Was on the way to work today when I pulled behind a Subaru Outback and counted FIVE (5) badges on the rear alone. A large 'SUBARU' a 'Symmetrical AWD' below that, Subaru logo center and on the right 'OUTBACK' and 'PZEV' below that. Personally I like badges, but I also don't mind the clean look. That said, 5 is a little too many IMO. Any other makes or models with excessive amounts of badging or any thoughts on the matter? Discuss!

 

Yeah, clutter = not good in my book.

Though admittedly, Lexus is not any better in overseas market where the brand is still new:

Take a 2015 IS worst case:

"Lexus" "L" "IS 250" "AWD" "F-Sport" Then add the dealer badge and that makes six!

 

That's a great example. 2011 saw the removal of the 'LEXUS' on the left hand side here in the States and as of MY15 Lexus of a particular 'F-Sport' trim see placement in the aforementioned locations and two fenders now

 

5 is a bit much, most manufacturers are losing the actual car company names on the back of the car and just use the logo/emblem. PZEV doesn't need to be an emblem either IMO.

cleaner IMO....

 

Yes, PZEV really doesn't need to be there lol

 

Brands that have strong awareness and recognition can drop the wording, but until that happens most feel the need to keep emblem and text. Lexus took over 20 years to do so. Subaru, while popular amongst enthusiasts and niche geographies, is still low in awareness even with a longer history in the U.S.

But generally I'm a fan of reduced badging/stickers/clutter.

Toyota Tacoma is another huge badge fiend..




In addition to these you could potentially have the TRD Sport or Off-Road stickers on the side of the bed.

 

Probably wouldn't matter if there were a dozen badges on the rear end (except that they can be a PITA to wash and wax). The Outback has a devoted core of buyers who love its versatility, reliability, winter traction and overall usefulness. I owned one myself for more than six years, and, if I need another vehicle of its capabilities, wouldn't hesitate to get another one.

 

I dont mind some badges... depends on the car and design.

 

1 or 2 word badges is enough. 1 logo is enough.

 

The back of my Roadster just says "TESLA"...that's it. The sport model has a little, modest "Sport" badge in script, but nothing more.

 

You've completely missed the point of this thread. The Outback from OP was an example and nothing to do with 'owners views'. The question is how YOU FEEL about badging on vehicles.

 

On a pickup truck like the Tacoma above, doesn't really bother me as much as a smaller car for some reason. Maybe the flat rear slab of the pickup truck is plain and the badges add a bit of life.

One badge type I would like to see gone is trim/equipment-level. Toyota admittedly is a big culprit of that. CE, LE, XLE, and so on... Personally, if it's a mechanically updated model like an SE/XSE Camry (sport suspension, etc) over standard Camry, go ahead and put the special badge.

A couple others that come to mind I'd like to see gone is the domestics' "Flex Fuel" and Nissan's "Xtronic CVT". Totally unnecessary and should belong in the fuel door or owner's manual only.

 

The little silver GM badges they put on their cars from about 2007 to bankruptcy always cracked me up. That went away after bankruptcy lol.

On pickup trucks, I always liked the old spelled out letters:










Nobody needs to read all this nonsense. I guess if they're trying to market to rednecks who follow Nascar:

 

It's really more of a gimmick or insecure thing. The thinking is, throw as much wording in front of people's faces since it's free advertising. Quite tacky. A good car wins on it's own merits and long-running reputation for quality, function, and style- not on exterior advertisments. Subaru really doesn't need to be doing this, as they already have a good reputation and following. The tree-hugging advertisement is also an uncharacteristic display of desperateness, as it comes across as tacky and corny.

 

Actually I'm fine with more badges:

1) There may be people out there that don't know what this means:



2) Then they see "SUBARU"........oh ok so that's a Subaru. Now I know

3) "Symmetrical AWD" is a selling point for Subaru and that badge is used to identify its drivetrain.

4) "Outback" - Of course you need to identify the model of your car.............unless you want to be like Bentley. Regardless, it's not always that what works for one works for another brand

5) PZEV - it's good to let the public know that your vehicle produces low emissions (especially if you're one of those eco-hippie types)

Remember, not every company has trademark/logo recognition at the level of Starbucks, McDonalds, Nike or even Apple Computer