Guilty Pleasures: The cars we have a soft spot for

Despite that, we can’t help but appreciate the Brera’s striking looks - from the quad exhausts that poke out from the rear bumper to the front headlights and pointy grille; it looks like a bird of prey. 

Matra Rancho

In the late 1970s, the off-roader market was expanding; to get on board, Matra sold its new Rancho as a ‘multi-purpose leisure vehicle’. Its offroad ability matched that of a hatchback as all Ranchos were front-wheel drive, had no high-low range ‘box and underneath the bonnet was a 1.4-litre engine good for just 80bhp.

As underwhelming as its performance was, its obscure looks were captivating: black bumpers, large front fog lights, high-sided body shape and retro styling, and that is exactly why we like it. It might have been the Skoda Yeti of its day rather than a bonafide off-roader, but it’s earned a special place on our list for these reasons alone – and a real trailblazer too. We also give it bonus points for having promotional photography like this…

Vauxhall Astra Coupe

The Astra Coupe attempted to step into the shoes of the Calibra but never quite fully managed it. Its body was sleek but not as striking as the Calibra’s and the engines on offer were underpowered which led to disappointing performance. The rarer turbo variant was quick but came with torque steer. 

They might have never got it completely right, but the Astra Coupe still looks refined, and responsive performance urged Porsche Boxster drivers to think twice at a set of lights.

Rover 800 Coupe

The Rover 800 was sold under the Sterling brand in the US. It was haunted by various gremlins, one being the headlights going dim whenever the air conditioning was turned on, cementing American prejudices about British build quality. A relaunch attempt saw some faults being ironed out but unfortunately before the Coupe could launch, Sterling withdrew from the US, and it remained in Britain where it duly failed to compete against the Germans. 

This aside, we think the Rover 800 Coupe still oozes elegance with its long bonnet, side strips that ran the entire length of the car and lush leather interior with black piping, complete with lashings of wood that were impressively finished for the era.

Volvo 480

There’s nothing cooler than a hatchback with pop-up headlights that recede into a wedged nose, just like the Porsche 944. Flip the 480 on its roof and try not to see the resemblance to a Volvo 240, with its fog lights and front grille. It looks like barrels of fun and that’s why we love it. It was a looker but people laughed at its poor performance until Volvo fitted a turbo to the 1.7-litre powerplant which then took the top speed to over 120mph. 

We reckon it’s aged pretty well and we’d very much like one.

Honda Insight

What Honda now offers in a hybrid form all started with the Insight – a car powered by a petrol engine coupled to an electric motor. The two-seater Insight offered up to 83mpg with help from its low rolling-resistance tyres. Its attractive futuristic teardrop-like design is offbeat with the rear tyres tucked away under sculpted covers, which wasn’t to everyone’s taste, although this is exactly why we like it – alongside the nifty space age glass boot lid. 

The body panels, wheels and main structure were all made from aluminium which resulted in a weight of just 835kg.

BMW X5

The standard 3.0-litre diesel engine in the X5 didn’t offer stellar performance and the X5 suffered from various electrical faults which forced people to think twice, and the looks weren’t everyone’s cup of tea.

On the converse, here was the first SUVs that was genuinely good to drive on the road – it is a BMW after all – but respectable off it as well. And you could even get it with a 4.8-litre V8 good for 360bhp; BMW’s first ever SUV properly hit the spot.

Mercedes-Benz A210 Evolution

Back in 2002, the A-Class never had a fast guise, so Mercedes rose to the challenge and gave us the A210 Evolution. Underneath was a 2.1-litre 140bhp sub-8sec to 60mph car – characteristics that differentiated it from the A-Class that was perceived as a grandmother's shopping cart. The A-Class' looks certainly weren’t popular, but we applaud Mercedes for lowering it down, dressing it up in an understated AMG suit, shoehorning a 2.1-litre underneath and giving us an underdog.

Nissan Cube

The Cube, when launched, turned heads because of its boxy, compact and tall nature and was a Japan-only car until 2010 when they were officially imported to the UK. It was seen as a home away from home and a mobile living room which meant that handling and speed were off the cards. Its interior was spacious with a high roof and plenty of visibility while the cabin was offered with soft sofa-like seats. Because it dared to be different it was pulled in 2011 from the UK market due to poor sales figures.

Alfa Romeo SZ

The SZ’s unconventionally designed body sat on a steel backbone chassis that was derived from the Group A 75 touring car while 207bhp came from a tuned variant of the ‘Busso’ V6. This meant sports car-acceptable performance with a 7sec 0-62mph time and a 152mph top speed although it cost nearly £15,000 more than a then-new BMW E30 M3. 

Only 1036 SZs were built due to concentration shifting to the RZ roadster, the production of which stopped after just 278 units due to financial complications. The SZ might not have been the fastest and to some, its carved shape subjective but its other-worldly design means its place is secured on our guilty pleasure list.

Suzuki X-90

Suzuki took all the underpinnings from the Vitara and stuffed them into a compact bulbous convertible coupe body with the X-90 and in time it was labelled as Barbie’s jeep. All X-90s were reasonably specced as standard with power windows and door locks, power steering, a T-Top targa roof and tinted glass although front-wheel drive was standard while four-wheel drive was optional. 

Its 1100kg (2425lbs) weight meant that it could tackle gnarly surfaces but unfortunately struggled with steeper inclines having only 95bhp. The X-90 disappeared due to its niche nature. It’s a shame as the compact off-roader was perfectly capable, and it looked great when paired with various offroad accessories.

Daihatsu Midget

Originally released in 1957, the Midget was a kei truck that followed the famous rickshaw platform – three wheels, doorless and one front seat. In 1996, a second generation arrived with four wheels, a fully-enclosed cabin, available with one or two seats, and a 660cc engine to meet kei car regulations. 

Its oddball looks quickly put it at the top of many ‘ugly car’ lists and many will most likely question its reason to exist but if you squint your eyes a bit more, it’s somewhat adorable and it’s a reminder of just how special the kei cars of Japan are.

Mini Paceman

Not many people understood the Paceman when it first came out as the Countryman, that it was based on, covered the same tracks. Available in a 1.6-litre Cooper petrol and diesel, a turbocharged 2.0-litre SD, a turbocharged 1.6 Cooper S and a range-topping JCW variant, in base Cooper form there wasn’t much notable Mini charm and its sloped roof line looked as though it was copying the Range Rover Evoque. 

But when equipped in either the S or JCW variants, things became more interesting combined with the large amount of additional packages on offer such as nifty stripes, All4 system and lounge type rear seats. It might not be an original Mini in size, or at heart, but there’s just something endearing about its outlandish styling.

Range Rover Evoque Convertible

When released, people questioned why anyone would want a convertible off-roader, “wouldn’t you get soaked going through a puddle?” but its shape alone, when the roof is retracted, is simply cool. Land Rover added over 250kg of chassis bracing to counteract flex caused by chopping off the roof and although some people thought a convertible Evoque was odd, it was always part of the Evoque’s future from the original concept sketches. 

The roof retracted in 18 seconds and if buyers opted for the £270 wind deflector, wind buffeting would be reduced significantly. 0-60mph arrived in 9.7sec with a top speed of 121mph while weighing 280kg heavier than a standard Evoque.

Renault Twizy

With its tandem layout and open-sided cabin, the Twizy looked like it had come from the future when first released. Prices started at £12,000 back in 2012 and it sat below the Zoe in Renault’s electric supermini range. Measuring in at just 2.3m in length and 1.2m in width, the Twizy began to pop up around rental companies in busy city centres due to its size and agility. 

Powered by an electric motor producing 17bhp and 42lb ft of torque, it had a top speed of 50mph. It could be fully charged in three and a half hours from a domestic socket and provide 62 miles of range. The Twizy gained some serious stick with many claiming they wouldn’t drive one purely because of its asthetics, but Renault gave it its own personality: charm.

Autozam AZ-1

In the world of Honda Beats and Suzuki Cappuccinos exists the Autozam AZ-1, a kei car that was claimed to be “the ultimate Japanese micro machine”. Its wheelbase was just 88in long and it featured independent strut suspension and four-wheel disc brakes which resulted in balanced handling. A transverse-mounted 657cc engine fed 63bhp through the rear wheels but it only had a Lotus Elise-esque 720kg to shove. 

Gull-wing doors and a Ferrari F40-like rear spoiler differentiated it from other kei cars. Only 4400 examples were built over three years from 1992. It’s the funkiest kei car available and together with its mini-Ferrari looks and three-cylinder whir is why it belongs on our list.

Chevrolet SSR

The Chevrolet SSR which became the world’s first truck-based two-seater roadster. A 300bhp 5.3-litre V8 sat underneath the retro bodywork which pushed the 2,270kg (5004lbs) SSR to 62mph from rest in only 7.6sec. A two-piece electric retractable roof would open in 20sec and fold into a separate compartment behind the two front seats. 

Rack-and-pinion steering meant that the steering column would shake over the slightest of bumps and the 19in front and 20in rear alloys would lead to dramatic understeer if it’s pushed too far. It wasn’t the fastest nor strongest selling truck - it only lasted four model years - but its road presence is second to none.

Hummer H3

After the Hummer H2 succeeded to sell 35,259 cars in 2003, the marque began plotting its next model, the H3, which would be sold in 2005 and would be the first Hummer to hit British shores as of 2007. It had great mud-plugging ability and could tackle challenging offroad terrain that even a Defender would struggle with. It was offered in the UK with a 241bhp 3.7-litre five-cylinder with a choice of a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic gearbox. 

Unfortunately, after selling 71,524 cars in 2006, Hummer’s highest sales figure, the global financial crisis hit which saw GM file for bankruptcy. Its tacked-on chrome grille, bloated bodywork and vibrant colours might not have ticked boxes for many but it’s something that Hummer has always gotten away with and that’s exactly why we like it – and it’s no surprise to see the brand revived today for a new range of GMC EV trucks.

Suzuki Jimny

On one level, there seems little to recommend the Jimny even in its latest generation. Its 100bhp 1.5-litre engine ensured noisy and pedestrian performance, it had vague steering and was no fun at all on the motorway, especially when it is windy.

But… it looks charming and can tackle virtually any rough terrain thrown at it. No wonder so many country folk love them – and lament its short sub-three-year lifespan, forced by emissions rules.

Lamborghini LM002

On many levels the LM002 is a failure: Lamborghini developed it as a military vehicle in order to win a lucrative contract with the US Army. It lost out to the Humvee but carried on development, swapping its Chrysler V8 with a rather more fruity 5.2-litre V12 borrowed from the Countach.

It weighed just under three tons but despite that could hit 62mph in 8 seconds, and was in many ways the forerunner of the super-fast SUVs that are quite common today, including Lambo’s very own Urus. And say it quietly, but we quite like how the LM002 looks – shh…

Isuzu Vehicross

No one quite knew what to make of the Vehicross when it arrived in 1997, and many weren’t exactly sold on those looks, complete with black plastic bumpers. But Isuzu’s commercial vehicle roots ironically rather helped the car and is a reason we like it: it was more than capable off road, built sturdily, and even had enough poke courtesy of 3-2.-litre and 3.5-litre V6 engines, the latter good for 215bhp.

It’s also nice and small – just 4130mm (163in) long – which meant it even worked in town. Unfairly forgotten now, 5598 examples were made, 74% of which went to America, the rest remaining in Japan.

Mercedes-Benz G63 6x6

Due to its 5875mm length, 2.3m height and near four-tonne weight, it was claimed that there was no justification for a car of this size to be on public roads. Mercedes-Benz had originally designed the G63 6x6 for the Australian army in 2008 which was then commercialised and put on sale in 2013. 

Its military roots meant it had a low-range ratio, five differential locks, a tyre-inflation system to keep the 37in tyres topped up and portal axles. The 540bhp 5.5-litre bi-turbo V8 meant it could reach 62mph in 7sec. There aren’t many 6x6 cars on the market, making the 6x6 G63 AMG a work of art by Mercedes and for that reason this particular OTT machine gets our vote.

Subaru SVX

Subaru’s attempt at a two-door luxury coupe started from a tricky spot. Its left-field looks and glasshouse-like canopy were courtesy of DeLorean designer Giorgetto Giugiaro, but were rather different from would-be competitors like Mercedes. Furthermore, a bespoke 24-valve 3.3-litre Boxer engine was dropped in producing around 230bhp 0 but was only available in a questionable four-speed automatic gearbox which restricted the car’s capabilities. 

Sales of 25,000 over six years were never quite Subaru was after and the car was expensive, not very fast or attractive  - but we can’t help ourselves admiring it nonetheless.

Infiniti QX70

The QX70 was a performance-orientated SUV and had its target set on the BMW X6, giving buyers a choice of a 3.7-litre V6 and a 5.0-litre V8. All cars arrived with a seven-speed automatic gearbox with paddle shift and stiff suspension. 

Very few people liked its elongated bonnet, curved headlights and tacked-on side grilles. However, next to a competitor like the X6, it looks unconventional and from some angles it looks posher; it’s almost like it should sit in a class of its own, and that’s exactly why we like it.

Porsche 914

When unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 1969, people couldn’t decide whether the Porsche 914 was a Volkswagen or a Porsche due to it being a collaboration between the two German giants. Volkswagen wanted to replace the Karmann Ghia while Porsche wanted a new car to succeed the 912. The 914 was fitted with a monocoque chassis and an 80bhp mid-mounted four-cylinder from the Volkswagen Type 4 and, in a car that weighed 900kg, this meant 0-62mph arrived in a leisurely 14sec. 

A revised 914/6 variant was later equipped with a more powerful 2.0-litre flat-six from the 911T, although this came with a higher price tag which saw less than 4000 units being built. Volkswagen or Porsche debate aside, the 914 is a classic and it’s a joy to drive enthusiastically.

DeLorean DMC-12

While it looked like a supercar with its gull-wing doors, its build quality, alongside slothful performance, quickly put it under the tyres of the American and Italian cars it was trying to compete with. Its 2.8-litre V6 produced just 130bhp and gearbox choices were either a five-speed manual or sluggish three-speed automatic. 

Forgetting its woes, we think the DMC-12's design cues, such as its brushed stainless steel body panels, quad headlights, slated rear boot lid and tyres that were almost too big for the bodywork, isolate it from anything ever produced by any other manufacturer. This, combined with a supple Lotus-tuned chassis, means that it sits comfortably in the cool category.

Toyota Rav4 Convertible

The small but capable Rav4 was already popular when released but Toyota decided to go a step further and make it even more fun and interesting with the Rav4 convertible. Available only in a two-door, Toyota skipped on the motorised roof and opted for a manual roof which meant owners would need to undo the zips at the side to remove the vinyl rear windows, flip two latches inside and push the roof down. 

Although additional structural reinforcement was added, it was still nervous in corners. Sales were low in comparison to the hard top and the Rav4 Convertible was unfortunately canned after a two-year production run. People struggled to see the Rav4 Convertible’s point but its short wheelbase and chunky tyres made it a lot of fun.

Lada Niva

Russia’s Lada has never had the world’s greatest reputation: they came with Soviet-era build quality and a distinct lack of mod-cons such as power steering. And while we wouldn’t give most Ladas a second glance, we’d make an exception for the Niva.

Without its iconic shape and retro design, it would lose its charm. Those looks have stuck throughout the Niva’s lifecycle: high sides, circular headlights with eyebrow indicators and large front and rear bumpers, continue to make it look tough and green-lane ready – we simply can’t help loving it.

Rolls-Royce Cullinan

When Rolls’ first SUV was first revealed its looks were not for everyone, to say the least. SUVing the famous Rolls-Royce look was never going to be an easy task – and whatever the result it was inevitable there would be critics. 

But we reckon the sloped futuristic rear is pleasant, the chrome grille sits perfectly at the end of its long nose and there’s just something oddly satisfying about it when it's caked in mud after an offroad venture – but it’s vital to get the right colour-and-wheel combination – such as the one pictured.

Pontiac Aztek

The Aztek was often blamed for killing off the Pontiac brand, and although the car that was meant to save Pontiac failed, the company was losing money before the Aztek and closed due to being unprofitable. For a brand that gave us sleek and powerful muscle cars, its looks aren’t favoured but the reason the Aztek makes our list is because of its practicality. 

Between the front two seats was an arm rest that doubled as a cooler box and the boot lid split just like a Range Rover. And there are very few brands that offered an optional tent and blow-up mattress with their models like Pontiac did with the Aztek.

Nissan Juke Nismo

When released, the Juke Nismo had heaps of character with its edgy looks and punchy engine as it took on the hot hatch market. It started with 197bhp in standard Nismo form but the RS introduction saw this increase to 215bhp which gave a 7.0sec 0-62mph time. The MacPherson strut front suspension and torsion beam rear axle now had stiffer springs, larger disc brakes were fitted and the body was stiffened. 

The Nismo RS struggled in the corners compared to its competitors like the Fiesta ST or Mini Cooper S due to being tall which resulted in being less desirable, but with all the Nismo bodywork and splitters it looked - and looks - fantastic.

Plymouth Prowler

The Prowler’s retro-look was not for everyone, but the main criticism was targeted at its rather lazy 3.5-litre V6, whose 214bhp was channeled through a rather lazy four-speed automatic transmission. 

But we’ll give this hotrod for the road a big thumbs-up: big chrome wheels sat on all four corners, and a body and chassis made from aluminium giving it a weight of just 1270kg (2800 lb).

BMW 5 Series GT

BMW attempted to slot the 5 Series GT between the regular 5 Series and 5 Series Touring and while the front was still aggressive, the hatchback rear was classed by many as ungainly. The GT sat on the 7 Series platform making it longer than a Land Rover Discovery of the same era and 300kg heavier than a standard 5 Series.