Automotive Facelifts - For Better or Worse

[GranTurNismo]

For better:

2000-2003 Pontiac Bonneville

2004-2005 Pontiac Bonneville

 

[UltimateYosh]

Barely see early pre-facelift Fiestas around. Couldn't help but be reminded of it when looking at photos of Team O'Neil's beginner training cars.

Pre-Facelift:

Facelift:

Much prefer the pre-facelift look.

The pre-facelift Fiesta really is a good looking car. I always associate it with the Top Gear episode where he raced a Corvette in a mall.

 

[Tornado]

If I wasn't in tune with Ford corporate faces, I honestly would have thought that the facelift was the older one.







Probably doesn't help that Ford has been using the ripoff Aston Martin front end for a decade now.

For better:

2000-2003 Pontiac Bonneville

View attachment 1161856

2004-2005 Pontiac Bonneville

View attachment 1161857

The no cladding look was exclusive to the GXP.

 

[Tornado]

The no cladding look was exclusive to the GXP.

My bad I was wrong.

 

[MedigoFlame]

Second generation Chrysler 300 looked great when it was first released, at least for the regular model.

But the facelift they did for the 300 for the non-S model was...not so good in 2015.

At least the 300S looked a bit better with the darker trim.

 

[ProjectWHaT]

Speaking of Chrysler, I think the original Pacifica van looked really nice. I liked how smooth and flowly it looked with the 200 nose design. All of the lines flowed nicely.

But then, in 2021, they facelifted it with an aggressive look which I think doesn't fit the character of the rest of the car. It also looks extremely tacked on with the way the lights and grill meet the hood, as if it was an afterthought

 

[CodeRedR51]

For worse. Not sure what they were thinking here.

2017-2018 Elantra Sport

2019-2020

 

[MedigoFlame]

Speaking of Chrysler, I think the original Pacifica van looked really nice. I liked how smooth and flowly it looked with the 200 nose design. All of the lines flowed nicely.


But then, in 2021, they facelifted it with an aggressive look which I think doesn't fit the character of the rest of the car. It also looks extremely tacked on with the way the lights and grill meet the hood, as if it was an afterthought

It certainly looked more fitting with the curvy design of the Pacifica. Unfortunately after driving a pre-facelift at night, the headlights were...terrible with their illumination.

For worse. Not sure what they were thinking here.

2017-2018 Elantra Sport

2019-2020

I still find myself happy to see a 2017-2018 Elantra Sport on the road. Don't see them often, but it has to be one of the best looking compact sport sedans of the 2010s. The facelift took away so much from the design.

For worse:

The current generation Subaru Legacy is hardly a standout in design, but it's hard to call it offensively ugly.

That is, until the 2023 facelift with the trend following large grill. Looks a tad better in this darker blue, but on white, it stands out way too much.

For better:

I find the Clio IV to be rather attractive. I was almost going to post the Clio V before I realized it was a new car and not a second facelift. Seeing the slight differences in GT7/GT Sport gave me an appreciation for the facelift.

Pre-facelift RS:

Facelift:

I remember reading that some people thought the flag fog lights were cheesy, but I love it. The headlights look less cheap economy car like too on the facelift.

 

[Tornado]

The foglights are kind of cheesy, but they look like something that were designed for the car and not stick on crap from Autozone like every that had that 5 inch LED strip element did maybe excepting the 997 Turbo.

 

[RandomCarGuy17]

I thought of a facelift that was for the worse: The 6th Gen Ford Taurus.

Mainly for one reason, the Evos Grill really doesn't work as well on the front end as the grill it replaced.

 

[ScottPuss20]

I thought of a facelift that was for the worse: The 6th Gen Ford Taurus.
View attachment 1197881

Mainly for one reason, the Evos Grill really doesn't work as well on the front end as the grill it replaced.
View attachment 1197882

I have to disagree with this one.

 

[MedigoFlame]

The foglights are kind of cheesy, but they look like something that were designed for the car and not stick on crap from Autozone like every that had that 5 inch LED strip element did maybe excepting the 997 Turbo.

I'd say it's unique and gives Renault their own identity. During the 2010s, it did seem like everyone wanted the "Autozone-like" LED strips. The E-Class comes to mind often when I think of that time of the LED obsession...

I have to disagree with this one.

I can agree to your opinion, @ScottPye20. I don't mind the facelift of the Taurus. Same goes for the Ford Fusion of the time.

 

[Neddo]

I still havent decided if Renault 21 looks better facelifted or not. Pictures are from autoscout beside the flickr ones.

01:12:1988 Renault 21 I Sedan 2.0 175 Turbo ABS 9076 VD 72 & 24:01:1989 Super 5 1.2 55 ED-745-TH (72) - 2 avril 2022 (Le Mans Auto Moto Rétro - centre des expositions - Le Mans) by Padicha, on Flickr

facelift

Renault 21 Nevada by stephane Coanus, on Flickr

Hatchback was introduced with facelift and from this angle it looks great but from some others it looks frumpy.

Edit: plastic bar for Nevada on trunk was available for Phase 1 too.

 

[DeathSmiles]

The house of BMW. The outgoing 7 Series, and the new 7 Series. For worse.

 

[MedigoFlame]

The house of BMW. The outgoing 7 Series, and the new 7 Series. For worse.

That would actually be two different generations. The new one is a full redesign, whereas the top one you posted was a facelift of the last generation G12 7-Series.

If you look at the roofline/greenhouse, it is different for that one. Usually the biggest tell for what is a facelift and what is a new generation.

 

[ProjectWHaT]

The Nissan Versa recently got a facelift

I personally liked the old Nissan design language, but this new look is kinda weird, especially with the chrome "tears" on either side. Also, the angular lights that go into a dark, black grill reminds me of the last gen facelifted Elantra

 

[Tornado]

The new one is a full redesign, whereas the top one you posted was a facelift of the last generation G12 7-Series.

Which also admittedly was horrendous.

If you look at the roofline/greenhouse, it is different for that one. Usually the biggest tell for what is a facelift and what is a new generation.

Unless it's a 911

 

[Liquid]

For better:

I find the Clio IV to be rather attractive. I was almost going to post the Clio V before I realized it was a new car and not a second facelift. Seeing the slight differences in GT7/GT Sport gave me an appreciation for the facelift.

Pre-facelift RS:

Facelift:

I remember reading that some people thought the flag fog lights were cheesy, but I love it. The headlights look less cheap economy car like too on the facelift.

Pre-facelift looks better. The facelift would be nicer but the headlights look oversized and look really pinned back like A Clockwork Orange thanks to the eyelash above the main set.

 

[RandomCarGuy17]

and a post above did remind me of another opinion I haven't given on facelifts. The Ford Fusions.

and I'm definately biased on both instances.

The facelift was for the better with the first gen:

I mean, I mainly say this as I like the headlight and grill design more on the facelift, I think they flow a bit better than the earlier model. I also like the rear end design a bit more than what the earlier 1st Gens had. and I've become biased about preferring this due to having one for years now and growing to like the look. I like driving it as far as normal cars go. To be fair.

As for the 2nd Gen Fusion, there was actually 2 facelifts. I acutally think the grill looks especially good on this one. When I said the Taurus facelift was worse than the original design, I meant it as just a bit worse as it wasn't built for that design in mind, it felt a bit off. Not terrible, just off a bit. However, the 2nd Gen Fusion was built with the Evos Grill design in mind and thus wears it a lot better imo.

The first facelift, I'll say was better. It just took the design that was there and sharpened things a bit to where I think it looks great. Though like the 1st gen, I have a bias about this since I spent a lot of time driving my mother's 2017 Fusion SE. It's not the prettiest car in the world or anything, but I like it just fine.

As for the 2nd Facelift before Ford dropped it, the facelift was a bit worse. I don't like what Ford did with the bumper on this one, it doesn't flow as well with the face as the previous one did. It feels a bit intrusive.

 

[MedigoFlame]

and a post above did remind me of another option I haven't given on facelifts. The Ford Fusions.

and I'm definately biased on both instances.

The facelift was for the better with the first gen:


I mean, I mainly say this as I like the headlight and grill design more on the facelift, I think they flow a bit better than the earlier model. I also like the rear end design a bit more than what the earlier 1st Gens had. and I've become biased about preferring this due to having one for years now and growing to like the look. I like driving it as far as normal cars go. To be fair.


As for the 2nd Gen Fusion, there was actually 2 facelifts. I acutally think the grill looks especially good on this one. When I said the Taurus facelift was worse than the original design, I meant it as just a bit worse as it wasn't built for that design in mind, it felt a bit off. Not terrible, just off a bit. However, the 2nd Gen Fusion was built with the Evos Grill design in mind and thus wears it a lot better imo.


The first facelift, I'll say was better. It just took the design that was there and sharpened things a bit to where I think it looks great. Though like the 1st gen, I have a bias about this since I spent a lot of time driving my mother's 2017 Fusion SE. It's not the prettiest car in the world or anything, but I like it just fine.


As for the 2nd Facelift before Ford dropped it, the facelift was a bit worse. I don't like what Ford did with the bumper on this one, it doesn't flow as well with the face as the previous one did. It feels a bit intrusive.

The first gens look super cheap and out dated pre-facelift with it looking close to the rather sad European market Fusion with those headlights. That era of Ford's design was...rather unfortunate.

I never realized that the second generation Fusion got two facelifts, but it makes sense for how long it lasted. Might be a bit difficult to compare as the red first facelift you have pictured is a Sport model compared to the others.

The Ford thing reminds me as well of the second generation European Focus/Focus ST.

To this:

 

[RandomCarGuy17]

Might be a bit difficult to compare as the red first facelift you have pictured is a Sport model compared to the others.

Here's a picture of a Hybrid model if it helps.

EDIT: and a normal one.

 

[RandomCarGuy17]

US-Spec 1st Gen Ford Focus, I honestly don't hate the facelift's design. Though I think I'll say I'll prefer the original. I just thought it looked more interesting with the original face.

As for the 3rd gen Ford Focus, I'm going to be wierd and say I like the facelifted version more. More so because of how cleaner and sharper the front end looks.

 

[desmodan]

That would actually be two different generations. The new one is a full redesign, whereas the top one you posted was a facelift of the last generation G12 7-Series.

If you look at the roofline/greenhouse, it is different for that one. Usually the biggest tell for what is a facelift and what is a new generation.

New car or face-lift?
I don't care.
Either way its absolutely hideous.

 

[MedigoFlame]

US-Spec 1st Gen Ford Focus, I honestly don't hate the facelift's design. Though I think I'll say I'll prefer the original. I just thought it looked more interesting with the original face.
View attachment 1204611

View attachment 1204612

As for the 3rd gen Ford Focus, I'm going to be wierd and say I like the facelifted version more. More so because of how cleaner and sharper the front end looks.
View attachment 1204614

View attachment 1204615

Quite a few Ford facelifts going on in this page. I find the facelift on the first generation US market Ford Focus to be a big disservice, it manages to cheapen the look of the car, despite the painted trim on the doors and bumpers.

3rd gen Focus facelift I can agree that it improved the looks, certainly cleaned up the design. Which is funny as it ruined the Fiesta on the other hand.

New car or face-lift?
I don't care.
Either way its absolutely hideous.

Let's hope there's an emergency facelift happening soon...if it does get one.

Not the best photo example, but I find the facelift of the second generation Ridgeline to make it a bit more truck-ish looking. I quite like it and nice that they added some color.

Also not the best example using the HPD package Ridgeline to compare, but...it does show the improvements. From the photo above though, shows that less chrome certainly helped the regular model.

Facelift:

Pre-facelift:

 

[Tornado]

The problem with the first Focus facelift is really that it also coincided with them taking the fun and interesting interior that the Focus had and replacing it with something that looked like an awful copy of what the Japanese had been doing ten years prior. The second facelift the first generation Focus got was much nicer inside.

 

[MedigoFlame]

Don't know why, but always liked the look of the Chevrolet Colorado ZR2. Up until they did the facelift, then it got worse with the larger grill.

Pre-facelift:

2021 Facelift:

 

[FT-1]

This is one of the biggest glow ups I've come across in recent times

Pre-facelift Sonata N-Line:

Post-facelift:

 

[Tornado]

It has stuck out to me for a while that Kia has consistently made some of the sharpest, cleanest and best looking cars on the market for several hears...




And if you decided you wanted the cars with the other badge in the same dealership you got consistently the most overwrought, tortured styling on the market. Like walking into a BMW dealer in the early 2000s.

 

[ScottPuss20]

This is one of the biggest glow ups I've come across in recent times

Pre-facelift Sonata N-Line:

Post-facelift:

WOW. This looks like something from the future.

 

[MIE1992]

Definitely a fan of the Sonata facelift, I can't say I was ever really a fan of how it looked previously.