Why does everything have to be macho?

I think it's funny that Subaru took their wagon and made it into an suv. 
 

Is the forester redundant now?

In reply to spandak :

Every major car manufacturer these days offers a bunch of different CUVs that nearly compete with themselves in their own showrooms. Somehow, they still sell all of them. 

stuart in mn said:

If you can stick your head between the top of the tire and the fender wheel well, there's too much clearance.

Sometimes not a bad thing?

Are we talking a little macho or mucho macho? 
 

I wonder.  If Hollywood needs a new Wagon Queen Family Truckster, I think Subaru has it nailed.

That look is so 1970's, I already saw the movie.

The epa rules are actually driving car and truck sizes bigger.  Then there are the billions of airbags and other safety stuff that is mandated and you end up with big wheelbase vehicles.  
 

As for style. That is subjective. And to some it is not even something that is a concern. It is a tool or appliance to them. Same as there washing machine or refrigerator.  

In reply to dean1484 :

Modern washing machines and refrigerators are ugly, too.

Modern Subaru styling is why this 3 time Subaru owner now has a Honda.

This was peak Subaru.

Predicted years ago in Speed Racer.

I'll never get over Macho Grande

That is objectively a horrifically horrible looking vehicle. 

When we got the better half's '23 Mazda CX-5 at the end of last year after the Mazda 3 being totaled, she was POSITIVE she wanted a Subaru. So we went and test drove same era Forester and Outback. I said, humor me and lets and go drive a CX-5. 

She immediately changed her mind about wanting a Subaru. 

Appleseed said:

Remember when they took the quirky WRX...and made it look like a Corolla?

Remember when they took one of the nicest looking sedans ever made - the early Oughties Legacy - and made it look like a lump of fungus?

I feel physically relieved every time I see a Rivian. It's the only real SUV out there NOT trying to look overly macho. The simple lines and round headlights remind me of something you'd see in the 60's. Simple, utilitarian, and not too fussy.

maschinenbau said:

I feel physically relieved every time I see a Rivian. It's the only real SUV out there NOT trying to look overly macho. The simple lines and round headlights remind me of something you'd see in the 60's. Simple, utilitarian, and not too fussy.

I hate the headlights on them. IMO they'd look much better aligned with the lightbar across the nose. That being said, I'm with you. I love the fact that they are unapologetically Rivian. 

dean1484 said:

The epa rules are actually driving car and truck sizes bigger. 

No. Manufacturers are exploiting a loophole in the EPA rules and then blaming the regulations for it. It is all a bit disingenuous.  Textbook "spin"

dean1484 said:

The epa rules are actually driving car and truck sizes bigger.  Then there are the billions of airbags and other safety stuff that is mandated and you end up with big wheelbase vehicles.  

I don't know. I've been hearing that for 20 years now. When was the last set of stiffer safety regulations implemented? Are there a new generation of rules?  I think that this is 95 percent about styling.

Recon1342 said:

maschinenbau said:

I feel physically relieved every time I see a Rivian. It's the only real SUV out there NOT trying to look overly macho. The simple lines and round headlights remind me of something you'd see in the 60's. Simple, utilitarian, and not too fussy.

I hate the headlights on them. IMO they'd look much better aligned with the lightbar across the nose. That being said, I'm with you. I love the fact that they are unapologetically Rivian. 

I think that's a pretty universal sentiment, and I'm sure that they've lost sales as a result. That said, I can instantly pick out a Rivian from the horde of broad-shouldered SUVs out there, so that's something. And I do really like their trucks overall stance, profile, and increased ground-clearance with a touch of a button.  

Kreb (Forum Supporter) said:

Recon1342 said:

maschinenbau said:

I feel physically relieved every time I see a Rivian. It's the only real SUV out there NOT trying to look overly macho. The simple lines and round headlights remind me of something you'd see in the 60's. Simple, utilitarian, and not too fussy.

I hate the headlights on them. IMO they'd look much better aligned with the lightbar across the nose. That being said, I'm with you. I love the fact that they are unapologetically Rivian. 

I think that's a pretty universal sentiment, and I'm sure that they've lost sales as a result. That said, I can instantly pick out a Rivian from the horde of broad-shouldered SUVs out there, so that's something.   

I don't think so. The juxtaposition of them is what gives it character. It gives me new gen willy jeep vibes. Horizontally aligned and it would be just another suv.

Duke said:

Appleseed said:

Remember when they took the quirky WRX...and made it look like a Corolla?

Remember when they took one of the nicest looking sedans ev ander made - the early Oughties Legacy - and made it look like a lump of fungus?

 

Kreb (Forum Supporter) said:

Sadly Coniglio is probably right about selling like hotcakes. Going blocky was a huge shot in the arm for Rav-4s.

In the case of the Rav4, I'm not sure the blocky styling was the big factor in why the 5th gen Rav4 has sold so well.  The previous generation Rav4 wasn't great looking (it was a step back from the 3rd gen in the looks department).  And the blocky 5th gen is both bigger and gets significantly better mpg than the 4th gen (in both hybrid and non-hybrid form).  So even ignoring looks, I think it just hit much closer to the target of what a lot of people were looking for. 

maschinenbau said:

I feel physically relieved every time I see a Rivian. It's the only real SUV out there NOT trying to look overly macho. The simple lines and round headlights remind me of something you'd see in the 60's. Simple, utilitarian, and not too fussy.

The first time I saw one on the road I thought for sure it was supposed to be a modernized IH Travelall

In reply to Trent :

If they'd gone with a more round headlight, it would be pretty dang close, wouldn't it?

ddavidv said:

Modern Subaru styling is why this 3 time Subaru owner now has a Honda.

This was peak Subaru.

I beg to differ, THIS was peak Subaru 

What's the lesbian equivalent of Truck Nutz?