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crazy idea: gen 5 prius is still ugly?

Discussion in 'Gen 5 Prius Main Forum' started by macmaster05, Jan 5, 2023.

  1. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    Every little bit doesn’t count
     
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  2. JoeBlack

    JoeBlack Member

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    Sadly no official information as far as I know - my opinion is sadly based only on PHV renders, videos of PHV prototypes and Prius HEV preproduction reviews and videos.
    Based on that I expect aluminium hood, maybe aluminium boot, but I have my doubts on carbon usage.
    I would love that not to be true as it would mean they would invest R&D into making PHV version as light as they can on that budget. That 13,6 kWh will be much more compact, but it will still weigh a lot.
    BTW those release "handles" for door I am pretty sure are plastic - bZ4X, Mirai, Corolla has plastic ones (at least in Europe) and on every picture and review of HEV version they look like a painted plastic.

    Chrome and Subaru :) my friend just bought an older Levorg and I already teased him if he's going a route of chrome delete. It's everywhere!
     
  3. priusmouse

    priusmouse Member

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    TBH I never found the Prius ugly...

    But I'm obviously an outlier in the car world.

    Initially I thought this upgrade was WAY too sporty and tesla-knockoff-like. But honestly the more I have seen it in pictures the more I like it...and I ordered one so I'm gonna have to like it lol
     
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  4. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

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    The Sonic's door handles were also plastic. How many cars have metal handles these days? At best, there might be a metal core.

    Plenty of chrome delete kits on Amazon, but those are just a black vinyl. I was thinking a flat/muted orange to offset the forest green paint.
     
  5. daisy555

    daisy555 Senior Member

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    How would I wrap 2023 rear door handle in vinyl? Even my front door handle could use protection. Occasionally I have clay residue on hands despite washing because I carry supplies to car. The clear coat on my hatch has worn off slightly and I’m trying to resolve this for new car. I’ll be the crazy lady wearing car gloves.
     
  6. royrose

    royrose Senior Member

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    It is easy and, IMO, to a degree lazy to simply call modern vehicles ugly without saying what kind of design you would call attractive. So, give us an example of a beautiful vehicle design.

    BTW, I very much like the design "language" in current Mazda vehicles. I'd say that played a role, although a minor one, in my replacing my 2010 Prius with a Mazda CX-30. So that's what I like.
     
    #26 royrose, Jan 7, 2023
    Last edited: Jan 7, 2023
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  7. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

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    My experience with vinyl film is limited to mostly touching up a broken Chevy bowtie, but the material is flexible and stretchy to a degree. More so if you are willing to play with a hairdryer or heat gun. I'd only suggest not using an embossed film, like carbon fiber prints, if the application is going to need much stretching. Something could be wedged into the rear handle to keep it open. That would make it easier to wrap.

    Could also go to a professional, and see what they say.
     
  8. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    For me, the common denominator of beatiiful automotive design is the absence of styling for styling's sake (pointless rakes/creases, sloping body lines), fake stuff (grills for example), and making utilitarian items (headlights are the current rage) into byzantine sculptures. The price to replace the latter is the ugliest thing of all. An eloquent, efficient design, that doesn't change much from gen to gen (because it doesn't need to): I find that beautiful.
     
    #28 Mendel Leisk, Jan 7, 2023
    Last edited: Jan 7, 2023
  9. daisy555

    daisy555 Senior Member

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    Thanks
     
  10. macmaster05

    macmaster05 Senor Member

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    This is exactly right. The 2nd and 3rd gen Prius are relatively simple in design. The 5th gen carries on with that tradition. Rather than calling the Prius ugly (because I personally don't think it ever really was), I probably should've named this thread "Gen 5 Prius still looks like a Prius, but other cars have gotten so ugly that they're not calling the Prius ugly anymore"

    Some ugly new cars in my opinion? Basically any Hyundai and KIA partly because their design language changes every year. Any EV from Mercedes and BMW. Any CUV or SUV that uses black or gray plastic cladding around the wheel wells on to make the car look lifted, are also offenders. Even Toyota is guilty of this.

    An attractive design? Lexus LC500 or my Lexus IS500, but I'm extremely biased of course.
    Screen Shot 2023-01-08 at 12.17.48 PM.png

    Screen Shot 2023-01-08 at 12.17.21 PM.png

    Screen Shot 2023-01-08 at 12.17.37 PM.png
     
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  11. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    eu :p
     
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  12. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

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    The spindle isn't humongous.
     
  13. rampante550

    rampante550 Member

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    Porsche is a prime example. I was never a big Porsche fan, but the 911 variants just seem to get better year after year
     
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  14. ColoradoBoo

    ColoradoBoo Senior Member

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    "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder" holds true with vehicles! Hey, people actually purchased the GMC Pacer and Gremlin!!

    I'm not too fond o the rear-end on the 2023 Prius, at all. In fact, my wife's rear-end in her 2017 is way better looking than my 2021, especially at night when the lights are on. (Not sure if that was worded right...get your minds out of the gutter!) :)
     
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  15. fsu23phd

    fsu23phd Active Member

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    I agree. I have never seen one in person but the 2023 looks basic to me. I actually love the look of my teal 2016. I've had an 2005, 2010 and 2016. I'm wierd though, I like the look of the current rav4 too. :) it doesn't matter much to me.
     
  16. beamsley

    beamsley Member

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    You could say... It looks a lot like a Ferrari Purosangue ;)

    Personally I think it's a massive improvement over the Gen4 "angry" frumpy prius. But I wouldn't call it a work of art or timeless design.
     
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  17. daisy555

    daisy555 Senior Member

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    It does look like Ferrari except for the darn 2023 Prius back doors that don’t open all the way. : }
     
  18. Christopher O'Brien

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    I think my Gen 3 Plug-in (see below) epitomizes this approach — an attractive, uncluttered design (no gewgaws or doodads) with all its lines flowing harmoniously together, and all with the purpose of aerodynamic efficiency. The Gen 4 designers seemed to lose that thread but I'd say the Gen 5 design team are definitely back on track.
    IMG_0790 cropped lo.jpg
     
  19. Montgomery

    Montgomery Senior Member

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    From what I have been able to see of the 2023, I like the new design. It competes with a lot of more expensive vehicles. Especially the interior.
     
  20. JoeBlack

    JoeBlack Member

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    Don't get me wrong I really like the new Prius and will most likely buy new PHV, but when you compare interior of Prius to let's say new Civic - it is hardly favourable for the Prius - Prius has better infotainment, but everything else is pretty much better made in Civic - tactile wise and quality wise as well.
    I would add Corolla to the mix (for the exterior), but IMHO it is extremely ugly in US ... that grille :)