Toyota has never been known for good styling, that's for sure...BUT I think that trend is changing. The New Seqouia looks great, and the Grand Highlander coming out has a better front end than the current one. I agree the current styling is downright ugly.

 

The headlight is also shaped differently on the 2014-2016

 

At first I didn’t like the new one either but it is growing on me now, especially the SE.
But my next car will be a Kia . I know , i was always a German and Jap car fan but the new Sorento is 👍!

 

At first I didn’t like the new one either but it is growing on me now, especially the SE.
But my next car will be a Kia . I know , i was always a German and Jap car fan but the new Sorento is 👍!

Just rode 200 hi-way miles last night as a front seat passenger in my friends 2023 three row Sorrento. We had 6 adults total and that was one of the noisiest 3 row SUV’s I’ve ever ridden in. My knees were pressed against the glove box the whole trip in order to give the 2 ladies in the third row some breathing room(as Brandon likes to say 😉). The stereo sounded good and the vehicle is beautiful, but the seat is uncomfortable and those Conti tires were roaring the whole trip. No thanks…

 

I have NEVER understood the trend toward what I call the "whale shark" look on the front of vehicles the last few years.

 

I actually like the back and sides of the new Highlander. More agressive and in a sense beefy looking...But that front reminds me of what you just postred...a fish mouth, LOL

 

Dang it, can't find the Scottie Kilmer on grimacing grills, it is hilarious.

 

I could ask the same thing about Lexus.

 

A lot of people said the same thing about the 2014 Mustang GT when the 2015 Mustang GT came out, but we have a 22 Highlander and I think it looks a lot better than the earlier Highlanders, in my personal opinion. Also have a 2019 Mustang GT.

 

The people who design cars today have no sense of taste whatsoever! I don't care who makes it, ALL of the cars being manufactured today look alike and are butt ugly! I so miss the cars of the 50s through the 70s! Almost any one of them would run over those little heaps of today and consider it a speed bump! They had style! They had class! They hauled ass!

 

There's a reason many vehicles from different manufacturers have similar looks - Aerodynamics. Car manufacturers of the 50's through the 70's didn't pay much attention to aerodynamics. It wasn't until the gas crisis of the early 70's and the advent of Cafe' standards that forced manufacturers to start paying more attention. Look at all SUV's and how they slope down in the back. That's not a coincidence.

 

They still look ugly! There's no changing that!

Also, there's way too much useless junk in the new vehicles. Most of it is designed to help people who should never be on the road, EVER, to be out on the road killing people! If people actually had to learn how to drive then 80% or more would never be allowed out of their driveways!

Regardless, it still wouldn't change the fact that new cars are more ugly than the south end of a northbound moose!

 

I do not know about the build quality of American-built Toyota, But I know I do look for the Made In Japan door sticker when I purchase one, such as my super reliable ES 330. I will tell you what to really stay away from, any American brand built in Mexico. I am not sure why Toyota would allow lower standards to come out of their factories in the States, Does not seem like something they would put up with, they are proud of their reputation.

 

My bet would be that somehow politics is involved! The same kind of thing that keeps us from getting new keitora trucks and other fine vehicles here. They have to be at least 25 years old because of some stupid trade agreement or something. From what I have seen and experienced the keitora trucks would be a big threat to the pickup trucks with which we must suffer. Those things are amazing! I WANT ONE! A Toyota Highace is even better! I just wish that I could afford one. LOL

 

Unfortunately , Generations change such high standards. I think Toy still make better product than others. I just wish they would have left the stereo apart from all the other controls. I usually dont like the stock systems. I think we should roll back some of the lame "features".