As car people, we all get riled up by power figures and tech specs and luxury gizmos, but nothing gets the juices going quite like the looks of a car, truck, or SUV. If the latest and greatest from Car Brand has top-of-the-class horsepower, F1-grade suspension, and innovative KoolCheexTM super-cooling seat technology, but is a big miss in the styling department, that’s going to cool off any desire to own one pretty quickly. As cool as your cheex, even.
So, yeah – we all enjoy a nice-looking car. But what are the best-looking models on sale today? It’s all in the eye of the beholder – a phrase I just coined – so there are no right or wrong answers here. As for me, I find myself admiring every Lexus GX I encounter, and find it particularly attractive from the rear three-quarter view.
See? Nice, right?
Naturally, I invited the gang to chime in with their pics for best-looking new car. As in, cars on sale as new today, which might be quite old, case in point:
Mazda MX-5 Miata. I know it’s over a decade old by now, but you can still buy it new at dealers, so it still counts! – Brian
Yep, good call. And it’ll still look good in another ten years. The answer, and all that. I also have no arguments with this perfect call:
Fourteen years after first seeing its shape in concept car form, the spotting of a wild Lexus LC 500 still induces an involuntary “mmmm.” That’s great design right there. – Thomas
It’s a fine-looking machine in pixels, but have you ever seen one in person? Breathtaking, really. Just a super-sharp car. And this next pick is just as impressive to me, considering how humble a car it is (and how homely it’s been in the past):
Current Prius, and it always amazes me to nominate a Prius. Striking concept-car looks. On a Prius. – Antti
Yes! Gotta love the Prius. Your turn:
What Are The Best Looking New Cars Right Now?
Top graphic image: Mazda
Toyota Crown Signia. Great take on the wagon/estate form factor.
Under the radar choice, but 100% agree.
From the Big 3, Stellantis overall has good design language over the years, they may take a while to make updates but their lineup is good to the eye, they offer some interesting colors.
Pickup truck: RAM is the best looking one
Minivan: Pacifica has good design, better than Sienna
SUVs: Jeep overall is consistent and attractive (Ignore the Compass for a second), whatever updates they made to the Wagoneer worked, looks better in person.
Dodge: Durango still eye catching, along the Charger that to me looks better than the latest Mustang (Just ignore the weight lol).
GM made everything Camaro looking and split headlights. Ford is Ford, safe to the eye, nothing extraordinary.
That Lexus GX is less attractive than the cardboard box it was delivered in.
I’m partial to Lucids these days – and the Mazda3.
Genesis is also looking really good too – except for that really big sedan, which is just too bloated for my taste.
Rolls Royce Spectre and Ghost – and Bentley Continental GT/GTS & Flying Spur (as long as they’re specced tastefully)
Because clean, elegant styling with a minimum of fussy details will always be a winner for me.
I think the Lexus looks far better than the Toyota version though.
I like the heritage land cruiser and the Ioniq 6. The new Charger I am unsure about.
A bunch of sensible and correct answers from the Autopian staff? I’m not sure how to feel about this. Is everything okay there in Autopianland? 😉
Yeah, surprised Torch didn’t suggest a new reproduction Dodge Omni or some shit like that.
Mazda [all] (maybe not the CX-30)
Aston Martin [all]
There’s probably some new Jaguar F-Types on dealer lots that haven’t yet been sold, even though the facelifted version isn’t as cohesive a design as the original, it’s still good.
LC500 and Prius have already been mentioned, suitably so.
The top Mustangs – GT Dark Horse, GT500, etc. – while looking a bit big still look good overall.
Volvo V60 and XC60. I think all the current Volvos are handsome in their own right, but these stand out especially to me.
Ford Bronco and Bronco Sport.
Lincoln Aviator.
Gordon Murray Automotive T.33 & T.50.
Rivian [all].
Ford Bronco looks great, I do not think the sport looks good though. I agree on most of the other stuff though.
CX 30 issue is too much plastic cladding. Otherwise would be a top five to me.
Unpopular opinion I suspect, but I really like the look of the Kia K4, sedan and hatch.
They nail “Blade Runner futuristic” quite well (the tail lights on the sedan esp) – I appreciate the boldness of committing to such a noticable design ethos that’s such a broad departure from everything else, and they’ve managed to even tone down the gingerbread that can afflict other Kias and most Hyundais.
Among the most quirky of designs out there right now, and we do often appreciate that here in Autopia…
A jeep wrangler in Purple Reign color was the first thing that came to my mind.
Wrangler styling has proven quite timeless, and I definitely see them in a fun color more often than your average car. Good choice.
Volvo S60. Ever since it first came out I always thought it was one of the nicest looking cars on the road, and even though the design is something like 8 years old now it somehow still looks fresh and stylish.
I’m a big fan of the GR86. Really great proportions. If only the interior looked as good as the exterior.
I may not be in the majority, but I know I’m not the only one that things the OG FRS/BRZ were better looking than the updates. I like the current model, but I think the OG was at the better end of “pretty” vs “aggressive”.
I agree with you – the original design screamed “90s sport coupe,” while the current one is much more generically of its time.
I also forgot to mention the Suzuki Jimny, if only we could have it in the US. It’s perfect.
I mean the Miata and LC500 are throw over home plate choices but they’re universally loved for a reason and I’d be giddy to look out and see either in my driveway. I’ll try to shout out some off the beaten path choices…I think they just stopped making them but the BMW 8 series is drop dead gorgeous and incredibly under appreciated.
I am the furthest thing from a Tesla fanboy but the Model S is a gorgeous car and really the only example of them getting their styling just right. I also love the Jaguar F Type, even if the pre refresh was a little more tasteful. Also, you know what’s a fantastic looking car? The Honda Passport. I’ve started seeing them pretty frequently and I just think it’s a perfect execution of that design brief.
It looks rugged and tough but it’s still cheerful and has a sense of whimsy, especially in the bright Orange press color. It says “hey I’m down for adventures but can also express my emotions appropriately” and in a world of angry behemoths I really appreciate that.
I want one. Bad.
The Passport looks like a Toyota, which I think is why it looks as good as it does. It even has amber DRLs, which look so much better than white.
Yes, amber DRLs. One of the many reasons that the Telluride was successful as well. Those little lights make a big design impact.
I’m especially partial to the pre-refresh Model S’s, before they digitally removed their mouths. Those are still some of the most attractive cars on the road.
And it’s striking how poorly that design language translated to crossovers, which are some of the most ungainly-looking vehicles on the road.
The Passport is a great design inside and out, they nailed it.
But as a 5th gen 4Runner owner who is disappointed in the new 4R and has an eye roving towards Honda, I lose enthusiasm for the Passport when I see the poor economy/performance balance of the outdated V6, the lack of a full size spare in a 5,000 pound SUV, cheap 40:60 rear seatback. I have weird edge case criteria and will just have to stick with what i have for the next model cycle.
Is the fuel economy really that big of a deal if you’re driving a 5th Gen? I know that that truck and V6 might have the most loyal following of the entire market, and some people (incorrectly) claim that the 4 liter is actually surprisingly efficient…but I assume you’re probably getting high teens on a good day with a tailwind.
The Passport Trailsport gets 20 combined, which is pretty much par for the course for that class of cars. The new 4Runner and Land Cruiser with the hybrid powertrain are rated in the mid 20s but if the blogs are to be believed most people aren’t coming anywhere near that and the hybrid is actually getting similar or even worse mileage in practice than the regular 2.4 without the electric motors.
I’m not sure that there’s really a better option…yet. Apparently the new XTerra is going to be a hybrid of some sort, so that might be worth waiting for…and if you’re open to an EV the Rivian R2 sure seems neat.
I’m not the person you replied to, but that’s insane people think the 1GR-FE is efficient. I drive a 2007 Tacoma X-Runner. since it’s the street truck version, you would think it’d garner an efficiency boost by being lower, and not having chunky tires. I can MAYBE get it to 20 mpg or so by babying it. I stopped tracking mileage years ago though, so even knows now.
Enthusiasts (not directing this at Phil specifically, he’s a great commenter) like humans in general, just want what we can’t have. It wasn’t that long ago that that engine was universally considered dated and undesirable. But the second it was announced that a big 4 cylinder was replacing it all of a sudden it was amazing.
Hell it’s the same with V6s in general. I’m old enough to remember when a V6 was anathema to the truck/SUV community. Now it’s suddenly God’s gift to engines because everyone correctly realized turbo 4 cylinders are more powerful and efficient. Hell everyone dunked on the Pentastar for years and now that Jeep is rolling out a turbo 4 to replace it it’s suddenly amazing….
I will say I am indeed partial to the engine. I’ve had the truck for over 12 years now and I plan to keep it til it dies, which might never happen. I drove a newer Tacoma with the 3.5L and I was unimpressed, but that might’ve been mostly due to throttle lag. The manuals seem much better in that regard than the autos.
Thanks Nsane, greatly appreciated 🙂
I’m definitely not one of those 4R forum fanatics who think the 1GR V6 is amazing. It was very good 20years ago , but I’d happily go for the 2.4 turbo. I just don’t like the rest of the vehicle it’s bolted to anymore.
I’m engaging with Josh Taylor on this very topic a few comments down, but I’ve got to ask-what don’t you like about it? I don’t personally have any significant history with the 4Runner, so I’m hardly an expert or anything…but to me it looks exactly like what you’d get if you told the design team “give me a 4Runner that was designed 5 years ago rather than 15”.
I find it wholly inoffensive and the price hasn’t crept up egregiously. Most of the reviews suggest it’s an improvement in pretty much every way…but people fucking hate it for some reason and I really don’t get it. It’s not any less capable, it’s more powerful, it’s more efficient, and it basically costs the same amount.
What is it that’s so divisive other than moving to a turbo 4? I’m genuinely curious, because it’s one of those rare times a lot of the internet has coalesced around disliking a car and I have no idea why. But like I said…I’ve only ever ridden in other peoples’ 4Rubbers so I don’t have the connection to them that you do.
Just saw this after replying below. It’s a good question. First, packaging. The backseat is tighter, less legroom, less foot space under the front seats. Second, the backseats no longer fold flat, and there is no longer the handy 40:20:40 seatback. The seats tumble forward and leave an inconsistent floor and shorter floor length. The 5th gen is a comfortable little RV, can’t do that in the 6th. Would have to get a roof rack for skis since the center seatback no longer folds, and live with the wind noise. Didn’t have to on the 5th. Finally, while the base price hasn’t gone up (thankfully), they cheapened the interior materials to achieve this. On the 5th gen, all 4 doors have padded panels from armrest to window sill. The 6th is rock-hard cheaply-textured plastic on every single surface except the little islands of an armrest. It feels like an entry level compact car.
The 5th gen is the pinnacle of 4Runner interior packaging and utility. They regressed on that part with the 6th.
Who thinks the 1GR-FE is efficient? It’s a pig. The problem is the Pilot/Passport isn’t much better and they’re barely any more powerful. The 1GR is 20 years old. Perhaps unrealistically, I was hoping for better from Honda after two decades.
The only reason the 1GR is acceptable to me anymore is that it drinks regular, and is about as cheap to maintain to 300K as you can get.
No clue, but I trust Nsane has seen people claim it. But I feel you can find any claim online if you look in the right places, no matter how crazy it sounds.
But yeah I too expected a bit more from Honda, though I’m willing to bet it’s much cleaner out the tailpipe. And while it has about 1,000 LB on my Tacoma, the 10-speed transmission might help with that. Would have to drive one to see for sure.
“Is the fuel economy really that big of a deal if you’re driving a 5th Gen?”
It is if I’m taking on a new car payment on a brand new model and it’s almost as slow as the thirsty old 4Runner. If it were fast, I’d be fine with the mpg. If it were efficient, I’d be fine with the mediocre acceleration.
“I’m not sure that there’s really a better option…yet. Apparently the new XTerra is going to be a hybrid of some sort, so that might be worth waiting for”
Indeed, I’m hoping Nissan gets this one right.
“…and if you’re open to an EV the Rivian R2 sure seems neat.”
I live out West and the 4R is a camping vehicle for dirt road use. EVs don’t have enough range for that use yet, unfortunately, b/c the R2 does look good.
The new 4runner is really fucking hideous. The new XTerra has a good chance if they can get it right.
I was driving next to a 6th gen 4Runner yesterday and I genuinely don’t know what everyone is complaining about. To me it literally just looks like an updated version of the 5th gen. I find it completely inoffensive. If anything I think it looks pretty good if you get it in actual color.
I think the 4Runner is just one of those cars that people are really attached to emotionally and any update is going to be met with a ton of scrutiny. It’s probably why Toyota held off on refreshing it for a full 15 years…
The try-hard manly manly Trailhunter is a bit much for me, but the standard SR5, Off Road, and Limited trims look pretty good to my eye. What’s turned me off is the interior and the packaging. It’s far more plasticky than before unless you spend 70 grand (and the 5th gen did not need to get more plasticky), and everything behind the B-pillar is more cramped and less flexible/configurable. Really hurts it’s use case for me, which is a bummer.
Honestly not my wheelhouse.
I’m a Function over Form guy.
*edit: As far as form is concerned I feel like this needs a sister article
‘What cars have the best colors available?’
I literally ordered my new Truck in White because all the factory color options were Meh at best, so I got it in white to have it repainted this summer in a color I like. A Pastel Teal or Pastel Cactus Green are the top two contenders currently.
So a kei truck, or a Isuzu NPR?
Neither. Needed height adjustable air suspension for at least the rear, went with the Ram 1500 since you could get it for all 4 corners.
I was going to say the new Prius. I also really appreciate the Nissan Z.
I hate the weird angle of the new Prius where the hood/fenders meet the A pillar. They should have made it straight, or at least convex, instead of concave.
Otherwise great looking though.
Same on the Z. It’s the best it’s looked since the 90s IMO.
+1 for the Z. I like the retro-new style it has going on. The grille looks better in person than in pictures, too. Still not great, but better.
I came here to say the new GX, but you beat me to it. So, I’ll plug the Mazda CX-90. Much better looking than a 3 row vehicle deserves.
I’ll second the big Mazda CX models. I just wish they offered more paint colors (like regular green!)
Gonna go against the grain and criticize the CX70/90. I know a lot of people love it but I find it very awkward from most angles.
The flat front end looks like they took the current shark-nosed Mazda styling language and ran it into a wall, smooshing it flat. It’s like seeing a pug when you’re used to a normal dog with a snout. The back end is a bulging lumpy mess. The way the sides flare out at the bottom is really, really weird to my eye, as if the car was dropped from a height, pancaking outward.
I think the CX-9 they replaced was a genuinely nice looking design. And the Mazda3 sedan in Soul Red…that design is never going to age, it’s one of the best looking sedans I’ve seen.
The current Aston Martin lineup is pretty spectacular minus the DBX (do they still make that?) The current Mustang looks really good and now that I’ve seen one up close, I really like the new Charger. It looks like a proper modern evolution of the 70’s muscle car
2026 Audi RS 6 Avant
LC500 for sure.
Also the amazing Ferrari 12Cilindri.
https://www.thereviewmag.co.uk/ferrari-12-cilindri/
The real answer is the LC500, but it’s boring to just repeat what someone else said, so my answer is the Bronco.
It’s very easy to get retro wrong, as we’ve seen numerous times, so it can’t be overemphasized how right Ford got this one.
Agreed on the Bronco. As long as we ignore that interior…
I think the Mazda3 in Soul Red Crystal Metallic looks fetching.
Clean, sleek lines, minimal tacky add ons.
Yeah, it’s boring and understated. To me, a feature, not a bug,
Not boring at all. I find the restraint extremely appealing in an age of plastic-clad, septuple-grilled, “we cast your wheels and sometimes even your tires* to look like they’re made out of hardware, like nuts and bolts” excess. A Outback needs to look like.an overlander; and F-150 needs to look like an assault technical; a Suburban needs to look an MRAP you should drive to the mall.
A Mazda… Looks like a car.
*There is absolutely a Michelin tire that has this molded in the sidewall, the Agilis Crossclimates iirc
Agreed. The best looking color on the market makes everything look better. Even a freaking Corolla Cross.
Not to be too much of a Mazda fanboy, but I do genuinely believe Mazda has some of the best styling across it’s lineup, especially when compared to competitors in its segment. CX-30, -50, -70, and -90 are all far more attractive than pretty much any vehicle in their category and price point, the Miata is still great looking, and the 3 hatch may not be everyone’s cup of tea but it’s very unique, and the CX-5 redesign looks pretty solid outside.
The more I see the CX-50 the more I like it. If I were shopping in that class I’d be hard pressed to pass that up.
They’re quite good for what they are. Not perfect, but for a mass market appliance it does its intended function better than most while looking good doing it.
Twice I’ve almost pulled the trigger on one, but my current vehicles are satisfactory, so there’s no need to replace them. Yet.
Apologies, but I’m going to criticize the CX50 as well. Wide hips. Fake honeycomb bumper vents. Black cladding has colonized it and begun to creep. That’s how it started with Subaru and now look at them.
The CX-50 is dipping some toes in the faux-butch pool. They should know better.
A shame the 6 isn’t still around.
Same thoughts here. Across the board, Mazda has the best looking lineup.
Ferrari 296 GTB.
Good call on the LC500. There are quite a few around here and it’s a stunner. I’ll add the Genesis G90, the Mazda3 hatch and the one I like so much I bought it, the Acura Integra.
I love the look of the S650 mustangs. especially the Dark Horse and RTR.
The worst thing about the S650 is that the S550 looked better, by a long shot. Had the S550 never existed, I would be very happy with the S650.
Also, the S550 looked best pre-facelift.
Hyundai-Kia-Genesis by a country mile. Even the ones that are extremely challenging in appearance like the Ionic6 is super interesting in person.
You are going to have to be more specific than that. The Tuscon, Kona, Venue and Elantra are the ugliest cars you can buy now.
The only one of those that has any major issues is the Venue, with its weird unfinished looking rear end. The Elantra I particular got a huge glow up when it was refreshed that completely changed the awful overstyled original car.
Meanwhile, it’s silly how much better the Kias all look. They are among some of the best designs. (Still wouldn’t buy either…)
Can you please take a look at the K5 from the rear-quarter view and revisit? To me, it’s the ugliest rear end I have ever seen on a sedan and I’m wondering if I’m alone on that.
The Sonata is a pretty shocking design as well, but somehow I like that one.
Looks like I’m still correct. At least to myself. It’s subjective of course.
Genesis has a good thing going, I agree. They need amber rear turn signals across the board, though, to go with their lovely front and side indicators.
Hyundai/Kia is a mixed bag. The new Palisade and Telluride are a bit much, whereas the first-gen Telluride was one of the more handsome options in the crossover field. The Venue and its sibling Soul (RIP) look OK, but lack the charm of the first and second generation Souls. The Elantra and Sonata look overstyled but edgy, as do their sibling K4 and K5s. Amusingly, new cadillacs look like cheap knockoffs of the K4/K5 design language, so kudos to Kia for having better execution, even if I myself am not a fan of it. The EV9 looks pretty good, though some of the wheel choices are wanting. The EV5 and 6 are probably due for a refresh soon, as are the Ioniq5 & 6, but they look OK. The Kona and Niro are dated, and I don’t know why they don’t give them a proper overhaul instead of slapping new bumpers on them every few years.
I think the biggest issue I have with H/K’s designs is that the models seem to be a mixed bag of languages and motifs, with some models seeming like they should come from the opposite brand. It’s somewhat reminiscent of gm at its worst with badge engineering, where the overlap and shared parts weaken rather than enhancing, such that neither brand stands out too much more positively than the others. Supposedly Hyundai is intended to be more upscale than Kia, but the products don’t necessarily reflect that.
Kia EV6 still looks striking in the right ways to me. I’ve always really liked the Genesis GV60 version of that platform, too– I think it’s easily the best looking of the GVs.