Why do you think many companies make electric cars look so ugly? - Toyota GR86, 86, FR-S and Subaru BRZ Forum & Owners Community

tzhu07 · 09-01-2014, 05:25 PM

Why is Tesla the only company that gets it?

Miniata · 09-01-2014, 05:47 PM

I think it is a combination of packaging for the batteries and other EV-specific components, and the desire for tree-huggers to show the world they are driving something different.

lastexile1987 · 09-01-2014, 06:31 PM

IMHO, I think what Toyota did with the Prius years ago set electric, hybrids, etc. back in terms of adoption. Why on earth do you package a product that is supposed to be beneficial for the planet in such an ugly box. Luckily we have companies that are breaking away from the rule that an electric car has to look like a 5 year old drawing of a car.

I think with toyota, they got so caught up in the functionality of it, and wanting to get their product out there, they forgot to make it look like something people would not feel embarrassed driving in.

I apologize to any Prius owners I might have offended but this was my honest opinion.

aznatama · 09-01-2014, 06:42 PM

Aerodynamics and size. Cd of prius is like 0.25? Although Tesla is 0.24, and the CLA is 0.23, they're also longer cars.

n2oinferno · 09-01-2014, 09:25 PM

Tesla isn't the only one that gets it. You just are hung up on the basic design of the Prius, Insight, Leaf, etc.

The Spark was a conventional vehicle before it was an EV. If Tesla were to produce a subcompact, it certainly wouldn't have the sexy swoopy lines and long wheelbase of the Model S.

The ELR is a good looking car, IMO. And even better in person than in pictures.

wbradley · 09-01-2014, 10:16 PM

Fisker Karma and Tesla Model S look great, for a high price.

Nissan Leaf is puke on wheels. But then again I find all current Nissans are ugly.

bcj · 09-01-2014, 10:55 PM

They're making just as many internal combustion models that make the gorge rise as well.

eg. -------> Juke

Burrcold · 09-01-2014, 11:02 PM

Prius is undeniably a...Prius. THIS is the main reason why they look the way they do. Toyota benchmarked that ugly, but symbolic, could be a gold mine. Everyone (other than Tesla) has just tried to follow suit.

airjonny · 09-01-2014, 11:11 PM

The Prius is the only car that could pull it off. Car companies need to learn from the Insight and just build a car that looks appealing. No gimmicks, no hipster art majors making asymmetrical shoe boxes with rugs on the dash. Just a simple, yet appealing shape.

noobcake · 09-02-2014, 12:05 AM

If I had to guess these electric cars are normally cheap and the people that are buying them normally don't care for how they look but only care for mpg saved, they just want to get from point A to point B.

n2oinferno · 09-02-2014, 12:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by airjonny

The Prius is the only car that could pull it off. Car companies need to learn from the Insight and just build a car that looks appealing. No gimmicks, no hipster art majors making asymmetrical shoe boxes with rugs on the dash. Just a simple, yet appealing shape.

The Insight originated that general hybrid shape design though. It wasn't until the second gen Prius that it took that shape.

Poodles · 09-02-2014, 01:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by n2oinferno

Tesla isn't the only one that gets it. You just are hung up on the basic design of the Prius, Insight, Leaf, etc.

The Spark was a conventional vehicle before it was an EV. If Tesla were to produce a subcompact, it certainly wouldn't have the sexy swoopy lines and long wheelbase of the Model S.

The ELR is a good looking car, IMO. And even better in person than in pictures.

IMHO that thing is terrible looking and has terrible proportions. The front windows and A pillar look like a Versa, and the back end is trying too hard to be a lambo... Then again, I think caddy's design language is shit anyway.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bcj

They're making just as many internal combustion models that make the gorge rise as well.

eg. -------> Juke

Hey, I like the Juke. If they offered the AWD with a stick I would have bought one...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Burrcold

Prius is undeniably a...Prius. THIS is the main reason why they look the way they do. Toyota benchmarked that ugly, but symbolic, could be a gold mine. Everyone (other than Tesla) has just tried to follow suit.

The boat-tail back end is key to the aerodynamics of the vehicle. A hell of a lot of the other design features are simply for aero as well.

The real issue is that they have to compete globally. In Europe, diesels are very strong competition for hybrids. I'm still waiting for someone to tap that goldmine (diesel electric hybrid car...)

TylerLieberman · 09-03-2014, 11:26 AM

I have to agree. A large majority of the cars are just plain ugly.

It's no secret that they're a bit more expensive too. That being said, I'm sure as he'll not about to spend 30k on an electric car that's slow as shit when I can spend 30k on a car that is just as practical, if not more in some cases, moves quicker, and isn't an eyesore to look at.

Sasquachulator · 09-06-2014, 02:45 PM

Aerodynamics, packaging, and cost.

Notice all the really cool looking hybrid/electric cars are freaking expensive? Yeah.....even the regular ones command a bit of a premium over a 'normal' car.

09-01-2014, 05:25 PM	#1
tzhu07 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Drives: FR-S Location: WA Posts: 189 Thanks: 1 Thanked 103 Times in 56 Posts Mentioned: 3 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Why do you think many companies make electric cars look so ugly? Why is Tesla the only company that gets it? Last edited by tzhu07; 04-27-2020 at 01:16 PM.

09-01-2014, 05:47 PM	#2
Miniata Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Drives: 13 BRZ - 90 Miata - 07 FXT -05 Mini Location: Ohio Posts: 546 Thanks: 6 Thanked 142 Times in 105 Posts Mentioned: 2 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	I think it is a combination of packaging for the batteries and other EV-specific components, and the desire for tree-huggers to show the world they are driving something different. __________________ 17x7 Kosei K1-TS w/ 215/45-17 Dunlop Star Specs Nameless Track Pipe - Strano front sway bar

09-01-2014, 06:42 PM	#4
aznatama Senior Member Join Date: May 2014 Drives: 2014 BRZ MT (Sold); 2006 V70R Location: Fairfax Posts: 873 Thanks: 10 Thanked 186 Times in 150 Posts Mentioned: 8 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Aerodynamics and size. Cd of prius is like 0.25? Although Tesla is 0.24, and the CLA is 0.23, they're also longer cars. __________________ '14 BRZ LTD MT DGM

09-01-2014, 11:02 PM	#8
Burrcold Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Drives: Subaru BRZ Limited Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 2,624 Thanks: 763 Thanked 1,586 Times in 776 Posts Mentioned: 10 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Prius is undeniably a...Prius. THIS is the main reason why they look the way they do. Toyota benchmarked that ugly, but symbolic, could be a gold mine. Everyone (other than Tesla) has just tried to follow suit. __________________

09-03-2014, 11:26 AM	#13
TylerLieberman Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Drives: '24 GR86 Location: Arizona Posts: 3,675 Thanks: 655 Thanked 3,343 Times in 1,576 Posts Mentioned: 16 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	I have to agree. A large majority of the cars are just plain ugly. It's no secret that they're a bit more expensive too. That being said, I'm sure as he'll not about to spend 30k on an electric car that's slow as shit when I can spend 30k on a car that is just as practical, if not more in some cases, moves quicker, and isn't an eyesore to look at. __________________ Old 2013 FRS Build Thread (SOLD) Hakone 86 GR Build Thread (SOLD)

09-01-2014, 06:31 PM	#3
lastexile1987 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Drives: Lightning Red '13 Limited BRZ Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 346 Thanks: 87 Thanked 112 Times in 73 Posts Mentioned: 1 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	IMHO, I think what Toyota did with the Prius years ago set electric, hybrids, etc. back in terms of adoption. Why on earth do you package a product that is supposed to be beneficial for the planet in such an ugly box. Luckily we have companies that are breaking away from the rule that an electric car has to look like a 5 year old drawing of a car. I think with toyota, they got so caught up in the functionality of it, and wanting to get their product out there, they forgot to make it look like something people would not feel embarrassed driving in. I apologize to any Prius owners I might have offended but this was my honest opinion.

09-01-2014, 09:25 PM	#5
n2oinferno Praise Helix! Join Date: Jan 2011 Drives: Accord 2.0T, Silverado Location: Upstate SC Posts: 2,859 Thanks: 428 Thanked 2,208 Times in 1,072 Posts Mentioned: 11 Post(s) Tagged: 1 Thread(s)	Tesla isn't the only one that gets it. You just are hung up on the basic design of the Prius, Insight, Leaf, etc. The Spark was a conventional vehicle before it was an EV. If Tesla were to produce a subcompact, it certainly wouldn't have the sexy swoopy lines and long wheelbase of the Model S. The ELR is a good looking car, IMO. And even better in person than in pictures.

09-01-2014, 11:11 PM	#9
airjonny Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Drives: Nissan Murano Location: Chicago suburbs Posts: 491 Thanks: 505 Thanked 340 Times in 185 Posts Mentioned: 2 Post(s) Tagged: 2 Thread(s)	The Prius is the only car that could pull it off. Car companies need to learn from the Insight and just build a car that looks appealing. No gimmicks, no hipster art majors making asymmetrical shoe boxes with rugs on the dash. Just a simple, yet appealing shape.

09-06-2014, 02:45 PM	#14
Sasquachulator Pavement Grey Join Date: Dec 2011 Drives: 2020 Toyota 86 GT, 2017 BMW X1 Location: Calgary Posts: 3,084 Thanks: 109 Thanked 2,223 Times in 1,205 Posts Mentioned: 8 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Aerodynamics, packaging, and cost. Notice all the really cool looking hybrid/electric cars are freaking expensive? Yeah.....even the regular ones command a bit of a premium over a 'normal' car.

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