Lexus Says People Need To Get Used To Spindle Grill, It Is Here To Stay

Lexus’ relatively new design direction has raised more than a few eyebrows, with critics focusing in on the brand’s now-signature spindle grille.

A quick Google search turns up both gentle condemnation, dubbing the grille “polarizing,” and not-so-gentle disapproval. “Ugly,” “hideous” and similar to the “jaw of a piranha” are just a few of the harsher denunciations.

But those who don’t like it will have to get used to it, says Lexus designer Yasuo Kajino.

“For us, we’re not 100% sure yet how long we’re going to continue the spindle grille,” Kajino, chief designer of the Lexus LF-C2 concept exhibited at November’s Los Angeles auto show, tells WardsAuto in an interview.

Without an expiration date, Kajino says Lexus is looking forward to evolving the look of the car’s nose.

Terry989 - 1/9/2015 4:47:01 PM

+4 Boost

For those of us that don't like it, fortunately we have plenty of other cars to choose from and don't really have to get used to it in our garages. Got to love Kajino-san's conviction through. I designed it - - - it perfect - - - you will learn to love it.

TomM - 1/9/2015 4:57:28 PM

+1 Boost

Indeed - we have plenty of different cars to choose from - and the idea that we "must" live with it - is simply not true - we can - as Lincoln, Cadillac, VW Phaeton, and lots of other makers have found - simply NOT BUY the cars.

DeNysschen has the spouted the same nonsense - and so buyers simply moved away from a too small overpriced couple of new Cadillacs. Let's see if reducing the price has any effect - or will people continue to want cars that they can actually fit their passengers in?

Lexus is the BUICK of luxury cars - and has to appeal to them. IF they - like Cadillac - simply decide to leave those people - they will still but OTHER cars too.

W124E320 - 1/9/2015 5:01:53 PM

+3 Boost

Smart move Lex-sux, "deal with it" for your hideous cars.... great, I STILL won't buy one.... oh and by the way, they're hideous!

Dexter1 - 1/10/2015 10:02:51 AM

+2 Boost

Get used to it??? Fu*k Kajino, that arrogant a$$hole. His horrid design language has pushed many potential Lexus buyers into the driver's seats of the competition. Yasuo Kajino should have been fired BEFORE he destroyed the whole Lexus line. Get used to that, douchebag!

800over - 1/12/2015 10:13:41 AM

0 Boost

Apparently the average Lexus buyer is not the average autopsies reader. The spindle grill seems to be doing just fine. Here are the YTD sales increases according to autopsies numbers.

Lexus 13%
Merc 5.7%
BWM 5.3%

Seems like Lexus is doing fine.

800over - 1/12/2015 10:26:21 AM

+1 Boost

And Dexter...next time read the article before commenting...not just 009's made up lame title.

FormerBenz - 1/12/2015 10:42:45 AM

+2 Boost

800over - I would wager the majority of Lexus buyers buy for value and reliability. Eveyone hears stories of how BMW's, Porsche's, & MB's all cost a fortune to maintain. Its a truth not a fictional story. That said one must pay a price for a drivers car vs a refrigerator on wheels.... Lex/Toy's are appliances...

AverLucidity - 10/28/2017 12:49:02 PM

+1 Boost

With all do respect, we are not haters, rather enthusiastic advocates and promoters, and have always owned (2) Lexus SUV's since their inception, replacing them with a newer model every 3-4 years. We were ready for another two new vehicles when the grotesque spindle grill stopped us cold. It has been two years, and now that it is apparent the grill is here to stay, we are looking at other manufacturers;
besides, performance wise, it appears Lexus hasn't been the most aggressive innovative leader it once was.

MDarringer - 10/28/2017 4:54:57 PM

+1 Boost

My wife is on her second Lexus--an RC--for her daily driver and she is very much in love with it. She loves its styling.

qckshftr - 1/9/2015 5:14:48 PM

+1 Boost

as a former BMW client advisor, there are many reasons i prefer the German cars... but i for one really like the Lexus "spindle" grille. not in every incarnation, but on concept cars like the LF-LC... it's INCREDIBLY well-executed!! much better than, say, the Acura "beak" for instance. i think they should absolutely keep the look for quite a while, and develop a more unifying set of Lexus design cues, just like BMW is known for the double kidney grille, round headlights, hoffmeister 'kink', short front overhangs, etc... still looking at a photo of the LF-LC... it's SHARP!!!

MrEE - 1/9/2015 6:12:34 PM

+1 Boost

I imagine that the critics are those already loyal to a different brand and would find something else if it wasn't the grill. Consider Audi's grill didn't seem to hurt their sales.

MDarringer - 1/9/2015 7:26:26 PM

+1 Boost

It's grown on me. It's intentionally garish--like how Mercedes wants to be but Mercedes just can't loosen up enough to "go there" and it's not Camry bland like an Audi.

DavidA - 1/9/2015 7:59:36 PM

+3 Boost

OK Kajino-San, get used to the fact that I won't buy one of your hideous creations.

jeffgall - 1/9/2015 8:52:50 PM

+4 Boost

I wonder is that statement includes the ugly Nike LED DTRLs

MicrosoftUser - 1/9/2015 11:00:18 PM

+2 Boost

Unfortunately it does to make it even uglier than it is already.

cidflekken - 1/10/2015 12:14:51 AM

+1 Boost

It (mostly) only works on the IS F-Sport, the RC F-Sport, the RC-F, and the GS-F. Maybe on the NX. Otherwise it looks clumsy and out of place.

chewy - 1/10/2015 12:39:58 AM

+3 Boost

When I really take a good look and focus I am no fan of the grille and in particular the Nike LED strip and the IS headlight but when you step back and just see the IS drive by the overall effect isn't even that noticeable anymore. I guess you just get used to it over time.

DavidA - 1/10/2015 1:50:21 PM

+2 Boost

When I purchase a car; I don't want the appearance something I have to get used to. I really think Lexus is losing sales with this design.

leej - 1/10/2015 2:33:08 PM

+1 Boost

I think it looks just fine...not nearly as garish in person as are some of the weird angle photographs you see on the Internet. People have to bitch and moan about something...and a lot of posters here tend to hate Japanese cars in general. I just see it as a lot of fanboy whining and ignore it.

quizz - 1/10/2015 11:26:04 PM

+2 Boost

Time will tell if this design builds loyalty or alienates their faithful. I'm not a fan, but then I wasn't impressed by their last design offering either so, it's a wash for me. To be fair, I'm not moved by BMW's current design language either. Among the luxo-sport sedans, MB looks tasteful and more to my taste. The Caddy is looking good this generation (CTS/ATS). Audi (A6) is meh as always. Can't believe I actually mentioned Caddy above BMW/Lexus.

BimmersNme - 1/11/2015 2:04:47 PM

+2 Boost

I will never get used to bad taste.

toolatetorace - 1/15/2015 6:21:11 PM

+1 Boost

This is sort of , they need us , we don't need them mentality

Themaster67 - 9/8/2015 5:42:36 PM

+2 Boost

Why did Lexus go out of their way to make a perfectly lovely, reliable SUV so UGLY? As a long-term Lexus buyer I will find it hard to live with the horrible grille on a day to day basis. For the first time I am considering the terribly unreliable Range Rover Sport or the elegant Mercedes E-class as my next car. I hope Lexus live to regret the use of this horrific grille. Corporate arrogance and complacency is offensive to customers. Refusing to listen to loyal customers is suicidal.

amaryllis - 2/19/2016 9:35:40 AM

+1 Boost

That's silly. No one is holding a gun to my head forcing me to buy a Lexus. I love my 2007 Lexus ES350, but my next car will be a BMW rather than buy a car with this ugly grill.

unclewimp - 3/11/2018 3:01:41 AM

+1 Boost

this Lexus grill is definitely Cylon inspired....relive the days of Battlestar Galactica and buy this scary car. the last time I saw a grill this terrible was on a Ford Edsel.