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The eye of the beholder

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Main Forum' started by David Beale, May 21, 2018.

  1. David Beale

    David Beale Senior Member

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    Well, so much for the "it's hideous" crowd. My friend is getting lots of comments on how nice his 2018 Canadian Technology package hatchback looks. -I- think it looks nice as well.
    YMMV. ;)
     
    #1 David Beale, May 21, 2018
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  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    Agreed, it is polarizing, but Prius always has been. I guess I don’t understand the folks who think their gen 2 or 3 is a nice looking car, while non Prius drivers think they are ugly, yet gen 4 is ugly compared to their gen.
     
    #2 bisco, May 21, 2018
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  3. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk EGR Fanatic

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    When gen 4 emerged, it got me looking at gen 2 a little closer, noticing the evolution of style. Second gen started looking better, a harmonious, friendly look. Third gen ramped up the wow a little, but in an evolutionary manner.

    But fourth gen gets my fur up, because it looks like the design was driven by the stylists, function was in the back seat. And they shamelessly aped Hyundai, and maybe a few other influencers as well. Also, in an accident, a lot of it's styling exercises are hopelessly fragile and sand-pounding expensive to repair.

    I think Toyota shows their hand with their brochure, their image of the potential customer:

    upload_2018-5-21_7-52-36.png
     
    #3 Mendel Leisk, May 21, 2018
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    no doubt every business is looking for a younger demographic.
     
    #4 bisco, May 21, 2018
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  5. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Both Gen 2 and Gen 3 were under the "Triangular monoform" design concept. Gen 4 was "Iconic Human-Tech"
     
    #5 Tideland Prius, May 21, 2018
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  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    thread title says it all. do less people like gen 4 looks than previous? difficult to measure.
     
    #6 bisco, May 21, 2018
  7. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

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    Here - Gen 4 is rare - I've seen 4 others on the road. Anything which is rare is "different". If 30% of cars were Gen 4 PRIUS, nobody would look at them. If I'd only ever seen 4 SUVs, they would look weird too.

    But - there are plenty of worse designs. AUDI grilles, Mazda gaping mouth grilles, LEXUS grilles - UGGH. And that sporty Merc - BRRR.
    upload_2018-5-22_7-50-18.png upload_2018-5-22_7-51-9.png upload_2018-5-22_7-53-2.png upload_2018-5-22_7-49-28.png

    AND LEXUS rears are worse:
    upload_2018-5-22_7-53-56.png
     
    #7 alanclarkeau, May 21, 2018
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  8. Since2002

    Since2002 Senior Lurker

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    Agree on Lexus. I went to the Detroit auto show last year and when I went to the Lexus booth I felt like I was standing in the middle of a herd of baleen whales.

    Baleen whale.jpg
     
    #8 Since2002, May 21, 2018
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  9. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace 2025 Camry XLE FWD

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    Toyotas are just as ugly as Lexus. Last week I saw an oncoming car at work and had these thoughts.

    What is that car with the black ugly Lexus front?
    It’s a Toyota.
    (Looking in rear view mirror) It’s a Prime. :( :cry:
     
    #9 Prodigyplace, May 21, 2018
  10. eustachio

    eustachio Member

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    Gotta say, I really like the design of the Gen 4, even more so the Prime.

    I appreciate Japanese aesthetics, maybe that helps. I also think the motoring public is conditioned to seeing "normal" cars. Anything different is jarring, I'm sure it can all be traced to our amygdala and survival instincts.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    #10 eustachio, May 22, 2018
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  11. RCO

    RCO Senior Member

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    You are not alone, buddy! There's an English regional adage, 'There's nowt so queer as folk', which equates to -
    There's nothing stranger than people!
     
    #11 RCO, May 22, 2018
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