Opinion: Last Year’s Worst Redesigns
By Chad Waite | March 21, 2010
When it comes to redesigning the next generation of vehicles, some companies have it spot on. Ford, Suzuki, Hyundai and even Buick have all released new versions of old cars that have completely rewritten the book on how good an entry level vehicle should look. Think I am wrong? Look at this- the complete redesigned line of Buick vehicles including the 2011 Regal were featured on the cover of April’s edition of Motortrend, an event that hasn’t happened for 28 years. Talk about a comeback.
But with the good always comes the bad. Not every redesign goes according to plan and one or two car companies always seem to botch their new line of vehicles. Over the last year the bar was raised to three: Acura, Mazda and Subaru. But wait, it gets much worse. The situation changes when you look at the previous vehicle designs of each company- they were all great looking cars! Why were these cars killed for something new that looks hideous?!
Take the previous generation of the Acura TL, an excellent looking sedan that was exciting but didn’t cross any crazy, bold design lines. Now look at the new TL that is available at dealerships across the country. It’s morphed into a flamboyant, Liberace driving, chrome-mobile that is hideous from every angle, especially the back side. Sitting behind one at a stop light is nothing short of offensive. Haven’t seen it? Google “new TL backside” right now and make sure a bucket or trash can is readily available. 
The case is the same for the Subaru Legacy. The previous generation was like the TL, mild yet exciting and very pleasant to look at. Now compare with the new generation- wagon wheels, gaudy bi-focal-esk headlights, and butch wheel arches, oh my! Awful, awful, awful. 
Finally Mazda. What the hell Mazda?
Of course the looks of the vehicle have absolutely nothing to do with they way they drive. They could all be great cars on the road and vastly superior to their predecessors. But first impressions are vital and if you don’t like what you see on the outside, imagine how that will affect you on the inside.
Have a particular car that you think needed to make this list? Let us know. Disagree with this list? No one cares Let us know.
[Chad Waite]
4 Comments
Martin Sturrock on March 21, 2010 at 7:57 pm.
I hate Acura for ruining the TL. I used to love that car. When I first saw the redesign, there was one driving behind me and I was wondering what stupid car was grinning back at me. The grille is just awful!
Brandon on March 22, 2010 at 3:37 am.
Seriously! Amen! Acura went ahead and designed the new Remington shaver. Subaru made a new type of active camo- a car so boring it disappears in a crowd of Camry’s and 6′s. And finally the Mazda 3- they took a good car and gave it a face lift to make it look like Joan Rivers smiling! All gross. I would even add the WRX, can you say Corolla look alike? Great article!
FB_1234097888 on March 22, 2010 at 3:56 am.
Amen on all counts. Especially the… well all of them. I was going to say the TL, but then I thought of the Mazda, and then the Legacy.
Britton Kowalk on March 22, 2010 at 10:47 pm.
I have decided to contact you in every e-way that I can think of. Let me know how many you find, and I will tell you how many there were.
Go team,
Britton
PS Amen to this article. Holy crap.