18 Most Ridiculous Car Names That Shouldn’t Even Exist
Car manufacturers have a lot to consider when naming a new model—brand identity, market appeal, and cultural significance. But sometimes, it seems like they just threw darts at a dictionary and ran with whatever stuck.
Over the years, the automotive world has seen some truly bizarre car names that make you wonder, Who approved this? From names that sound like bad jokes to those that make absolutely no sense, these unfortunate monikers have left drivers scratching their heads.
1. Isuzu Mysterious Utility Wizard
Isuzu really went all in with this name, making it sound more like a magician’s sidekick than an SUV. While the MU Wizard was a decent vehicle, the name was just… a lot.
Maybe they thought adding “Mysterious” would make it sound cooler, but instead, it just left everyone confused. It’s like Isuzu wanted to cast a spell over potential buyers, only to have it backfire.
The name overshadows the car’s practicality and leaves you wondering if it comes with a wand instead of a steering wheel.
2. Mazda Bongo Friendee
Minivans are supposed to be practical family haulers, but Mazda decided to make theirs sound like a cartoon sidekick. The Bongo Friendee was a camper-style van, but the name made it hard to take seriously.
It’s as if Mazda was trying to win over hippies and kindergarteners at the same time.
The playful name overshadowed its functionality, turning it into more of an oddity than a genuine option for families. With a name like Bongo Friendee, every drive felt like a comedic adventure.
3. Mitsubishi Lettuce
Mitsubishi thought it was a great idea to name a car after a leafy green. While the compact, eco-friendly vehicle may have been ahead of its time, calling it the “Lettuce” didn’t exactly scream power or excitement.
It’s a wonder they didn’t go with “Mitsubishi Kale” for extra health-conscious appeal.
This name invites jokes and puns, making it difficult to be taken seriously in the competitive car market. It was tasty in its uniqueness but perhaps too fresh for widespread appeal.
4. Ford Probe
There’s nothing inherently wrong with the word “probe”—until you realize it sounds like something a doctor uses in uncomfortable medical exams. Despite being a sporty coupe, the name alone kept some buyers far, far away.
Ford’s attempt to sound edgy and scientific may have backfired, as the unintended medical connotation was too much for potential buyers to overlook.
The car’s performance was overshadowed by this unfortunate choice, leaving us wondering if a rethink might have led to more success.
5. Honda That’s
No, this isn’t a typo. Honda actually released a car called That’s. That’s… what, exactly? That’s confusing? That’s the best name they could come up with?
Whatever Honda was going for, it mostly left people scratching their heads.
The name feels like an incomplete thought or a placeholder that somehow made it through to production. It’s a mystery if this was a clever marketing ploy or an oversight, but it certainly made for some interesting conversations.
6. Subaru Brat
Subaru’s quirky little truck had an unfortunate name that made it sound more like an unruly child than a capable off-roader. Sure, “BRAT” stood for Bi-drive Recreational All-terrain Transporter, but let’s be honest—no one was thinking about that.
The fun acronym was lost in laughter, leaving the truck’s true abilities hidden behind its cheeky name.
It’s as if the name itself dared you to take it off-road and see what kind of trouble you could get into.
7. Daihatsu Naked
Daihatsu took minimalism to a new level with the Naked. This tiny car wasn’t actually missing panels or parts, but the name made it seem like it should have been.
Driving one must have felt like an invitation for some very awkward questions.
The bold name choice might have been intended to highlight simplicity, but instead, it opened the door to a series of humorous speculations. The Naked tried to go bare, but perhaps it left too much to the imagination.
8. Chevrolet Citation
If there’s one thing drivers want to avoid, it’s a citation. But Chevy went ahead and named an entire car after one anyway.
The irony? The Citation was plagued with reliability issues, making it even more fitting than intended.
This misstep in naming seemed to predict its own reception, overshadowing any potential charm the car might have had. It’s as if the name set the stage for its own performance, and unfortunately, it didn’t receive a standing ovation.
9. Nissan Homy Super Long
It’s hard to believe Nissan went all in on this name without someone in the room raising an eyebrow. While the van itself was spacious, calling it Homy Super Long sounded more like a bizarre nickname than a vehicle name.
The moniker evoked images of a stretched-out living room on wheels, leaving practicality in the backseat.
Despite its impressive space, the peculiar name made it difficult to take seriously, as if it were meant more for a comedy sketch than a dealership.
10. Toyota Deliboy
Toyota’s Deliboy was a small van built for delivering goods, but that doesn’t make the name any less hilarious.
It sounds less like a serious vehicle and more like a superhero who specializes in getting your sandwich to you on time.
The playful name captured the essence of its intended purpose but did so in a way that left customers amused rather than assured. It’s as if the van itself wanted to leap to action with every order it received, ready to save lunchtime.
11. Great Wall Wingle
The Great Wall Wingle sounds like something Dr. Seuss would come up with.
While it was a fairly standard pickup truck, the name made it hard to take seriously—unless you were in the market for something whimsical.
The unexpected choice of words lent an air of fantasy to an otherwise ordinary vehicle, making it both memorable and mystifying. It’s as if the name itself was meant to dance off the tongue and into the realm of imagination.
12. Renault Le Car
Ah, yes—Le Car. Because when in doubt, just slap “The” in front of a word in another language and call it a day. Renault’s attempt to make the name sound chic just came off as lazy, though the car itself was a classic example of ’70s European economy cars.
The name tried to elevate its status with a touch of French flair but fell flat in execution.
It’s a reminder that sometimes simplicity can lead to unexpected complexity.
13. Volkswagen Thing
Volkswagen gave up entirely on creativity when they named this boxy off-roader.
Instead of something rugged or exciting, they just went with Thing. It’s almost like they knew they had no idea what they were doing.
The name embraced its own absurdity, inviting curiosity and humor in equal measure. Perhaps it’s this unapologetic simplicity that made it stand out, for better or worse. The Thing owned its name, challenging perceptions of what an off-roader could be.
14. Kia K900
Luxury sedans are all about image, but Kia missed the mark with the K900.
It sounds less like a high-end car and more like a rejected robot from Star Wars. While the car itself was actually impressive, the name didn’t do it any favors.
The K900 struggled to convey the elegance and refinement expected from a luxury vehicle, with its name suggesting a sci-fi adventure instead. It’s a lesson in how branding can make or break even the best of products.
15. Mitsubishi Mini Active Urban Sandal (MAUS)
Mitsubishi somehow thought it was a great idea to name a car after footwear.
The Mini Active Urban Sandal, or MAUS, might have been practical, but the name made it sound like it belonged in the shoe aisle rather than the showroom.
This quirky choice distracted from the car’s functionality and appealed more to curiosity than to practicality. The juxtaposition of car and sandal opened a world of playful possibilities, albeit at the expense of a serious reputation.
16. Suzuki Every Joypop Turbo
Yes, this was a real car name.
It sounds more like an energy drink than a vehicle, and the combination of “Every,” “Joypop,” and “Turbo” made it feel like Suzuki just threw words together in a blender.
The result was a name that overflowed with enthusiasm but lacked coherence. It’s as if the car itself promised endless excitement with every drive, albeit with a wink and a nod to its own absurdity. A burst of joy in every turn.
17. Ford Pampa
Ford’s attempt at a small pickup truck came with a name that didn’t translate well outside of South America.
In some countries, Pampa is associated with rural plains, but in others, it just sounded odd and out of place for a vehicle.
The name aimed to capture the spirit of wide-open spaces but risked leaving its audience puzzled about its true purpose. It stands as a testament to the importance of cultural considerations in naming and marketing.
18. Geely Rural Nanny
Geely took “practical” to an entirely new level by naming a vehicle Rural Nanny.
It was supposed to be a no-nonsense, farm-friendly SUV, but the name made it sound like a babysitter for the countryside instead.
The odd choice of words overshadowed its utility, turning practicality into parody. While it aimed to be a reliable companion for rural life, it perhaps ended up being more of a humorous anecdote in automotive history than a serious contender.