What are the best looking mainstream cars?
Discussion
Highly subjective I know but IMHO small car (city cars and superminis) design has really come on in the last few years whereas styling on larger cars has got more boring. I'm going to exclude luxury cars, sports cars, super cars and convertibles as they should look good (although I know that's not a given). Here are some suggestions:
City car: Fiat 500
Supermini: Citroen DS3 (Ford Fiesta if you need 5 doors)
Small hatchbacks: Alfa Romeo Giulietta (but only by default really, the 147 was much prettier, as was the Pug 306, old-shape Seat Leon, mk1 Focus etc, the Golf probably deserves a mention but probably a bit too boring looking really). Actually in the right colour, I quite like the Nissan Juke but I may be alone there!
Saloon (medium-sized family car): Probably the new 3-Series I'm sorry to say but maybe the Passat CC or Hyundai i40 Tourer if they count (again in the past, cars in this class were far more interesting to look at such as the Alfa 156/159, Renault Laguna II, Citroen Xantia etc)
Executive: Saab 9-5 (most cars are inoffensive but too bland e.g. 5-Series, A6 or just don't look right e.g. E-Class)
Small MPV: Citroen C3 Picasso
Large MPV: Ford S-MAX
Small SUV: Range Rover Evoque
Large SUV: Land Rover Discovery
Overall, I would say that Ford and Kia are doing quite well for the most part on the styling front at the moment. I'm always surprised how good the latest Fiesta looks when I see one and all the newly-launched Kias seem to be quite handsome.
So what do you think are the best looking new mainstream cars (you don't have to specify one for every category!) and which mainstream manufacturer currently has the best looking range?
City car: Fiat 500
Supermini: Citroen DS3 (Ford Fiesta if you need 5 doors)
Small hatchbacks: Alfa Romeo Giulietta (but only by default really, the 147 was much prettier, as was the Pug 306, old-shape Seat Leon, mk1 Focus etc, the Golf probably deserves a mention but probably a bit too boring looking really). Actually in the right colour, I quite like the Nissan Juke but I may be alone there!
Saloon (medium-sized family car): Probably the new 3-Series I'm sorry to say but maybe the Passat CC or Hyundai i40 Tourer if they count (again in the past, cars in this class were far more interesting to look at such as the Alfa 156/159, Renault Laguna II, Citroen Xantia etc)
Executive: Saab 9-5 (most cars are inoffensive but too bland e.g. 5-Series, A6 or just don't look right e.g. E-Class)
Small MPV: Citroen C3 Picasso
Large MPV: Ford S-MAX
Small SUV: Range Rover Evoque
Large SUV: Land Rover Discovery
Overall, I would say that Ford and Kia are doing quite well for the most part on the styling front at the moment. I'm always surprised how good the latest Fiesta looks when I see one and all the newly-launched Kias seem to be quite handsome.
So what do you think are the best looking new mainstream cars (you don't have to specify one for every category!) and which mainstream manufacturer currently has the best looking range?
Edited by white_goodman on Tuesday 10th April 22:29
I'm going by current cars:
Ford Fiesta
Alfa Romeo Mito
Fiat 500 (yes I'm biased)
VW Up
Audi A1 (cue abuse ;-))
Audi A5 Sportback (cue even more abuse!)
Renaultsport Megane 265
Renaultsport Clio 200
VW Polo (I know not very exciting, but just a simple good looking car imo)
Citreon DS3
Never thought I'd ever say this, but I saw a new Kia Rio 3 door and what a cracking looking car!
Ford Fiesta
Alfa Romeo Mito
Fiat 500 (yes I'm biased)
VW Up
Audi A1 (cue abuse ;-))
Audi A5 Sportback (cue even more abuse!)
Renaultsport Megane 265
Renaultsport Clio 200
VW Polo (I know not very exciting, but just a simple good looking car imo)
Citreon DS3
Never thought I'd ever say this, but I saw a new Kia Rio 3 door and what a cracking looking car!
If you exclude the retro-styled cars then I would suggest...
...absolutely none of them.
However, the Kia Optima has been one that has turned my head, though time will soon erase that. The last good honest and original design was the Fiesta and the facelifted "Aston" Mondeo looks like it will be stylish but no better to see out of than my current Mk IV. The Alfa 159 made the grade but is gone.
Ford lost it with the new Focus though. the Golf doesn't really count as it's so "safe", Renaults are ugly as are Vauxhalls, BMWs, Mercs, Fiat have lost it.
...absolutely none of them.
However, the Kia Optima has been one that has turned my head, though time will soon erase that. The last good honest and original design was the Fiesta and the facelifted "Aston" Mondeo looks like it will be stylish but no better to see out of than my current Mk IV. The Alfa 159 made the grade but is gone.
Ford lost it with the new Focus though. the Golf doesn't really count as it's so "safe", Renaults are ugly as are Vauxhalls, BMWs, Mercs, Fiat have lost it.
white_goodman said:
Overall, I would say that Ford and Kia are doing quite well for the most part on the styling front at the moment.
I couldn't disagree more about Ford - I think they're making a right hash of things at the minute. Both the new Focus and Fiesta ST have awful trout mouths and fiddly chintzy detailing.Citroen though (DS3 aside) are making some great looking stuff though at the minute. Peugeot aren't doing too badly either with the RCZ and the new 208.
Contigo said:
I think of all the mainstream motors out there BMW have got the edge on styling now. Audi was always a firm favourite but the current range is just so bland and boring.
Of all the others out there I actually like the new Renault range and some of the Citroen models.
Apart from the 1 series which is absolutely hideous......Of all the others out there I actually like the new Renault range and some of the Citroen models.
SSCooperS said:
I couldn't disagree more about Ford - I think they're making a right hash of things at the minute. Both the new Focus and Fiesta ST have awful trout mouths and fiddly chintzy detailing.
Citroen though (DS3 aside) are making some great looking stuff though at the minute. Peugeot aren't doing too badly either with the RCZ and the new 208.
I don't think we're going to agree about Fords but I'll try to justify myself. Granted the new Ka is an epic fail and a backward step in terms of styling (why would you choose one over a Fiat 500)? However, the Fiesta is a good-looking supermini and the Mondeo looks good for that class of car (although too big in my opinion). The Kuga, S-MAX and Galaxy look alright for what they are and granted the new Focus is a bit of a disappointment but no worse looking than anything else in the class and an improvement on the bland mk2. I think the estate version is a very handsome car though! I haven't really seen the ST versions of the Fiesta and Focus yet, so will have to take your word on that. Ironically the previous generation Fiesta, Focus and Mondeo were about as dull looking as you can get but the ST versions looked fantastic IMHO. What they really need to produce is a 21st century Capri with RWD of course. Come on Ford!Citroen though (DS3 aside) are making some great looking stuff though at the minute. Peugeot aren't doing too badly either with the RCZ and the new 208.
I agree on the RCZ (not sure about the 208) but two models don't really make up for the hideousness that is the rest of the Peugeot range! Yes, Citroen (with the exception of the C3 and C4 which are so bland that I can't remember what they look like) seem to have hot their styling mojo back and I agree with whoever said the VW Polo. Not groundbreaking but a handsome, solid-looking small car that feels almost coupe-like compared to the old model (which I owned incidentally). A disappointing car in all other respects though (slower, no better equipped or more spacious, smaller boot, more expensive etc).
I quite like the Volvo lineup, especially the c30r and s60r. Their 4x4s look great also.
The Honda crz thing also looks quite good, especially in the flesh.
Saw a skoda yeti vrs trim (not sure if its just the badge) in a Tesco carpark the other day, thought it looked quite good.
I also have to echo that the newer Kia and Hyundai ranges really look good imo. Can't remember the model, but there's a Kia crossover thing which always grabs my attention.
The Honda crz thing also looks quite good, especially in the flesh.
Saw a skoda yeti vrs trim (not sure if its just the badge) in a Tesco carpark the other day, thought it looked quite good.
I also have to echo that the newer Kia and Hyundai ranges really look good imo. Can't remember the model, but there's a Kia crossover thing which always grabs my attention.
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