The BEV era doesn’t loom quite as large as it once did in the automobile’s near future, but the age of lithium is surely still on its way. And with the demise of fuel-burning engines as the preferred motivator for personal transportation, we can reasonably expect two once-omnipresent styling elements to go the way of the dodo: all manner of flourishes meant to highlight exhaust pipe(s), and atmosphere-admitting grilles substantial enough to feed four or more cylinders the air they need to keep internal combustion internally combusting.
And so, it makes sense that we pause to appreciate the great grilles that have come and gone (or are doing their thing right now) so fuel-burners could breathe easy while imparting a huge amount of personality and differentiation to the car-faces we all love so much.
When I put the greatest-grilles question to the gang, David was quick to reply with a true classic, an all-time all-timer when it comes to front-end fortitude:
Even the most casual car observer will recognize the iconic seven-slot mug as the exclusive look of a Jeep, especially when the slots are surrounded by slice-of-bread-shaped sheet metal. 
Photo: Classic Auto MallOur beloved The Bishop chimed in with a shout-out for the Daystar motorhome. “Somebody made a vehicle that looks like a Calico Critters toy scaled up to life-sized and then decided to make the grille even stranger. That’s total commitment there.” Agreed!
I’m partial to waterfalls of all varieties, for no other reason than they just look neat – consider the 1975 Imperial LeBaron Crown Coupe below, for example. Try not to think about how crap these things looked a few years down the road as the chrome rusted and the crisp verticals went askew and the front end became snaggletoothed, just soak in the fresh-off-the-floor enegy.
Oh, and the Fisker Karma in the top graphic? I just like that the grille makes the car looks like it has a jaunty mustache … or is Jet Jaguar in car form, like a bananas Toho Transformer. Either. Both.
You tell us: What Are The Greatest Grilles? See you in the comments!
Top graphic image: Fisker
Mk1 Fiat Panda
Citroën XM MK1, for its beautifully off-center logo
Volvo 940, a simple, honest, impeccably integrated grille that does its damn job perfectly.
The Jet Jaguar reference really ties this whole article together.
Instantly recognizable but not really a grill per se
1963 Studebaker Avanti
If that doesn’t count, then 1959 BMW 507
https://cdn.dealeraccelerate.com/premier/19/5163/93114/790×1024/1957-buick-roadmaster-convertible
I’m sure I could come up with something else if I thought about it more, but the ’59 Buick Invicta immediately comes to mind. With the inward canted headlights, that car looks like it could send “Christine” running.
Jag e type and Shelby cobra. Just open ovals.
This is one of those situations where it would be more fun if we could post photos…
(My vote: it’s not exactly a grill, but the twingo’s friendly little smile is perfect)
BMW Z8
Came here to say this
Saturn S-series.
The grill is what sold me on my 2016 Ford Fusion. It looks so good, Aston Martin started copying it!
I can think of two cars with grills that I really liked. The early 70s split bumper Camaros, and the ’68-’69 Charger! The Charger, IMO, is nearly perfect!
I might be biased, but the Volkswagen Arteon grille is one of the many reasons I picked the car.
Serious without looking aggressive.
Also I reckon it’s the best looking wagon without shelling out for an Audi RS6 or a Porsche Taycan Crossturismo.
https://images.caricos.com/v/vw/2021_volkswagen_arteon/images/2560×1440/2021_volkswagen_arteon_10_2560x1440.jpg
BMW E46, before the 2001 facelift, i still think it’s one of the best BMW designs.
The original Dodge Charger went all in with grille design, especially the 1969 version with that chrome divide. The closest a car ever got to wearing sunglasses.
I haven’t gone through all the comments yet, but my primary vote is for the late-60s/early-70s MB sedans with the three-pointed star hood ornament.
But there are others I like. BMWs until they got stupid. Audi sedans, too. And Alfas.
I don’t mind the grille treatment on my ’17 Accord.
But almost universally, the blocked off, but probably aerodynamic fronts of modern EVs just strike me as incredibly ugly.
Cord 810/812. The 1966 Toronto pays a little tribute to it.
Toronado?
Damn autocorrect!
Ahh.. the Cord! That’s my lottery car.. if I ever hit the lottery…
If I ever play the lottery.
Just about any Bentley grille (non Betayga division) is good grillin’ in my eyes. A former colleague of mine had a 1958 Cadillac Coupe DeVille and it had one of the most incredible grilles I’ve ever seen. Every intersection of horizontal and vertical strake was capped with a bullet shaped cap that had a concave end. They were all metal and there must have been well over 60+ of those little caps. The whole car was astounding, but that grille will forever be in my mind.
I remember reading years back that those late 50’s intricate GM grilles could have hundreds of individual pieces.
1955 Chevy Bel Air. 1967 Mercury Cougar.
Jeep 7 slot is probably the most iconic/famous but that wasn’t the question.
The question was what is the GREATEST.
I gotta nominate thr Alfa Romeo Giulia.
A classic Italian marque putting forth a grille with the perfect shape and proportions of a slice of pizza…
Mamma Mia! Perfetto!
Excellent choice, though I think the Alfa 159’s grill just pips it with its slightly more angular styling and the chrome strakes.
Austin Healey Sprite of course. That and the 2nd Gen Mazda 3’s. The 3 actually might win here because with a front plate mounted it looks bucked-tooth.
Reminds me of the Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee in which Jerry Seinfeld picks up Miranda Sings in a bugeye Sprite.
Oh yeah, I love happy cars, and I think we should cherish them more.
Mid-60s Pontiacs, especially the ’67 Bonneville.
1981 BMW M1..