Kia Rio – The Subcompact Car Americans Hate The Most

The US automotive industry had been through an extremely difficult period over the last few months, probably the toughest times in history. Americans started looking for more fuel efficient cars, abandoning the local brands and becoming interested in models usually built by European brands such as Volkswagen, Renault and Peugeot. That's why the Forbes editors decided to make a top of the cars Americans hate the most, analyzing demands and sales of 10 major vehicle segments.

Basically, the cars US residents seem to hate are the ones that recorded the slowest sales since 2006, with pretty uncanny reasons for some models. For instance, Volkswagen Rabbit's low popularity is said to be caused by the bodystyle, with Americans usually interested in sedans and hatchbacks popular in Europe.

"Buyers make the same choices and buy the safe brand. They are not thinking outside the box and buying something that may stand out as an odd purchase,” Jessica Caldwell, manager of pricing and industry analysis at Edmunds.com, was quoted as saying by Forbes.

Although we're not going to comment the reasons published by Forbes, here are some of the cars Americans hate the most with their respective reasons:

Kia Rio (Subcompact Car) - The Kia Brand earned two rings (out of a possible five) in J.D. Power's 2008 dependability study, making it a risky quality purchase for some buyers.

Volkswagen Rabbit (Compact Car) - AutoPacific's Brinley says Americans are not fond of hatchbacks, which are widely popular in Europe.

Mazda Tribute (Compact Multi-activity Vehicle) - Edmunds.com's Caldwell says the SUV is an oddball in the Mazda mix, and most buyers don't look at the brand for an SUV.

Saab 9-7X (Midsize Premium Multi-Activity Vehicle) - AutoPacific's Brinley says Saab's quirky interior, like ignition starts located on the center console and not the dash, appeals to "a little different buyer with a little different personality."

Saturn Sky (Compact Sporty Car) - AutoPacific's Brinley says the convertible top is cumbersome to maneuver in terms up getting it up and down and just doesn't appeal to buyers who want a convertible.

Audi A3 (Entry Premium Vehicle) – Apparently, Americans are not fond of hatchbacks, which are widely popular in Europe.

Dodge Magnum (Large Car) - Americans lost their interest in wagons when the minivan came along (which later fell out of favor to SUVs).

Mitsubishi Galant (Midsize Car) - Despite high J.D.Power ratings, Edmunds.com's Caldwell says the Galant suffers from a lack of brand recognition in the ultra-competitive midsize segment.

Jaguar XJ (Large Premium Car) - The same source claims buyers were willing to accept some quality issues when Jaguar was British-owned, but the brand lost luster when Ford bought, and then later sold, it to India-based Tata Motors last year.

Acura RL (Midsize Premium Car) - AutoPacific's Brinley says Acura's bland, plain-vanilla exterior styling is a turnoff to buyers who don't want to blend in in a crowded parking lot.