a marketing play. The 2.9-litre V6 is as superb as ever and with Cosworth’s help, the already pretty quick unit was turned into a very special engine indeed, that would go on to underpin Aston Martin's V12. The sports suspension was also reworked and uprated and resulted in a car that had no right to handle as well as it did at that size.
The Ultima Cosworth proves that looks aren’t everything and I think it’s fair to say that time has been kind to the Scorpio. Nearly 25 years down the line, the looks that shocked Ford fans have softened and it’s now much easier to swallow as a design.
What car do you think shouldn’t be any good, but manages to be something a bit special? Let us know in the comments.