The 5 Quirkiest Crossovers Ever Sold

Just when you might think that all crossovers and SUVs look the same these days, there are several that stand out wherever they go. These crossovers all have one main thing in common–they look very different from the other models in their segment.

Kia Soul

The Kia Soul continues to stand out in its competitive segment thanks to its unique exterior style and budget-friendly price. The new Kia Soul is already very affordable, but you can get the used Kia Soul for even more affordable prices. Why do buyers like the Soul? Its compact boxy shape belies the fact that it’s incredibly roomy inside. If funky good looks and a budget price weren’t already appealing, the Soul is also considered a reliable vehicle. It falls into the Great category in JD Power’s dependability rankings.

Nissan Juke

Similar to the Soul, the Nissan Juke was a subcompact crossover with a unique style. It didn’t have the boxy design like the SOul, instead, it was more car-like with a fun, compact shape. It also came in a sporty NISMO model. The Juke was discontinued in North America after the 2017 model year. Sales were brisk to start but eventually went down. The declining popularity of the Juke was generally blamed on its unconventional appearance and polarized buyers. It was replaced with the Nissan Kicks in the North American market.

MINI Countryman

The MINI Countryman is essentially the crossover version of the MINI Cooper. It’s surprisingly large compared to other MINI models, but it still has an overall style and design that reflects the distinctive MINI looks. The Countryman competes well in its segment with a turbocharged four-cylinder that makes 241 horsepower. The newest version of the Countryman only comes in two trims and ranges between $39,895 and $43,095 in price. For those who like the looks of the MINI Cooper but need more room, the MINI Countryman fills a certain niche.

Hyundai Venue

With a budget price, the Hyundai Venue also presents a quirky choice in the subcompact crossover segment. Its exterior design is somewhat of a cross between the discontinued Nissan Juke and the current MINI Countryman. It’s not quite as polarizing as either. The Venue may look small on the outside, but it manages to deliver a pretty roomy interior. Despite its handsome looks and roomy cabin, the Venue is short on power. In other words, it’s great for motoring around crowded city streets thanks to its small size and reactive steering, but it’s not as fun to use on the highway at high speeds.

Isuzu VehiCross

Last but not least is a very unique and very rare vehicle that is no longer in production. The Isuzu VehiCross was an oddly proportioned two-door SUV with the looks of a modern crossover, but it also had body-on-frame construction. Despite its compact size, the VehiCross boasted a V6 engine and a collection of unique off-road technology, including monotube shocks with external heat-expansion chambers. Less than 6,000 units of this vehicle were sold.

If you’re in the market for a quirky crossover, most of these models are still available new, with only the VehiCross being difficult to find now.