Ugly cars. Why?

[SVT666]

I'm looking at a Venza as I type this on my BlackBerry. A question popped into my head as I'm looking at the hideous grille.

Why are designers going out of their way to uglify their cars? This grille is much worse in person then in any picture I've seen of it. Its top bad too because the rest of the car is actually pretty decent looking.

I started thinking about it and their are a lot of cars on the road that are simply ugly just to be different. Why do they do it?

[Laconian]

My guess is it's because most people lack a sense of holistic taste when it comes to assessing a vehicle's aesthetics. They probably look to the well known stylistic elements but remain oblivious to the picture as a whole.

This is true for a lot of things in life. It's impossible to possess refined taste in everything.

[cawimmer430]

I don't think the average buyer thinks like us "enthusiasts" do. Design is subjective anyway and your average shopper probably is more interested in what the car offers (value, reliability etc.).

[Laconian]

I don't think the average buyer thinks like us "enthusiasts" do. Design is subjective anyway and your average shopper probably is more interested in what the car offers (value, reliability etc.).

Yup.

Making REALLY BOLD stylistic statements is likely an effective way to communicate to the oblivious buyer, "THIS CAR HAS STYLE!"

[cawimmer430]

By the way, the Venza ain't bad looking - for a Toyota. 

[the Teuton]

It's not ugly; it's "distinctive."

[Nethead]

It's not ugly; it's "distinctive."

the Teuton:  No, that's distinktive.

[NomisR]

I don't think the average buyer thinks like us "enthusiasts" do. Design is subjective anyway and your average shopper probably is more interested in what the car offers (value, reliability etc.).

Beauty is subjective but ugliness is universal!

[SVT666]

That grille is even more "in your face" in person.  It's uglier too if that's possible.  The rest of the car is actually pretty decent though.

[Tave]

I can't stand those commercials that are trying to sell the *Venza* experience.




It's not a car. It's not a wagon. It's not an SUV. It's a lifestyle. It's a life. It is you.

It is            ...VENZA...

[NomisR]

I can't stand those commercials that are trying to sell the *Venza* experience.




It's not a car. It's not a wagon. It's not an SUV. It's a lifestyle. It's a life. It is you.

It is            ...VENZA...

It's an identity crisis!

[Secret Chimp]

I forgot what a Venza was until I saw the picture. By the name, I thought it was some rinky-dink Korean thing.

[sparkplug]

I reckon it is because some people don't want to drive a car better looking than them.

[AutobahnSHO]

ewww.

The grill spoils an almost respectable vehicle.

[NomisR]

I reckon it is because some people don't want to drive a car better looking than them.

Well, either that or since they're on the inside of the car, they don't have to see it so they don't care.

[Onslaught]

All I know is the stuff coming out for Mazda is starting to look ugly. The new front bumpers for the 3 and RX-8 look like ass. And I figure all the others will go that way sometime.

[sandertheshark]

We've gone over this before.

It's a secret contest between Toyota and Honda to see who can trick us into buying the ugliest mainstream car ever made.

[NomisR]

All I know is the stuff coming out for Mazda is starting to look ugly. The new front bumpers for the 3 and RX-8 look like ass. And I figure all the others will go that way sometime.

The little black teeth thing in front?  I didn't like it at first but it kinda grows on you.. like mold.

[Onslaught]

The little black teeth thing in front?  I didn't like it at first but it kinda grows on you.. like mold.

That big happy face black plastic shit on the new 3 is just butt ugly. Other than that I like the car but it just kills it for me.

[SVT666]

That big happy face black plastic shit on the new 3 is just butt ugly. Other than that I like the car but it just kills it for me.

Yeah, I'm not liking the new Mazda front ends either.  The new 6 looks good, but the 3 and the RX-8 are too much.

[2o6]

Yeah, I'm not liking the new Mazda front ends either.  The new 6 looks good, but the 3 and the RX-8 are too much.

They look like Japanese Peugeots.

[Tave]

I like the Peugeot better.

[2o6]

I like the Peugeot better.

The 308 looks better in live photos, but it's still generally ugly.


Those stupid smiles only look good on little cars.

[NomisR]

The 3 looks like an evil japanese with a big smile on his face. 

[sportyaccordy]

The Venza has an awesome side profile. In fact I was going to make a thread about how good it looks in commercials. I suppose 20" wheels and very careful camera angles will do that though...

And car companies are being overburdened more and more by having to design cars that face ever stricter safety regulations & competition from other manufacturers in size and interior volume. It's a tragedy style-wise but we all benefit in the long run.

[MX793]

We've gone over this before.

It's a secret contest between Toyota and Honda to see who can trick us into buying the ugliest mainstream car ever made.

GM already won, granted the Aztek wasn't a huge sales success.  But people bought them.

[AutobahnSHO]

GM already won, granted the Aztek Asstek wasn't a huge sales success.  But people bought them.

You're welcome.  :-)

[omicron]

This is true for a lot of things in life. It's impossible to possess refined taste in everything.

Nonsense!

[Atomic]

i saw a bright white one (v6 awd) loaded to the max on the showroom floor at a mega dealership yesterday. it looked pretty good in person. a bit quirky, but surprisingly upscale. 

[USA_Idol]

That grille is even more "in your face" in person.  It's uglier too if that's possible.  The rest of the car is actually pretty decent though.

I'll agree with that.  The grille is hideous in person, even more so than photos suggest.  But the rest of the Camry Wagon Venza is actually fairly decent.