The conventional wisdom for many years has been that cars with non-traditional designs do not sell. By eschewing traditional shapes for a model, an automaker runs the risk of the automotive press labeling it as "ugly," and sinking their sales. In fact, ugly designs have even hurt the resale values of used cars over the years, such as the Pontiac Aztek.

But lately, automakers have been taking bigger risks with their vehicles' designs, and according to MSN, it's paying off. Vehicles that differentiate themselves from the pack, like Toyota's Scion xB or Nissan's Cube, may not win over every buyer, but the ones that they do appeal to are usually fervent in their dedication. The news source recently profiled some untraditional designs that have become top sellers for their brands.

With wagons falling out of style, BMW needed a car that would appeal to both fans of hatchbacks and those who wanted a sedan. Rather than make two separate bodies, the company debuted a dual-trunk system on its 5 Series Gran Turismo that can function as a traditional trunk or be lifted like a hatchback.

"The versatility is a selling point, which was what I always thought a wagon's selling point was," car designer Thom Taylor told the news source. "But obviously, people don't like the wagon's shape and this is more appealing to more people."

One of the most recent examples that has been turning heads in the Nissan Juke. This compact crossover features a number of swooping lines that would look more at home on a Ferrari than a small car from the Japanese automaker. That's because the automaker wanted to appeal to younger drivers in the 18 to 34 age bracket with something eye-catching.

"To them, cars have just been appliances," Taylor explained. "Something to car enthusiasts that may seem kind of quirky or off-beat or bizarre, like the Juke – to them it's cool."

Other vehicles simply challenge what traditionalists expect out of a car. The Porsche Panamera and Maserati Quattroporte are two examples of four-door sedans that have been top sellers for traditionally two-door companies.

Drivers who don't care what their vehicle looks like might be able to find a great deal on some "ugly" used cars, as a lack of interest may lead to an overall lower price.