Of all the words I would use to describe the current electric cars (and hybrids) on the market (except Tesla), "great looking" would not be one of them. I don't understand what they're thinking in designing the boxy, heinous, toy-ish electrics that are available now. I would rather walk then have to ride in a BMW i3 or Nissan Leaf.
"I would rather walk then have to ride in a BMW i3 or Nissan Leaf."
I trust that is an exaggeration? Strikes me as a pretty odd attitude.
In much of Europe, with tiny streets and parking allowances, I liked that people considered their car more of a practical thing than a fashion choice. In Australia or the US, men act emasculated if they aren't driving a large ute/truck, whereas it's more often the default in Europe that they're just in whatever is easiest to park - a three-door hatch or a small-factor SUV (that would be similar in size to a hatch in Australia).
> In Australia or the US, men act emasculated if they aren't driving a large ute/truck
I wish that here in the US we could still get a small pickup, with a 2-door standard cab and a short bed, but CAFE rules have prevented auto makers from going that route.
I hate four door, extend cab pickups. I hate the long wheelbase. I'd like to be able to buy a new small Ford Ranger again (4wd this time) - but I can't. Even the Wrangler has gone almost exclusively 4-door and "big".
I can't see myself in a car (well - beyond something like a Mustang GT or similar - but I already know one of those would get me in trouble with the law super-quick); I'm currently driving a loaner Camry from my repair shop (while they take care of some problems with my recently purchased TJ), and while it's been a great car (250k and runs like a dream, honestly - for a 1993 its not bad at all!), it just feels wrong to me.
So, for now I'm going to stick with my VehiCROSS and TJ - both used and paid-for, but both suck the cash outta my wallet in so many ways. And let's not talk about the carbon footprint for either (both get around 15 mpg or less - ugh). But I don't have a problem going off-road.
Which for an EV, I'm just waiting for this possibility. Right now, though, there isn't a big enough demand for EVs period, let alone pickups or 4wd. I've seen a couple of EV pickups (Ford actually made an EV Ranger back in the 90s), but the latest concept I've seen is just yet another extended cab monstrosity (but AWD). I don't want or need that.
What would be cool to see would be the OX truck with an EV option (but I doubt that will happen, as it doesn't fit its use or demographics - nor are they likely to be sold to regular consumers).
Finally, of the EVs I have seen - outside of the Tesla - the Volt actually looks rather nice, for a small car.
I have a Leaf and a 4 door Toyota pickup. I'm 6'5" at 240 LB. The Leaf has much more room than the truck. I have 1/2" of headroom in the truck, and no vertical field of view. I have several inches in the Leaf. I can also put the seat all the way back, and put adults in the rear seat. Can't even put a kid in the rear seat of the truck.
They'll make electrics that don't stand out when there's a market for them. Toyota makes a Camry hybrid but the kind of people who buy hybrids still prefer to buy Priuses.
Although having seen them all in person, I actually prefer the design of the Leaf and i3 to the Tesla. They look a bit cheap but the Tesla looks... disproportionate(?) in person. Maybe it'd just a difference in US design taste vs EU/Japan.
As far as all electric I agree with you but for hybrids you have some nice choices. For example, the Ford Fusion hybrid and plugin use the same chassis as the Fusion non-hybrids. Some people even remove the hybrid branding:
Chrysler's Pacifica PHEV also has really good looks. I think it looks even better than the conventional gas version: https://goo.gl/photos/ptC2XrJ6NnbtaDEE6
Because it's not about real outcomes, it's about being seen "caring" about the environment, or whatever. The marketing people have the buyers figured out or it wouldn't be that way.
I still chuckle when I see a Prius, especially that newer one that looks like a Batmobile. People are daffy suckers.
Of all the words I would use to describe the current electric cars (and hybrids) on the market (except Tesla), "great looking" would not be one of them.
