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I sometimes wonder if there's a requirement for making electric/hybrid cars "ugly". Like nobody will know you're driving an EV if they don't slap some bizarre
by peeters 8y ago
I sometimes wonder if there's a requirement for making electric/hybrid cars "ugly". Like nobody will know you're driving an EV if they don't slap some bizarre styling on it!
The new Prius models look like somebody took a spaceship from an 80's B-movie and decided to model a car from the concept.
The Clarity looks as if they took an Accord but then punched it in the lip. And then they tried to make the back look like a Prius for who-knows-what reason.
The Bolt and the Leaf look like they're just trying to scream "Don't take me on the highway!" at the top of their lungs. But then since that's basically true--they're made to be an efficient commuter car--the styling was probably never going to hide that.
Even the Model 3 has a bizarre look to it, but I'm not sure if it's just because I'm used to expecting the hood to look a certain size which is simply not justifiable if you don't have to fill it up with a gas engine.
Then you get the other end of the spectrum, where they try to retain the styling of the gas equivalent as much as possible, so you've got the Kona EV continuing to have a grill but it's actually closed and painted.
It's probably somewhat lose lose. People are used to styling that makes sense for gas cars and so practical decisions for EVs lead to "abnormal" styling. As they become more popular we'll probably get used to them.
- dfxm12 8y agoI assume it's function (aerodynamics improving gas mileage) over form. I mean, when a car's selling point is its range, you should do what you can to maximize that within its class. I don't really find the Clarity or Prius or other EV's offensive looking. They look just as boring and uninspired as most other modern cars to me.
- dorfsmay 8y agoThe hybrid Camry looks exactly like the newer gas Camry from the outside.
- acomjean 8y agoIts a signaling. Toyota makes a hybrid camray/rav4, that you can only tell by noticing the badge has a blue background. Prius like shapes are associated with hybrids (they were one of the first), so there is some part of the market that says I want people to know I'm environmentally conscious. Hatchbacks are pretty convenient however...
- skybrian 8y agoI figure car companies have a better idea about styles are popular than the rest of us. If EV cars tend to look different, there's probably a reason.
- jandrese 8y agoOr the companies are full of people who are just winging it day to day and doing what they think is best. I wouldn't be surprised if the Bolt/Volt teams are full of junior people because GM's management still thinks electric cars are golf carts for sissies.
- outworlder 8y agoFor the old Leaf, they wanted to maximize aerodynamics above all. I assume costs dictated the rest. The bug eye (which I actually started to like now) is because of that – that, and to reduce noise, which can be quite noticeable when you don't have to hear tiny explosions. For the other automakers, my cynical opinion is that they dont wan't people to like EVs. "Don't make me change my business model, EVs are ugly. See this EV? Ugly. Buy this beautiful car over here instead, which happens to not require retooling of my production line."
- lscotte 8y agoNormal looking hybrids are definitely out there - take a look at Kia and Hyundai. They have several models of hybrids that look just like a regular car. There's a Toyota Avalon hybrid too. I think they are out there, but you don't notice them because they don't look stupid like the Prius or all the EVs.