Disturbing trend: eliminating front bumpers
I am wondering how Edmunds readers feel about this issue: more and more new cars have no front bumper! Designers have replaced the front bumper with a large plastic grille, usually black, that extends low to the ground. Examples are Lexus, Audi, Genesis, Toyota Avalon and possible the Camry, too. There is no protection from the bumps and bruises that are so common when you parallel-park. Anybody who drives in an urban area is familiar with the bumper-car action that takes place while parallel-parking. With this type of front end, it seems likely that repairs will be frequent and costly. It also seems that more makes and models have this feature (or non-feature). I am interested in buying cars terrific such as Avalon or Lexus GS, but I am really turned off this impractical front-end design. Just venting my gripes! How do folks feel about it? Oh, and one more thing: I thought cars were required to have a "5-mph bumper?"
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Comments
There's a bumper under the plastic covers. I think they are better for pedestrians and mpg, even if the crash test standards need to be improved. The height difference between cars and SUVs needs to be addressed too.
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This test was eleven years ago. There have been significant improvements since then. For the record, the Malibu driver is relatively uninjured, the Belair driver would be a fatality.