The automotive industry constantly evolves, with new trends and designs emerging yearly. While some car styling trends are welcomed with open arms, others leave much to be desired. Today, we will discuss some of the most annoying car styling trends we can’t seem to get on board with.
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Oversized Grilles
One of the most prevalent and annoying trends in car styling is the use of oversized grilles. It does feel like car grilles are getting bigger and bigger. Every manufacturer seems to be in this competition, trying to outdo each other with the sheer size of their grilles.
And honestly, the result isn’t always pretty. Many cars look like they’re trying way too hard. Not only are these oversized grilles visually unappealing, but they also serve no practical purpose.
In fact, they can actually increase a car’s drag coefficient, which can negatively impact fuel economy.
Remember when grilles were functional openings designed to cool the engine? Now, it seems the primary goal is to create the largest, most imposing black void possible. Some modern cars look like they’re perpetually screaming or trying to swallow the road whole.
Consider how the grilles on some BMW models have grown exponentially over the years. It’s not just about size; sometimes the sheer depth and lack of intricate detailing make them feel like gaping maws.
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Fake Exhaust Tips
Another annoying trend in car styling is the use of fake exhaust tips. These are typically small plastic or metal pieces affixed to a vehicle’s rear bumper. Their purpose is to create the visual impression of a greater number of exhaust pipes than the vehicle’s actual configuration..
This is a cheap and tacky way to make a car look more sporty or aggressive. It’s also a blatant lie that insults car buyers’ intelligence. Oh, the irony! We’re moving towards electrification for environmental reasons, yet many manufacturers feel the need to slap on non-functional exhaust outlets.
These can range from poorly integrated plastic pieces to chrome surrounds with no actual pipe behind them. Watch out for sporty-looking crossovers or even some luxury sedans where the “exhaust” is clearly a separate, unintegrated piece in the rear bumper. Sometimes, it’s even molded into the plastic!
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SUV Coupe Body Style
We’re also not fans of the SUV coupe body style that has become so popular in recent years. These SUVs have been given a sloping roofline to make them look more like coupes. The problem with this is that it often comes at the expense of practicality.
These cars typically have less headroom and cargo space than traditional SUVs. The idea of a visually detached roof, often achieved by blacking out the D-pillars, was initially a distinctive design cue. Now, it’s become so ubiquitous that it often feels like a lazy way to add “modernity” to a design.
Count how many SUVs and even some hatchbacks sport this look. While it might have been fresh on the Nissan Murano years ago, its widespread adoption has diluted its impact.
Other Annoying Trends
In addition to the trends mentioned above, we’d like to mention a few other annoying trends in car styling. These include:
- The use of excessive chrome trim
- The use of overly complicated headlights and taillights
- The use of fake vents and scoops
Conclusion
We hope this blog post has shed some light on some of the most annoying trends in car styling. We’re not saying these trends are bad, but we think they could be improved. We hope that car manufacturers will start to focus more on creating cars that are both stylish and functional.
This was just our opinion, but we would love to hear your take in the comments below. Thanks for reading till the end. Keep following the Arabwheels Blog for more content like this.