The taste is subjective; that’s also the case for car design, too. Is it good to say that’s the case with ? Or we would all be driving generic-looking, virtually indistinguishable SUV and utes.
As for most Australians, so is okay. However, in our diversified market, if you look beyond the ubiquitous and often conservative mid-size SUVs and utes that are all about French cars and futuristic Chinese electric vehicles (EVs) to flashy American pickups or SUV’s — and apparently everything in between.
We’re in the childcareman.xyz editorial team and those of us have decided to share what is our favorite cars we find most beautiful. If we’re judging a book by its cover, yes, this isn’t about the best or what car does most to be done or which is better value.
childcareman.xyz can save you thousands on a new car. Click
here
to get a great deal.
Is it true that we’re just talking here – is it possible to be superficial and shallow? We’ll return to objectively assess the merits of a car in the next article. Promiser – .
One of the team’s members was asked to choose two cars one under $100,000, and another over that amount so as not to just pick Aston Martins and Ferraris.
Max Davies
Under $100k: Toyota GR86
I remember going on and then to friends about how much I loved the design when the second-generation Toyota GR86 and Subaru BRZ twins dropped.
It’s a simple, elegant design with an elegance to its simplicity. It’s a great upgrade over the previous generation and perfectly matches the two-door ratio of cars. A. shape and sculpture for front bumper/bonnet are easy on the eyes; tail-light signatures look distinctive but still fit in to match the rest of Toyota’s performance car lineup, which is unique at its most unusual appearance.
The GR86 is just a touch cleaner than the BRZ, I think out of the coupe twins. This simplified grille is the only car needed, with its sleek headlights and simple black trim elements. BRZ is ugly, that’s just a little busy for my liking; its characteristic smiling face is very busy.
It’s just the reverse of what I had thought about the previous generation, where the BRZ’s design was far more sexier than the big-mouthed GT86 facelift.
Over $100k: Audi RS e-tron GT
Goodness me, what a stunner.
When I pass the road on the e-tron GT, it’s always my eye. Its low roofline makes it look unrequitedly sleek from all angles, and I think beautiful front-end is the best use of Audi’s modern design language across its entire model range.
The hotter RS version is also the choice, just because I have to go with the front bumper’s shapes and lines more aggressive than those of the softer but still handsome S. The home here is a right place for other elements such as the closed, body-coloured grille and massive 21-inch wheels (though they’re usually quite garish on other cars).
Although I’m still slick, I will say that the car’s back-end is my least favourite part of this (probably because the ends of the light bar are too thick) but it’ll be an unpopular aspect. The design of the e-tron is cohesive, still, I don’t think I’d ever get tired of seeing it.
MORE:
Explore the Toyota GR86 showroom
MORE:
Explore the Audi e-tron GT showroom
Sean Lander
Under $100k: Alfa Romeo Giulia
The current Alfa Romeo Giulia has been around ten years and I don’t think the one is aged a day. Drinking wine is not an issue, but I know that it gets worse with age. The Giulia is a fine Italian wine if that’s the case, unless that’s what happens.
The market is a good deal today for , which still can be had under $100,000. The Tributo Italiano, a rear-wheel drive sedan with 206kW that costs around $90k and could be one of the last sports sedans in Australia to date.
It’s not about the performance but just about looks, it is about what a does. Whenever I see an Giulia I fall in love all over again, every time I hear it. Honestly I can’t really put my finger on what it is, but when I see it. That’s only bellissimor, it’s just bellissima.
Over $100k: Chevrolet Silverado HD
To quote Tim ‘The Tool Man’ Taylor: “oh-oh-oh-oh-oooh”.
looks are subjective, and the Chevy isn’t by any means a pretty car. In fact its chunky bodywork and giant grillie would probably be deemed to be the ‘ugly’ category of . It’s cool as hell for man to be a . And this op-ed is about ‘best-looking’, not prettiest!
My favorite are the heavy-duty pickups, and I want an HD pickup. I wish they still sold the duallies in Australia but that is probably too low, and given their failure to sell the Ford F-450 Duallie here, the next best thing would be the Chevy Silverado 2500 HD. I don’t want to go to Kenworth T909, and as we aren’T a truck review site.
When you haven’t ever been driving one, then you just won’t know what to do with that . And even if you ever get the chance, there’s a good chance that you too will be converted.
MORE:
Explore the Alfa Romeo Giulia showroom
MORE:
Explore the Chevrolet Silverado HD showroom
Josh Nevett
Under $100k: Nissan Z facelift
I absolutely love what Nissan did with the Z design. A sporty coupe has the right dimensions, and there are enough creases and curve for the Z to look unique without overstyled.
Although Nissan’s current performance hero is in its simplicity, finer details of the design also serve as highlights. For example, take the 300ZX-inspired tail-lights and katana-shaped roof accents.
Is the Z perfect a perfect ? Unfortunately not an ideal one. It also has a gawping grille that acts as blight on what is otherwise’sane car’.
However, Nissan has seemingly solved that with a neat facelift, which was unveiled at the 2026 Tokyo Auto Salon.
A refreshed Z bins the current car’s face-toe grille in favour of a wider design, which is replaced by ‘body-coloured bar with. Ah, a good old-fashioned specification You can also choose green paintwork and two-tone alloy wheels for ‘an appropriate retrospec’.
Until now, the most sexiest car you can buy in Australia is the Z Nismo (the highest-quality) vehicle you could purchase. But assuming the facelift is coming soon, it’s sure to inherit the crown.
Over $100k: Mercedes-AMG GT
Never change, Mercedes-AMG.
German marque designed a modern 300SL Gullwing in the SLS, which it follows with two beautiful generations of the AMG GT – low, high-swooping sports coupe with ‘long bonnet and muscular haunches’.
It’s not quite as focused on the model that preceded it, but still one of the most prestigious cars to be sold is sure Sure, the GT.
The Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio, Aston Martin Vantage, Lexus LC500 and Audi e-tron GT are among the honorable examples of models that have been mentioned.
MORE:
Explore the Nissan Z showroom
MORE:
Explore the Mercedes-AMG GT showroom
Marton Pettendy
Under $100k: BMW i4
My favorite is the classic proportions of a traditional German executive sedan, and BMW still does it better than any other automaker.
Besides the controversial (but successful) Bangle-era E60 5 Series of 2003-2010 BMW has long been producing handsome 3, 5 and 7 Series sedans – and recently 2, 4 or 8 Series Gran Coupes, which I think is the best of them all.
I hated the 4 Series full-height ‘big-mouth’ grille, but on this advanced electric fastback it looks classy, aggressive and unique in equal measure; a combination of muscular haunches and interesting surfaces of the low-slung three-box sports sedan.
Although the Tesla Model 3 remains Australia’s top-selling mid-size luxury car ahead of the BMW 3 Series, the high-tech i4 still sells in similar numbers to the petrol-only Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Lexus ES and Audi A5, partly because it is design that will be the number one purchase consideration for new-vehicle buyers.
Amid Australia’s obsession with SUVs, a constant wave of same-same Chinese arrivals and the lack of dash-to-axle ratio of all Audis (the classic long-bonnet, rear-drive proportions) is more notable than ever seen by the crowd when it comes to its Dash–Benzes.
While the i4 may be as sexy as supercar, for under $90k I think it’s the most beautiful car today.
Over $100k: Chevrolet Corvette
The first mid-engined Corvette is a classic from all angles and, in my eyes, gives me an event feel as captivating as any Italian supercar.
While it may not be a Ferrari or Lamborghini badge, the C8 is an unusual and jaw-droppingly beautiful design that recalls its seven predecessors as well as marking its performance in style.
That’s a combination of technology and powertrain choices that no supercar this side of the Porsche 911 could compete with, and it supports.”
MORE:
Explore the BMW i4 showroom
MORE:
Explore the Chevrolet Corvette showroom
Damion Smy
Under $100k: Mazda MX-5
My colour is mine, they all work.’ I’ll have mine in any colour and whether it’s roadster or RF you are stock Mr Mazda, I will take it.
Is the small roadster a sign of cars being “uglier” or am I just going blind? It’s 10 years old and still in love with its combination of form and function, which seems to feed off each other for true greatness.
How many of today’s bland or clumsy designs will be long forgotten when they’re 10 years old?
Over $100k: Aston Martin DB12
CLICK Supernova Red (2004 video) Please read the in Super Nova Red. If we call a car beautiful, then I have to pass on the 911 – it is great-looking if you’re going for the Ferrari 296.
The 296 is not as well-known as the striking but elegant design language of the DB12, which I like. Would I get the Vantage as a cleaner body, but I love the vent stemming from the front wheels of the DB12 even if it is probably interrupting ‘rolling sculpture’. Is it okay to hear a just looking at it, can’t you?
MORE:
Explore the Mazda MX-5 showroom
MORE:
Explore the Aston Martin DB12 showroom
William Stopford
Under $100k: Genesis G70 Shooting Brake
The best thing I think of is looking at passenger cars, but there are some nice SUVs for under $100,000 – the Hyundai Palisade (for example), and the outgoing Jeep Grand Cherokee L.
But cars are generally more sexy than SUVs, thanks to the greater flexibility designers have and in the mid-size segment where the most attractive cars tend to be under $100k mark.
The Alfa Romeo Giulia is aging like a fine Chianti, the Genesis G70 sedan has slender and big proportions.
It is a step further down from its sedan sibling’s Genesis G70 Shooting Brake, and there are shades of Lexus IS SportCross/Toyota Altezza Gitan in the most appropriate way possible.
This segment today has a similar look to its rakish roofline and sleek silhouette, which is the only one in this segment that can be forgiven for not being as practical as an Audi A5 Avant.
But why, Genesis, won’t you put your twin-turbo V6 into it?!
Over $100k: Audi e-tron GT
As for vehicles above $100,000, it should come as no surprise I struggle to pick just one.
Naturally I’m fond of the Genesis G80, while the Lexus LS will always capture my attention – particularly in Sports Luxury trim with those lovely polished wheels.
Audi’s RS6 and the RA7 look like business, while the Ferrari Amalfi has not over-reacting with the Roma’. Ah & the Aston Martin Vanquish? Oof…
But I’m a car that looks like nothing else, with fabulous proportions which never stop me in my tracks the Audi e-tron GT.
I’ve got a 1:18 scale model of one on my desk, and not just because it was cheap at Costco…
It’s a design I think will be timeless and it’s an elegant, sporty, muscular-and stylish e-tron GT that is all at once.
It’s a reminder that Audi’s design studio needs to put – in some of the cars it has built since this I think the brand is losing its elegant identity.
MORE:
Explore the Genesis G70 showroom
MORE:
Explore the Audi e-tron GT showroom
James Wong
Under $100k: Cupra Formentor
It was a hard choice to choose just one, and I don’t usually go for SUVs and crossovers but the Cupra Formentor is one of those designs which actually makes it look heads at the right time.
It’s sleek, it’s sexy, it’s muscular, it’s well proportioned, and it certainly looks more expensive than it is.
It’s a ‘Baby Urus’ look, as it is no doubt Cupra’ most popular model in the world with its unique LED lighting signatures.’Flourishes of copper and the Spanish brand’?
Over $100k: Aston Martin Vanquish
The third-generation Vanquish is a simple one of the few, if not the most beautiful car on sale today as it was its predecessors. My lucky one in person, and I actually drive one – so pictures don’t make justice – because it’s already stunning in photos.
The Vanquish proper super-GT proportions have been a true example of Aston Martin’s real gift for the latest model, which is in fact given by his own father. It is classic V12 GT, but its sheer length and width as well as the intricate detailing and level of customisation on offer give it a very strong position and ability to create ‘an appropriate exclusive look’.
At some angles it even looks like the iconic Aston Martin One-77 – which itself wasachingly beautiful. This isn’t about design, but better yet, and this doesn’Thumping V12 soundtrack does nothing short of sublime.
MORE:
Explore the Cupra Formentor showroom
MORE:
Explore the Aston Martin Vanquish showroom
Ben Zachariah
Under $100k: Hyundai Ioniq 6
Finding a truly beautiful car is becoming more difficult nowadays. A lot more difficult.
I love the new Mazda 6e – and have a soft spot for the Jeep Grand Cherokee, from sane more traditionalist point of view – but I think the facelifted Hyundai Ioniq 6 is pretty striking.
While it’s not as friggen rad as the next high-performance N version, the post-facelift Ioniq 6 is still very much a looker, and has 10 times improved over the pre-launch car – like Hollywood actor getting plastic surgery.
I am so glad that Hyundai had the chutzpah to go with such a bold design, and I think history will look back favourably on the Ioniq 6 – especially the N – as one of the more underrated cars of this age.
The less said about the pre-facelift version, the better…
Over $100k: Lexus LC
If I don’t know what any of my colleagues have written yet, I’m going out on a limb and say that my choice is probably one of the oldest in the list – having been working for 10 years now.
Certainly, the Lexus LC is one of the most classically beautiful car designs ever made. The LC has some serious supercar presence about it in the real world, whether driving or parked, but without the shouty look-at-me designs that Italians have become known for.
Few cars stop me in my tracks, but the Lexus LC is absolutely one of them.
MORE:
Explore the Hyundai Ioniq 6 showroom
MORE:
Explore the Lexus LC showroom
Thanks for reading The best-looking vehicles in Australia in 2026
