Why are american cars so boring to look at?

[Drolgin Steingrinder]

No, I'm not trying to provoke anyone, I'm seriously wondering about this. For instance, the Honda Civics launched in Europe look *nothing* like the Civics in the US. A US Civic looks like any other car, a Euro Civic looks like...something special.

Here, let me illustrate:

US version:


Euro version:


Here's another - the Ford Focus. When the Focus came out in Europe and replaced the Escort, it was fairly drab - then it got a makeover and all of a sudden it was a car you recognized. The US version? Bland. Boring.

US:


Euroland:


Can someone explain this? In my experience it seems like no american carmakers dare market a car in the US that differs much from the norm. There's no company that sends out cars like the Alfa Romeo Brera (no, that's *not* a concept car, that's actually how it looks!) or the Fiat Multipla - ugly as hell but at least different. Hell, what about the new Citroen C6 or the upcoming Alfa Romeo 159? These are both fairly conservative but still miles ahead in styling of most american cars that I see.

It seems the exception is the high-end market, the performance cars etc. Why do american family cars/mid-range saloons/etc all look alike? all look so drab and unimaginative?

[Sendarie]

DOT + EPA + US Liability laws = Cars get hit with the nerf bat before being sold here

[Funkmasterr]

I am no expert, but here would be the reasons I would guess.

1- Unfortunately in many ways I think American products in general take the least risky path. By this I mean that if something works they just stick to it, instead of trying new things.

2-A lot of the performance parts and modifications that Japanese/European cars have are illegal in the US which also effectively dumbs down the cars we get.

Just the ideas off the top of my head.

[Drolgin Steingrinder]

I believe most european cars are *at least* as safe as US cars. Most of them are also at least as environmentally friendly, most likely far more. Not sure what 'DOT' means, department of transportation? Why should these things affect design?

I'm not talking about the underlying construction of the car, if it passes Danish laws as far as emissions and NCAAP safety then I'm damn sure it'd pass the US ones - I'm just asking about the looks of the things.

[Funkmasterr]

DOT + EPA + US Liability laws = Cars get hit with the nerf bat before being sold here

Understatement. They get the SHIT pounded out of them with the nerf bat.

[Kelshara]

Unfortunately, it goes beyond looks. The Focus sold in the US is a piece of shit, while the one sold in Europe is a pretty damn good and reliable car.

It has been this way for a very long time and I don't know why. It sucks though

[Ransure]

American cars are like gingers.... no soul.

You have to deal with the NAACP to get cars? and you still get them? whoa....

[Truant]

I think it has to do with trying to market to the largest possible group. Therefor they make a pussy watered down car that appeals to more people than an edgy, new design. This goes for both loods and performance.

And that's NCAAP not NAACP Ransure.

[Aabidano]

The pain of getting something certified in all 50 states for safety and emissions is what stops things up, in part due to the CA, MA and NY regulations layered on top of what the feds want.

The process takes so long, by the time one technology passes, the rules may have changed and they'd have to start over again. It doesn't make any financial sense to try and be innovative.

[Sendarie]

I believe most european cars are *at least* as safe as US cars. Most of them are also at least as environmentally friendly, most likely far more. Not sure what 'DOT' means, department of transportation? Why should these things affect design?

I'm not talking about the underlying construction of the car, if it passes Danish laws as far as emissions and NCAAP safety then I'm damn sure it'd pass the US ones - I'm just asking about the looks of the things.

DOT here is the major factor when swinging the nerf bat.
This is usually based on crash test data they get during the tests.
Example with the cars shown here:
Euro vs US Focus
Notice the Euro version has a smaller in thickness underlying reinforced bumper? Notice how the Euro version is lower to the ground providing MUCH better handling on most likely wider and stickier (except in rain) tires.

Sticker tires at the cost of longevity of life (Euros dont put the # of miles per year we do) and at the cost of lesser wet weather performance.
Also being lower to the ground although a very nice performance increase leaves room to rear end a over inflated US SUV and run up underneath it.

When I was working to import my old 300ZX 2+2 TT from Japan those were some factors I had to overcome. Doors and front/rear bumpers needed to be reinforced.

[Drolgin Steingrinder]

sorry, it's NCAP - acronym hell ><.

I just don't believe it's safety. The NCAP is pretty hardcore in smacking down cars that aren't good enough, and the cars I've mentioned here *are* good enough. As an example, the new Alfa 159 gets 5 out of 5 for adult occupant rating and 4 out of 5 for child protection rating, as does the Ford Focus, the new BMW3 series, The Toyota Prius (which also looks slightly different in the EU) and the Volkswagen Passat . In the executive car area, the Citroën C6 gets 5 out of 5 for adults, 4/5 for children *and* 4/4 for pedestrian impact rating.

The Kia Sedona, Hyundai Trajet, Fiat Punto and the Fiat Seicento were named as the four least safe cars currently in the european market (although I know that a few of the new korean brands did not get tested, as was the case with most special import cars).


If you're interested in their methodology, go here: http://www.euroncap.com/content/test_pr ... uction.php

[Ransure]

Even VW makes the new passats and jettas different for the US. The emissions is what really kills us... but IIRC americans have to have larger bumpers due to a higher frequency of car accidents... not necessarily because itll make you survive better.

[Chidoro]

The styling differences between the two cars you chose as examples are really about differences in taste in this country. Hatches, even the five door one of the euro civic just don't jibe too well in the country...yet. It's starting gain acceptance but it's a slow road. The Honda Fit will be an interesting test of our acceptance, as will the Yaris hatch.
I personally think hatch avoidance is due to Americans being very private individuals as a whole. We just don't like others being able to see what is in our car. Sure, you can pull over a lining for these kinds of cars to cover your stuff, but hatches, regardless of their versatility, are seen as too exposed to the public.
As a general rule of thumb, Americans also prefer larger vehicles. I can only assume it's because our gas prices don't pinch our wallets as much as it does in most other countries.

[Drolgin Steingrinder]

Just tried driving the Alfa Brera today, I love this car so much I think I want to inject my semen into its tailpipe. It's not the fastest car on the road (the one I tried has the 2.2 liter engine, it also comes in a 3.2 and in the fall they're coming out with the GTA version which should be either the 4.2 supercharged v8 or the bored-out 3.6 v6), but the ride is awesome, it looks fantastic and the inside of the car is just about the most luxurious and stylish setting on 4 wheels (and yes, I've sat in both a Rolls, a Maybach and a Mercedes CL and S-class).



Someone spot me $120 grand? that's the going price in overtaxed DK...

[Boogahz]

How could a dorf even see over the steering wheel?

[Kelshara]

I love Alfa. They make some beautiful cars. I'd drive the Brera or even the 159 in a heart beat!