While 3-wheelers have been around as long as the automobile, the common belief is that a car had to have four wheels. While we are a firm believer in four wheels, we also believe that three is sometimes enough, too. As with all things, there are advantages and disadvantages attached to having only three wheels. The most important advantage is, in many parts of the world, you don't need a driver's license to drive them. These vehicles are often classified as motorcycles or trikes, and you only need a motorcycle license, or no license at all, to drive them, depending on where you live, of course. The second advantage is maintenance cost, three wheels mean one less wheel and suspension to worry about. However, most of the time, three-wheelers get the short end of the whole car-bike hybrid deal and inherit both of their disadvantages.
Updated July 2023: 3-wheelers offer immense driving fun – even if they are a bit weird. They are very efficient, and their low center of gravity means they handle great as well. However, all 3-wheelers aren't born the same, hence, we've updated this article with more examples of great 3-wheelers and those models that are best avoided if you don't want to end up parked on the side of the road or stuck in a ditch upside-down.
Lately, these vehicles are gaining popularity again, with some of them turning into sports cars and track cars. Recent developments in EV technologies are proving useful for these types of vehicles, as small, nimble city dwellers are on the rise. But they weren't all built to take on the concrete jungle. Some 3-wheelers got built to attack the apexes on the track and are downright fun. So, if you are in the market for a 3-wheeler, whether for city use or having fun on the weekends, you have some choices. These are five 3-wheelers we love to own, and five you should do your best to avoid.
All informational data on these weird vehicles were sourced from various websites, as well as official ones such as Kelly Blue Book, CarEdge, and Edmunds.
11 Love To Own: Morgan 3-Wheeler
The Morgan 3-Wheeler is one of the best 3-wheelers you can buy. If you are into the WW2 aesthetic, this vehicle is a no-brainer. It looks like a Spitfire without the wings, and it feels like one, too. You get a strong sense of speed when you drive around in a Morgan that's hard to replicate in anything else, and this feeling makes this vehicle very special.
The specs are nothing special. It's powered by a 2.0-liter V-twin S&S engine producing 82 horsepower, which is not a lot. But it is enough to push this 1,200 lbs 3-wheeler from a halt to 60 mph in 6 seconds, with a top speed of 115 mph. It's rear-wheel drive and has a 5-speed manual from a Mazda MX-5 Miata. Performance numbers are worthless when you get in one and start driving it because this is a car that you can have fun, without breaking any laws.
Pros:
- Punchy V-Twin engine
- Minimalist motoring experience
- Looks fantastic and alludes to WWII origins
Cons:
- Safety isn't the best, with one journalist calling the 3-Wheeler a "coffin on wheels".
- Terrible ground clearance
- Expensive price for a weekend toy
10 Best Avoided: Reliant Robin
It's impossible to talk about 3-wheelers and not to mention the Reliant Robin. It's not a failed car, because it achieved what it set out to do; bridged the gap between the motorcycle and the car, keep the motorcycle riders dry during the winter, and motorized the British youth. Not only that, but it sold well, too. But none of these things makes it a good car. In fact, some have named it the worst British-made car ever.
It's unstable, very unstable. While the stability is a bit better than what Jeremy Clarkson experienced, you can easily roll the Reliant Robin. Apart from the stability issue, the steering wheel often detaches itself while driving too. Thank God that it's very underpowered because this thing would've been much more of a death trap. It's bad, but nonetheless, it is very lovable.
Pros:
- Cheap and simple construction
- Inexpensive to fix
- Looks pretty quirky in everyday life
Cons:
- Less reliable than the name would suggest
- Easily tips over when going around corners at any speed
- Terribly noisy engine
9 Love To Own: Berkeley T60
Not to be confused with the famous university, Berkeley's run in the automotive business ended very quickly, which is a shame because they genuinely made very good cars, especially design-wise. These little bundles of joy look fast, feel fast, and were very popular, because they are fun to drive, handled well, were cheap, and you don't even need a license to drive this entry-level 'sports car'.
However, it wasn't a very powerful vehicle because its power came from a small two-stroke motorcycle engine that produced 18.5 horsepower. But it was light. Very light. Tipping the scales at only 617 lbs, which means that the driver's weight had a significant effect on the car's handling, often positively.
Pros:
- Gorgeous styling for a 3-wheeler
- Extremely light
- The front suspension is from an original Mini, which is excellent
Cons:
- A two-stroke motorcycle engine may be a bit gutless
- Teenagers can drive it without a license
8 Best Avoided: BMW Isetta
.jpg?q=50&fit=crop&w=750&dpr=1.5)
The BMW Isetta is one of the cutest cars ever. But don't let its cuteness get the better of you, though. The Isetta had three wheels instead of four and no reverse gear. Because the car is so small, the only door is at the front of the vehicle, not having a reverse gear can be problematic. And it had only three wheels, so it could roll over more easily than four-wheeled ones.
The steering is fiddly, and it's mounted on the door. Getting into the car is a chore of its own. It weighs 778 lbs and its power comes from a very loud single-cylinder BMW engine that could produce 12 horsepower. Lately, this car has started having a following, so the prices are going up.
Pros:
- First production BMW
- Extremely cheap when it was produced
- Simplistic engineering which makes it easy to fix
Cons:
- Cramped interior
- Only one door for four passengers to get it
- Unreliable engine
7 Love To Own: Vanderhall Venice Speedster
Boutique auto manufacturer, Vanderhall, has come to change all perceptions about three-wheelers. The Vanderhall Venice Speedster looks like a historical Grand Prix car. It feels like one, too. It has a giant wooden steering wheel at the front and nothing to distract you from the road ahead. Steering is sharp and precise, it has great grip, which is quite rare for a three-wheeler. This vehicle has all the power you need to have fun. It comes with a turbocharged 1.4-liter 4-banger that produces 180 horsepower and lots of noise. At 1,430 lbs, it's light too, making it a very fast vehicle.
Because the Venice Speedster gets classified as a motorcycle and doesn't have to be crash-tested, it offers things most other cars couldn't. You'll feel connected to the road because you sit very close to it and feel the joy of driving. It is one of the best weekend cars. Admittedly, it is not cheap, but it'll be worth every penny spent because it'll make you feel special.
Pros:
- Powerful turbocharged engine
- Extremely fuel efficient even when hammering
- Thanks to good engineering and build quality, it handles confidently
Cons:
- No manual transmission available
- Expensive for what it is
- Constant attention of people wanting to know what it is
6 Best Avoided: Bond Bug
The Bond Bug is a hard one to place because it looks very futuristic and cool, which makes you wonder why it didn't catch up. But in reality, it's a little more than a Reliant Regal on a fun body, which is not a bad thing, but not too great either, especially when you think about the price. When new, this was more expensive than the original Mini, which had four wheels, with better handling and practicality.
This made it tough to recommend the Bond Bug to anyone back then, and it's still tough now due to its age. With only 200 or so still road-worthy, the prices are starting to creep up. Yes, it can turn on a dime, but it lacks the stability of four wheels and produces little power. It was very cool, but so are many other British minicars.
Pros:
- Awesome design and name
- Thanks to a low center of gravity, it doesn't tip over
- Surprisingly comfortable seats
- Large enough cargo space for shopping
- Can be turned into a record-breaking amphibious vehicle
Cons:
- Prone to rust as it is from the 1970s
- Extremely slow 0-60 (23 seconds)
5 Love To Own: Nobe GT100
The Nobe GT100 is one of the most exciting EVs that are yet to come. It is a seriously good-looking car that gives a new meaning to retro-cool. But sadly, the Nobe company suffered a fire in their warehouse, so we have to wait a little bit more to find out more.
But from what they released, this looks like a very good all-around electric car. It will have around 160-mile range, power is just shy of 100 horsepower and top speed will be 80 mph. But the car is still very much in the concept phase, so if and when it'll get to production is a mystery, but we're hooked, and you can pre-order one here.
Pros:
- Impressive range claimed at 180 miles
- Awesome classic styling with modern technologies
- Has an espresso machine integrated into the glovebox
Cons:
- Still just a concept
- Lofty promises about performance which are yet to be seen
4 Best Avoided: Stimson Scorcher
Stimson Scorcher is one of the craziest three-wheelers ever, and that speaks volumes. This was a kit car that was based on the then-new Mini platform. The engine and the subframe are from the Mini, but all the other bits are very bizarre. The driver's seat is at the center, and the passenger seat is just behind it, just like a motorcycle. The whole contraption was a bit ugly and crazy, even for the times.
To be honest, there are better-looking lawnmowers out there. The seating position of the Scorcher is very weird, it's very front-heavy, and it doesn't handle all too well. This thing produces very good power for the weight and as a result, it has a top speed of 100 mph, but you shouldn't try to go that fast, because this is an accident waiting to happen.
Pros:
- Front-heavy weight balance increases traction
- Fast for a 3-wheeler
Cons:
- Impractical
- Looks more like a snowmobile with regular wheels than a car
- Dated design
3 Love To Own: Scorpion Motorsports P6
Scorpion Motorsports' great three-wheeler is one of the most exciting vehicles ever to turn a wheel in anger. It looks like a Formula racer. And the resemblance to Formula cars doesn't end there. The P6 is quick, very quick. Thanks to the ZX-6R engine, it can hit 0 to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds in base form and 2.2 seconds if you go with the turbo one, and it will provide you with an amazing soundtrack. It can stop well, too.
This thing is a serious track car. But there's a drawback. It seems Scorpion Motorsports is out of business, so if you want one, your best bet is the second-hand market. Thankfully, most of the parts are readily available, and owning the P6 should be relatively stress-free.
Pros:
- Incredible power from a turbocharged motorcycle engine
- Ridiculous acceleration given that it is one-wheel-drive
- Sporty and track-friendly styling
Cons:
- Horribly impractical to live with
- Only good for a day at the track or a blast up a mountain pass
- Horrendous ground clearance, resulting in the underbody scraping on every road imperfection
2 Best Avoided: Polaris Slingshot
The Polaris Slingshot is one of the most polarizing vehicles currently on the market. The Slingshot offers very good fun for its price point. It's got a great engine that's pretty rev-happy and produces 203 horsepower. While the car is pretty heavy compared to the other cars on this list, it manages a 0-60 mph run in 4.5 seconds, if it can grab the road and accelerates up to 125 mph.
There are some drawbacks to the Slingshot. First and foremost is the design, you'll either love it or hate it. Other than the looks, the transmission is not great as it may not select the gear you want, it is slow for a vehicle of this caliber, and the steering leaves much to be desired. This vehicle can be great if you don't mind the looks and the gearbox, and if they improve on the latter, it will definitely be on the other side of this list... or just buy a manual transmission model.
Pros:
- Looks quite unique thanks to its styling
- The high-revving 4-cylinder is fun to throw around a twisty road
- It has a great sound system to listen to music with
Cons:
- Fuel economy is terrible for a car of this type
- Storage space is severely compromised, even for regular trips to the shop
- Even though it is kind of a motorcycle, it does not fit in motorcycle parking areas
1 Love To Own: Campagna T-REX RR
For a vehicle that has been in production since the 1980s, we can say the Campagna T-REX has passed the longevity test. Created in Canada by Campagna Motors, the T-REX is a two-seat three-wheeler now available in different variants. For the 2023 model, the 3-wheeler is available in different trims that include the T-REX RR which offers more control and some esthetical upgrades.
The 2023 Campagna T-REX RR features ABS traction suspension for better control, and it gets its 208 horses worth of power from a 1.4-liter inline 4-cylinder engine from Kawasaki. Responsive, precise, and direct with no compromise, the 2023 Campagna T-REX RR also only weighs 1,098 lbs for the most nimble performance.
Pros:
- Gets a powerful motorcycle engine from Kawasaki
- 0-60 time of just over 3 seconds is plenty fast enough
- Has lots of safety designs to keep occupants safe
Cons:
- Very expensive starting at around $60,000
- Expensive to maintain