8 Cars That Went From Bland to Grand

The eight best car glow-ups in the last two years

We all love those social media posts that hype an amazing glow-up, with the before and after pictures showing a shy, mousy individual and a confident babe or stud, under a ‘Don’t you love this glow-up?’ headline. And, if you’ve ever seen the before and afters of the Nissan Versa Sedan pre-and post-2020, you’d know the same thing applies in the automotive industry, too. It’s become common practice for automakers to bring older nameplates back to life, and in doing so, relive the glory days while offering the latest in modern technology. That being said, here are some of the biggest glow-ups in the motoring world in the last two years:

Ford Bronco

The original Ford Bronco was a legend sporting an iconic design, and now, two-and-a-half decades after it was last seen for sale in the USA, the Bronco makes a raucous return. With hot exterior looks that throw back to the original while still offering a fresh-faced appeal, the Bronco brings with it the appeal of an SUV that can traverse rougher terrain and be comfortable for the family, too. New models come with one of two engine options with either 270 horsepower or 310 hp, an advanced optional 4x4 system, and a rugged form-follows-function interior. 

Toyota Supra

Last produced in 1998, the legendary sports car was revived in 2020 after an extensive hiatus, and returned even more victorious than when it left, making its comeback with the influence of German giant, BMW. The fifth-generation A90 GR Supra uses BMW’s CLAR platform and its wonderful turbo six-cylinder engine. While it loses out on the 2+2 seating we are accustomed to, it’s still one of the sexiest sports cars on the road; it offers a giving suspension and nimble handling from its rear-wheel-drive setup, and looks utterly enchanting. We stan. 

Jeep Gladiator

Not having offered a pickup in the US since the early 1990s, Jeep has recently brought the Gladiator nameplate out of retirement for 2020. Going up against the GMC Canyon, Ford Ranger, and Toyota Tacoma, the all-new Jeep truck has excellent off-roading abilities, a spacious back seat, easy-to-use infotainment setup, and it features removable roof and body panels for added uniqueness. While it still looks a little like its old self, the retro-swag it shows off is really eye catching and contemporary. 

Land Rover Defender

Twenty years is how long it took for Land Rover to bring us a new Defender, and since 2020’s release of the Defender 110, more new models have been added to the catalog, namely the three-door Defender 90. While we are used to the clunky, boxy look of the original Defender, this glow-up has been respectful of the Land Rover identity and heritage, and although modernizing it extensively, it still looks the part. Available in two configurations, the Defender can seat up to seven in its most spacious guise, and offers a raised ride height for great visibility and some off-roading, to boot.

Nissan Versa Sedan

This little sedan looked for all the world like it would never be at home anywhere other than a rental car parking lot, until the Japanese automaker did a complete makeover for the 2020 model year. Tweaks were not only made to the power plant (with higher outputs from the engine than before), but also added to the list of safety elements lumped together under the Nissan Safety Shield 360 umbrella. Although these are attractive enhancements, the upgrade to the exterior is what we like the most - from frumpy to elegant, the Versa Sedan looks better than ever before, borrowing some beauty tips and tricks from the Altima and Kicks. Together with a low starting price - an MSRP of around $15k for the base model - the sedan also has really good fuel economy figures, with miles per gallon estimates rivaling some hybrid vehicles in the segment. 

Ford F-150 Hybrid and F-250 Tremor

The Ford siblings noted above are both worthy of a mention in our list of impressive makeovers, albeit for different reasons. In the case of the baby pickup - and we mean that purely as a way of differentiation, as the F-150 is in no way diminutive - the 2021 model year sees an all-new truck in a variety of ways. The exterior look has been freshened up, and the on-board tech has been revamped. Most importantly, however, is the fact that it is now available as a 3.5-liter PowerBoost full hybrid, with outputs of 430 hp and 570 lb-ft. Yes, you read that right - a hybrid F-150 with oodles of oomph, and gas mileage estimates of 24 mpg for city/highway/combined cycles. An overhaul of this beloved truck with an eco-friendly powertrain as a bonus, is definitely worth noting.

In terms of the bigger pickup, the F-250 Tremor from the previous model year saw the slightly average kid in the football team turn into the powerhouse jock, with the Tremor package adding upgraded suspicion, off-road running boards, 35-inch all-terrain tires, a Trail Control system with driving modes, and a 10.8-inch ground clearance to the regular Super Duty truck we’ve become used to. This makes it ideal for weekend adventures out in the wild, and, of course, looking like a total badass. 

Acura TLX

Back in 2014 when the TLX first hit the catwalk, there wasn’t much to make a fuss about - what was the result of a merger between the TL and TSX models of that time, was not quite enough to be trending, and sadly, it faded into the background. But, for 2021, the brand has decided to introduce a second-generation TLX that shares a power plant with the Honda Civic Type-R and comes with styling that’s supposed to be able to rival the likes of BMW’s 3 Series and the Audi A4. So does it measure up? In looks, it certainly does - it’s slick and chic on the outside, with a luxurious cabin and smart interior. It’s also a hoot to drive with good performance from under the hood, and offers great value for money, considering its sub-$38k starting price.