Why are so many modern saloon/estate cars front-ugly?

[Wafflesmk2]

So many cars i've looked at recently which look very nice from the back and the side, but the front always looks like it was designed by a 4 year old.

Examples;













Pretty much all those cars look good from the rear, but it seems manufacturers just cant make a decent front end anymore.

[TheHeretic]

Pedestrian safety regulations.

[dhariwab]

+1 apparently volvo have got round the bluff front end problem by fitting a pedestrian airbag to the upcoming V40 allowing it to have a more wedge shaped nose. We'll see...

[andy-xr]

This is the hire car I have for the next 2 weeks. Not at all convinced




This is the hire car I had last week. I didn't like it at first, but after a while it grew on me

[AClownsPocket]

I don't think the Insignia is too bad, certainly an improvement on its predecessor.

[dhariwab]

Defo don't like the skoda superb very 1960s Rover. Only downside to the car

[Sub5s]

At least the Skoda Octavia had a facelift. Looks much better now IMO.

[kambites]

IIRC there has to be a certain amount of clearance between the bonnet and any "hard points" such as the engine and suspension turrets.

[Needa308GT4]

the obvious has been missed.


All modern cars are ugly. That's why their front ends look ugly.

[Wafflesmk2]

Needa308GT4 said:

the obvious has been missed.


All modern cars are ugly. That's why their front ends look ugly.

How does it feel to be wrong?

[Triumph Man]

andy-xr said:

This is the hire car I have for the next 2 weeks. Not at all convinced




This is the hire car I had last week. I didn't like it at first, but after a while it grew on me

Good God! The Infiniti looks like a melted Land Cruiser!

[abbotsmike]

I saw a new shape 3 series behind me on the m40 yesterday, and I have to say it looked like someone had punched it in the mouth and knocked it's front teeth out. Horrible looking cars IMO, I think BMW do it to make the previous gen look better in comparison.

[Stu R]

Pedestrian / collision regs, and people in oblong glasses telling people on the street that's what they like.

[davepoth]

Wafflesmk2 said:

How does it feel to be wrong?

The front does the job too IMO.

[DoctorX]

abbotsmike said:

I saw a new shape 3 series behind me on the m40 yesterday, and I have to say it looked like someone had punched it in the mouth and knocked it's front teeth out. Horrible looking cars IMO, I think BMW do it to make the previous gen look better in comparison.

Agreed. Headlights are horrible IMO. Looks like it's got sleep in its eyes.

[xreyuk]

I have a Seat Leon mk2 and that's hellishly fugly from the front.

[JaguarsportXJR]

When I saw the advert for the new 1-Series I found myself truly speechless for the first time, I found it so ugly. It also tickles me somewhat that the majority of screentime the S60 gets in adverts is from behind.

[Jaguar steve]

Designed to present an aggressive and intimidating road presence to the car in front - It's nothing more than a sad reflection on the mentality of the type of angry tailgating cockends who tend to use them for that very purpose.



I rest my case...

[Zad]

If I were a company MD looking for a luxobarge, the Jaguar would definitely get my money. Now, I'm sure many will disagree, but I kinda like the look of the new Mondeo.



At least the front end doesn't look like an overweight 12 year old boy now. The radiator is big enough without being Audi sized, and the swage lines on the bonnet make it look like there could be a longitudinal Vee engine under there, even though we all know there isn't.

[SeldomSeenKid]

Zad said:

I like it, the shape of the grille gives it a Aston-esque look.