7 Automotive Design Trends That Need To Die

Every automotive era has design successes and failures. These are some that will hopefully disappear soon
7 Automotive Design Trends That Need To Die

I want to make something abundantly clear. I’m not one of those guys who thinks all things new are crap and “my” generation was the best. I mean, I grew up in the 1980s for crying out loud - we thought cordless telephones, hairspray and glam rock were the meaning of life.

I say this so you won’t automatically dismiss the criticisms I’m about dish out on modern trends in car design and functionality. I promise it’s not a hardening of the attitude - Bluetooth and satellite navigation are awesome, and what’s not to like about 300bhp everyday family cars that still pull 30-plus miles per gallon? We have sinfully attractive hypercars, turbochargers galore, and freaking electric cars that hit 60mph in under three seconds, then drive themselves through traffic. Now is a very, very good time to be a petrolhead.

I just hope designers and engineers realise these particular trends need to die before it all gets ruined…

1. Big wheels

7 Automotive Design Trends That Need To Die

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. Big wheels are the enemy of performance. You need big wheels to clear big brakes, but even then there’s no reason for street cars or pickup trucks to sport massive rims. Modest 17-inch wheels offer plenty of room for a stout braking system underneath that would be just fine for street use where 99 per cent of buyers get the most from their cars. For hardcore enthusiasts, get 18s with bigger brakes and better pads, but that’s really all you need.

2. Ugly oversized angular grilles

7 Automotive Design Trends That Need To Die

It’s hard to say when this trend actually started. I tend to single out the 2004 Audi redesign, not because its grille was some weird trapezium, but because it was just big and out of proportion for the rest of the car. Wherever it started, it needs to stop now before everything looks like this Nissan Maxima, or worse, every new Lexus.

3. LED accent lights

7 Automotive Design Trends That Need To Die

I’ve heard people call these mascara or eyeliner for headlights. I’ve heard them referred to as automotive jewellery. I’ve even heard people call them those little light things. But I’ve never, ever heard someone call them anything positive. I know, now the comments will fill up with people saying how much they like these ugly, stupid, tacky, useless accessories, but I stand by my point.

I can sum up my feelings for this design trend like this: even when I see them on factory stock high-end luxury supercars, I immediately flash back to the automotive aisle at Wal-Mart. I think that says it all.

4. Plastic covers on everything

7 Automotive Design Trends That Need To Die

This has been going on for some time. I get it - manufacturers want to create a smoother look under the bonnet. Or do they just want to make it harder (and perhaps more intimidating) for people to wrench on their own cars? If the idea is to help keep the engine cleaner, engineers clearly haven’t removed one of these covers after a couple of years of driving to see just how much crap gets underneath. Again, here’s a simple weight-saving solution for vehicles that really need it. The savings wouldn’t be much, but every bit counts.

5. Basic controls buried in infotainment systems

7 Automotive Design Trends That Need To Die

Time to bust out some science. Occam’s razor is a very old principle that basically says the simplest solution is usually the best solution. It’s not an absolute mind you, but it’s a perfectly logical concept to follow. Why then must automakers continue to bury such basic functions like climate control and radio selection within increasingly complex infotainment systems? There are many cars now on the road that require you to navigate screens to do something as simple as turn on a fan. Technology is good when it makes things better, but not when it’s used simply for the sake of using it.

6. Keyless operation systems

7 Automotive Design Trends That Need To Die

Here’s another cliché - out of sight out of mind. When you don’t need to physically use a key to operate your vehicle, it’s very easy to forget all about it. When you forget all about it, losing track of it becomes more likely. When you completely lose track of it, finding it becomes far more difficult.

I won’t deny the convenience of just walking to the car and having it unlock automatically and fire up at the simple push of a button. But the whole keyless operation thing seems to be solving a problem that never existed. You need to have it with you anyway - is it really that tough to just insert it into the car?

7. Low rooflines and high beltlines

7 Automotive Design Trends That Need To Die

These designs look good. Actually, they look great. The Chevrolet Camaro pulls this look off arguably better than any other production car currently on the road. You’ve probably also heard about the Camaro’s terrible visibility, and this is why.

Aside from the scrunched windows that result from such designs, major blind spots often develop around the A- and C-pillars. Supercar drivers have known about this for years - it’s one of the vices of living with such a machine - but now we’re seeing this trend appearing more and more on every day vehicles. The last thing we need on the roads of the world are inattentive drivers in cars they can hardly see out of.

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Comments

Anonymous

I’m ready to get plowed over by dissenters, but I honestly like the Lexus grille more than BMW’s kidney’s…

04/10/2016 - 04:43 |
10 | 6
Kavinda Bandara

I think it’s time for designers to get back to drawing boards from PC screen. That will make things a lot lovely

04/10/2016 - 05:01 |
0 | 0
Ben F. (Slowmaro)

LED accent lights started off as a really good idea, and while I don’t think they were the first I’m giving credit to Audi. Instead of wasting enegy and bulb life on the regular headlights to use as DRL’s, why not use LED’s instead and allow for some creative design? AWESOME!
Unfortunately. EVERYONE started doing it and they butchered good designs in order to be “unique”. Lexus said “screw it we’ll put it on the body”, Porsche and Mercedes-Benz just pit them wherever as an afterthought. Such a good idea turned to crap.

04/10/2016 - 05:18 |
8 | 0
Kristian R.

I agree on most of these but i personaly like one inch larger wheels, like 18” or even 19”. This is because if your car has too small wheels with high profile tyres, I think it looks anemic. This of course aplies only to some cars but at least in my experience it is a good way to make your car look better.

04/10/2016 - 05:20 |
2 | 0
Facundo

You can say whatever you want but for me the grill on every Lexus is beautiful and is like the badge of the brand

04/10/2016 - 05:21 |
6 | 6
V-Tech and EcoBoost kicked in yo

What I really find annoying about the Camaro’s belt-line is that it isn’t even for safety: they did it for style as thats what previous owners like. It’s like they don’t even consider the prospect of other people buying their car.

04/10/2016 - 05:29 |
0 | 0
JaySB

On the design things u always can argue about taste.
I think all of us hate the over complicated infotainment systems but they got a long way since the first I drive to what we have now and it keeps the dash clean.
Last but not least the plastic engine cover. Those things got to major reasons to exist. 1st it’s in there to keep the noise down so specially on diesel engines 2nd yes it’s in there so people don’t work on there cars at home. engineers would love to keep the engine in a closed compartment so nobody, who is not supposed to work on it, stays out.

04/10/2016 - 05:38 |
0 | 0
ABoyAndHisSubie

Don’t know what it is but for some reason push to start really grinds my gears

04/10/2016 - 05:44 |
0 | 0
Anonymous

I think the ugly oversized angular grilles the plastic covers on everything the basic fiction in the infotainment system and keyless start should die off

04/10/2016 - 05:54 |
0 | 0
DMartindale

The only thing I disagree with is the LED accent lights. Yes sometimes they look super tacky and walmarty. But when done right they can be gorgeous

04/10/2016 - 05:56 |
2 | 0