Image via Complex Original
Automakers need to keep their cars fresh and exciting to stay in our wandering minds. As such, every year brings a collection of things old that have been made new again, and we're here to show you want some of the most interesting refreshes are.
While we're crazy about the Aston Martin DBS — which occupyies a weird space between redesign and new car — we've focused on those autos that are pure redesign. Detroit is well represented. And South Korean makers Hyundai and Kia have also impressed with strong new looks for old models.
The 10 Best 2013 Car Redesigns.
Ford Escape
Due to America's inexplicable obsession with SUVs and the rising cost of gas, small SUVs are a big slice of the market these days. The new escape is basically just a jacked up Focus with AWD. Seeing as we love th Focus, we think the 2013 Escape is pretty cool too.
2013 Kia Forte
The Kia Forte has been updated for 2013 to look more like Kia's current design language, complete with a "four-door coupe" roofline, a strong dip in the character line, and a single outline for the grille and head lights. The wheelbase has been expanded to allow for more interior room, and despite this added size Kia is promising "class-leading fuel-economy" from the revised engine line up.
Jeep Liberty
The Jeep Liberty must be a difficult proposition for designers and engineers. On one hand, i needs to be a rugged off-road vehicle that kicks ass and takes names in the mud and on the rocks; on the other hand, it needs to be a comfortable highway cruiser and child schlepper. We think it looks like Jeep his the nail on the head with this redesign.
Nissan Altima
Nissan is well past the age of the horrid Sunny. These days it's surprisingly sporty cars like the Altima that grace the garages of practical people who are too interesting to buy a Corolla. That said, the Altima was starting to look a little long in the tooth. Luckily, Nissan freshened it up rather nicely without making any drastic changes.
Land Rover Range Rover
Messing with the Range Rover is dangerous. If the company does keep it fresh, the trendy rappers and athletes crowd will stop buying them, but if a new model moves too far away from the formula, it might scare off those same rich and trendy buyers. We think that adding some touches from the Victoria Beckham Certified Grade A Fashion and quite successful Evoque was a good move.
Hyundai Genesis Coupe
The old Genesis Coupe, while being a fun and capable car, had this awkward "I just tried to simultaneously eat 12 sour patch kids" face. The new one has donned the much slicker, almost Audi-ish, corporate muzzle in order to not only fit in, but just look more aggressive as well.
Ram-1500
Ram is a little late to the full-size truck refreshing game, but we're happy the designers and engineers took their tame to make something good rather than rushing to just get something on the market. The new Ram has a ton of new and useful features like the clever RamBoxes.
Ford Fusion
Who the hell gave a mid-size family sedan permission to look this cool? We thought there was some sort of rule against that. Seriously, the new Fusion is dead sexy. We couldn't be happier that the Gilette Fusion look is dead and buried.
Audi Allroad Quattro
The original Allroad is the only car-based off-roader to ever complete Land Rover's grueling testing course. While the modern take on the classic doesn't look quite as good as the original, we're really happy to see the A6 wagon getting turned into something just a bit... more.
SRT Viper
The Dodge Viper was much missed, but it was also deeply flawed. This new version, which has dropped "Dodge" in favor of "SRT" looks to be just a lovably batshit as the old one but with a big helping of refinement. We're pumped.
