More often than not, people and companies are scrutinized much more intently for their failures than applauded for their successes. A great place to see this manifested into reality is in the automotive industry. Time after time, manufacturers have seemed to bury their heads in the sand when it comes to what the consumers want and find appealing; resulting in some of the world's most hideous vehicles.

These "ugly ducklings" of the bunch are, rightfully, viewed by the majority as utter trash; in both looks and reliability. They're not wrong, of course, but we're interested in why and how these cars became so despised. To answer that, and delve into what cars you should never get, here are fifteen of the most hated cars throughout the automotive community...

15 Chrysler Sebring

Via: caranddriver.com

You would think that if Chrysler was going to name one of their vehicles after the oldest, most historic racetrack in the South, they'd actually make it worthy of the title. Yet, instead of an American-made sports car, we got another boring and forgettable sedan.

We're pretty sure that Don Panoz (the previous owner of the Sebring International Raceway) didn't like the idea either. Though, it's only speculation.

14 Fourth Gen Ford Mustang

Via: Wikipedia.com

After the mixed results from the "Foxbody" Ford Mustang, Ford knew that the next one had to be good. Though, unfortunately for them, the fourth generation would soon be known as one of the worst. Plagued by cheap parts, lackluster build quality, and a very 'bubbly' aesthetic, the fourth-gen Mustang was quickly paved over with the updated version (generation five).

13 Aston Martin Cygnet

Via: uk.motor1.com

Around the time Smart Cars had started to gain traction and popularity, the 'big boys' at Aston Martin Lagonda figured they could make one of their own, and better too! That may have been true, but there's something they're forgetting: nobody asked for an Aston Martin Smart Car. But, Aston made it anyway and dubbed it the Cygnet.

12 Chevrolet HHR

Via: autotrader.com

In the early-to-mid-2000s, executives at Chevrolet and GM went insane. No, they didn't get inducted into a psychiatric hospital, but worse; they made the HHR truck (and the SSR as well). There's no way to know what went through their heads when designing the HHR, but it certainly wasn't "logic" or "good-looks," that's for sure.

RELATED: Ranking The 15 Crappiest GM Cars Ever Made

11 Ford Pinto

Via: Motor1.com

Long before the Toyota Prius became so despised, another vehicle was there to steal all of the car community's collective hate. Worse yet, it didn't come from a foreign manufacturer but our own territory. Obviously, we're talking about the Ford Pinto; a car synonymous with breakdowns, low-income brackets, and owners who don't understand "aesthetics" very well.

10 Subaru Baja

Via: youtube.com

Next up on the list is a sad story of sorts. In reality, the Subaru Baja wasn't a bad vehicle. In fact, it did pretty well off-road and could be modified extensively. There's one problem, though: it's not a WRX STI. The Baja may be a decent vehicle, but it's hard to compete with Subaru's flagship model, even if it's another Subaru.

9 Cadillac Cimarron

Via: hemmings.com

No, we didn't get the name wrong. It is, actually, an '80s Cadillac Cimarron, although it may look just like a Chevrolet Cavalier. As elegantly pointed out by MotorBiscuit's Eric Schaal, the Cimarron was "a Chevy Cavalier with a fancy emblem." Needless to say, the Cimarron was quickly unmasked and died before the 1990s. Too bad the Cavalier didn't follow suit.

8 Ford Flex

Via: Motor1.com

In 2007, as the van and sports utility (multi-passenger) segment of the automotive market share grew, Ford used the Flex to make a large vehicle for families that wasn't a minivan. As far as boring cars go, the Flex is up there with the worst offenders. The design is shaped like a child's drawing of a car; nothing but a box with a hood and four-wheels.

Somehow, by some miracle, the Ford Flex was in Ford's lineup until 2019. Luckily for us, though, the nightmare was over with the turn of the decade.

7 Nissan Cube

Via: commons.wikimedia.org

Do we really have to say much about the Nissan Cube? Just look at this monstrosity. It's as though a Kia Soul was pumped full of water; bloating its angles, edges, and form. Like the Ford Flex, the Cube is a bog-standard box-of-a-car with little-to-no redeeming features.

RELATED: 15 Cars That Are Uglier Than Tesla's Cybertruck

6 Saturn Ion

Via: caranddriver.com

If you would like to know some of the reasons and small details behind why Saturn ultimately failed, observe cars like their Saturn Ion. The looks weren't the problem, rather the recalls (reaching 2000's Ford levels) and its strange interior design.

The Speedometer is in the center of the dash, not in front of the driver. You don't need to be a genius to know what'll happen if drivers have to continually take their eyes off the road to check the speed...

5 Smart ForTwo

Via: Motor1.com

Nearly every adult car enthusiast today remembers when Smart made their way into the American automotive scene. The model's introduction was followed by two primary emotions: amusement and confusion. Though the car community was entertained by the idea of such a tiny, weirdly-built, car, it was mostly confused as to who in their right mind would ever make such a dense financial decision.

4 Yugo

Via: youtube.com

The Yugo is the result of communism in its purest form. During the height of the Soviet Union, the U.S.S.R. started a state-subsidized manufacturer that'd produce cars at an incredibly low price for the everyday consumer. Except, that's not what ended up happening.

As it would turn out, only a small minority of people in the Soviet Union could even get their hands on a car (without years of waiting for approval) and there was only one model available: the Yugo. Yeah, it was cheap, but you have no idea just how cheap. For example, a cardboard body, only a handful of horsepower, an ugly appearance, and no amenities to speak of. This, dear readers, is what communism gets you...

3 Chrysler PT Cruiser

Via thedrive.com

Next to the Toyota Prius, one of the most infamous vehicles in the United States (even amongst non-car enthusiasts) is the Chrysler PT Cruiser. Setting aside the obvious critic of its appearance, the PT Cruiser is just, simply, a bad car. Mechanical issues, transmission problems, and other minor nuisances are but a fraction of what PT owners will experience.

RELATED: 15 Of The Most Hated Cars From The 2000s

2 Fiat Multipla

Via: pinterest.com

As Top Gear fans, we couldn't NOT include the classic Fiat Multipla on this list of "most hated automobiles." Episode after episode, the hosts would destroy the Multipla for one major thing: the looks. Ever since that, it has become a 'meme' of sorts among car-lovers.

No wonder so many elderly individuals bought the old Multipla. After all, you'd probably need a vision impairment to conclude that such a car belongs anywhere other than a junkyard.

1 Toyota Prius

Via: kbb.com

Of all the vehicles on this list, none have experienced as much hate, disdain, and outright mockery as the Toyota Prius. You want to see the car culture's ugly duckling? Well, this is it.

From its appearance to the inoffensive engine-note, to the mechanical stability of the car, the Prius has been marked with the red "A:" fated to be despised in the minds of serious car enthusiasts.

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