For some drivers, speed and handling are everything. Others prefer cars that make the most of every gallon of gasoline. For many people.
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For some drivers, speed and handling are everything. Others prefer cars that make the most out of every gallon of gasoline. For many people, the way a car looks is one of the most important factors in their buying decision. Cars are like clothes: they are an outer layer that speaks volumes about who we are. Finding a car with the features and style you love is like putting on a perfectly fitting shirt for the first time: you know right away you’re going to do great things together. And if the car – or the shirt – is exactly what you’re looking for at a lower-than-expected price, it’s a tough sell to give it up. Here are 10 cars with great designs that look more expensive than they actually are.
2016 honda civic
MSRP: $18.640
Image: honda
For decades, the honda civic has been a mainstay of simple, cheap and reliable transportation. That hasn’t changed for 2016, but an all-new exterior styling has transformed the civic from a forgotten device into one truly placed on the road. With a mix of sharp angles and subtle curves, you can look at the civic for hours and still find new design details. the sloping hatchback offers a sleek profile, and a chrome grille accent that flows into led headlights highlights the front end. In the rear, C-shaped rear lights are connected by an optional light strip that also functions as a spoiler. available as a sedan, coupe and hatchback, the honda civic is one of the best combinations of style and affordability available today.
2016 mazda CX-3
MSRP: 19.960 $
picture: mazda
Mazda’s "kodo" design language is said to evoke pent-up potential energy, like an animal about to pounce. Whether you agree with this analogy or not, there’s no question that the Mazda CX-3 is one of the best-looking cars in the booming crossover segment. A sharp chrome grille is the center of gravity up front, while on the side a downward sloping character line makes it look like the car is always accelerating. Blackened buttresses create a look of wraparound glass, while the CX-3’s slightly raised ride height gives it a burly, authoritative stance. overall, it’s an attractive little car that can carry lots of gear, is easy to park, and is built with mazda’s fun-to-drive dna.
2016 chevrolet colorado
MSRP: 20.995 $
image: chevrolet
Pickup trucks are usually designed for duty, without much regard for style. This is not the case for the chevrolet colorado, which balances its ruggedness with tidy looks. It has a more rounded shape than most pickups, but that doesn’t mean it’s soft – a high ride height and muscular wheel arches convey its off-road capabilities. The body of the colorado has some sharp lines and creases, but they integrate neatly into the overall design without looking too in-your-face. It’s the kind of vehicle that would roll equally well parked on city streets or on dirt roads. If you need a truck for work or towing, but also want something with cool design, the colorado offers both at an attractive starting price.
2017 ford mustang
MSRP: 24.645 $
image: ford
in its 50-year history, the ford mustang muscle car has defined style and speed. This tradition has continued with the current generation, which still looks fantastic a few years later. The mustang’s long hood, low roof and sleek trunk are the perfect sports car proportions, with sweeping wheel arches that evoke the power of rear-wheel drive. On the rear, an optional color-matched diffuser aids aerodynamics, while the three-beam taillights light up in sequence when the turn signal is activated. It’s available with several different engines from a turbo four-cylinder to a screaming 526-horsepower V8, but every mustang wears the same stylish sheetmetal that guarantees its status as a future classic.
2017 toyota prius
MSRP: 24.685 $
image: toyota
Everyone knows the toyota prius as a car that offers fantastic fuel economy at the cost of looking exceptionally boring. No more: toyota has completely redesigned the prius for 2016, and it’s more striking than ever. While opinions differ on whether this new design really looks good, there’s no arguing that it’s complex and full of interesting details. Sharp lines and creases abound, giving the prius an edgy, futuristic look. The headlights have a unique split design, and the taillights feature a curved strip of leds that really stand out in the dark. Toyota engineers took to the wind tunnel to refine the prius’ aerodynamic profile, contributing to its excellent MPG numbers. Everyone will have their own opinion on whether the prius looks amazing or terrifying, but it’s clear that toyota has gone to great lengths to pack as much expensive-looking design into the new prius as possible.
2017 fiat 124 spider
MSRP: 24.995 $
image: fiat
Fiat had a hit in the 1970s with its 124 spider sports car, and with the new 124 spider launched this year, they’ve gone for another classic. The small convertible is built on the same platform as the revered mazda miata, so you know it’s going to be fantastic to drive. The exterior, fully protected by fiat, however, gives the underlying parts a plastic italian body. The long, low hood has two bulges reminiscent of the double-camshafts of the classic 124 spider, but this modern revival includes a powerful turbo engine. A character line rises along the doors, hinting at the rear-wheel drive style. Angry-looking headlights feature three-piece leds, while hollowed-out taillights have color-coordinated inserts. option up to the abarth level and you get a matte black hood and trunk, unique front and rear bumpers and quad exhaust outlets. The sleek 124 spider continues a tradition of stylish Italian sports cars at an affordable price.
2017 chrysler pacifica
MSRP: 28.595 $
image: chrysler
No one longs to drive a minivan, but when they have to, the chrysler pacifica is probably the best looking option out there. The pacifica has been completely redesigned for 2017, offering seating for eight in stylish and distinctive style. A bold arch over the front wheels runs onto the chrome window lining, and the curved trim on the underside of the front bumper is an interesting detail. A black mesh grille and sharp creases provide a sense of sportiness. the pacifica’s wide, boxy stance conveys presence and authority, but it’s also very practical: it means more space for passengers and their gear on the inside. Overall, the design of the pacifica is a success, which may have helped make minivan ownership a bit more desirable.
2017 infiniti QX30
MSRP: 29.950 $
Image: infiniti
With features like intelligent cruise control, speed-sensitive steering and a leather-lined interior, the infiniti QX30 should be great from the driver’s seat. But it could almost be better to experience from the outside, because it is a very good looking machine. The body is made up of flowing lines that draw the eye to the design. A deep, curved crease runs the length of the car – infiniti says its engineers had to develop a new manufacturing process to get this detail right. The chrome surround around the side windows ends with a bent piece at the C-pillar, adding to the visual fascination. All in all, the QX30 is packed with details that come together beautifully in a complex design that will look great in the years to come.
2017 jeep grand cherokee
MSRP: 29.995 $
image: jeep
The jeep grand cherokee combines the all-wheel drive capabilities the brand is known for with a solid dose of style. The current generation of the large SUV was introduced in 2011, but still looks fresh after a few years. jeep’s signature seven-slot grille is the only traditional element, and the rest of the body wears an impressively modern design. Huge, square wheel arches give the grand cherokee a solid stance and plenty of room for knobby off-road tires – perfect for adventure calls. A distinctive LED strip lines the narrow headlights, while chrome details in the grille, window trim, bumper and emblems add subtle eye-catching appeal. The interior looks particularly upscale, with contrast stitching, matte wood trim and a large LED screen between the front seats available as options. The jeep grand cherokee is a beautiful machine that looks good in an urban environment, but is still at home on a rocky road covered in mud.
2017 kia cadenza
MSRP: $32.000 (estimated)
IMAGE
Looking for a large, luxurious and stylish sedan that won’t break the bank? The 2017 kia cadenza is worth your attention. The cadenza has been completely redesigned for 2017 and is the kind of car that can fly under the radar, but still has admirable styling. A creased line runs along the side, enhancing its long, low look. At the front, a slim, concave grille is surrounded by LED headlamps. Additional LED light clusters are located near the bottom of the chrome bumper. Speaking of lights, the headlights and taillights feature a Z-shaped detail that adds angularity to the otherwise smooth design. Large dual exhaust ports protrude from the rear, and gorgeous multi-spoke wheels add visual complexity. While it’s not a speed machine, the cadenza is a comfortable, well-made luxury sedan with a nice body that looks a lot more expensive than it is. In addition, since its 2013 introduction, kia has cut less than 30.000 cadenzas sold. So if you buy one of these, you’re unlikely to see another on the road.
Cars design is constantly evolving and you usually have to pay a lot of money to drive the latest style. But that’s not always the case – no matter what car best suits your lifestyle, there are many options that look like they cost a lot more than they actually are. That’s the kind of sticker shock any car buyer can appreciate.
