The top Ten Modern Boxys Out there according to ThatElementGuy #Blogpost

The Rules of this Game

Okay, So before I get started I want to explain some of my Rules.
I want you to think of this list as two parts (6-10) runner up Favourites and (1-5) Top Favourites
First, as the titles states these are the top ten MODERN boxy vehicles. This means I am not including vehicles made in the 80s/90s because they were all to common. I will go over each vehicle, its stats, and why it is where I put it. By stats I mean the ones that contribute to their Boxy nature.

Secondly, Sadly I just was not finding enough modern boxys, so I stretched the definition slightly for a more full list. I researched and found included some that had a reputation for boxy-ness.

Thirdly, I will not be including kei cars. (Japanese micro cars). i already know there are boxy kei cars, there are enough of them (that I like) for their own list. How well this goes will determine if I make that list

Fourthly, No Vans,well no Van Vans. I am sure their are plenty of boxy Vans out there, but I just do not like vans so I just rather not include them.

Lastly, This is just an objective opinion of a single person. This is my list, my rules, I can follow them and brake them how I wish, and I am welcome to that just as you are welcome to your own rules. Good for you for having an opinion!

10. Kia Soul

The Kia Soul made it on my list soul-ly because I only had nine boxys that I liked and the general public was saying this was boxy , so here it is. Looking at it I am picking up a lot of Smart FourTwo vibes so maybe there was some kind of secret collaboration. some of the more curvy lines, curve in the wrong place and throws the boxy appeal away for me. The Tail lights and side body panel lines are two in particular that throw it off for me. While none of the vehicles here are the Perfect boxy, they all carry Elements of boxy. The Kia just has a poor boxy Soul. Not to mention I cannot trust a vehicle with Gerbils as a mascot.
But in all seriousness, the Kia Soul does have some small semblance that they started off boxy inspired but they lost somewhere in translation.

9. Jeep Renegade

Before we start, please remember to spell check angry comments before posting. You might be wondering why the Jeep Wrangler is not actually on this list and I picked its youngest less boxy brother over it or any other one of its older brothers. Well, the Modern Cherokee and Compass have long since traded boxy for sexi lines and that is just too treasonous and unforgivable. As for the Wrangler and Rubicon, they and their different variations are a list of their own so that just leaves the Renegade. The Renegade is about as boxy as the Kia Soul…maybe slightly more so, but what sets it apart from the Kia Soul is that I actually like the Renegade. What wins it over for me are a couple features. First, there are several hidden Jeeps hidden all over the Renegade as a small handful of woodland creatures, and that is just adorable. Another great feature are the rear tail lights—they are X’s and that is just awesome. Finally its non-boxy lines do not distract me from its more boxy Elements. On a personal note (like everything else here) I see the Renegade as another possible modern evolution of the original 1940s Jeep.

8. Ford Flex

The first on this list that is actually truly boxy. However, the Ford Flex is also incredibly boring—beige Volkswagen boring. In some cultures “to Flex” means to boast or to show off. The Ford Flex is doing neither, and second only to the Volkswagen Jetta when it comes to super bland vehicles. Yes the Ford Flex does check all the boxes to boxy vehicle requirements, but is its very problem—you do not want to check all the boxes. Ford’s attempt at a bold new design only resulted in a design that makes watching grass grow appealing. Literally nothing stands out with this vehicle. A great boxy vehicle is one that makes your head turn and make you question whether you actually just saw a vehicle.
However I understand for some the Brutalist approach in its design can be appealing, bunch like Apples very basic phone design appeals to a large crowd. I just do not see this same appeal for the Ford Flex.

7. Mahindra Scorpio

For most Americans if I said Mahindra you would think Tractors or XTVs, but as this is a car community I can imagine some of you are actually familiar with the fact that they also make vehicles…or at least this vehicle…I didn’t look too deeply. Anyways the Scorpio is the Elephant in the closet of this list as it is the only one not sold in the USA. The Scorpio strikes me as interesting for multiple reasons. First, I thought I was looking at an Oldsmobile, and had to double check to make I was actually looking at a modern vehicle. This is why I put it so low on this list is that I feel like I am looking at a vehicle from the nineties. Second, I thought I was looking at a vehicle from China. I thought I was looking at a terrible copy attempt at the G-wagon. While not completely original in design, they have taken design Elements from at least Jeep and Mercedes that actually create it’s one semi-unique look. Nonetheless, its design isn’t cool enough to put it any higher than number seven on this list.

6. Toyota FJ Cruiser

I actually consider this the top Runner-up for the top five Boxys. The actual History of this vehicle arguably goes back almost as far as the Jeep, however the FJ Cruiser is not the FJ of the past. This Design appears to me more like they took the FJ40 of the past and molded that with the Element. What they did different, however, is that the FJ is much larger. While they share similar Elements they cannot really be compared. The Honda Element is a small/Mid sized SUV, and the FJ is more of a mid/full sized SUV. The Honda Element was geared more for the slightly off beaten path, some camping, and generally visiting the more civilized outdoors. The FJ was meant for the outdoors, to be heavily modified and challenge the cruelest of Elements that Mother Nature has to Offer. As cool of a design Toyota created I felt it to be unoriginal and a different Toyota that made it higher on this list appealed to me more effectively.

5. Scion xB

The Mk1 Scion was significantly more boxy than its newer models but nonetheless it makes number five on this list. There really is not much to say about the xB, apart from the fact that it is the perfect generic boxy. if you want a boxy but you do not want to be too noticeable out on the road then this will be your boxy. Now I say “Perfect Generic” in the sense that it really is not anything special. You might remember that I said something very similar about the Ford Flex, that it is a very boring vehicle. The reason that the xB is not as low as the Flex is how modifiable it is. It is practically a blank canvas for artistic individual. While any vehicle could state this Scion seemed to attract these individuals more so than most other vehicle (apart from Honda)

4. Nissan Cube

if I were to ask people what they thought the ugliest vehicles were (and I removed the thousands of trolls that would say Honda Element) I am certain that a large handful would respond with Nissan Cube. Which taking a look at the photo above its difference is quite easy to spot. The interior is not too much different than the exterior. This vehicle is definitely an iconic vehicle just on its looks alone, and hands down a future classic. The Nissan Cube is art personified as a vehicle and that is why I actually quite like it (and I have driven one, it was a loaner). Too often car companies play too safe and stick with more safe generic designs—a far cry from the futurist designs of the fifties. Vehicles like the Cube disrupt the mundane march of vehicles and that is why it makes it this high on the list.

3. Toyota TJ (ToolBox Joy)

So this is where I am technically breaking a handful of rules. 1. It is just a concept and 2. Technically…a van. In response to the first, as far as I am aware this has been confirmed for production, and I am only hoping it ends up looking like this. In response to the latter, The Toyota TJ or Toolbox Joy as it has been confirmed to stand for, is a SUV/ Van Crossover—A very unique approach to the crossover genre. Aside from the slidy doors, the TJ embodies much of what I like about the Element. a very unique face, and plenty of interior. just a shame it is a Toyota. Since it is a bit hard to put into words why I like it I have included some snaps below. This is actually one of two Toyotas that I would buy.

2. Mercedes G-Wagon

So…for those that have been waiting and or have already complained in the comments below, here it is…Yes the G Wagon made the list! It would be quite damming if it didn’t…or if it didn’t even make the top Five Boxy. I will be more honest and say that it is a close first. however the reason I make it number two and not the top Boxy is that there really is no disagreement to its greatness, it is a big SUV, it comes with BIG engines, it can do Big things, it can load lots of big things. No surprise to it. Mercedes found something that worked and stuck with it…but that leads to a problem.

1987 G-wagon...

That problem is shown in the image above. That is a 1987 Mercedes G Wagon… They have not really done much with the G-Wagon since almost its inception. We complain about how the Nissan GT-R has not changed in almost ten years of production but the G-wagon laughs at that with its 30+ years of almost complete sameness. DO not get me wrong, there is very little wrong with the G_wagon’s design. In fact I even like the GT-R’s Design..but that is unrelated. I can 99.99% agree the G-Wagon is great, but the fact that have been working off the same design for three decades means it cannot be higher than the number two spot.

1. Ultimate boxy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am only jesting….

1. Honda Element

Really though? was anyone really surprised? I have been hounded by newbies about why I like the Element so much and..this is how much I like it! I have also included a (nonclickable) link in my bio that if you you copy and paste that into your browser it will take you to a post I wrote about why I like the Honda Element so much.

So why did I put this above all…well because this is my list…..
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Okay but seriously because between the G Wagon ( which is more boxy in appearance) and the Element, the Element comes as more of a surprise at what it can accomplish…if I bought a couch or a washer and dryer off you came up to your place in a G Wagon you would not doubt that the G-Wagon could fit Either. However if I showed up in the Element you would doubt…trust me it has happen….all of the doubters. The Honda Element in a by the numbers side by side comparison just does not compare (aside from affordability and maintenance costs ) However it is my belief that such things like direct comparisons do not mean much. Really it is the vehicles that take you by surprise about what they can accomplish are the ones that win out in the end and that is exactly why I put the Element on top—and that is not biased at all.

Closing Thoughts.

So that is my list of the top ten boxy vehicles out there, if yours did not make the list that means it was total schiite (kidding.) Thank you for taking the time to read this obnoxious blogpost, I hoe you found it worth at least one angry comment down below. Speaking of below I have a poll down below. I would like to know what you all think about what is boxy above all so please take part in that before leaving.

VOTE HERE