Did Toyota go too far and created new Pontiac Aztec of this decade? Same scenario: trying to edge up otherwise blant design. Well we know the score.
You already started a thread on Styling. We get it it. You don't like the design. Was it really necessary to start another thread? You don't like it, don't buy one. There are plenty of people who will.
It has taken a while, but it has grown on me. I've decided I like it. Looking back, that happened faster for me than it did for the Gen 2. That took years, but I like those now too when I see them on the road. -Chap
Aztec? I doubt it. I'd say this, having ONLY seen this Prius so far in pictures. It's very mercurial. In some pictures I think it looks good...maybe even great. In other pictures that back end...looks semi-hideous. I'm going to have to see this IN PERSON to really get a feel of how I like it. But even at it's worst first impression it doesn't strike me as Pontiac Aztec like polarization. Unless it looks a whole lot worse in person, and usually (not always) but usually that isn't the case.
Average age of car owner - 51, average age of the car -11.5 years, average time new car kept -78 months. I think you got a point this car is marketed to new buyers and Gen2 owners.
I never liked the curvy, bulbous nose shape of the center of the hood on G3. It just looks like a big nose to me. I like the creases on the G4 hood much better, and the center bulge is less pronounced. Further, I like the lower grill shape, which is thinner and curvier on the G4 better. I don't like the new fog light area, but I didn't like it on the G3 either. It's just less pronounced and thus less annoying on the G3. As for the rear, I think the G3 was too tall and boxy looking reminding me more of a wagon or van. I also don't like the weird creases in the roof (pagoda roof). The G4 is lower and wider looking, the roof is a smooth, rounded shape, and the spoiler has much more of the look of a spoiler where the G3's just looks like a split in the rear window. I'm not fond of the lower half of the tail lights on the G4. I think they should have gone more straight down than out to the side. As for the side view, I like the more forward peak of the G4, making it look more like an airfoil. I've never been fond of the rear-heavy C3 (68-82) Corvette or front engine dragster look. I like the G4's wheels better and the bulbous nose of the G3 is again less pronounced on the G4.
Don't jump to conclusions. There is nothing about design to like or not, we haven't seen car yet. Now the exterior styling regression is a disappointment in the same way as say Hyundai Sonata update is step back. If you think looks are not important, would you buy Aztec, Gremlin or Pacer, if they were getting 55 MPG?
I'm with you. Look at the front of G4 and the face on the Gray Angry bird (lower left): You say those like they are facts. They are not facts, they are your opinion. I'd say G4 is not even close to a regression except for the fog lights and tail lights.
Hey, some of us actually like the Pontiac Aztec, so don't go dissing it. It's Prius-like shape was ahead of its time. Bill the Engineer