Ten Cars That Looked Better Before Their Makeovers
Caption:
ACURA TL
Last Generation: 2004 - 2008
Current Generation: 2009
A lot of controversy has been stirred over the contrasting chevron grille that Acura has put on most of its new models, and while the last-gen TL wasn't necessarily a huge step forward in sporty expression, we prefer its cleaner lines and less-contrived aesthetic.
Most of the time, when an automaker completely overhauls one of their models, it's a good step forward for not only the car, but for the brand it represents. However, there are other times where the design teams make some questionable decisions and the new products end up looking worse than their predecessors.
Thus, we present our list of ten cars that, from a design standpoint, we think looked better in their previous generation. Scroll through our gallery to see all of the contenders, and leave a comment with any cars that you think we may have missed, and/or maligned.
Comments
TheStig
I can't believe the BMW 7 isn't on that list - the ones before and after Bangle-ization.
Or the WRX STi. While the last gen wasn't the best looking car money could buy, you knew what it was and knew what it was about when you saw it. This new hatchback thing has turned it into a non-descript also-ran.
Steven J. Ewing
The WRX STI (and the entire Impreza line, for that matter) gets an honorable mention in my book. They were never gorgeous cars, but the new ones just don't look as good.
---
Steven J. Ewing
Production and Test Fleet Manager
Winding Road Magazine | NextAutos.com
VII
The fact that they were always kinda fugly made Scooby fanatics hearts all the more fonder for them. Take the bug-eye WRX of the 02-03 model year for instance. You can't find one if you were throwing money because die hard fans adore their uglyness...Subie just took it waaaay too far. Well actually what was really weird was that they were beginning to look pretty bad-ass, then out of nowhere...hatch? Now that's just...rash.
~TheDarkWind
Chris Paukert
For whatever it's worth, I'm perfectly fine with the STI being sold in a hatchback bodystyle, especially as I always thought the first WRX was better served as a wagon. I also think that while it isn't pretty by any stretch, the flared fenders do wonders for the car's stance and overall presence. That said, there's no hope across the Impreza hatch range for those ghastly taillamps.
I think the reason why the Impreza didn't make the list (and it was an 'on the bubble' car until the very end) was because they've historically never been attractive cars. Brash? Yes. Badass? Certainly. But attractive? No. If anything has the argument here, from where I sit it's the standard Impreza hatch, or the Impreza Outback, both of which look like Korean design studio castoffs.
In regards to the 7-Series, that car was also certainly floated, but since there's the new '09 mode that's out there already (but not everyone has gotten their mitts on around our offices) we felt uncomfortable adding the -2008 model out of fairness for there already being a replacement. If we can ignore that issue, I'd definitely have the 7 in my top ten list. Not sure who I'd bump off the list, though...
Chris Paukert
Editor-In-Chief
Winding Road Magazine // NextAutos
TheStig
Point taken about the 7 Chris.
VII laid out the WRX scenario better than I did. While they did the opposite - turn an ugly car with charming traits and a following into a more mainstream looking and softer car, in turn they offended the people who loved them - just as Acura has seemed to drive a stake into the soul of the TL community with their redesign (formerly attractive but now questionable). Same principal; opposite take.
Chris Paukert
I see what you did there... and I agree with it. Indeed, the Impreza has gone from willfully ugly/characterful to a bit of a mealy-mouthed, "it's safer in the middle" look. The '09 WRX helps rectify some of that, but it still isn't terribly aggressive looking (let alone pretty). The STI, for me, however, is a different matter. Perhaps I'm biased because I love hatches and wagons, but I prefer its shape and dig the pumped-up wheel arches. That said, I'm far from in love with the exterior lights, front and rear, and I actually prefer the visuals of the standard flat-spoke STI alloys to the optional BBS units.
Chris Paukert
Editor-In-Chief
Winding Road Magazine // NextAutos
Matthew Gassen
I generally agree with all of the above. I'd like to add though, that botching car designs (while nothing new) seems to be a growing epidemic which began in the mid-90's. Something prompted everyone from Acura to Volvo to depart from their heritage.
Obviously, there are many factors that have contributed to this. But, what is missing most today, is the sense of history. All of the cars mentioned here, plus a host of others, have lost what their brand was about. The historical essence of these car's character, ergonomics, and appeal are apparently ignored.
Subaru, Saab, Volvo, Honda/Acura, and Toyota/Lexus, are the most divergent...in humble my opinion.
Since we're on the topic of Subaru though, the Forester, Tribeca, Impreza, WRX and STI, all feature markedly different aesthetic and material selections than those used in the past. Clearly, this alienates the enthusiast, which for a niche product, should be avoided.
Sadly, some magazines think otherwise and like to award folly.
VII
Hey I'm right there with you Chris, when I see a lowered Scooby wagon on gold rims my heart skips a beat! I just can't come to call the new hatch an agreeable item to even glance at. I love muscular wheel arches as much as I love long, shapely, legs on a woman...but if she has teeth like a hockey pro and a hunch back I'm going to look elsewhere!
Another example of a manufacter losing sight of their core audience for awhile is Honda. When you look at the progression of another lovable niche product, the Civic hatch, you can see where automotive manufactures really lose sight of their original design. Up market, up market, up market...this forces the designers to make the car more, 'approachable'...and you end up with the mini-mini-van that is the EP3 ('02-'05) Civic Si. Now I don't know who they were planning on approaching with that one but...I never liked it, and hardly any tuners cared about it once they found out it was slower than the old Si. No matter how structureally sound and rigid the new body was, the motor was, to put it blatantly, pathetic (in USDM spec). Good thing there were RSXs (Integras in JDM talk) around to remind us what the K20 was supposed to do. Oh well, the new Si looks pretty tight I suppose. I don't really like the coupes (FG5) that much, but most do, and the sedan (FA5) is selling like crazy down here, and you know I love it's 'sleeper' approach. :] So I suppose the japs can be trusted to own up their own mistakes...wish the same could be said about some Germans we know...hint-hint...Bangle.
~TheDarkWind
Mike McCracken
I too am biased towards sports wagons. It might be time to do a best of sports wagons again.
BTW, I'm wondering why the Forester did not make the list.
Cheers,
Mike
doctor who
well, it's quite simple Impreza WRX STI is all about rally not road going pretty car. If guys at Subaru think that hatch will let them win they don't really care about the rest.
R. L. Evans
YES!!! As soon as I started reading this the first car that came to mind was the WRX. I loved the previous sedan and wagon but hate the looks of the new hatch.
One car I would like to add would be the new Ford Taurus. I prefer the old "eggcrate" grill of the previous Ford 500 to the new "tri-bar" chrome grill of the new generation. It may look fine on a Fusion but just doesnt fit the Taurus and is way too big.
Also, I worked at a Pontiac, Buick, GMC dealership back in 2004 and had many customers who did not like the angular grill redesign of the 2003 Chevy Silverado and preferred the more "traditional" look of the GMC Sierra, myself included.
They mentioned the 73 Mustang II. How about the 58 vs 57 Chevy, the 76-77 Monte Carlo versus a 73-75 (which is still better than the 78-80s). If you want to include older models there could be a lot more to this list...
And also the 2000+ Olds Auroras versus the -1999s. The 1986 Eldorado, Riviera, Toronados versus the 1985s. 1981 vs 1980 Chevy Pickup. Square headlight Jeep Wrangler vs round headlight Jeep CJ. small Jeep Wagoneer versus old, huge Jeep Wagoneer (forget what year they changed). I guess thats enough for now...
Nate Luzod
Couldn't agree more on the xB.
VII
"While the last-generation Jetta’s simple forms, clean bodysides and
rounded wheel arches screamed class-above European refinement, the
current Jetta was a step in the wrong direction. The chrome grille,
larger proportions, and bloated design even strikes us as a bit
derivative-Japanese from certain vantage points."
Never really thought of how much the Jetta looks like a jap car now...Very true.
~TheDarkWind
Mauarde
Another VW that should be added, without doubt, is the so called Jetta MK 4.5, an uggly evolution of previous model that is sold in certain markets at the same time that the new one (MK V).
Ducati Minor
Don't agree with the plump old 7, the Sebring, or the Jetta, but I am surprised with how much I agree with the rest of lineup. The Viper had a great blend of beauty and brawn in its design. The SRT makeover exaggerated the latter part.
Anonymous
The TL has to be the worst of the bunch. The Saab has been out since 06? I have never seen one on the road.
Anonymous
I couldn't agree less! the old TL is looking distinctly dated now and at least the new model stands out a bit, with refreshingly different body panels.
chris katsenes
Saw my first new TL on the road near Chicago yesterday.
It looks like a severely bloated 08 TL with a goofy grill.
Soichiro would not approve.
Anonymous
The change from the BMW e39 to the e60 was definitely a downgrade in appearance. I love bimmers, but that e60 is kinda ugly...the design has grown on me in recent years but I prefer my e39.
mo
I like the list except the Viper (especially the viper). The newer design made the car look more aggressive. I think chrysler did a major mistake when they introduced the coup so late after the convertable.
apex alex
i agree the viper shouldn't be on this list.
imho, the original looked like a home made KIT CAR with that GAPING HOLE behind the front wheels. what was its purpose? venting hot air from the brakes? or under the hood? whatever, it looked like someone took two WRECKS and pasted them together to make one running car!
Anonymous
I agree with mo, I like the new Viper a lot more than the original. I didn't notice how different they were until the pics were put side by side. I wouldn't have put the Viper on the list.
doc
Both Vipers look great.
Mark in Maine
The first time I encountered a new Jetta on the road, I thought it was a big Corolla - They do look Japanese - The Sebring Convertible hasn't looked right since the late 90's/ early 00's iteration - the ones pictured in the piece look like the box that the previous generation came in. Everybody seems to agree on the new Impreza as well - at least the old one had a ton of character, even if it wasn't the best looking thing out there - the new one's kind of a spud with a hatch . . .
Larry H Bailey
I have owned a 2001 Sebring Conv. And a 2005 Sebring Conv.Both were in my opinion much better looking than this latest cross between a Chrysler and Mercedes design.Although underpowered,they both were comfortable top-down cruisers.I am now looking forward to purchasing a 2010 Camaro Conv.
Anonymous
Owning 2 Sebrings in a row is the most patriotic thing I have ever seen. Read this:
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/driving/jeremy_clarkson/article4873574....
No man can endure more than 15 minuntes in a Chrysler product but you.
Anonymous
The retard who wrote this article is fucked up beyond belief. Learn a thing or two about cars before you start making suggestions and form opinions. Fist Yourself.
Dr Funkenstein
I concur with your sentiment, but I offer no sanction to your chosen means of expression. You have brought ignominy upon the collective dissenters of the aforementioned article, and for that you abjured. Good day, sir.
Enthusiast
I don't agree with some of those. THe Murano didn't improve much. It went from the ugly FX sister to just a stand alone controversial design. The Scion shitbox never appeared good looking to me.
saddlesore
HEY HEY ..ease off on the shitbox comment.. I own 2 1st gen. boxes because I couldn't find any other manufacture that offered all the same standard factory features and interior roominess as standard equipment(no additional "add on" extras needed ,and as good or better fuel mileage, all for $14,570 off the showroom floor.
[IMG]http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g87/saddlesore_2006/DSC02681.jpg[/IMG]
However.... the 2nd gen totally feels like it was designed and fitted out by Honda..(puke in mouth!)
Steven J. Ewing
I own a 2006 xB -- black, five-speed manual.
When I saw the new one being unveiled at the Chicago Auto Show in 2007, I was SO glad that I bought mine when I did. The new one isn't too bad to drive, but the design really took a hit. It's no longer iconic.
---
Steven J. Ewing
Production and Test Fleet Manager
Winding Road Magazine | NextAutos.com
Chip
Totally agree about the BMW 7 series belonging here. But I would also add the BMW 3 series sedan, which took a styling dive in its trip from the E46 from E90 (not the coupe, which came out quite pretty).
Rod Panhard
From my perspective, just about all the new cars are ugly. Few, if any, have half the grace one finds in a body from Pinin Farina, Bertone, or Guigaro. So while the manufacturers are trying to make "superstars" out of guys like Mr. Bangle, I don't think any of these superstars could hold Nuccio Bertones clay bucket.
carlosanticoyv@...
I agree with you, Steven. And I add the 2007 vs. 2008 Mercedes C-Class.
lawan
I don't agree with you carlos. The 2008 MB is superb compare the aeronautics of the car with the older designs. I am looking forward to driving it. I am now driving a 1999 c-class.
Frank Feldmann
The 5 series e39 was without a doubt much more appealing, the new design has a certain Pontiac Gran Prix ressemblance. I was so dissapointed when I was interested in an M5 in 2007 I could not get myself to buy the new body style so I found a low mileage 2000 M5 and still love it today. BMW has definately lost many sales to this but corporate arrogance refuses to listen.
Shark715
How about an entire BRAND that looked better before being made over? Jaguar. Thanks a lot, Ford. Then again, at least now the engine starts when you turn the key...or press the button :-)
James M
... and this was why I bought a 2008 late last year. I saw the trend line Infiniti was following with their redesigns and while the new FX may enjoy some technological and performance advantages, the unique beauty of the first generation has been lost. I just hope Infiniti finds their mojo again by the time I need to replace my FX.
On a side note, how curious that Lexus, the longtime bastion of UGLY vehicle design is slowly abandoning that stance and opting for some attractive designs at just the same time that their competitors are doing the reverse.
Bill Martin
Although your other selections are right on, I totally disagree with your selection of the Viper. The earlier Vipers always look to me as though the frame had broken at the A pillar. The latest ones flow evenly from front to rear.
ash
Acura blew it big time with the changes to the TL. Ditto for the Scion 'box'.
The TL was gorgeous, the Scion a real novelty. Now we have two dull blades from what once were two sharp cars.
And when is BMW going to figure out that ugly does not project quality?
Anonymous
agreed!
but i have to say it's about time they put AWD on them. 280+ HP on FWD?!? that's just not good... instead of TL they should be called TS!
if they did that w/ the last gen.. the TL would be selling like hot cakes.. type S w/ AWD!! that would be so sweet!
Anonymous
The 2005 STi Was the last good looking subie. The new airplane look is fugly and the newer wannabe PT cruiser look on the face of the Impreza makes you want to puke.
There article hit the ugly new TL right on! How can they have taken such a good design and f it up? Note to Acura - don't put some big faux chrome buck tooth on your front grill... it doesn't work.
Anonymous
One of the biggest problems with auto manufacturers is that they all start copying trends that come out and many do it in a perverse, horrible way. They're all just scared to step away from the crowd with their own designs when that is what can make their cars sell in the first place.
apex alex
i agree there tends to be too much copying! both for good, AND bad specific styling elements.
arguably the most copied, is the hoffmeister kink, i prefer to call Kinky Hoffy c-pillars. while a FEW look decent, most look awkward and and SO DERIVATIVE of bmws. (and incidentally, that design did not originate with bmw. toyotas of the 1970s had it. and even earlier, gm in the 1950s.)
i've lost much of my respect for honda, since they started using Kinky Hoffy designs on so many of their previously clean profiles.
apex alex
on the other hand, there is ONE nice style element that has been almost universally copied, and does look good. this is the clean 'fastback' line on 4 dr sedans that i first noted on a circa 2001 (?) nissan maxima.
when i first saw it at a local auto show, it looked slightly odd. so i studied it to try and see what the stylist had in mind. then i got it! and so it seems, did stylists from just about every other mfgr. over time.
from a 3/4 rear and/or profile view, the slope of the roof arcs down over the backlight, (invisibly) passes THRU the trunk, continues on the top surface of the bumper, and comes around on the lower bumper. in profile, it sorta looks like the rear of a porsche 911, on a larger sedan body.
sometimes the cut of the taillight will also echo this curve.
this design element has been adopted on cars from toyota yarises and corollas to bmw 7s. (even the original bangle butt has been ditched, and replaced by this MUCH CLEANER line.)
ggand4
I like & prefer the new & present models :)
DS
I agree with most of the 10 choices. But the one that should head the list, and was not included, is the makeover of the Audi TT. Or should I say, "butchery". The former (original) design was a brilliant tribute to the Machine Age design of the original Auto Union vehicles. What a shame to spoil such an iconic and pure statement. I hope someone at Audi "gets this" when the next re-design comes around.
Javelin
The "original" TT design - IE the concept car - was great, then they dumbed it down for production by slapping a Chevy S-10 nose on the first gen. Someone finally "got it" and the new redesign looks closer to the original than the timid approach they took the first time around.
Scott007
I really had high hopes for this article when I received the email featuring it--but, it turned out to be really poorly done. I mean, come on--if you are going to compare the appearance of two things, lets try to at least dispaly them at the remotely same angle. I cannot believe that this "automobile magazine" cannot even send photographers out to photograph the automobiles. Why are they using stock, manufacturer provided pictures? I could have googled these images myself, stuck them side by side, and written this article in about ten minutes. This article has certainly taught me not to click through any of the links in their emails any more...
Anonymous
I had to read this twice to make sure I was not missing something. When you think of an article giving the 10 cars that looked better before the makeover you kind of expect to see some obvious differences and a few "oh my gosh what were they thinkings". However in most of the ten I had to study them for some time to really determine which one was better and most of the time it was the newer one but only slightly. Good effort just seemed pointless, nit-picky.