Which Is the Weakest Car?

There isn’t a single “weakest” car: it depends on what you measure. In pure power, ultra-light urban runabouts like Europe’s quadricycles (for example, the Citroën Ami at about 6 kW/8 hp) sit at the bottom; among mainstream new cars, Japan’s kei-class models and budget subcompacts such as the Mitsubishi Mirage (roughly 76–78 hp in the U.S.) are among the least powerful and slowest. In crash safety and durability, results vary widely by region and model year, so “weakest” can change with the testing standard and the market.

Contents

What “weakest” can mean
The lowest-power new vehicles you can buy now
Slowest acceleration among current models
Safety: where “weak” often means least protective
Reliability: a different kind of weakness
Summary

What “weakest” can mean

Drivers use “weak” to describe different shortcomings. Below are the most common ways the term is applied, each pointing to a different answer.

Lowest engine/motor output (horsepower or kilowatts)

Slowest real-world acceleration (for example, 0–60 mph or 0–100 km/h)

Poor crash protection or active-safety performance

Low reliability or high repair rates over time

Minimal capability (towing, payload, off‑road, or range for EVs)

Because these metrics seldom align in a single model, identifying a universal “weakest car” isn’t practical—context matters.

The lowest-power new vehicles you can buy now

Ultra-light urban mobility (quadricycles and micro-EVs)

Several European and emerging-market vehicles prioritize simplicity, tiny size, and ultra-low speeds. Many are legally classified as quadricycles rather than passenger cars and therefore are not subject to full car crash standards.

Citroën Ami (EU): Around 6 kW (about 8 hp) electric motor, top speed limited to 45 km/h; classed as a quadricycle, not a conventional car.

Aixam and similar light quadricycles (EU): Typically small diesel or electric drivetrains with single-digit kilowatt outputs and 45 km/h limits, designed for short urban hops.

Bajaj Qute (India and select markets): A 216 cc engine with roughly 8–9 kW (10–12 hp, fuel-dependent) and modest top speeds; also a quadricycle by regulation.

These vehicles are “weak” by design: minimal power keeps weight, cost, and running expenses low, but also confines them to city streets and short trips.

Lowest-power mainstream passenger cars

If you limit the field to conventional cars (meeting full passenger-car standards), the bottom of the power chart is dominated by Japan’s kei segment and a handful of budget city cars in other regions.

Japanese kei cars (various brands): By regulation, engines are capped at 660 cc and roughly 64 PS (about 63 hp) maximum; many naturally aspirated versions make roughly 49–58 hp. Examples include the Suzuki Alto and Daihatsu Mira.

Mitsubishi Mirage (global; U.S. availability): A 1.2‑liter three‑cylinder typically rated around 76–78 hp, among the least powerful and most economical new cars on sale in many markets.

Toyota Aygo X (Europe): A 1.0‑liter three‑cylinder with roughly 72–75 hp, optimized for city efficiency rather than speed.

Suzuki Celerio (select markets): A 1.0‑liter engine with roughly 66–67 hp, prioritizing low running costs.

Dacia Spring (Europe): An electric city car with variants ranging from about 33 kW (45 hp) to 48 kW (65 hp), trading peak power for efficiency and price.

While these cars have modest outputs, gearing and torque delivery (especially in EVs) can make them feel adequate in city traffic, even if highway merging demands patience.

Slowest acceleration among current models

Acceleration is where low output is most noticeable. Times vary by testing method and conditions, but the models below are consistently at the slower end in their classes.

Mitsubishi Mirage: Commonly tested at about 12.5–14.0 seconds 0–60 mph (0–97 km/h), depending on equipment and conditions.

Dacia Spring 45 hp version: Roughly 0–100 km/h in about 19 seconds; the 65 hp variant trims that to around the mid‑13s.

Toyota Aygo X: Typically in the mid‑15 seconds range 0–100 km/h, depending on transmission.

Suzuki Celerio: Commonly reported around 14–15 seconds 0–100 km/h, market- and spec-dependent.

Instrumented results are not directly comparable across publications; tire choice, altitude, weather, and payload can all move the needle.

Safety: where “weak” often means least protective

In modern regulated markets, even the weakest-performing cars meet baseline safety rules. The clear outliers for crash protection are vehicles not certified as cars at all—light quadricycles—because they are exempt from passenger-car crash standards and routinely fare poorly in collisions. For actual cars, safety rankings change with model-year updates and regional equipment. The most reliable way to judge current performance is to consult your region’s latest crash-test results.

Here are the primary sources for up-to-date ratings and test reports:

Euro NCAP (Europe): Independent crash and active-safety testing with evolving, stringent protocols.

NHTSA and IIHS (United States): Federal New Car Assessment Program and independent Insurance Institute testing, respectively.

ANCAP (Australia/New Zealand): Aligned closely with Euro NCAP protocols.

Latin NCAP and Global NCAP/Bharat NCAP (Latin America, India): Regional programs highlighting equipment and structural differences in emerging markets.

Safety equipment can vary by region and trim, so always check the specific version you’re considering rather than relying on a single global rating.

Reliability: a different kind of weakness

Reliability is measured over years, not seconds. It depends on design, build quality, maintenance, and usage. Model-year changes can materially improve or hurt outcomes, so recent data is key.

To gauge current reliability and ownership experience, consult these evidence-based sources:

Consumer Reports (U.S.): Annual predicted reliability and owner-satisfaction surveys by model and brand.

J.D. Power (global/regional): Vehicle Dependability and Initial Quality studies tracking issues per 100 vehicles.

What Car? and Reliability Index (U.K./Europe): Brand and model reliability rankings and cost-of-repair insights.

Warranty provider reports (regional): Aggregated claim data that can reveal expensive failure patterns.

Because reliability is highly model-year specific, a “weak” model can improve rapidly after a redesign—or vice versa—so always look for the newest study year and the exact trim and powertrain you intend to buy.

Summary

No single vehicle wears the crown of “weakest car” across all measures. If you mean least powerful, European quadricycles like the Citroën Ami and, among mainstream cars, kei models and budget subcompacts such as the Mitsubishi Mirage and Toyota Aygo X sit at the bottom. If you mean slowest, those same models typically post the longest 0–60 mph or 0–100 km/h times. For crash safety, quadricycles are the true weaklings, while car-to-car rankings depend on the latest NCAP tests in each region. For reliability, consult current, model-year-specific data from trusted survey organizations. Define the metric that matters to you—power, safety, durability, or capability—and the “weakest” (and strongest) choices become much clearer.

Which car is weak?

There are many cars here which have many problems and problems are reported at very high rates. These are cars which have the most problems in India, Maruti Suzuki models- Swift, Alto K10 and WagonR along with Hyundai’s Grand i10 Nios. These cars have mostly safety concerns and potential issues.

What is the crappiest car ever?

Contents

4.1 VAZ-2101/Lada Riva/Zhiguli (1970–2013)
4.2 AMC Gremlin (1970–78)
4.3 Chevrolet Vega (1971–77)
4.4 Ford Pinto (1971–80)
4.5 Morris Marina (1971–80)
4.6 Vauxhall HC Viva “Firenza” (Canada) (1971–73)
4.7 Lancia Beta (1972–84)
4.8 Reliant Robin/Rialto (1973–2002)