Controversial Car Designs of 2023 Revealed

Everyone has their own perspective of beauty, while one person may find it unappealing, others may find it attractive and vice versa. This is inevitable in the design field in general and the automotive world in particular, as not every car design is universally pleasing to everyone. Below are some of the most controversial car designs of 2023.

Tesla Cybertruck

Since its first appearance as a concept car, Tesla Cybertruck has caused much controversy in the automotive industry with its “unconventional” design. The Cybertruck features an angular and rugged design with an entirely stainless steel body that doesn’t require paint and is dent-resistant. However, its large and boxy design raises concerns about pedestrian safety in the event of a collision.

In a typical car, the crumple zones are designed to easily deform and absorb impact, redirecting it away from the passenger cabin to protect the occupants. However, with the Cybertruck, it is uncertain whether the crumple zones have been properly developed due to the excessively rigid body. In the event of a collision, the body may not deform enough, causing the impact force to be transferred directly to the cabin and passengers inside.

Furthermore, the unique design has caused continuous delays in its production due to various issues.

BMW XM 2023

When BMW first introduced the XM, it immediately attracted attention with its oversized kidney grille and slanted headlights, while the body had a more rounded appearance. This distinctive look divided opinions among car enthusiasts.

Carscoops even commented, “XM looks genuinely weird from every angle” and “It’s hard to find a truly good-looking perspective.”

Moreover, the XM also has other controversial aspects such as its excessive weight. Despite being the most powerful model from BMW (with 644 horsepower for the standard version and 748 horsepower for the Red version), the XM takes 4.1 seconds to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h, which is slower than other cheaper “M” models from BMW.

According to BMW’s brand leadership, “controversial” is synonymous with “modern design” and often generates discussions, thereby boosting sales. BMW Chairman Oliver Zipse stated, “I want to stir up controversy.”

He gave an example of the BMW 7-Series E65, which was designed by Chris Bangle and did not receive enthusiastic reception but sold better than its more stylish predecessor, the 7-Series E38.

Hyundai Santa Fe 2024

When it was first introduced, the design of the Hyundai Santa Fe 2024 also sparked controversy due to its completely different appearance compared to previous generations.

The new Santa Fe design features a boxy and rugged exterior with sharp and prominent lines, slightly resembling the luxury SUV Land Rover Defender. Some angles give a strong and angular impression, while others appear boxy.

The rear of the car has been criticized for its lack of attention-grabbing elements. The flat trunk lid, the raised “Santa Fe” lettering, and the low-placed taillights have been seen as lacking balance.

SangYup Lee, Hyundai’s global design director, explained that the low-placed taillights ensure the width of the rear opening is not compromised, unlike traditional designs.

According to Hyundai, the design of the 2024 Santa Fe aims to optimize interior space and luggage compartment. Hyundai’s designers also stated that this is an effort to “bring back the boxy design.”

Toyota Crown Crossover 2023

The Toyota Crown Crossover 2023 combines elements of a sedan and an SUV, which is a rare occurrence. Only a few cases, such as the AMC Eagle 4×4 or the more recent Polestar 2 electric car, feature this type of design. The common characteristics among these vehicles are the large wheels, high ground clearance like an SUV, sedan body style, and absence of a hatchback.

The Toyota Crown Crossover has a sloping rear, sharp shoulder lines, and discreet rear spoiler. Furthermore, the trunk compartment is a point of controversy. The trunk is separated from the cabin by a half-wall partition. This design makes the trunk half like a sedan trunk and half like a crossover trunk.

Faced with criticism of the Crown Crossover’s design, Toyota explained that they wanted to introduce a crossover with the performance of a sedan. The new Crown is targeted at younger customers.

While the exterior design has sparked controversy, the interior of the Toyota Crown Crossover 2023 has received praise for its modern features that are likely to satisfy even the most discerning individuals.

Subaru Forester 2025

After the unveiling of the new Subaru Forester, the model received a lot of criticism for its design. The majority of it expressed disappointment with the new design for being “normalized.” Some even believe that the Subaru Forester 2025 has “lost its essence.”

On the latest generation, Subaru Forester removed the clear curves and low nose design. Instead, the new design follows a more masculine and modern boxy style. However, this has left many consumers disappointed as the new design gives them the feeling of a Ford vehicle rather than a Subaru.

The side profile bears a slight resemblance to the Toyota RAV4 with a slight indentation at the D-pillar and boxy wheel arches. Meanwhile, the front end greatly resembles the Ford Explorer with a new grille design and dual-wing headlights placed close together. This is an unmistakable face of the Ford Explorer, especially the 5th generation models produced between 2010 and 2019.

TT (Tuoitrethudo)