Glow-Ups On Wheels
Sometimes, a fresh look changes everything. Manufacturers tweak lines and rethink performance in ways that make familiar cars feel entirely fresh and new! Some changes draw a crowd; others quietly improve what came before. Across a mix of segments and styles, these 20 cars prove that smart redesigns can make a lasting difference.
1. Ford Mustang
What began in 1964 as a pony car icon entered its seventh generation in 2024 with notable restraint and precision. The Mustang retained its muscle car soul while modernizing its cockpit with a 12.4-inch digital cluster and cleaner exterior lines.
2. Toyota Prius
The 2023 Prius emerged sleek and unrecognizably athletic. Toyota re-engineered its fifth generation with a low-slung roofline and a 194-hp hybrid setup. It now has 57 mpg combined without sacrificing curb appeal. This shift repositioned the Prius from sensible to aspirational for eco-conscious drivers.
3. Mazda3
Compact cars rarely aim this high. The Mazda3 was redesigned with sculpted minimalism and premium aspirations. Mazda added optional AWD and near-luxury quietness to challenge Audi’s A3 head-on. Built on the Skyactiv-Vehicle Architecture, it brought upscale driving dynamics in 2019.
4. Toyota Camry
The Camry didn’t get interesting by accident. In 2018, Toyota shifted it onto the TNGA platform, injecting sharp styling and improved handling. A sport-tuned suspension in XSE trims and available V6 power turned it into a genuinely engaging daily drive with broad market appeal.
5. Chevrolet Corvette
Decades of rumors turned real in 2020 when the C8 Corvette debuted with a mid-engine layout. The repositioning dramatically improved weight distribution and track balance. Powered by a 495-hp LT2 V8, the C8 won MotorTrend’s Car of the Year and proved American engineering could rethink supercar geometry.
6. Hyundai Sonata
Boldness defined Hyundai’s redesign of the Sonata. Its "Sensuous Sportiness" aesthetic introduced a coupe-like silhouette and a tech-focused cockpit. The 2024 refresh added sleeker DRLs and better driver-assistance systems. Hyundai’s redesign strategy in 2020 centered on standing out visually in a midsize segment saturated with safe, predictable design.
7. Honda Civic
In 2022, the Civic traded in its flashy exterior for a grown-up redesign inspired by European sedans. The car was built on the same platform as the prior generation but featured revised suspension geometry and expanded safety features, achieving great refinement.
8. BMW 7 Series
BMW’s redesign of the 7 Series marked a visual and technical reinvention. It introduced split headlights and the all-electric i7 variant in 2023. Rear passengers got a 31-inch theater screen, while adaptive air suspension ensured serenity. This flagship is now as digitally immersive as it is opulent.
9. Nissan Z
Launched in 2023, the Nissan Z revived its legacy with a familiar silhouette and retro cues, but under the hood, it’s all modern. A 400-hp twin-turbo V6 and RWD platform put it back in purist territory. The new Z blends 240Z nostalgia with 370Z performance updates and sharper dynamics.
10. Mercedes-Benz C-Class
This C-Class redesign drew direct influence from the S-Class, especially inside. The 2022 update introduced a portrait-style 11.9-inch touchscreen and a minimalist dash that brought a flagship feel to an entry-luxury model. Mechanically, it shifted entirely to mild hybrid powertrains.
11. Subaru WRX
The WRX stayed true to its roots. Built on Subaru’s Global Platform, it gained structural rigidity and a revised suspension setup. A 271-hp turbo flat-four and standard AWD remained, but the handling precision and cabin upgrades set the 2022 WRX apart from its predecessors.
12. Hyundai Elantra
Angular and unapologetic, the 2021 Elantra’s redesign made a clear statement. A sharply creased exterior and wide digital interface gave it class-leading tech flair. Built on Hyundai’s K3 platform, it improved fuel efficiency and rigidity. This generation raised compact sedan expectations in value and driver engagement.
13. Kia K5
Replacing the Optima, the K5 emerged with a fastback roofline and daring grille. The 2021 debut grabbed headlines with bold looks, but the transformation went deeper. It added a new 8-speed transmission and sportier GT trim. Kia repositioned its midsize entry as a style-forward, power-rich alternative to conservative rivals.
14. Porsche 911
This 992-generation 911 refined more than it reinvented. Porsche widened the track and updated its twin-turbo flat-six for more responsiveness. A new wet-driving mode improved traction in poor weather. The performance gains of the 2020 model cemented this generation’s status as a purist benchmark.
15. Genesis G80
When Genesis redesigned the G80 in 2021, it ditched anonymity for confidence. The massive crest grille and dual-line lighting announced its intent. Underneath, a rear-drive platform improved balance. Inside, materials rivaled established German luxury, and the 14.5-inch infotainment display signaled that Genesis had arrived as a serious contender.
16. Acura Integra
The name returned with more than just nostalgia. Acura’s 2023 version introduced a five-door liftback design and borrowed the Civic Si’s turbocharged engine, pairing it with adaptive dampers and a limited-slip diff. Aimed at younger buyers, the model mixes daily usability with enthusiast-approved mechanics.
17. Chevrolet Malibu
2016 marked a pivotal year for the Malibu. Shedding nearly 300 pounds and stretching the wheelbase, it gained a sleeker silhouette and improved efficiency. The cabin featured an 8-inch touchscreen and better rear-seat room. Malibu’s redesign proved GM was still invested in refinement.
18. Audi A6
A redesign gave the A6 a more assertive stance and modern lighting signature. A mild hybrid system improved low-end torque and efficiency, while adaptive dampers and quattro AWD enhanced comfort and traction. The 2019 model subtly turned into a quiet powerhouse for professionals.
Rutger van der Maar from Leiden, The Netherlands on Wikimedia
19. Alfa Romeo Giulia
Giulia marked Alfa’s return to U.S. sports sedans. The 2017 launch introduced the Giorgio platform, emphasizing near-perfect weight distribution and a sharp steering feel. Its Ferrari-tuned Quadrifoglio variant pushed 505 hp. Even base trims offered agile dynamics.
Paul Horn from Benoni, South Africa on Wikimedia
20. Volvo S60
Elegance and safety defined the S60’s 2019 redesign. Built on Volvo’s SPA architecture, it brought a stiffer chassis and hybrid-ready drivetrains. Scandinavian interior design and advanced Pilot Assist tech reinforced Volvo’s modern identity. Manufactured in South Carolina, this S60 embraced clean lines and conscious engineering.
