Automotive Facelifts - For Better or Worse

[FT-1]

For Worse: Hyundai i20. Not a car many people have an opinion on, but I think the design is underrated. The blob shape of its predecessor was replaced by a sharper silhouette with a simple but smart look.

Then the facelift came along and the front bumper ruined the clean look the car had. Plus I'm not sure the two-tone scheme works on a non-premium hatchback design.

It doesn't get better at the rear either

 

[MedigoFlame]

I really like the current gen Hyundai Elantra and Elantra Sport's looks.

Up until they did this.

 

[Volksauto]

I really like the current gen Hyundai Elantra and Elantra Sport's looks.

Up until they did this.

To be honest, I thought the 2018 model was the '19 for a second. I agree the previous model is more attractive.

 

[Jump_Ace]

How i forgot about the Acura/Honda NSX?

Hidden/Pop out:

Fixed:

Back when i was young and GT4 was still new, i remember preferring the newer look over the older one but as i grew up, i started to like the older one for having that sleeker look. The newer 2000's version still looks fantastic but it's not as good as the original IMO.

Flip up headlights ftw! I still love both in their own way. The newer commands much more of a price tag.


Jerome

 

[Tornado]

I think the problem with the later NSX is not the headlights so much as the rest of the things they changed (air dam and taillight cluster) look busy for the sake of making it clear they changed things.

 

[Eunos_Cosmo]

The NSX is very tough. I love both.

 

[TheNuvolari]

The recent Volkswagens are really getting better and better with time, including the Comfort Coupé.

2006, kind of generic:

2012, much more unique styling:

This one with a VR6 engine is probably nuts!

 

[McLaren]

I think the problem with the later NSX is not the headlights so much as the rest of the things they changed (air dam and taillight cluster) look busy for the sake of making it clear they changed things.

The car was overly expensive by then. Guess they thought they had to do something to “justify” its price tag.

 

[Robin]

Although it probably made it a bit bland I think this was a very successful facelift

 

[homeforsummer]

The NSX is very tough. I love both.

I've always preferred the facelifted car. The changes cut out some of the busier details at the front - separate turn signals, fog lights - and there's something about the headlights and different bumper that make the car look wider and more supercar like, where the original can appear a bit narrow, which visually makes it look taller. I'm not sure if they reprofiled the bonnet, but the headlights also make the bonnet look lower, which again visually widens and lowers the car. The larger wheels fitted as standard on the NA2 help I think too.

I mean not that I'd be picky if I was offered a pre-facelift of course...

 

[TexRex]

Definitely for the worse, I'd say. I think the facelifted Firebird takes it, though (provided it's equipped with the base hood as pictured). Ignore the non-standard wheels on the pre-facelift car.

 

[RandomCarGuy17]

Well, since remembering the De Tomaso Pantera's second facelift, I think it's a good time to compare the styling choices of each one. I personally like the 1980s facelift the most. Like the countach, it didn't seem to start out with a wing, but I think it looks more complete with one.

 

[TexRex]

Well, since remembering the De Tomaso Pantera's second facelift, I think it's a good time to compare the styling choices of each one. I personally like the 1980s facelift the most. Like the countach, it didn't seem to start out with a wing, but I think it looks more complete with one.

The cars lose quite a bit for me once styling credit goes to Gandini. Subsequent cars such as the GTS, GT4 (though I don't care for the arch extension) and Montella one-off retain the charm of Tjaarda's original.

 

[ScottPuss20]

Well, since remembering the De Tomaso Pantera's second facelift, I think it's a good time to compare the styling choices of each one. I personally like the 1980s facelift the most. Like the countach, it didn't seem to start out with a wing, but I think it looks more complete with one.

The 1991 variation almost looks like a Venturi Atlantique:

 

[RandomCarGuy17]

The 1991 variation almost looks like a Venturi Atlantique:

Yeah. It looks like a mesh of the 400GT and 300GT.

 

[Tornado]

I don't know what you're talking about.

The Malibu is a great looking car.

 

[FT-1]

These siblings earn a spot in the "for better" category, they look edgier and more aggressive than the models they replace.

Audi R8 (Facelift features a number of styling elements inspired by the Sport Quattro)

Lamborghini Huracan (the rear in particular is a massive upgrade, looks like something you would expect on a track-focused variant)

 

[Tornado]

The only reason the restyled R8 stands out so much more than the original second generation model is because the second generation model already looked like a deliberately bland facelift of the first generation.

 

[MedigoFlame]

I love the 3rd generation Renault Twingo, but I feel like taking away the small lights took away from it's quirkiness.

 

[FT-1]

I always thought the small LED lamps were inspired by retro rally cars, the front end looks so bare once they've been removed.

 

[Volksauto]

1968 Chevrolet Corvette C3

1974 Chevrolet Corvette C3

I'm not going to deny it. The '74 and up C3 is a good looking car. But not nearly as good looking as the early C3s. The bulbous impact bumpers just ruin the shape of the car for me.

 

[Tornado]

The post-bumper C3's didn't look right until they restyled it the second time in 1980, lowering the nose and extending the spoiler off the rear out again. The mid-life ones looked like an early one that ran over something and scraped off the bottom of the car.

 

[TexRex]

I think the last C3s are the best looking of the bunch. That said, the only C3 I'd even consider owning is a Phillips Berlina.

 

[Carbon_6]

For the worst, the W204 Mercedes C-Class.

The first iteration came along in 2007 and looked pretty decent – it stood out more compared to the previous W203 personally (ironic given how much the current W205 looks like the current W213 E-Class).

Then it had a facelift in 2011, with new LED headlights and front bumper, as well as a new interior.

I'm not sure what others think, but I always felt the change made it look like the owner had bought an aftermarket engine cover with overhangs to create the 'angry' look for the headlights.

 

[RandomCarGuy17]

Welp, I'm going to talk about the Foxbody Mustang, when went through multiple facelifts.

Original, it looks a bit boring imo.

Okay, I honestly like this more than the previous design above. It looks more aggressive, though still not the best looking design in the 1980s. I don't remember if the hood vent was functional or not. However, I still like it even if it seems tacky.

This facelift made it look a bit similar to the Ford Sierra imo. I guess it's cleaner in some areas, but I still prefer the prior design.

Okay, this is probably due to a nostaglic bias, but I really liked the design of the facelift done in 1987 to 1993. At least for the LX models as I thought they looked clean and they came in colors like this. :3

I will say I am not much of a fan of the GT model's appearance though.

 

[Tornado]

The LTD looked so close to the original Fox that I always thought it weird that they didn't do anything to draw attention to it.

 

[FT-1]

For the worst, the W204 Mercedes C-Class.

I also thought the pre-facelift C63 looked better, particularly with the more aggressive front bumper:

 

[Liquid]

For such an awful company, Rover did get its last few facelifts awfully right.

The last one, the facelifted Rover 800 fastback is one of my favourite looking cars. Guilty pleasure or not.

Rover Metro

Rover 200

Rover 800

 

[RandomCarGuy17]

The 800 in facelift form reminds me of some Volvos from that decade.

 

[VXR]

For Worse: Hyundai i20. Not a car many people have an opinion on, but I think the design is underrated. The blob shape of its predecessor was replaced by a sharper silhouette with a simple but smart look.

Then the facelift came along and the front bumper ruined the clean look the car had. Plus I'm not sure the two-tone scheme works on a non-premium hatchback design.

It doesn't get better at the rear either

I'm an i20 fan, and then I saw the face-lift in person. That new Hyundai grille is just odd. The two tone look loses the effect the dark D pillar had on the original model, too.