Why are so many new cars so badly styled?
Discussion
I know the 'they don't make cars like they used to' debate gets done to death here but I've felt an increased need to rant regarding a lot of manufacturers and the way they're styling their cars now.
Does anyone else agree that cars which have previously had clean, attractive and cohesive designs are increasingly being replaced (not just facelifted) by cars with vague, clunky and mismatched designs that just don't seem to work from most angles? I'm not saying they're ugly but they certainly leave a lot to be desired.
For example, I am far from a Vauxhall fan, but the Astra GTC was one of the most well styled hatchbacks I can think of. The new Astra isn't an ugly car IMO, however it looks worse and arguably older in every way to me. Same with the Corsa and Insignia (the new 'Grand Sport' looks dated already!)
Here's my personal dislikes:
- Vauxhall Corsa, Astra, Insignia (new models look older than the old models)
- Skoda Octavia (stupid split front lights)
- Audi A4/A5 (boring design with blobby proportions)
- Mini Clubman (rear lights!)
- DS range (ugly grill)
- BMW 5 series (bloated)
- Most Mercedes rear ends (vaguely shaped and unflattering)
- Aston DB11 (fussy)
- Honda Civic (fussy and too much plastic)
- Smart Fortwo/four (too toy-like)
I can't tell if these designs are intentionally crap or if it's just too many people making decisions and ending up with an incohesive product! I was thinking of other examples and wonder if you guys have any to add or if you disagree?
Does anyone else agree that cars which have previously had clean, attractive and cohesive designs are increasingly being replaced (not just facelifted) by cars with vague, clunky and mismatched designs that just don't seem to work from most angles? I'm not saying they're ugly but they certainly leave a lot to be desired.
For example, I am far from a Vauxhall fan, but the Astra GTC was one of the most well styled hatchbacks I can think of. The new Astra isn't an ugly car IMO, however it looks worse and arguably older in every way to me. Same with the Corsa and Insignia (the new 'Grand Sport' looks dated already!)
Here's my personal dislikes:
- Vauxhall Corsa, Astra, Insignia (new models look older than the old models)
- Skoda Octavia (stupid split front lights)
- Audi A4/A5 (boring design with blobby proportions)
- Mini Clubman (rear lights!)
- DS range (ugly grill)
- BMW 5 series (bloated)
- Most Mercedes rear ends (vaguely shaped and unflattering)
- Aston DB11 (fussy)
- Honda Civic (fussy and too much plastic)
- Smart Fortwo/four (too toy-like)
I can't tell if these designs are intentionally crap or if it's just too many people making decisions and ending up with an incohesive product! I was thinking of other examples and wonder if you guys have any to add or if you disagree?
I think it's combination of a number of things.
1) Mainstream manufacturers have tried to make their basic cars look "sporty" so in order to differentiate them actual sporty cars have become parodies of themselves.
2) Pedestrian impact legislation has forced up bonnet lines to create the required hard point clearances which in turn has forced up the shoulder-line meaning there's an awful lot of metalwork and not much glass, which makes cars look bulbous and under-wheeled, and causes a whole lost of other styling dilemmas.
3) Cars are more and more approaching the ideal shape for the compromise of aerodynamics and practicality so manufacturers are more and more turning to fussy detailing to differentiate their cars from the competition and/or the previous generations of the same car.
4) Tastes are changing and we're getting old and miserable and stuck in our ways.
For me, car styling has by and large been on a downhill slide since 30 years before I was born. The late 50s/early 60s was the pinnacle, IMO.
1) Mainstream manufacturers have tried to make their basic cars look "sporty" so in order to differentiate them actual sporty cars have become parodies of themselves.
2) Pedestrian impact legislation has forced up bonnet lines to create the required hard point clearances which in turn has forced up the shoulder-line meaning there's an awful lot of metalwork and not much glass, which makes cars look bulbous and under-wheeled, and causes a whole lost of other styling dilemmas.
3) Cars are more and more approaching the ideal shape for the compromise of aerodynamics and practicality so manufacturers are more and more turning to fussy detailing to differentiate their cars from the competition and/or the previous generations of the same car.
4) Tastes are changing and we're getting old and miserable and stuck in our ways.
For me, car styling has by and large been on a downhill slide since 30 years before I was born. The late 50s/early 60s was the pinnacle, IMO.
Edited by kambites on Saturday 27th May 15:51
It's not just cars with too much detail and awkwardness. It's also cars that are fundamentally good looking (in my opinion) such as the BMW 4 Series, but are let down by the recent practice of having a bonnet that's almost horizontal until about a foot from the nose where it suddenly tapers off, instead of having a smooth, progressive, taper that runs all the way from the bottom of the windscreen. I know it's supposed to be about creating a gap between the bonnet and the engine for pedestrian safety but, seriously, what happened to the green cross code?
Comparison between 4 Series and E92 3 Series below to illustrate my point ...
Comparison between 4 Series and E92 3 Series below to illustrate my point ...
I think there is a distinct lack of character in cars nowadays although it does happen here and there.
I appreciate that manufacturers like to give their range a distinct look so you know that it's a BMW or Merc or Audi etc. Unfortunately that styling doesn't always work especially well on all cars in the range. Also it means a lot of cars end up looking the same.
People also like middle of the road styling, that doesn't offend or stand out but looks 'smart'. Look at all the SUVs out there which are just boxes on wheels but because they're white and have black bits, people buy them in big numbers.
I appreciate that manufacturers like to give their range a distinct look so you know that it's a BMW or Merc or Audi etc. Unfortunately that styling doesn't always work especially well on all cars in the range. Also it means a lot of cars end up looking the same.
People also like middle of the road styling, that doesn't offend or stand out but looks 'smart'. Look at all the SUVs out there which are just boxes on wheels but because they're white and have black bits, people buy them in big numbers.
Another car that to me just looks awful is the latest Mondeo on normal wheels.....IMO a far uglier car than the Martin Smith designed Mk4 which still looks fairly fresh.
Disagree about the Astra, I think then new model is much better looking than the old one. Haven't seen an Insignia Gran Sport yet, but as a Mk1 Insignia owner that was a good looking car IMO and still looks fresh today.
Manufacturers have all fallen for the corporate nose problem, so all their cars look like each other and it seems everyone is afraid to try something different. Look at the new 5 series, very similar to the older model. I actually miss the Chris Bangle models. IMO the E60 series 5 series looks better with each passing year, especially in M sport or actual M badge guise.
Saw a new Honda Civic today. Oh my hat, what an ugly car!!! Things have definitely gone down since the 2006 model.
VW too, has given up bothering to make its cars different. I am not sure in fact if and when things will ever change.
On the other hand, I think the BMW i3 looks great. More of that please BMW and I'm a big fan of the Citroen Cactus and also the new 718 Cayman, wow what a beauty...so there are some sharply styled cars out there.
Disagree about the Astra, I think then new model is much better looking than the old one. Haven't seen an Insignia Gran Sport yet, but as a Mk1 Insignia owner that was a good looking car IMO and still looks fresh today.
Manufacturers have all fallen for the corporate nose problem, so all their cars look like each other and it seems everyone is afraid to try something different. Look at the new 5 series, very similar to the older model. I actually miss the Chris Bangle models. IMO the E60 series 5 series looks better with each passing year, especially in M sport or actual M badge guise.
Saw a new Honda Civic today. Oh my hat, what an ugly car!!! Things have definitely gone down since the 2006 model.
VW too, has given up bothering to make its cars different. I am not sure in fact if and when things will ever change.
On the other hand, I think the BMW i3 looks great. More of that please BMW and I'm a big fan of the Citroen Cactus and also the new 718 Cayman, wow what a beauty...so there are some sharply styled cars out there.
Jaguar steve said:
Simple answer.
Manufactures quite intentionally produce ugly and aggressively overstyled cars with a dominating road presence because that's exactly what ugly and aggressive overstyled people who like to dominate others want to buy.
Definitely this. DRLs and HIDs being the icing on the cake.Manufactures quite intentionally produce ugly and aggressively overstyled cars with a dominating road presence because that's exactly what ugly and aggressive overstyled people who like to dominate others want to buy.
I actually think that the Koreans make better Japanese styled cars than the Japanese. Seems the Japs have lost their way.
Car design has always been cyclical - you get periods of good design and periods of bad design.In the past the Germans have always relied on tasteful Conservatism and now joined the bandwagon on brash tat because that's what their market now wants.
New Discovery - the styling was OK on the Disco Sport, but translates really badly bloated up.
Car design has always been cyclical - you get periods of good design and periods of bad design.In the past the Germans have always relied on tasteful Conservatism and now joined the bandwagon on brash tat because that's what their market now wants.
New Discovery - the styling was OK on the Disco Sport, but translates really badly bloated up.
anonymous said:
[redacted]
The mass market is increasingly drawn to what's new, rather than what's best, simply because new has - mainly by virtue of multi million advertising budgets - become closely associated with wealth and personal success, whilst the much more subtle and very diverse virtue of best has become ignored. For mass market people inflicted with the urge to project a persona of wealth and success any new car design must look strikingly different to older designs and the more unnecessary technology is crammed into the new model compared with the older one the more opportunities there are to tell their friends all about it. Mass market people actually get themselves stuck in a never ending cycle of constantly buying shiny new stuff because they are conditioned to believe the shiny new stuff they bought two years ago to maintain the image of wealth and personal success is now old fashioned worthless junk which projects a different image all together.
That's exactly what all the manufactures of mass market stuff need and want.
Jaguar steve said:
Simple answer.
Manufactures quite intentionally produce ugly and aggressively overstyled cars with a dominating road presence because that's exactly what ugly and aggressive overstyled people who like to dominate others want to buy.
This, more than anything else. The manufacturers offerings reflect the customers.Manufactures quite intentionally produce ugly and aggressively overstyled cars with a dominating road presence because that's exactly what ugly and aggressive overstyled people who like to dominate others want to buy.
grumbledoak said:
Jaguar steve said:
Simple answer.
Manufactures quite intentionally produce ugly and aggressively overstyled cars with a dominating road presence because that's exactly what ugly and aggressive overstyled people who like to dominate others want to buy.
This, more than anything else. The manufacturers offerings reflect the customers.Manufactures quite intentionally produce ugly and aggressively overstyled cars with a dominating road presence because that's exactly what ugly and aggressive overstyled people who like to dominate others want to buy.
TSCfree said:
Just how big can the Merc grill get!
It's also a shame the star has been relocated, but I guess it doesn't fit with the modern design or is it the modern audience?
t in styling and quality. The last two iterations of the E-Class have taking the badging from the SL/SLR range and have styling that the market wants - orange/chav/bling. One day when the current designers move on or run out of ideas, they will rehash the bendy 3 pointed star.Monkeylegend said:
grumbledoak said:
Jaguar steve said:
Simple answer.
Manufactures quite intentionally produce ugly and aggressively overstyled cars with a dominating road presence because that's exactly what ugly and aggressive overstyled people who like to dominate others want to buy.
This, more than anything else. The manufacturers offerings reflect the customers.Manufactures quite intentionally produce ugly and aggressively overstyled cars with a dominating road presence because that's exactly what ugly and aggressive overstyled people who like to dominate others want to buy.
I'm sure too it's the few hundred a month types who are always driven to have the shiny new stuff. More often than not it's the genuinely wealthy who have nothing to prove or the really piss poor who have nothing to loose who will be wearing budget watches and rattling about in sub grand Sheds.
It seems to me it's the acutely status conscious in the middle who make significant sacrifices with their own peace of mind as well as their money to maintain a social position and image to their peers by displaying a very expensive watch and a obviously brand new and quite remarkably styled car to draw attention to the fact it's new on the drive.
NR91 said:
I know the 'they don't make cars like they used to' debate gets done to death here but I've felt an increased need to rant regarding a lot of manufacturers and the way they're styling their cars now.
Does anyone else agree that cars which have previously had clean, attractive and cohesive designs are increasingly being replaced (not just facelifted) by cars with vague, clunky and mismatched designs that just don't seem to work from most angles? I'm not saying they're ugly but they certainly leave a lot to be desired.
For example, I am far from a Vauxhall fan, but the Astra GTC was one of the most well styled hatchbacks I can think of. The new Astra isn't an ugly car IMO, however it looks worse and arguably older in every way to me. Same with the Corsa and Insignia (the new 'Grand Sport' looks dated already!)
Here's my personal dislikes:
- Vauxhall Corsa, Astra, Insignia (new models look older than the old models)
- Skoda Octavia (stupid split front lights)
- Audi A4/A5 (boring design with blobby proportions)
- Mini Clubman (rear lights!)
- DS range (ugly grill)
- BMW 5 series (bloated)
- Most Mercedes rear ends (vaguely shaped and unflattering)
- Aston DB11 (fussy)
- Honda Civic (fussy and too much plastic)
- Smart Fortwo/four (too toy-like)
I can't tell if these designs are intentionally crap or if it's just too many people making decisions and ending up with an incohesive product! I was thinking of other examples and wonder if you guys have any to add or if you disagree?
I had one of the old shape astras and didn't take to the new one when it came out. When I needed to get a new daily I had another look at them and ended up buying one of the higher spec models. The difference between them is not immediately apparent but the new one is a much sharper design and the interior is a significant improvement.Does anyone else agree that cars which have previously had clean, attractive and cohesive designs are increasingly being replaced (not just facelifted) by cars with vague, clunky and mismatched designs that just don't seem to work from most angles? I'm not saying they're ugly but they certainly leave a lot to be desired.
For example, I am far from a Vauxhall fan, but the Astra GTC was one of the most well styled hatchbacks I can think of. The new Astra isn't an ugly car IMO, however it looks worse and arguably older in every way to me. Same with the Corsa and Insignia (the new 'Grand Sport' looks dated already!)
Here's my personal dislikes:
- Vauxhall Corsa, Astra, Insignia (new models look older than the old models)
- Skoda Octavia (stupid split front lights)
- Audi A4/A5 (boring design with blobby proportions)
- Mini Clubman (rear lights!)
- DS range (ugly grill)
- BMW 5 series (bloated)
- Most Mercedes rear ends (vaguely shaped and unflattering)
- Aston DB11 (fussy)
- Honda Civic (fussy and too much plastic)
- Smart Fortwo/four (too toy-like)
I can't tell if these designs are intentionally crap or if it's just too many people making decisions and ending up with an incohesive product! I was thinking of other examples and wonder if you guys have any to add or if you disagree?
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