This is probably the worst example or not just ugly but **** poor badge engineering. An Acura civic CSX now with beak.

I don't really agree with a lot here though but I do feel car design has gotten bloated and just odd. Only the IS and C-class make me go "wow" in this class.

Not just the Civic rebadge, Mike, but look at the econobox stamped-steel wheels......with no covers. The $12,000 Kia Rio does better than that.

I dunno, the IS looks the best out of the bunch, but then again, I am a bit biased....

I mean, theirs only so much you can do to make a 4-door look nice. Sometimes they get it right (IS) and sometimes they get it horribly wrong (TL).

dunnojack, you're entitled to your opinion, but i don't agree.

i like 3 series coupe very much, although sedan not so much. you didnt specify sedans, just '$30k cars'.

i like the G37, CTS, C-Class a lot. the IS and ES have some awkwardness to me, but i prefer the IS over the ES, although the IS is certainly a SMALL car.

there's also other cars like the passat CC which is really great looking.

and i think the genesis can be had in the 30s and both coupe and sedan look GREAT.

i think you're seeing the glass half empty too often.

Except Acura TL, all of these $30k sports sedans look very very good. Probably this is the most beautiful class of vehicles except super car class.

Gotta agree with that statement.

I'll add the midsize luxury sedan (5/E/GS) segment to the most beautiful class besides the super cars.

The Maxima and Mazda 6 are $30K cars that are not ugly. In fact, they are very nicely styled. The Hyundai Genesis 3.8 is in the $30K range and it certainly doesn't fit anyone's definition of "ugly". The ES350 is at the very upper end of $30K but is also very nice. The VW CC is nice looking and starts in the 30K prices. I do think the cheaper Audi's and BMW 1 series that fit in the $30K range are truly ugly as are the latest Acuras, but most $30K cars are OK.

I don't understant the original premise.

Steve

I like the Mazda 3. Acura TSX has the least offensive version of the corporate shield.\

Lexus IS looks OK, although it is aging a bit. Infiniti G sedan definitely looks aged now; the coupe still looks good.

I really dislike the BMW 3 sedan. They did a wonderful job on the coupe, but for premium compact German sedans, the MB C-class is much more of a looker. The A4 has always been relatively elegant, but it's the same old Audi clothes, just updated. New Passat CC is a looker too.

Also, the BMW 3 series is a stripper at the low $30k range.

all of the cars mentioned are nice looking. I dont agree with you at all. I feel that most cars are a bit plain and boring until modified. Thats what makes them beautiful

Other than the Acuras, I'm not feeling it at all...

Surprised no one mention the HS250, I guess everyone loves it.. because I don't think it looks good.

Call me crazy I must say though the new TL is kind of growing on me though.

In the $30k price range the C-Class, G37 and IS look good to me though. The Nissan Maxima looks good too but I think for it's price I rather consider the others.

Yeah lost here....good points the CC does look good and the ES 350...

Title should be why are Acuras and the new Mazda 3 so ugly?

what you talking about? The IS looks beautiful. I'm not exactly unbiased (I have an IS350) but the looks was one of the reasons I bought it.

+1 ..........

Honestly I think almost every car in this class looks somewhere between 'ok' and 'very good'. Sure they don't look at good as some cars that cost twice as much but that's not exactly a shocker, is it?