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No, they're not going to cut through the air like a hot knife through butter; aerodynamics isn't one of their strong suits. Although large, clunky-looking, and seemingly out of place in an era that increasingly emphasizes efficiency, square cars nevertheless have their charms.
Sure, they're quirky, but these boxy rides also harbor a sense of style that's more than a little hard to ignore. While many brands try to outdo each other with increasingly shrinking drag coefficients, several nameplates still stand by the principles of roominess and versatility, if at the expense of a few miles per gallon.
What Are Square Cars Anyway?
To put it bluntly, a square car adopts a largely angular aesthetic; a box on wheels. Sharp lines, stark corners, an abundance of right angles here and there - it's almost a brutalist take on mobility.
Yet, for many people, this is how a proper machine should look like, not a romanticized (or even eroticized) thing with curves and slopes and gently flowing surfaces. The earliest automobiles were, after all, primarily based on a square template with upright sides and a flat top.
When Did Cars Get Curves?
The first land vehicles to use the concept of streamlining, or designing in such a way as to reduce wind resistance, were trains. A first attempt was with the McKeen rail motorcars in 1905, featuring a "wind splitter" front that resembled a vertical wedge. By the 1930s, high-speed rail services were being offered by trains that had a more rounded shape.
Sometime during that decade, automakers began sculpting their model offerings in an effort to reduce wind resistance. Chrysler stepped up by introducing the aptly named Airflow, a full-size model. This model was a result of wind tunnel tests conducted with input from Orville Wright (yep, that Orville Wright) after Chrysler engineers apparently found that existing two-box designs were more aerodynamic when driven backward.
However, poor public reception hobbled the Airflow's sales, and Chrysler had to compromise the model's revolutionary design several times just to cater to what the market was used to seeing. All told, the Airflow lasted only from 1934 to 1937.
Angular Automobiles Take Over
A similar fate awaited other marques, as consumers preferred bigger and boxier models that provided more interior space. Generous head- and legroom were essential considerations, and conserving fuel was practically unheard of, especially in the '50s and '60s when fuel prices went down.
For the next two decades or so, boxy cars were all buyers could find in the US, and they wouldn't have it any other way. It didn't matter whether people were in the market for a sedan, a hatchback, a pickup, an SUV, or a minivan. Slab sides and straight edges were a given.
A global oil crisis would mark the '70s, consequently forcing automakers to dial back on the power in favor of efficiency, but exterior designs were essentially unchanged. By the early '80s, the curved design trend in Europe began to reach North America, with customers associating the aesthetic with luxury since it was commonly seen on brands such as BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Porsche.
Holding On In A New Era
Square cars are still around today, with the angular shape being a standard fixture on SUVs, crossovers, pickups, and even muscle cars. Over in Japan, the boxy look remains a hallmark of its Kei class of vehicles, although curved and raked glass panels have long replaced upright windshields.
While some current models sport the squared aesthetic out of heritage, others aim to target a younger demographic fascinated by all things retro. We take a look at 10 of the most popular square cars available right now if you prefer to be different from the sleek and svelte set.
Land Rover Defender
The current Land Rover Defender is a revival of the nameplate, its first all-new release since 1983. It's also the first all-new version, as the original Land Rover Series vehicle predates the Defender name by 35 years. The new Defender is a true departure from its predecessor, adopting a unibody design instead of a ladder-frame chassis.
That shift has made the new model much more luxurious and comfortable, offering a more refined ride on the tarmac while retaining the original's overlanding chops.
The Defender's boxy design across the 90, 110, and 130 variants also boasts up to 40.6 and 40.4 inches of front and rear headroom, respectively, with legroom of up to 30.6 inches and a maximum cargo volume of 80.9 cubic feet.
Hyundai Venue
Those looking for a steady urban runabout will find the Hyundai Venue fits the bill nicely. Underneath the Venue's cubist skin lies a platform it shares with the Accent subcompact sedan, yet in a two-box body style that brings expanded cargo space behind the second-row seats.
Enabling the Venue to tootle around town is a 1.6-liter inline-4 gasoline, producing 121 horsepower, linked to an Intelligent Variable Transmission. Not a racer by any means, and the blocky proportions make no pretenses of that anyway.
The Venue's diminutive size belies its interior dimensions, comprising a front headroom of 38.4 in. and 38.6 in. of rear headroom, combined with up to 41.3 in. of legroom and a maximum cargo capacity of 31.9 cubes.
Mitsubishi Outlander
The current Mitsubishi Outlander's exterior design is more angular than the previous generation, matched with a more pronounced Dynamic Shield grille. It borrows design cues from the Nissan Rogue and is the first Mitsubishi vehicle to be underpinned by the Common Module Family (CMF) platform shared with Nissan and Renault.
The Outlander's three seating rows are unusual for the compact crossover segment, with at least eight trim levels on offer. The driver will enjoy the 41.7 inches of front legroom while folding both the second-and third-row seats yields up to 79.7 cubes of cargo space.
The Outlander is at its best when you order it as a plug-in hybrid. The combined output of the 2.4-liter combustion engine and hybrid system produces 248 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque, and you get 42 miles of all-electric driving range. Those planning to take the Outlander where the tarmac ends will be happy to know that it also comes with a Super All-Wheel Control (S-AWC) option.
Land Rover Discovery
This full-size SUV has come a long way in its journey as an off-road capable family hauler, from an affordable Range Rover alternative to being an upmarket model in its own right. The Land Rover Discovery's D7u platform and overall angular design are already getting quite long in the tooth (having been around since 2017), yet the 'Disco' is still every bit the head turner both on the asphalt and the trails.
Inside, the Discovery brings 39.4 inches of headroom for the first and second rows, reaching all the way to 40 inches with the available Panoramic Roof. Front legroom measures 39.1 inches going all the way to 33.5 inches in the third row. Leaving just the front seats standing unleashes up to 74.3 cubes of luggage capacity.
The standard four-wheel drive gets its mojo from a 2.0-liter P300 gasoline engine or a 3.0-liter inline-six with mild-hybrid capability. The redesigned shape of the current fifth generation.
Nissan Pathfinder
Another fifth-generation model on this list is the Nissan Pathfinder, retaining the same Nissan D platform used by the previous generation. The enlarged V-motion grille and elevated fascia cut a more imposing look, while inside this midsize crossover's boxy shell is enough seating for up to eight occupants (seven with the optional second-row captain's chairs).
One result of the square styling is up to 16.6 cubic feet of rear cargo space, expandable to 80.5, with the second-and third-row seats folded. Up to nine trim levels benefit from a 3.5-liter V6 producing 284 hp, with the Intelligent 4x4 drivetrain partnered and a nine-speed automatic gearbox, the latter replacing Nissan's Xtronic continuously variable transmission.
Jeep Gladiator
Yes, it takes after the Wrangler in terms of looks, but Jeep claims the Gladiator is more than just a midsize SUV with a pickup bed stuck to the rear end; it's a whole new class of off-roader. The Gladiator isn't simply a throwback to its midsize SUV sibling's '80s-era roots, as the moniker recalls the original pickup-styled nameplate back in 1962; the latter was even offered as a military vehicle for various armed forces.
Apart from the increased utility, the Gladiator offers the same road manners as the Wrangler; that is to say, they are robust as they are unruly. At least the onboard Uconnect interface is smoother in comparison, while the removable doors and roof are always a welcome detail for more extreme adventures. Two V6 engine options between gasoline and diesel produce up to 285 hp and 442 lb-ft of torque, with a range of Jeep 4x4 systems available.
Part of the Gladiator's capability lies in the measurements it carries, starting from the 137.3 in. wheelbase. Front and rear occupants enjoy 42.8 in. of headroom, with legroom reaching 41.2 in. Total passenger volume is 103 cu. ft. across five seats.
Ford Bronco
Two years after the Ford Bronco's return in 2021 following a 25-year absence, it still continues its streak as one of the best-selling vehicles in the market, largely fueled by nostalgia. This midsize SUV is offered as both a three-door box and a bigger five-door version, both with the capability to drop their respective tops. As a rival to the Jeep Wrangler, the Bronco's doors can be removed as well, and can actually be stowed aboard the vehicle.
Customers can expect up to 43.3 in. of front headroom and 43.1 in. of legroom, with up to 88.3 cu. ft. of cargo space with the rear seats folded. Three gasoline engine options are on offer, with the most powerful 3.0L V6 coming with 400 hp. Apart from a 10-speed automatic, Ford is also keeping the stick shift alive with a seven-speed Getrag manual gearbox that combines six forward gears with a dedicated 'crawler' cog. The body-on-frame construction allows for a Sasquatch option package, featuring a mild suspension lift and 35-inch tires, second only to the 37-in. rubbers found on the Bronco Raptor.
Ford Bronco Sport
If you fancy something that isn't as hardcore as the Bronco yet still wears the nameplate proudly, consider the Ford Bronco Sport. Although it features a retro-inspired look similar to the larger Bronco, this compact crossover stands on a smaller unibody platform, resulting in seating for five occupants. The boxy look belies the Bronco Sport's well-roundedness, combining off-road capability with amenities such as heated seats, smartphone connectivity, and remote starting.
That's not even mentioning the 138.2 cu. ft. of interior space, 105.7 of it dedicated to passengers. Front headroom is at 41.5 in., with rear headroom at a slightly roomier 41.7 in. Legroom is up to 42.4 in., while 60.6 cu. ft. of cargo is available when the rear seats are folded.
A total of six trim levels are available, powered by either a 1.5L inline-3 or 2.0L inline-4 Ecoboost engine making as much as 245 hp. The Bronco Sport's design also makes it a safe choice in more ways than one, as it earned the 'Top Safety Pick +' award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety for the 2022 model year.
Kia Soul
Having been conceived in the new millennium, the Kia Soul comes across as especially quirky with its boxy proportions. Three generations later, the subcompact hatchback has managed to mature somewhat without losing sight of its young target market. At launch, Kia explicitly stated that the Soul was made with the U.S. market in mind.
As with many other models with an upright design, the Soul boasts cabin space all the way to the rear seats, earning a reputation for being one of the roomiest in its class. That means up to 39.5 in. of headroom and 411 in. of legroom, complemented by 55.5 in. of shoulder room. The standard cargo capacity is 24. 2 cu. ft., expandable to 62.1 cu. ft. with the rear seats folded. Spinning the Soul's front wheels is a 2.0L gasoline engine with 147 hp on demand, while the EV version produces 201 hp.
Kia Telluride
Another heavy-hitter from South Korea is the Kia Telluride, a three-row midsize crossover that happens to be the automaker's largest model for North America, the market it was specifically developed for. This square SUV comes in four trim levels, with accommodations for either seven or eight occupants as well as a user-friendly suite of onboard tech.
Apart from the urbane aesthetics of the standard model, Kia is also marketing the sporty-looking X-Line and X-Pro trim levels, boasting increased ground clearance, uprated towing capacities, and added onboard tech. Adding to these are up to 40.9 in. of headroom in front and 40.2 in. at the rear, with a maximum 42.4 in. of legroom. With all seven occupants on board, the Telluride offers 21 cu. ft. of default cargo space, going all the way to 87 cu. ft. with both rows behind the front seats folded.
Only a 3.8L direct-injection gasoline V6 engine is on offer, channeling 291 hp to either the front or all four wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission.
