Electric vehicles are changing the whole traditional outlook of the automobile. Components like the internal combustion engine, transmissions, radiators, mufflers, oxygen sensors, fuel tanks, etc., have been discarded and replaced with simpler systems. Take a keen look at most EVs, and you’ll notice one missing part we often see but don’t give much thought to; the grille.
While earlier cars had radiators directly exposed to the elements, engineers developed the protective grill to enclose them. The grill has evolved in aesthetics and function, and today there are active grilles that open and close to regulate airflow to improve aerodynamics and cooling.
Still, they play a big role in fulfilling the decorative and aesthetic function while contributing to the brand image of a car. Thanks to the iconic kidney grille, you can easily spot a BMW from far. The auto industry is amidst a grill growth spurt, and big grills like the overgrown kidneys featured on the BMW X7 are a major talking point and seem to split opinions. Some are beautiful, while others are downright ugly. Here are some massive grilles we actually like.
10 Ford Raptor
The Raptor is Ford’s wickedly fast, desert crossing big boy that had remained the standard for off-road performance for a couple of years until Dodge brought around the Hellcat-powered RAM 1500 TRX to make things exciting. It is a supercar among trucks, and one of its most distinctive features is the big grille.
It comes with large “FORD” lettering in place of the Ford Blue Oval emblem in other trucks in the F150/Ranger lines. Top Gear cheekily claimed the acronym stands for Fiendishly Oversized Radiator Douchebag. The grill does give the Raptor a masculine look, and we love it.
9 Aston Martin DBS
The DBS Superleggera is the most powerful production Aston Martin ever, and it looks broader and more muscular on the exterior. It is aggressively beautiful, where intoxicating form meets compelling function. But the biggest talking point is the car’s massive grille.
The breathtaking hexagonal grille blends a feel of natural beauty with limitless strength, and it is tasked with feeding the big oxygen-thirsty bi-turbo V12, helping it to a whopping 715hp. The DBS GT Zagato trim has a shape-shifting grille that comes alive. The diamond-shaped carbon fiber pieces move upon startup.
8 Lexus LC
Lexus has been churning out high-quality models for many years. But some argued that they lacked the x-factor that set Toyota’s luxury division apart from other luxury automakers. The solution was to create a unique and bold spindle grille to draw attention to the brand.
While the grille has grown bigger and bolder in the last few years, it doesn’t look at home in all models and is unattractive in the LX models. Lexus has even admitted the oversized grille is a turn-off for the customers. But the spindle grille looks perfect in the LC, making for a head-turning design.
7 Bentley Flying Spur
For the 2023 model year, Bentley has added a new trim to the Bentley Flying Spur lineup dubbed the S model that seeks to prioritize driving pleasure. This is for a car with remarkable acceleration and handling for an ultra-luxury sedan. Somehow Bentley was able to strike a clean combination of exhilarating performance from the car’s range of V8, W12, and V6 hybrid powertrains with exquisite craftsmanship. Few cars are capable of turning heads and pampering the big Flying Spur.
The luxury car inherits the Bentley Continental’s muscular exterior styling, including the massive front grille, which is even grander, featuring a gleaming finish to match the sleek handcrafted exterior details.
6 Rolls-Royce Phantom
Bentley’s front grilles are great, but fellow British luxury limousine makers are the kings of the grille. The Rolls-Royce Phantom has proudly worn the iconic grille since the first Phantom debuted in 1925.
The grille is as unmistakable as the Spirit of Ecstasy. It even has a name, the Pantheon grille, derived from its resemblance to the entrance of the ancient Roman temple. It is the perfect big grille and the most authentic since it has remained largely unchanged over the years while others like BMW’s iconic kidney grille keep evolving and changing in size.
5 Audi R8
BMW isn’t the only German marquee going big with the big grill statement. Fellow Bavarian automaker Audi isn’t keeping things lean at the nose end, and for a while, they have enjoyed making merry with the mesh. They have got so wrong with some models, notably the Q8. But it is not all doom and groom because some models like the ultra-aggressive RS6 Avant and their flagship R8 supercar look fabulous with the XXL front clothing.
The Singleframe grille featuring a honeycomb structure debuted in 2004 in the A8, and it is broader and flatter in the new generation Audi R8 and contributes to its eye-catching styling.
4 Hyundai i30
Just give another quick look at the Hyundai i30’s front. What does it remind you of? Yeah, you are right; there is a striking resemblance to the Audi front grille, not by accident. Peter Schreyer, current Head of Design at the Korean company, was formerly employed by Audi, and it looks like the grille is one of the few things he brought over.
Before you scream plagiarism, we actually love the i30’s grille, probably more than on the Audi. The 3D pattern accentuating the grille helps emphasize the car’s more modern stance.
3 Genesis G80
Hyundai’s luxury vehicle division is relatively new in the game, and their G80 is a prodigy among established luxury sedans. Still, it delivers refined proportions and posh qualities. An elegantly athletic profile runs from the crest grille at the front to the rear, where it meets the reflective dual muffler.
But the car will divide opinions, with people asking if it is a Hyundai, and it might fall short compared with more athletic luxury sedans like the Audi A6 and Mercedes E-class. Also, the crest grille might be too bold in design for some, but it does make the G80 look stylish.
2 Mercedes-AMG GT
Remember the Benz 300SL racing cars of the 50s? It is one of the best looking cars ever made by Mercedes, and those gullwing doors never get old. You’ll also notice they featured a pronounced front grille. The modern AMG GT is a retro nod to the 50s car, perfectly bringing the heritage into the luxurious supercar.
Besides its screaming V8 powerplant making 720 ponies, you will love its sleek, stylish, and irresistible looks. It comes with a good-looking grille akin to a Hannibal Lecter mask, ineffectively attempting to keep the monster under the hood from biting.
1 Aston Martin One-77
Aston Martin recently started making delivery of their latest limited hypercar, the Valkyrie. Over a decade ago, they produced only 77 copies of the One-77, which was heralded the British marquee’s greatest car ever, but not long before the Valkyries stole away the crown. Whatever happens, we won’t be forgetting the One-77’s greatness.
After unveiling it, it won the Concorso d’Eleganza Ville d’Este at Lake Como, thanks to its strikingly good looks. The unmistakable Aston Martin traits like the massive signature front grille are part of the car’s exterior beauty.