Japanese Design Becomes Cool Again, But Can It Lure You Away From The Germans?

When it comes to car design, the Japanese are literally speaking their own language these days.

The country's automakers are embarking on a major styling renaissance and digging deep into the local lexicon to describe their upcoming creations. The sensuous curves, avant-garde athleticism and high-tech Zen were on full parade at last week's Tokyo Motor Show.

The amped-up looks come as Japanese brands race to stand out on the global stage amid the commoditization of technology under the hood and an onslaught of new Asian rivals.

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atc98092 - 10/30/2017 1:47:39 PM

+3 Boost

Yes, the Mazda CX-5 is high on my radar. I've been waiting for the diesel version to arrive, but my Q5 may not let me wait that long. I'm tired of burning a quart of oil in under 500 miles. If I can't find a Tiguan SEL Premium closer to my home than the next state, I'll likely go with the current CX-5.

TheSteve - 10/30/2017 2:16:04 PM

+2 Boost

As much as I don't like designs from Lexus (anything), and some of the new designs being shown off from Asian manufacturers, I hope that it's not a universal direction they've taken. For example, the latest Nissan Leaf looks more normal than the previous "I am EV!" design.

But what *I* like doesn't matter, in the big picture. As long as they have enough paying customers to make it worth their while -- because of the styling or in spite of it -- they'll be successful.

jeffgall - 10/30/2017 3:07:48 PM

+2 Boost

Mazda is the only one doing it right in design. The rest are rubbish.

MDarringer - 10/30/2017 9:35:12 PM

+1 Boost

I have to agree

TomM - 10/31/2017 5:01:17 PM

+1 Boost

I agree too

I long for the old days when Bill Mitchell would astonish us with some unexpected glorious design. GM once had design in the bag - I wonder where the bag went?

PUGPROUD - 10/30/2017 4:19:30 PM

+1 Boost

For me its a performance, price & value equation with heavy emphasis on value vs Germans.Have owned several Japanese cars over the years and liked them all but with rare exception its their value and reliability that stands out most over German cars I've owned. A great design could sway me to buy a Japanese car again. Took my car crazy teenage grandson to see new Lexus LC500 and he hated it which surprised me. Not sure what his reaction speaks to though I do know he goes gaga over M4's. To each his own I guess.

quizz - 10/31/2017 1:52:40 AM

+2 Boost

Among German cars, Porsche is the only one that can consistently beat its Japanese rivals head to head on design, reliability and overall customer satisfaction. So, no, nothing on offer by Japan would sway me from Porsche - but if you're saying "for the money", then it has nothing to do with design, does it?

BMW's recent design language for its mainstream cars (3er, 5er, 7er) is as "inoffensive" as possible, but not at all desirable or memorable, and not at all worth the $30,000 premium. Audi is not any better.

Volvo has knocked it out of the ballpark, better than both Japanese and German sedan designs.