2. Lada - Russian
During the ’80s, Russian car manufacturer AutoVAZ introduced the Lada Riva. The name evokes images of picturesque seaside drives, cruising into a perfect sunset, and romantic weekend road trips. But one look at this tank and those fantasies quickly speed away. Based on looks alone, the Lada never should have made it off the design board with its simple yet boxy shape. If you can bear to look beneath the demure child-like exterior, it doesn’t get any better. The Lada came standard with minimal horsepower, which has hardly increased in the 2006 model, and it has horrendous fuel economy. Along with a poorly performing engine, the Lada also boasted tank-like handling; great for those slippery winter roads in the Soviet. Even though the Lada was a smaller, “economy” car, it was said to drive rather like a tractor and required quite a bit of muscle to control.
Despite the criticism, Lada sales in Western Europe during the 1980s were surprisingly good thanks to its roomy interior and low price. The UK was riddled with Ladas scooting about.
Why is the Lada one of the worst European cars? I gave you a little hint above; since its inception, the Lada has remained astonishingly similar to its original design and technology. It’s not very often you see a car manufacturer release a car in the ’90s that looks, feels and drives as if it belongs in the ’70s.
This is bull****, if I could buy a new Lada I would, my 1985GL was a tough as nails and fun to drive. North Americans are spoiled rotten little brats who know sweet **** all about cars.
