Normally I'd say keep the GTI, but you have so many other interesting cars. I always forget about the ID.Buzz — when is that thing coming out? Feels like it's been teased forever.
I don't work in the automotive field at all, so maybe
@fourmotioneer has better insight, but I'll chime in on this since I think it's an interesting question and a good question that I've thought about, too. I think there's multiple reasons why.
1/ EV's are less bound by traditional car layout constraints. They don't have a big engine to work around. They don't have a radiator or need a grill. They don't have an exhaust. There is more physical space to play around with. So in short... because they can.
2/ EV's symbolize something different, so I think OEM's and consumers feel they should look different. We've been told many times EV's are "the future", so why shouldn't they look futuristic?
3/ Especially with the niche luxury marques like Tesla, Rivian, Lucid, Fisker etc, consumers want to make a statement with their purchase. "Look at me, I did the socially responsible thing to cut carbon emissions and protect our planet. And I want that fact to be obvious to those around me." But I would argue even with more budget options, probably a lot of people want their EV to be recognizable as an EV, as a reminder to themselves and others that they are on the cutting edge or making some bold step away from the past.
My own .02 is that I welcome the new and crazy designs. Do I like them all? Would I buy them with my own hard-earned money? Maybe not, but seeing actual risk-taking in automotive design is exciting to me. It feels new and fresh and fun. Some models are a swing-and-a-miss, but that's true of traditional ICE cars, too.
And I think there are actually plenty of "safe" options out there. The original Tesla Model S has a fairly restrained design, while still being its own thing. The BMW eDrive i4 is not that far off from their current crop of giant-grilled combustion sedans. I think Audi and Porsche have some excellent designs with their EVs that aren't much of a departure from their ICE cars. Then you have cars like the Jaguar I-Pace, Volvo XC40 Recharge, the Ford F150 Lighting, and plenty more that are
very traditional in their design, basically an EV in sheep's clothing. Design is personal, but I don't mind the middle ground like the ID series from Volkswagen, or the Ioniq 5 from Hyundai, that aren't afraid to explore new shapes and materials, but aren't full "I-Robot".
