The Good, the Bad and the Amorphous.

"RT" (rt-p) 03/03/2018 at 11:40 • Filed to: Journalism, VW, Volkswagen, Passat, Mahk, Vauxhall, What is the new Vauxhall Cavalier even called again?, Mazda, Atenza, Peugeot, 508

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On the subject of mid-size cars available as of March 2018, the B8 Passat continues to be one of my preferred designs. That being said, it is still !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . Are others fairing any better?

It’s safe to say plenty have failed. To be blunt: the Sonata has the maw of a fish, while the Altima is fish food, the Camry is an amalgamation of all my least-favourite !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! and the less said about the Malibu, the better.

Now we move to the cars that neither offend nor interest me. Subaru’s Legacy is lacking any strong identity, the Optima has not particularly changed much !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! and the Mondeo is awfully Marmite in certain angles - much like the new Insignia. Regardless, both designs are fair rivals for the aforementioned Passat.

Before we get to the highlights, it’s time to step into controversial territory.

I’m afraid the !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! is not my cup of tea - it’s got an awful silhouette and overall appears far too busy to be striking. I appreciate the effort if anything.

I suppose that leaves the Mazda6 as the last car standing. It certainly is the prettiest car here (in the right colours - at least), even if its sweeping roofline is an ergonomic nightmare. The 6 is still an ambitious design - and I can only hope Mazda continues to serve as Japan’s !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! in years to come.

That being said, after much consideration, I have concluded what the best mid-size car design of March 2018 may indeed be.

The Peugeot 508.

The 508 offers a sense of empowerment few middle-management cars could only attempt to replicate. While the !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! is edging on kitsch for some; everything from the stature and proportions - to minor details like the !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! and taillights capture the energy of an optimistic concept sketch. Still not without faults (the iPad dashboard is among them) - the whole package ultimately feels like progress, and to me, that’s the most important part.

winterlegacy, here 'till the end > RT 03/03/2018 at 11:50

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The 508 is possibly the cleanest mid-size sedan out there in terms of exterior looks. It doesn’t try to be curves and edges and “HI I’M A CAR! BUY ME I’M SPECIAL AND EDGY!”

rillweid - Now with more TRD and less TDI > RT 03/03/2018 at 12:44

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Anyone else see the RX7 taillights on the 508?

boxrocket > RT 03/04/2018 at 09:28

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The front reminds me of the last Mercury/Ford Cougar (and Ford Puma) mixed with a touch of Acura TL/Honda Accord. The rear is neat - especially the lights - but sort of bland otherwise. However it’s an automatic design fail for having the fuel door on the non-driver’s side.

So the Mazda continues to win.

RT > boxrocket 03/05/2018 at 10:32

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I’m in one of those places where the steering wheel is on right side, so I’m ok.

Interesting point though, the Mazda pictured actually in this post is a Japanese model (the Japanese drive on the right too), but it has its fuel cap on the left still. This means the Mazda has the fuel cap on the wrong side for its home market. ¯\_()_/¯