4 Vehicles That Went Boxy and are Much Better For It

Miami Herald

05-07-2025

The boxy trend for SUVs is on a roll with manufacturers recognizing that buyers want the rugged look even if they have no intention of doing anything more challenging than summer car camping with the kids. In a sea of rounded-off SUVs and crossovers, the boxy look is very much on the rise. Buyers also want the practicality of squared-off versions that provide more space, in addition to a stronger presence on the road. Not all SUVs have taken this path, but we applaud the ones that have. Let's take a closer look at four standout models that went boxy and benefited from the design change.
Let's put it this way. There was nothing wrong with the last Santa Fe. Its only major demerit was the fact that it didn't especially stand out in a crowd with its ubiquitous shape. The soft design was attractive but not distinctive. The 5th-generation looks about as different as a vehicle redesign can, and it has been transformed from a conventional SUV into a head-turner. Land Rovers don't even get this much attention, frankly. Everything about the new Santa Fe looks vastly different from its predecessor, most notably the unapologetically boxy shape.
The Santa Fe's styling cues are in line with the boxy shape: there are H-shaped LED signature lighting in front and back, a rectangular grille on a vertical front fascia, and an upright greenhouse with plenty of blocky windows. The new Santa Fe also gets crisp body lines, large squared-off wheel arches, and a huge liftgate that provides a terrace-like rear cargo section for a lounge-like atmosphere. The Santa Fe no longer blends in with the crowd. Instead, it makes just about every other competitor fade into the shadows.
Ever since its second-generation debut in 2019, the midsize Honda Passport has looked a bit minivan-like, but for 2026, the Passport has gone properly boxy and stands out in the process. Even boxier than its Pilot sibling, the redesigned Passport ditches its rounded corners for a tougher, more angular shape that clearly signals its off-road ambitions. The Passport gets a flatter hood, a more vertical front end, and a wider stance that fits well with the more capable TrailSport trim.
TrailSport models add off-road suspension tuning, all-terrain tires, steel skid plates, and a subtle lift for extra ground clearance. The 2026 Passport's newfound looks are consistent with its more capable TrailSport trim. The boxier design allows for increased cargo capacity, now offering over 100 cubic feet of space with the rear seats folded, way up from the 77.7 cubic feet in the second-generation Passport. It has shed its minivan appearance completely, and boxy might just be here to stay.
Toyota was certainly baking something during the Toyota Land Cruiser's hiatus between 2021 and 2024. The formerly V8-powered off-road luxo-barge was replaced by a less-expensive but still tremendously off-road capable version with a fresh, boxy design last year, marking a return to form reminiscent of the F60 Land Cruiser from the '80s and '90s. and built to conquer harsh terrain. The new Land Cruiser uses Toyota's TNGA-F body-on-frame platform and features a retro-modern design with upright pillars, square fenders, and round LED headlights that evoke the legendary FJ40. The grille is simple and functional, with prominent "TOYOTA" lettering that leaves no doubt about its heritage.
Nothing about the new Land Cruiser carries over from the last one, and that's a good thing. It had morphed into an overpriced and nondistinctive SUV, and the poor sales figures were clear evidence that Toyota needed to make a change if it wanted to bring the Land Cruiser back. On the new model, the boxy body, squarish-fender trim, eggcrate grille, and upright greenhouse all make for a rough-and-ready look. The design finally exhibits the rugged underpinnings and components, and the Land Cruiser has returned to its former glory.
It seems the Santa Fe's market success gave cause for Hyundai to apply the same thinking to its flagship SUV. The second-generation Palisade is more refined in its appearance than the Santa Fe, and it applies the square look a bit differently. The fenders receive boxy creasing that's more understated, and the stacked DRLs and larger grille are more upscale in their appearance.
The look is more cohesive than the first-generation Palisade. Hyundai never quite figured out what kind of front fascia and grille looked right, and the refresh made improvements but added more complexity at the same time. The new Palisade also adds a modicum of cargo space to its already spacious interior, and there's more rear legroom thanks to a longer wheelbase. Its new, more premium look should also draw customers away from pricier brands.
These four SUVs prove that going boxy isn't just a style statement; it's a functional choice that pays dividends in interior space, visibility, off-road capability, and presence. The return of square proportions helps the Santa Fe, Passport, Land Cruiser, and Palisade stand out on the road (and off, as the case may be) while offering practical benefits that curvier designs can't provide. We like the new trend toward SUVs looking like SUVs rather than attempting to be curvaceous, and hope the industry will continue in this direction.
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