The Camry and Fusion are both decent-looking sedans,but the Fusion's big, brassy Gillete Mach 3 grille is anything but subtle, and neither vehicle would I describe as elegant - at least not when a Passat CC rolls by. And as for them "looking like no other sedan"? Dude, please.
Why not just leave it at you like what you like. You don't like the look of the new Sonata? That's more than okay by them, I'm sure. But if you are holding up the Camry and Fusion as watershed examples of the height of sedan design, you'd better resign yourself to the fact that not everyone is going to see the automotive landscape in your very particular way.
Jaeger
Likewise, people also need to accept the fact that
not everyone thinks the Camry is bland or bloated. The Camry is a very popular car, and I'm sure part of the reason for that is elegant, unoffensive styling.
Passat CC is more flashy than elegant, but we can agree to disagree. Also Passat CC competes more in the "upscale sedan/full size sedan" class, than the midsize sedan class.
"Dude, please"? So tell me, what cars actually DO look like a Camry or a Fusion (excluding the new Sonata)? I'm really curious to hear exactly what cars the Camry and Fusion look similar to.
As for "watershed examples of the height of sedan design", don't put words into my mouth. Stick to what I actually wrote, not what you
think I wrote.
The midsize sedan segment is highly receptive to subtle, inoffensive, and elegant designs. It has been like that for a long time. There are objective reasons why I feel the Camry and Fusion fit this description. Strong sales for both the Camry and Fusion also reflect this.
Further, the midsize sedan segment has not been receptive to awkward, overly flashy, gimmicky, or radical designs. Perfect example, 1996 Ford Taurus, otherwise known as "the oval". Again, the market has been like this for a long time.
Just because some people on the internet are praising the new Sonata, does not mean the market will be receptive to it. Time will tell how the market reacts.