Battle of the Grilles

Tacoma · 06-16-2020, 10:05 AM

The "new" Lexus IS was just revealed yesterday with usual gigantic Spindle grille (below). Which gigantic grille looks better?

Refreshed IS:

New 4-Series:

SteveinArizona · 06-16-2020, 10:20 AM

Morton's Fork.

TheRetroGuy · 06-16-2020, 11:46 AM

I bought a 3rd Gen Lexus IS in the first year of the major redesign (2014). At first I didn't like the grill design, but then it grew on me in certain colors and I started to love it. Because there weren't many on the road in '14, the grill and overall design got a LOT of positive attention -- way more so than my current G20 does (because I think it's a smoother design transition from the prior generation than the 3IS was).

But over time, as I saw the grill implemented on Lexus' SUVs (ugly), and I watched Toyota models get a "poor man's version" of the grill design, I started to gravitate back to my initial reaction of not being a huge fan of it; the rest of the car I always thought was pretty good looking.

My first impression of the new IS is that they've set themselves up for even more polarized opinions regarding grill design, while cheapening the overall look of the car. It reminds me of a Maxima from some angles (and the Maxima has never been a beautiful car, so it's not what I want from a luxury brand).

My reaction to the G22 grill is similar to the 2014 reaction to Lexus' grille. Initially I thought "bleh", but then I saw it in certain colors and I think it looks kind of cool. I'd like to see it in person in dark grey or black, where the contrast of the grill blends with the body paint color a bit more -- this can "lessen the shock" and make all the difference in the world. Will I like it 4 years from now? Not sure.

In the meantime, I think my G20 is a handsome vehicle, and I like that it doesn't really have any "subjectively standout" cosmetic features that I might start to dislike in a few years. It's one of those designs that we will look back on in 40 years as a "nice design".

TJZ67201 · 06-16-2020, 12:01 PM

Why isn't there a 'none of the above' option lol. I can't see myself liking any of these... love the current 3 series grill leave it alone

mcjohnsonsg · 06-16-2020, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TJZ67201

Why isn't there a 'none of the above' option lol. I can't see myself liking any of these... love the current 3 series grill leave it alone

Agreed - they are both pretty terrible and poorly executed.

Tacoma · 06-16-2020, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TJZ67201

Why isn't there a 'none of the above' option lol. I can't see myself liking any of these... love the current 3 series grill leave it alone

I tried to add a 3rd option but it didn't allow me. In any case, I did qualify with which one is "least offensive" which impels a choice of one or the other since they can't be equal.

3ismagic# · 06-17-2020, 05:48 PM

Wouldn't buy either personally. If the g20 refresh takes a similar style I'll be saying adios to BMW.

Fhey · 06-17-2020, 05:59 PM

I'll take the new 4 series any day of the week.

snareman · 06-17-2020, 08:57 PM

The BMW is the less bad of the two. The BMW is ugly while the Lexus is hideous. I could potentially tolerate the BMW, but could never buy a lexus with that.

stressdoc · 06-17-2020, 10:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TJZ67201

Why isn't there a 'none of the above' option lol. I can't see myself liking any of these... love the current 3 series grill leave it alone

Agreed. Selling my BMW stock. This front end design is an absolute disaster.

dchar · 06-17-2020, 11:23 PM

At least the Lexus looks menacing and sporty in the front...the G22 just looks like a confused pig. Too bad Lexus barely made any significant changes to make it competitive with the G20.

jmack · 06-18-2020, 09:52 AM

The IS grill is ugly but at least sort of fits the overall design of the car.
The G22 grill is ugly, but looks completely disconnected from the design of the car. It looks like it should be on a truck. So IS gets my vote.

stein_325i · 06-18-2020, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmack

The IS grill is ugly but at least sort of fits the overall design of the car.
The G22 grill is ugly, but looks completely disconnected from the design of the car. It looks like it should be on a truck. So IS gets my vote.

This, Lexuses may not be pretty (although the LC is pretty attractive) but they have at least learned how to properly integrate their grill design into their vehicles and design language.

SteveinArizona · 06-18-2020, 03:58 PM

dumb and dumber

Aero7000 · 06-19-2020, 08:21 AM

Coming full cycle:

Rocket455 · 06-19-2020, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dchar

At least the Lexus looks menacing and sporty in the front...the G22 just looks like a confused pig. .

This. If I really had to choose either design disaster with a gun to my head, it would be the Lexus.

-EndOfAnEra- · 06-19-2020, 04:44 PM

Sadly, I too would take the Lexus on design if I absolutely had to. Looking forward to the M340i front end conversions!

Conezz · 06-25-2020, 09:00 PM

The IS grille is big but it flows nicely and looks sporty. The G22 grille, just looks like shit. Unless you’re into the buck-tooth look.

M40i4me · 06-26-2020, 05:49 AM

Unfair comparison. Add a license plate to the Lexus pic and you will change your mind! That cow catcher is flat out hideous!

TTG · 06-26-2020, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TJZ67201

Why isn't there a 'none of the above' option lol. I can't see myself liking any of these... love the current 3 series grill leave it alone

+1

I would not even consider buying either.

snareman · 06-26-2020, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3284me

Unfair comparison. Add a license plate to the Lexus pic and you will change your mind! That cow catcher is flat out hideous!

It seems that the Lexus designers also didn't factor in that some people are going to have to put a front plate somewhere on there.

m981addicts · 06-26-2020, 02:12 PM

Neither, both terrible! Never thought BMW would drink the tainted kool-aid. Makes the Dodge cross tolerable.

View Poll Results: Which grille looks better (or is least offensive)?
Lexus IS	37	54.41%
BMW 4-Series	31	45.59%
Voters: 68. You may not vote on this poll

06-16-2020, 10:05 AM	#1
Tacoma Captain 945 Rep 750 Posts Drives: BMWs for 30 yrs Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Toronto, ON iTrader: (0)	Battle of the Grilles - BMW 4 Series vs. Lexus IS The "new" Lexus IS was just revealed yesterday with usual gigantic Spindle grille (below). Which gigantic grille looks better? Refreshed IS: New 4-Series: Last edited by Tacoma; 06-16-2020 at 12:43 PM.. Reason: Add 3rd option
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06-16-2020, 10:20 AM	#2
SteveinArizona Brigadier General 3087 Rep 4,210 Posts Drives: BMW 530e Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Greater Phoenix iTrader: (0)	Morton's Fork.
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06-16-2020, 11:46 AM	#3
TheRetroGuy Second Lieutenant 148 Rep 265 Posts Drives: 2020 330i xDrive mSport Join Date: Jan 2020 Location: East Coast iTrader: (0)	I bought a 3rd Gen Lexus IS in the first year of the major redesign (2014). At first I didn't like the grill design, but then it grew on me in certain colors and I started to love it. Because there weren't many on the road in '14, the grill and overall design got a LOT of positive attention -- way more so than my current G20 does (because I think it's a smoother design transition from the prior generation than the 3IS was). But over time, as I saw the grill implemented on Lexus' SUVs (ugly), and I watched Toyota models get a "poor man's version" of the grill design, I started to gravitate back to my initial reaction of not being a huge fan of it; the rest of the car I always thought was pretty good looking. My first impression of the new IS is that they've set themselves up for even more polarized opinions regarding grill design, while cheapening the overall look of the car. It reminds me of a Maxima from some angles (and the Maxima has never been a beautiful car, so it's not what I want from a luxury brand). My reaction to the G22 grill is similar to the 2014 reaction to Lexus' grille. Initially I thought "bleh", but then I saw it in certain colors and I think it looks kind of cool. I'd like to see it in person in dark grey or black, where the contrast of the grill blends with the body paint color a bit more -- this can "lessen the shock" and make all the difference in the world. Will I like it 4 years from now? Not sure. In the meantime, I think my G20 is a handsome vehicle, and I like that it doesn't really have any "subjectively standout" cosmetic features that I might start to dislike in a few years. It's one of those designs that we will look back on in 40 years as a "nice design".
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06-16-2020, 12:01 PM	#4
TJZ67201 Captain 845 Rep 758 Posts Drives: '23 M240i Join Date: Jun 2020 Location: Naperville, IL iTrader: (0)	Why isn't there a 'none of the above' option lol. I can't see myself liking any of these... love the current 3 series grill leave it alone
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06-17-2020, 05:48 PM	#7
3ismagic# Private First Class 127 Rep 170 Posts Drives: '19 330Xi M-Sport Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Centrally Isolated iTrader: (0)	Wouldn't buy either personally. If the g20 refresh takes a similar style I'll be saying adios to BMW.
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06-17-2020, 05:59 PM	#8
Fhey Private First Class 455 Rep 182 Posts Drives: BMW M440i Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Belgium iTrader: (0) Garage List 2023 BMW M440i [10.00]	I'll take the new 4 series any day of the week.
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06-17-2020, 08:57 PM	#9
snareman Leave the gun. Take the Canoli. 9222 Rep 7,803 Posts Drives: ///M8 & X3 ///M40 Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Ohio iTrader: (0)	The BMW is the less bad of the two. The BMW is ugly while the Lexus is hideous. I could potentially tolerate the BMW, but could never buy a lexus with that. __________________ Current: 2023 Santorini Blue ///M8 \|\|\| 2023 X3 M40 --> 2025 X5 M60 (ordered) Retired: 2021 Enzian Blue ///M4 \|\|\| 2018 ///M4 \|\|\| 2017 ///M4 \|\|\| 2014 435i \|\|\| 2009 335i Coupe \|\|\| 2007 335i Coupe
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06-17-2020, 11:23 PM	#11
dchar New Member 29 Rep 28 Posts Drives: Mercedes C300 Join Date: May 2020 Location: IE, CA iTrader: (0)	At least the Lexus looks menacing and sporty in the front...the G22 just looks like a confused pig. Too bad Lexus barely made any significant changes to make it competitive with the G20.
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06-18-2020, 09:52 AM	#12
jmack First Lieutenant 550 Rep 384 Posts Drives: OG M2, E70 X5M Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: TN iTrader: (0)	The IS grill is ugly but at least sort of fits the overall design of the car. The G22 grill is ugly, but looks completely disconnected from the design of the car. It looks like it should be on a truck. So IS gets my vote.
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06-18-2020, 03:58 PM	#14
SteveinArizona Brigadier General 3087 Rep 4,210 Posts Drives: BMW 530e Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Greater Phoenix iTrader: (0)	dumb and dumber
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06-19-2020, 08:21 AM	#15
Aero7000 Second Lieutenant 246 Rep 285 Posts Drives: M340i DravitGrau / Cognac Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Driving in the Hills. iTrader: (0)	Coming full cycle: Attached Images
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06-19-2020, 04:44 PM	#17
-EndOfAnEra- First Lieutenant 689 Rep 360 Posts Drives: 2020 M340i RWD Join Date: May 2008 Location: Cleveland, OH iTrader: (0) Garage List 2020 "Christy& ... [0.00]	Sadly, I too would take the Lexus on design if I absolutely had to. Looking forward to the M340i front end conversions! __________________ "Christy" - 2020 BMW M340i 8AT BSM / Black&BlueStitching Gone! "Edna" - 2011 BMW 335i 6MT TiAg / BlackOyster - M-Sport, Premium, Comfort Access, Navigation, Heated Seats, Rollerblinds R.I.P. "Heidi" - 2005 BMW 330xi 6MT BSM / Black - Sport, Premium, Cold Weather, Harmon Kardon, Navigation
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06-25-2020, 09:00 PM	#18
Conezz First Lieutenant 101 Rep 307 Posts Drives: G20 Join Date: Jan 2020 Location: CA iTrader: (0)	The IS grille is big but it flows nicely and looks sporty. The G22 grille, just looks like shit. Unless you’re into the buck-tooth look.
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06-26-2020, 05:49 AM	#19
M40i4me Lieutenant Colonel 1039 Rep 1,531 Posts Drives: 2021 X3 M40i Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: NJ iTrader: (0) Garage List 2021 X3 M40i [10.00]	Unfair comparison. Add a license plate to the Lexus pic and you will change your mind! That cow catcher is flat out hideous! __________________ 2021 M40i Phytonic Blue / Black Vernasca 2020 X5 xDrive 40i Tanzanite Blue / Coffee Vernasca 2011 328xi. Space Grey - Sold 188,925 great miles
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06-26-2020, 02:12 PM	#22
m981addicts Lieutenant 145 Rep 426 Posts Drives: 98Mz3-09-135i6sp-13-135isDCT Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Motor Earth iTrader: (0)	Neither, both terrible! Never thought BMW would drink the tainted kool-aid. Makes the Dodge cross tolerable.
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