The headunit criticism for the tC is unwarranted because it is designed to easily be customized and replaced. The dash was designed with that in mind.

You cannot easily customize or replace the headunit on a Fit.

With that said, this is a dissapointing design overall. The exterior is not bad, but it's just too bland for the segment.

Interior is VERY dissapointing. Not even talking about materials, the design of the interior itself is a step backwards compared to the 1st-gen model. I'm not sure how the interior was approved by Toyota, just a dissapointment. Only the steering wheel looks decent, that's it.

The Five Axis exterior looks great, and at least some of those styling cues SHOULD HAVE been on the stock model.

Given the slick Fuse concept, this is just a dissapointment.

Also dissapointing is the power output. Same engine as the Camry SE, but no additional upgrades or tune-ups.

The entire Scion lineup has become too "Americanized". The WHOLE POINT of Scion was to have cool, quirky cars with Japanese design. Even the changes they made for the iQ don't look good, compared to the Euro version.

The exterior of the tC is not bad, it's just bland. Adding more aggressive details here and there would make it look better. Interior of course is a different story.

IMHO, the 2010 4Runner, 2011 Sienna, and 2011 Avalon are all nice designs. Avalon didn't need a huge exterior change because Avalon customers/buyers are conservative. Why alienate consumers?

The tC is really the only disappointing design from Toyota over the past several years IMHO, given the target market for the tC.

 

The car looks dated already, and that roofline is lacking for a sporty coupe.

 

Corolla, Avalon, 4Runner, HS, ISc, GX, tC, xB...I mean half the entire ToMoCo lineup is either painstakingly bland or straight up ugly.

IMO, of course

 

Toyota should hire 5 Axxis to design their cars.

 

Agree, or at least get their input on F/TRD/G's

 

I thought we were discussing only Toyota design, not Lexus?

Anyways, yes I forgot about the Corolla, but technically it's not a "new", especially considering the current-gen Corolla came to the US market almost a year late.

Scion design right now is a mess, I would agree.

I also forgot to mention the Venza, which is a solid design.

As for Lexus, IMHO the GX looks good, definitely better than the 1st-gen model. The HS in-person looks decent, and the CT looks very good.

ISc in person looks good too IMHO, and let's not forget the LFA .

Out of recent Toyota designs (in the past 2 years), I have no problems with Toyota's designs except for Scion.

 

TRD, I know you're a Toyota homer, and rightly so considering this is a lexus forum, but come on...Toyota's designs lately have been awful aside from the LFA, Sienna sport and the ft-86. Everything else is in bland overdrive, esspecially in comparison to what is coming out from Ford, Hyundai etc..

 

Ever considered that people have different opinions?

Ford's designs are equally as bland as Toyota's, yet Ford's designs are awful and Toyota's designs are great? Give me a break . Way to jump on the Toyota hate bandwagon.

Audi has pretty bland designs. Nissan has pretty bland designs. Honda has bland, and borderline-offensive designs.

VW has very bland designs, arguably more bland than Toyota.

So tell me, WHY is it that enthusiasts are all on only one bandwagon, the "hate Toyota" bandwagon?

Is it jealousy? Or is it envy and bitterness?

Are internet enthusiasts simply bitter that Toyota is so successful, more successful than their favorite brands?

I am genuinely curious why people continue to jump on the Toyota hate bandwagon.

 

all of us belonging to a Lexus forum, yes we are bitter and envious of the brand we loyally bought into.

 

I know people have different opinions and I respect yours (TRD, even though I disagree with it). I feel that Toyota's designs have been very underwhelming in comparison to the competition. I'm not bitter or anything, I just know they can do a lot better.

 

My reply wasn't directed at you. Plus, there are quite a few people that post in Car Chat who are NOT Lexus OR Toyota owners.

This is a Lexus forum, but not everyone here owns a Lexus (or a Toyota).

Plus, I don't think you're part of the hate Toyota bandwagon.

Again, it's all a matter of opinion.

There is a REASON why Toyota is so incredibly successful, and most enthusiasts on the hate Toyota bandwagon either fail to see this reason, or refuse to acknowledge it. The reason is simple; Toyota caters to car buyers VERY well, in a variety of markets and segments.

Clearly, millions of people around the world each year buy Toyotas, like their Toyotas, and are satisfied with the styling.

 

Yeah, but Toyota's not alone at least (as TRD was pointing out). The biggest problem I see is that this is NOT a time to get lazy and just put out half-assed efforts (HS/GX/Avalon/tC/Corolla).

Are Toyota's designs ugly? No, but the scary trend I see is that they aren't really putting much effort into their new cars. If this continues they are going to fall behind the competition FAST. One of the first examples of this was the Corolla "redesign" and we see it repeated with both the Avalon "redesign" and the tC.

If Toyota keeps this up they'll end up where Honda is. Ugly designs, outdated engines, and lackluster technology. Only thing keeping Honda running is their name...

 

Having worries or concerns is understandable, as long as it's not blind hate .

To be fair, the Avalon got a very nice interior update, and the exterior wasn't dramatically restyled because Avalon customers/buyers are conservative. Toyota doesn't want to alienate them by making them sporty.

The tC I agree is disappointing because the design won't appeal very well to the target market. The interior is also a huge dissapointment, even if it is a Scion that's supposed to have a "blank slate" interior.

I do agree about the Corolla redesign, but the bland Corolla is still selling well. There is a lot of word that the next-gen Corolla will be more of a major redesign than this generation was.

I also agree that Toyota should NOT be resting on their laurels or being lazy. I think Akio Toyoda will really help to re-energize the company.

At the same token, Toyota should not follow the herd, and create overstyled, gimmicky cars that simply use the latest fad styling trends, and will end up aging poorly. Daring designs do not sell well. This is a fact.

The world's biggest automakers sell mostly bland and/or inoffensive vehicles.

With that said, Toyota is still using a lot of new and cutting-edge technology. They are so far ahead of Honda. It's pretty much part of Toyota's corporate culture. They are very receptive to the market, and always looking at what future trends and patterns will be. Toyota's massive R&D spending over the past few years can only mean more technology.

 

Okay gentlemen let's get back to the tC thanks

 

Let's backtrack here a bit....the Corolla design was essentially a 5 year MMY update taken from the international version of the platform. US Toyco scrapped plans to introduce an all new Corolla due to the popularity and design of the present Civic (rightly so). However bland it is (and i agree with you), it still sells quite well. I am awaiting the next generation before passing judgement. In terms of the Avalon, the same holds true. It is a MMY refresh as opposed to a top to bottom redesign (unlike the tC, which I've already criticized). With the economy the way it is and gas prices fluctuating, it only made sense not to do a full blown redesign for the interim until the conditions were right, especially now that new CAFE standards are out. Let's give credit where credit is due though: the Camry, Toyco's bread and butter, is a winner by a mile...very modern, sporty, yet conservative. The Venza is a clear winner, especially when compared to its main competition, the fugly Crosstour. The RX350 recent redesign was awesome and held the status quo as the best lux SUV in its class easily. While the IS-C and the HS were not as good as we hoped to be, at least it didn't grow a beak and offend everyone like another luxury plate did. And the LFA, well that speaks for itself.