Hyundia Elantra 2011

Hyundai has definitely been on a role lately.  The Sonata came onto the seen and moved Hyundai forward to compete with the big guys.  The 2011 Elantra is another lethal weapon in their arsenal.  It is very similar in style to the Sonata but on a smaller scale. 

The head lights are very cool and very organic.  Inside the casing you have very "Audi" looking bar that squirms its way around the main head light and then around the secondary lights, this adds some pretty good design interest.  The grill area of the Elantra could be better.  It has an opening right as the hood ends, which is small, followed by a larger opening lower and is divided by thin cross bars.  This is all wrapped up with an unusual indentation surrounding the two openings.  This design feature makes the Elantra distinguishable from the Sonata, but not in a good way.

The rear of the Elantra is the highlight of the vehicle.  The tail lights are organic looking like the head lights, but for a small car it gives off a very upscale look. The character line is picked up by the tail lights and makes the car feel like it is moving while standing still.  The trunk lid follows the design of the tail lights and carries nicely from one side to the next.  The Elantra takes advantage of some nicely places lines to dress up the back end.

The profile of the Elantra has some interesting lines, the character line is strong as it comes off the tail lights and fades as it heads towards the front wheel well.  The vehicle has distinctive rounded wheel wells, this effect usually does not play well with such a distinctive character line, but the Elantra pulls it off just fine.  As the real wheel well moves front to back, it grows and becomes one of the lines that rounds the back of the car, helping the profile work nicely with the rear.  For its size, the Elantra has very nice lines.

One nice thing about the rear of the Elantra is that the trunk seam matches up with the rear quarter panel seem (outlined in yellow), keeps things nice and neat, However there is a seam under the front door that breaks the design (outlined in red).

All in all, this is a very nice design for a small car. Well done Hyundai!

2011 Hyundai Elantra

Grade: 8

Nissan Quest 2011

Mamma always said "If you have nothing nice to say, don't say anything at all".  I would love to take that advice, but it would put me out of a job.  Where to begin... lets start with the front, it sucks.  NOTE TO CAR COMPANIES:  DO NOT PUT CHROME BARS CONNECTING HEAD LIGHTS AND TAIL LIGHTS.  Anytime a car company has a hole to fill, they fill it with a chrome bar, everyone can tell its there, you can't hide it, so don't bother.  The headlights are just plain ugly, the shape is unattractive and comes to some jagged edges near the grill, and the grill, yikes, that's another beast.  It has an irregular design and is framed by the head lights, chrome bar, and bumper, it's just ugly, no other way to put it.  I really don't understand why you would build an ugly car, what a waist of time and money, and we are only on the front.  Call us, we will tell you on paper if its ugly, we could save you billions, and we would be glad to do it!!

The rear isn't much better, the tail lights seem out of place and are not the right shape for the van, you would think that a boxy frame design would lend itself to a boxy tail light design, makes sense to us.  The van looks to tall for its wheel base, it seems very top heavy.  We understand that vans have to be somewhat boxy by nature but this is to much box.  The rear window is to large for the design.  The chrome bar connecting the tail lights is STUPID!!!!  I can appreciate what Nissan tried to do with giving the Quest a wrap around window feel, but it just doesn't work.  This Quest is just odd looking.  

The profile of the Quest is a wreck. The character line of the Quest runs from the tail light to the front wheel well, fading as it moves forward.  The line under the windows is very straight until it reaches the side mirrors where it starts to head north, seems odd to have that curve on such a boxy design.  Their are so many seams on the real quarter panel it looks like a street map.  The tires and wheel wells seem very small and make the van seem very unbalanced vertically.  The Quest also suffers from the age old scar where the rear door slides, should have hidden it under the window! 

 I can see what Nissan wanted to do, it would have worked better if the designers went with the concept of this vehicle.  The concept does not have all the seams and limits the amount of odd pieces that were added to dumb down the design.  NOTE TO CAR COMPANIES:  IF YOU HAVE A GOOD CONCEPT GO WITH IT, DUMBING IT DOWN DOESN'T WORK.

Quest Concept

2011 Nissan Quest

Grade: 2 

BMW X3 2011

When the first X3 hit the market we were all glad to see the luxury brands entering the small SUV segment.  The problem was that all the luxury brands were entering the segment with thin skinned, dumbed down designs.  The original X3 was a little to small and lacked in design appeal.  The 2011 X3 has made up for all that was lacking with the previous model.  The 2011 X3 grew to a more appealing size and incorporated a lot of the beef that the X5's design featured (The X5 received a 10 from Car Grade when it came out).  The head lights of the vehicle are kind of a let down because they do not look like the rest of the fleet.  They are simple and rectangular instead of the classy curves of other BMW models.  The front of the X3 has all the other bold features that we love about BMW.  The grill is classic BMW yet fits into the design nicely.  The raised fog lights give off a very gruff look without sending the design to far to the off road side.   

The rear of the X3 is where most of the improvement took place.  The previous X3 had very quirky tail lights that where far to small for the design, making an already weak design look weaker.  The new X3 has BMW's double lit tail light system which is really cool but classy at the same time.  The new tail lights slant somewhat downward as they wrap around the back of the vehicle.  The white stripe carries from the inside edge to the outside edge without breaking which helps keep the tail light system combined as it crosses over the from the frame to the rear gate.  The stripe is thinner on one side than the other adding to the appeal.  The rest of the rear is clean and neat.  We like when car companies don't throw a lot of words and crap on the rear of the their cars.  The X3 just has BMW's trade mark logo and "X3".  The rear reflectors are built right into the design giving off a well thought out look.

  .The profile of the X3 is enhanced by a deep character line starting from the rear of the front wheel well, trailing back until it hits the tail light and then is carried by the tail light design, attention to detail, we like that!!  This gives the X3 an aggressive feel for such a small SUV.  The part we don't like is the angular rear window.  The window takes a bunch of small angles as it rounds the back of the truck.  This is similar to the previous model but is something that should have been left behind. 

It is very difficult to give small vehicles good lines because of the fact that there is not much room to pull it off, but the X3 adds small touches to give it the advantage in its segment.  This is definitely a step forward in the compact SUV segment.

2011 BMW X3

Grade: 9

Saab 95 2011

Saab has always been a car brand for a "particular brand" of people.  We were never sure what those "particular people" saw in Saab, but we've inched closer to seeing it.  The rear quarter panel of Saab vehicles has always made us squirm.  It just seems wrong.  The 2011 Saab 95 makes us squirm a little less than previous models.  The 95 has grown to its largest size which helps absorb some of the awkwardness of the rear quarter panel.  The front of the 95 has a lot going on.  The head lights, grill, and fog light casings are all wrapped in chrome and all have very distinctive shapes, none of which match.  The headlights give off a raccoon look that we don't find very attractive.  I will give Saab credit for evolving the 95's design without losing the character that the "particular people" like.

                              

The rear of the car is very progressive for Saab.  There is a light bar that travels all the way across the back of the vehicle which adds a very nice high tech feel.  Under that light is a chrome bar that also travels the length of the vehicle giving it some nice horizontal styling, and... that's where they should have stopped.  The tail lights go on to have a curved, dot like lower portion which wraps around a rectangular brake light.  It's just to much and like the front nothing matches up.

                          

                          

The 95 is very unbalanced when looking at the profile view.  The front pillar is "blacked out" so it looks like the vehicle has a wrap around windshield, which is not balanced by the very thick rear pillar.  The rear pillar is classic Saab and nothing we say can change that.  One thing that the 95 has going for it is its stance.  It sits perfectly on its frame which helps when the rest of the design is lacking.

This is a step into the future for Saab, the "particular people" will love it, we just can't get over the squirm. 

2011 Saab 95

Grade: 6

Audi A7 2011

This car is smok'en hot.  I attended the Cleveland Auto show recently and this was definitely the stand out.  This is concept car that is on the road.  The Audi A7 is the definition of sleek, stylish, and classy cool all wrapped up in one package.  The front of A7 combines all the trademark Audi stylings.  When Audi moved to their new grill it gave all their cars a great high end but sporty look.  The A7 is no exception.  I have begun to notice that Audi is going a little to far with "blinging" their head lights and tail lights, I am glad that the A7 has avoided them for now.  The large side air intake vents give this car a very aggressive look.  Man, I am sweating as I write!

I think A7 is the first vehicle to really push forward the "no trunk deck" look successfully.  This look has plagued cars in the past.  The tail lights have the appearance of being "tucked in and under" giving off muscle car attitude.  The tail lights are blood red, no orange, and the white is just a sliver at the bottom.  The design of the lower rear pumper area adds interest without taking away from the overall look.  The profile of the A7 adds the class that balances out the aggression of the front and rear.  HOT!  To be fair the A7 does have have a seam in front of the rear wheel well, however as you pass the wheel, the seam is picked up at the same height as it moves to the rear lower quarter panel.  Attention to detail, we like that.

One other feature that makes the A7 stand out is the rear spoiler that comes up at higher speeds.  Nice!  It's just flat out cool.  It is virtually invisible when lowered.  The stance of the A7 is perfect in every way.  It's wide and has perfect height from the ground. None of these pictures do it justice, you have to see it to appreciate fully what this car is bringing to the table.



My only advice to Audi is don't over do the head and tail lights of this car in the future.  It's perfect.  Did I mention I want one!

2011 Audi A7

Grade 10

Volvo S60 2011

It seems that most car companies are coming into their own when design is concerned.  They want to preserve their heritage but move into the future all at the same time.  this is what makes this industry so exciting.  The Volvo S60 is a move forward, but lacks any real thrill.  The front of the S60 is cleaner and more aerodynamic than its predecessor, but doesn't evoke any excitement.  The head lights are boring and the smaller light next to them really doesn't match.  The area right below the head lights has angular indentations that make us cringe.  This design feature adds a futuristic element that does not fit the rest of the car.  Volvo's logo and line across the grill also throws the S60 off balance. 

The rear of the S60 is decent.  The S60 gets next generation looking tail lights and the unusual "built in hip" tail light has given way to a more run of the mill design.  The tail lights are raised from the frame giving them a "bubble look" which makes them stand out instead of fitting in with the frame.   



The character line of the S60 flows nicely from front to back, raising just a bit over the wheel wells.  The vehicle has a seam in front of the rear wheel well that looks sloppy.  The "hip" on the rear quarter panel has been greatly reduced and makes the car seem less quirky but dull at the same time.  Hum, hum seems appropriate.

   

2011 Volvo S60

Grade: 4

Nissan Juke 2011



The Nissan Joke, I mean Juke, is a design disaster.  I get that sometimes car companies want to the push the design envelope to move the industry forward, but the Juke goes a lot to far in the wrong direction. 

The front of the Juke is a train wreck, or better yet, an alien wreck.  I wanted to get some additional views of the Juke so I browsed over to Nissan's website only to find even weirder marketing bits.  They call their new look "The Predator Approach" LOL, they weren't kidding, but I don't think we are thinking of the same predator! "Uniquely designed turn indicators stare you down from the fiercely sculpted hood" the hood is as flat as they come.  The website goes on to say "The tight exterior frame shows off its muscular curvature and aggressive stance while maintaining a sleek sports car appearance", are you kidding me, sleek, what part of sleek and predator go together and were the heck did sports car appearance come from! Both the designers and the marketers at Nissan need to lay of the sauce.

                                        

The "turn indicators" do look like fangs so I agree with the predator comparison there.  Next, however, you have very round head lights that give the Juke a VW happy go lucky feel, just like a predator???  Lower, you have three round holes in the bumper, I guess if you gone this far to look stupid you may as well go all the way.  The grill is everywhere, but still has Nissan's weird shaped whatever in the middle. 

The rear of the Juke is almost respectable.  I like that Nissan gave the Juke tail lights that fit the format of the rest of their vehicles.  The rear of the Juke is remarkably organized, tail lights, logo, reflectors, all seem to be in their traditional locations.  It's almost a let down at this point.  From the side the Juke is a mess.  I wish I could get to the same place as the writer who thinks that this is a sleek design, to me it looks silly and disjointed.  The Juke has no real lines except the rounded wheel wells.  Per Nissan "Rear door handles are subtly worked into the design keeping them out of sight giving the Juke a sports-coupe sleekness". (WARNING: If you think that this is a sports coupe get help fast!).  Nissan's attempt to hide the rear door handle has the reverse effect on the design.  It looks like someone air brushed it out, leaving a void were it should be.  If you going to hide the door handle maybe you should hide the rear door seam as well.  Good luck with this one Nissan. 

2011 Nissan Juke

Grade: 1

Jaguar XJ 2011

WOW!  This car is intense!  The Jaguar XJ has always trended toward stuffy old men that smell like cigar smoke, but the world is a chang'in.  Jaguar hit the mark with the XF and continues to march forward with their new modern design look.  The XJ is strong and smooth, giving a very upscale look that won't  leave Grandpa behind.   

With this design, Jaguar was able to fuse modern looks with an underlying classic feel.  This is not easy to do.  The new head light configuration is modern but understated.  Jaguar's new grill is perfect, it gives all their vehicles a nice focal point and really brings a strong visual to the front end. The lower half of the front end works well with the rest of the design.  I also like that there is no leaping Jaguar hood ornament, time to throw out the cigars Grandpa! 

The rear of the XJ plays really nice into the overall design of the vehicle.  The tail lights come swooping from the top of the deck lid, down the rear, and end nicely on either side of the trunk lid.  They match the front when it comes to modern and understated.  Both the front and the rear are clean, easy to understand and give off a very high end look.  The branding on the rear of the vehicle is also very high end, just the Jaguar logo and XJ, perfect. 

From the side the XJ is very smooth.  The Character line of the XJ is very high and is almost invisible.  The Character line does head south around the head light area but fits the overall look.  The rear roof line is long but still leaves enough room for a trunk lid.

 Here is our only beef, what is with the black crap on the rear pillar!?  I can't figure it out.  Here you have this great flowing design and you break it up in one of the most visible areas!  What gives?  If anyone at Jaguar would like to comment on it we would love to hear what the thought process was.  Not even the castle in the back round of this picture can distract you from whatever that is.  This should have been an easy ten for Jaguar, however, we just can't get over the black plastic.

2011 Jaguar XJ
Grade: 9

Dodge Durango 2011

Where to start... Oh I know, it couldn't get any worse than the previous model!  The truth is it only got a little better.  This is a classic tale of a car company that has two divisions, where two vehicles were forced to be designed around the same infrastructure. The problem is you risk watering down the design for one or both.  In this case, the car company is Chysler, and the two divisions are Jeep and Dodge.  It looks to us that the Grand Cherokee took priority when it came to designing the cousins and the Durango just had to make due.  The Durango just looks terrible to tell you the truth.  Dodge's new grill design looks like it is going to be a challenge to design around, especially when the rest of the sheet medal wasn't designed for it. 

The head lights are very blah, their is no real design to them, they are just there.  I wish that Dodge would have held steady with their leaning forward grill just a little longer, it gave there cars and trucks such a mean, distinctive aggressive look, which the Charger and Ram still sport.

The rear of the Durango is pretty much a copy of the Grand Cherokee, the designers could have been a little more creative. The tail lights look some what cartoon like and seem to big for the design.  I would like to give some design credit for the little jog that the tail light casing takes, but it's just stupid.  It looks like the designers sat down and tried to do as little as possible but still wanted it to look a little different than the Grand Cherokee, don't knock your selves out, you only spent millions to design it.


2011 Durango

 

2011 Grand Cherokee



  

The Durango doesn't have a continuous horizontal line, it begins, fades away, and reappears in the middle of the rear passenger door.  This is not a bad design feature but it does nothing for the Durango.  The biggest problem with the Durango's designs is that every time it is redesigned it carries nothing over from the model before. leaving the audience disenfranchised.   This often happens when a vehicle joins formats with another vehicle.  The first Durango was so strong and different, which is what attracted everyone to it, and since then it has been a slow, painful, gut wrenching, uninspiring, down hill decline.  Below I attached a photo a concept design for the 2011 Durango, I believe the Durango's Grade would have been higher if they would have stuck with it.



2011 Dodge Durango

 

2011 Dodge Durango Concept

2011 Dodge Durango
Grade: 3



Chevy Cruz 2011

The small car segment has often taken the brunt of our low scores,  partly because the purpose for small cars is to offer affordable transportation (which for some reason has always gone hand and hand with boring).  I also believe the lack of any good design is because their target audience doesn't really care what the car they drive looks like, At Car Grade these people are known as the "evil ones".

The 2011 Chevy Cruze unfortunately did not veer from affordable boring transportation.  From the front the Cruze looks like the rest of the fleet.  The Cruze wears the signature bar across the grill, and from there everything is very predictable.  The head lights move across the front of the vehicle and then plunge rearward coming to a vampire like point near the top of the front quarter panel.  There is no unique light styling with the head lights as a whole, very utilitarian.  The Cruze does sit well on its chassis and gives off an average over all visual.  The side panels are plain and no thrills, which would be good if the car had some flair somewhere else.  I concede that it is hard to put any real lines on a compact car just because of their nature, their short, but I won't give up hope that it can be done.

The back of the Cruze is already old in our eyes.  The bar across the back is predictable and stands out because it doesn't match anything around it.  On each end of the bar are oddly shaped tail light casings that are complicated by perfectly round tail lights.  The two features don't work together at all.  I'm not sure if this was an attempt at brand recognition, because the Cobalt (which the Cruze replaces) had the similar odd shape with a perfectly round light pattern. 

 There are a couple design features that stand out enough to talk about.  First is the "triplicate rear window".  So you have the rear passenger window, next you have a smaller window that has tinting that seems irregular.  If I had to guess I think the tinting is that way to make your eye believe the window ends there, weird.  Then you have a solid black plastic piece that carries us to the end, very messy and strange. 

The other feature about the Cruze's design that we didn't like is near the front wheel well.  One (yes there are two!) of the horizontal lines starts at the top of the fog light casing and rounds over the wheel well, yikes, horizontal lines should be for the most part horizontal!  The line then comes up and ends under the side mirrors. Then another line starts near where this one ends but lower, which then travels the length of the vehicle and ends well, however two lines makes a short car seem even shorter.  

Well, hate to say it but the "Evil Ones" win again!

2011 Chevy Cruze

Grade : 5