The Antithesis of Clean Design

Cadillac went for a streamlined look with its latest Escalade, the head lights flow into a side profile with subtle fenders and devoid of any unnecessary fender vents. The design works as intended until you get to the second row window that is bisected by dividers and plastic space fillers. On a spotless profile the window sticks out as out of place. Engineering logistics certainly dictate what designers can do with the window but the last generation Escalade was able to keep the glass completely clear of any obstructions. On the other hand, Cadillac's competitor Land Rover was able to do an excellent job cleaning up the side profile on its latest Range Rover Sport model.

It's not always possible to keep the rear window as a single piece of glass but when it's done like on the Audi A7 or the divider is kept to a minimum as on the Tesla the result is stunning.

Do you have a pet peeve design element that you wish to rip off a car yourself?
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carsnyc - 9/2/2014 1:29:08 PM

+5 Boost

The A7 is the best looking Audi, IMHO

chewy - 9/2/2014 1:54:30 PM

+5 Boost

It's got nice flowing lines with little disruptions.

TheSteve - 9/2/2014 2:18:15 PM

+4 Boost

I agree with the comments above. The A7 is nicely done. It looks good in person.

ParadoX - 9/2/2014 3:03:10 PM

+5 Boost

I am a big fan of its looks.

randy3023 - 9/2/2014 3:32:26 PM

+4 Boost

The plastic space fillers and mis-aligned and extraneous angles and plastic pieces behind the A pillar on the new Escalade demonstrate how behind Detroit really is.

vdiv - 9/3/2014 2:06:31 PM

+1 Boost

Maybe they were aiming for a "classic" retro straight-lines and sharp-corners look considering that the outgoing model did not have that. Neither is my cup of tea.

MattDarringer - 9/2/2014 8:30:24 PM

-1 Boost

What a stupidly pointless article