Mean Machines: Have We Reached Peak Angry Car?

Designers have long used angry faces on the front of cars to show aggression. But have we reached peak angry car?

While I have come to expect tight, angry faces on the front of performance vehicles, it seems like just about everything is getting the treatment these days. From ruggedized crossovers to basic commuter cars, so many new cars look properly pissed.

Toyota/Lexus Win ‘Most Pissed-Off’ Car Design Award

Toyota’s latest front-end design language for its TNGA-F global truck platform vehicles is boldly grumpy, or angry, depending on how you look at it. It started with the Tundra, and then Sequoia and Tacoma, and now 4Runner — possibly the grumpiest of them all.

The one outlier might be the new Land Cruiser — which should be called the Prado, and will be in the rest of the world — but I’m not even sure about that.

Even with its round headlights and upturned front bumper, the Land Cruiser 1958 has an air of anger.

The 2024 Lexus GX 550 might be the most pissed off of all the TNGA-F platform vehicles!

Speaking of Lexus, even the family-hauling 2024 TX looks very angry.

The Lexus RC F should have an angry look, to go along with its growling exhaust note. Especially for the Track Edition, which looks like it could eat the tarmac.

Even basic transportation, such as city cars, is getting in on the angry car movement. The latest Prius has been nearly universally praised for its good looks. But, there is no denying that it looks grumpy as hell!

Even the most run-of-the-mill cars are angry these days. The Toyota Camry is a prime example.

Probably the best sports car value on the market today, the Toyota GR86, has a pissed-off look to go along with its rebel attitude.

So Many Unhappy Cars!

While Toyota/Lexus offers the most angry cars across its fleet, plenty of other automakers are on the angry face program.

While most Nissan vehicles are quite happy, the GT-R is predictably very angry. This is aggression at its finest.

Sitting still, the GT-R looks ready to brawl.

Subarus have historically had quite cute faces, but the latest crop is an angry bunch. Let’s start with the newest generation Impreza.

To convey ruggedness, Subaru has even made the every-person’s car look grumpy.

Check out the face of the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness.

Sports cars have also doubled down on the attitude.

Is the C8 Corvette mad, or just mischievous? I’ll let you be the judge.

Ford’s forthcoming gravel road eater is the Mustang Mach-E Rally, and man, does it look ready to eat everything in its path.

Electric city cars don’t get a pass, either. They’re getting angry these days. The Kia EV6 looks fast and mean whether sitting still or sliding sideways.

The cute little Kia Soul is grumpy, too. It’s also got a big mouth. I wonder what it’s trying to say.

Luxury Euro Anger

European car manufacturers are no strangers to using big grilles and narrow wraparound headlights to put tension into designs.

Audi does aggression well, especially in its RS line. The Audi RS6 Avant, especially in a dark color, is a sinister machine!

You expect some aggression out of a high-performance grand-tourer, but the new Mercedes-AMG GT Coupe delivers big.

You don’t really think of SUVs and crossovers, especially luxury ones, as needing an aggressive edge. Most Mercedes’ lineups do, however. The most pissed-off-looking has to be the Mercedes-AMG GLA 35. What a massive frown!

No look into angry car design would be complete without showcasing the latest from BMW. You expect anger from a serious business saloon like the i7 xDrive 60 Protection, and BMW delivers. This massive luxury car looks like it means business!

Aftermarket Angry

Jeep customizers have loved the grumpy look for ages, coming up with all kinds of aftermarket mods to make the smiley Wrangler and Gladiator vehicles into mean machines.

Here are a few prime examples.

And, I’ll leave you with that most grumpy of angry Jeeps. Hopefully, these sour-faced rides haven’t brought down your day.

Who else wants to see more happy cars on the road? Do you think we’d see a decrease in road rage incidents?