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Let Me See Your Grille: A Quick Look At The Best Car Faces

Pedestrians, drivers, and passengers alike see an array of cars each day — but for whatever reason, some stand out more than others. It could be the rims, exhaust sound, or the radio blasting, but there’s one car feature that will always catch our eye: the car’s face. Sure, cars don’t really have “faces”, but the front bumper design, headlights, and grille can create a unique look that may remind you of human facial expressions. Headlights may look similar to eyes, the front fenders and sheet metal can provide face shape, and the grille begs to be seen as a mouth — making car faces a fun and easy thing to spot each day. Keep scrolling to see some of what we believe to be some of the best and cutest car faces – both classic and modern – and keep an eye out for your favorites to add a smile to your next commute.

Austin-Healey 3000

A teal Austin-Healey 3000 faces the camera with a charcoal grey tiled wall behind it.

A renowned English sports car made throughout the 1960s, the Austin-Healey 3000 has one of the most memorable, recognizable front ends among early European sports cars. With only a few style changes over the years, the Austin-Healey’s face brings instant joy to most car lovers, young or old. Produced from 1959 to 1967, this British car features prominent, round headlight bulbs and an oval, chrome-metal grille that just looks like it’s having a great time even when it’s sitting still. The Austin-Healy's cheeky smiling face — thanks to the timeless design — is still a classic nearly 60 years later. Whether it’s in Europe, at a car show, or if you’re lucky enough for an Austin-Healey 3000 to be in your garage, you can be sure this timeless wears car sports a grin that will likely make you smile, too.
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Mazda3 (2010-2013)

A blue Mazda 3 drives down a narrow road lined with tropical palm trees.

A continuation of the Mazda6, and a combination of the Japanese words “excellent” and “accelerate”, the Mazda3 features an instantly-recognizable face still commonly seen across the country. Unveiled in 2003, the Mazda3 is a compact sports car that has been produced for over two decades. With front-end design changes including the grille location and color, the 2010 Mazda3 features a five-point grille and angular headlight assemblies that make this vehicle look extra happy to get on the road. Instead of matching body color, this Mazda3 features a complex, honeycomb-like grille in matte back, only adding to the cheesy smile this vehicle exhibits. An angular, low-profile front end, coupled with a prominent grille and sharp-edged headlights, bring a jubilant expression to the 2010-2013 Mazda3. An unmistakable countenance with an unrelenting grin and squinting eyes makes the Mazda3 an instant classic, and spotting one can help bring a little levity to your commute.
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Fisker Karma (2012)

A Fisker Karma is unveiled at a car show.

If you’re looking for a sports car with a dapper mustache (and who isn’t?), meet the Fisker Karma. Made in Finland, this luxury subcompact car has a dubious expression thanks to its one-of-a kind front end. The Fisker Karma was only made for one year, but its mark is impeccable, and for good reason. Not only does this car nearly touch the pavement, but the dramatic yet tasteful hood slopes in such a way to perfectly accentuate the sporty look car lovers have come to know. The headlight assemblies are diamond-shaped, and are placed at the outside corners of this sleek sports car — giving it the look of small, squinting, almost skeptical eyes. The parallel grilles are separated by a piece of chrome and divider matching the vehicle’s paint, and stretch horizontally to resemble a small Parisian mustache. Though you’ll rarely see one stateside, if you’re fortunate enough to come across a Fisker Karma in person, it’s an automotive experience you won’t soon forget.
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Lotus Elise (1996-2021)

A blue Lotus Elise faces the camera while parked on the street.

A two-seater produced from 1996 to 2021, the Lotus Elise is a sports car designed as much for speed as it is for looks. Just a few inches of ground clearance help create the Lotus Elise’s distinctive, sporty look, partly in thanks to it sharing a chassis with the popular Opel Speedster. The Lotus Elise features a dramatic sloped hood supporting its headlights, giving the car its wide-eyed, grinning appearance. An animated set of eyes are highlighted by the car’s tubular design, and thanks to their near diamond-shaped headlight assemblies, it’s hard not to imagine it being excited to hit the road. Not only do the headlights make the Elise look inquisitive, but the small, oval grille hidden beneath a perfectly-crafted hood looks like a playful smile peeking out. A concave hood and low ground clearance, paired with the expertly-placed dips, curves, and recesses throughout its body, makes the Lotus Elise memorable beyond its front end.
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Chrysler PT Cruiser (2000-2010)

A dark grey PT Cruiser is parked, facing the camera on the side of a countryside road.

The Chrysler PT Cruiser may not be in the same class as European, racing, or classic cars, but this 1930s-inspired hatchback or convertible was intended to be classified as a truck by the EPA, and was designed for reliable performance and great gas mileage. Made from 2000 to 2010, the ever-recognizable PT Cruiser has a unique body design and a one-of-a-kind face to match. From 2000 to 2006, the large grille, overlapped by a rounded, ovular bumper panel made PT Cruisers look like they have a mouth-open, jubilant smile. The wide-eyed look of a PT Cruiser was emboldened with a 2006 revision, bringing scallop-shaped headlights to its face while removing the grille that sneaks beneath the front bumper. A slightly menacing visage is apparent in the PT Cruiser, with focused, tilted eyes and a grimacing smile that makes this vehicle recognizable no matter your vantage point. Though the last PT Cruiser was made in the summer of 2010, you can find these cars across the nation — and with a large cult following, the PT Cruiser continues to stand the test of time that could mean it eventually reaches classic status.
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Porsche 911 (1964-2013)

A submarine yellow Porche 911 drives along a gravel road lined with shrubbery.

A two-door sports car designed for speed and looks alike, the Porsche 911 has been in production since 1964 despite several style and mechanical changes. This includes the addition of the Porsche 991 generation, delivering internal updates to the classic 911. Used as a racing vehicle, museum staple, or a head-turning daily driver, the Porsche 911’s front end, headlights, and sloping hill design make it an instant classic. With bulbous, bug-eyed headlights adorning the car from its inception until 1991, the Porsche 911 had a small facelift to deepen its profile a bit more, supplying a sleeker, more aggressive look that still looks eager to hit the pavement. The three-dimensional headlights seen on Porsche 911s over the last 30 years and a change to make the front fender more angular helps give this low-slung racer a near-grimacing appearance. Small changes to the headlights in 1997 restored the classic teardrop front end and big “eyes”, making it clear that this classic car’s look can be modified, restored, and altered while maintaining its iconic smile. With the more recent large cooling grilles at the very bottom of the front end — which aid in tire performance — coupled with a large, wide-set of eyes staring back at you, it’s no wonder the Porsche 911 is a timeless classic.
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Lamborghini Aventador S

A yellow-orange Lamborghini is parked in front of historic buildings atop a cobblestone street.

With an almost insect-like appearance, the Lamborghini Aventador S is a revised version of the Aventador LP with a host of exterior and internal alterations. Unveiled in 2016, the Aventador S is similar to other Lamborghini models with its pavement-hugging ground clearance, but offers a slightly different, more modern look. Downward-sloped, diamond-like headlights make the Aventador look like a predator on the road, with its focused eyes and a slight frown. The Lamborghini Adventador S may look intimidating or aggressive, but the quality and mechanical excellence of Lamborghini engineering means it has the performance to match. The two side splits on the front bumper not only aid with tire aerodynamics, but also give this sports car a chiseled face that lends to its serious, almost villainous, demeanor.
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Restore, Repair, Or Maintain Your Car's Look At O'Reilly Auto Parts

Your car’s look and its “face” is one of the main distinguishing factors of the vehicle you drive — and making sure its eyes, face, and mouth are looking their best can help you maintain your vehicle’s value. Whether it’s a cracked smile from grille damage, a black eye from a burned out headlight bulb or broken headlight assembly, paint wear or damage that needs to be repaired, or if your car just needs a good wash and wax, an automotive facelift is easy with parts, supplies, and resources from O’Reilly Auto Parts. Maintenance tasks like DIY car detailing and cleaning your car inside and out can help you maintain your vehicle’s appearance, as well as add to your confidence while driving. If you have other projects on your checklist, visit our How-To Hub for topics like how to remove paint scratches, prepare your car for sale, and much more to maintain your vehicle’s appearance, resale value, and performance.