Inspiring Today’s Automotive Designs with Retro-Futurism

Second Malaise or Welcomed Technological Revolution?

As we sit amid a new era of technological development, the automotive industry dives into a fresh, albeit familiar, chapter. Call it what you will, whether a second Malaise or an EV revolution—this new movement emphasizes some similar traits of the Malaise, namely fuel economy. However, rather than abandon cool for miles per gallon as with the first Malaise, this new trend aims for balance. 

Instead of subjecting American consumers to poorly performing vehicles stuffed with clunky, small-displacement powerplants, the domestic market has taken inspiration from the foreign. The implementation of forced-induction, hybrid-electric, or fully electric powertrains balances performance and economy. Gone are the days when stretching miles between fill-ups required destroying acceleration and dampening top speed. 

Of course, performance is only half of consumers' contempt for the Malaise. The period also saw the shift from the aggressive, mutually beloved styling of the sixties and early seventies to arguably the most loathed bodylines in automotive history. 

Fortunately, automotive manufacturers have recognized the mistakes of the Malaise. To write the wrongs of their predecessors, the current automotive scene, though characterized by a similar economic and technological focus, is doing so with an emphasis on style and significant respect for generations past.

What Is Retro Futurism?

As the current period in automotive history unfolds, we've seen a striking rise in vehicles boasting uncanny similarities to their previous selves—think the sixth-generation Ford Bronco, the Nissan Frontier Hardbody edition, and the 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser. 

Manufacturers are undeniably pulling stylistic inspiration from their model's heyday—when it was at its peak vigor and popularity. The current automotive scene has become flooded with retro-futurism, and I couldn't be more enthralled by it—but what exactly is retro-futurism?   

This concept is hallmarked by the intersection of futuristic technology and vintage styling, most notably centering mid-century American design. It's a trope that spans American culture, design, and media—think Amazon's Fallout TV show, whose setting blends advanced technology with mid-century American design, or Blade Runner, with its eclectic mix of futuristic tech and eighties style. 

Mid-century America is the source of some of the most beloved automobiles, including revered classics like the original Ford Mustang, Bronco, and International Scout. These models were all born in the early 1960s—a period many consider the golden age of the automobile. 

When assessed through this lens, is it surprising that automotive manufacturers have begun to seek inspiration from this period's cars and trucks? The nostalgia alone is enough to sway consumers toward more modern, fuel-efficient options. 

Retro Futurism in Today's Vehicles

While the current automotive landscape's retro-futuristic approach may be a means of swaying consumers toward the ever-impending EV revolution, it seems to be an effective strategy. 

Don't believe me? Check out ten recent platforms with designs inspired by retro-futurism.

1. Ford Bronco

When Ford debuted the sixth-generation Bronco in 2021, fans rejoiced not only because of the iconic ride's return but also because of the fashion in which it re-entered the automotive market. This new iteration pulled inspiration from previous generations—not the fifth, fourth, third, or even second, but the original. 

The sixth generation of the iconic SUV features a profile that mimics the original Bronco. It offers massive round headlights with first-gen-inspired marker lights, embossed Bronco lettering on the grille, and a removable top. The newest generation also comes in throwback trim levels like the Heritage, which furthers similarities with squared-off fender flares, a white grille, a white top, and traditional plaid upholstery. 

2. Ford Bronco Sport

The sixth-gen Bronco didn't arrive at the party alone—it brought a plus one. Alongside the new Bronco, Ford released the Bronco Sport, which brought similar vintage styling with a more traditional compact SUV form factor—not too far removed from the oddball Bronco II.

3. Ford F-150

Ford has a soft spot for the nostalgic, seeing as this is the manufacturer's third entry on this list. The Ford F-150 undeniably had its heyday in the early eighties to mid-nineties—the seventh, eighth, and ninth-generation trucks affectionately known as OBS (Old Body Style) Fords.

One of the standout features of this generation, specifically 1980–86, is the front end, which features sleek split headlights and a lustrous chrome grille. If you look closely at the 2025 model, the refreshed truck sports an oddly similar front-end design with clearly defined upper and lower headlight sections and a similarly styled front fascia.

4. Rivian R3

While Rivian is renowned for its cutting-edge tech, the manufacturer sticks to grounded styling, unlike some competitors in the EV market—cough, Cybertruck—cough. The newly introduced R3 takes familiarity to a new level, featuring a profile that's eerily reminiscent of an eighties hatchback. 

I'm not saying Rivian copied the design, but I'd definitely have trouble locating the EV in a parking lot full of MK1 VW Golfs—can someone say, "Where's Waldo?".

5. Nissan Frontier Hardbody

Ah, the Nissan Hardbody—a quintessential pickup from the golden age of mini trucks. Produced from 1986 to 1997, the Nissan Hardbody was a successful truck beloved for its reliability, affordability, and classic square styling. 

It's no wonder that Nissan reenlisted the truck's namesake and styling cues to boost sales of its current midsize truck, the Frontier. The Nissan Frontier Hardbody is a special-edition trim featuring several styling cues directly tied to the Hardbody pickup. Black front and rear fascias, uber-eighties-inspired alloy wheels, and a roll bar make for a tasteful homage—across the body, vintage graphics drive the point home.

6. Toyota Land Cruiser

For decades, the Toyota Land Cruiser has faced a decline from its squared, aggressive styling to its contemporary round and bulbous bodylines. Fortunately, that all changed when the brand introduced the J300 Landcruiser in 2025. The eight-generation Land Cruiser returns to the angular design that helped to skyrocket its success from the model's inception through the eighties. 

The redesigned Land Cruiser pulls inspiration from the J60 wagon, featuring a similar profile, rectangular headlight housings with rounded headlights, blocky corner markers, and several other styling cues reminiscent of the 60 series.

7. Hyundai Santa Fe

When the average auto enthusiast envisions an arbitrarily cool automotive brand, Hyundai likely isn't near the top of their list. However, the manufacturer has made great strides recently with its N performance lines and luxurious SUVs. 

Regarding the latter, the redesigned Santa Fe certainly takes the cake, featuring aggressive angular styling that harkens back to big-bodied Suburbans and Wagoneers of decades past.

8. Scout Motors (Traveler SUV & Terra Truck)

During the golden age of the automobile, several small, off-road-centric SUVs graced the automotive market. While many cite the Ford Bronco and Jeep CJ duking it out in the sixties, few recall the equally successful International Scout. 

Though International halted production of the Scout in 1980, the model has made a surprise comeback from EV manufacturer Scout Motors—a new player in the field of electric vehicles. The brand—a segment of German manufacturer Volkswagen—aims to produce off-road-oriented electric vehicles in the Image of the beloved International Scout. 

The company's Traveler SUV and Terra Truck pull inspiration from the International Navistar SUV, from their headlights and front fascia to the familiar curvature of the side glass.

9. Alpha Wolf

In 2023, California-based EV manufacturer Alpha Motor Corporation debuted the Alpha Wolf pickup at the Las Vegas SEMA show. The truck garnered immediate attention for its styling, which resembled eighties Toyota Pickups. 

The rugged electric truck is set to be released later this year. Though the Wolf truck isn't a Toyota product, I'm hoping it lives up to the rugged reliability of the rides it's seemingly inspired by.

10. Hyundai N Vision 74

Lastly, I can't discuss vintage-inspired styling without referencing the Hyundai N Vision 74—an uber-cool electric coupe that evokes thoughts of Back to the Future, more specifically, the DeLorean DMC-12. 

The innovative coupe looks as if a DeLorean and a first-gen Nissan 300zx had a forbidden lovechild. Though it features obvious homages to the eighties style, the N Vision 74 embraces these accents in a way that feels more intentional than other entries on the list. It's self-aware of its quirkiness, and I can't help but be a fan.

Final Thoughts

For what it's worth, retro-futurism seems a welcome addition to today's automotive industry. Though these obvious homages to past stylistic trends aren't necessarily innovative, this shift is a much-needed break from the monotony that's plagued the automotive landscape for some years. 

Pulling inspiration from arguably the most beloved period in automotive history breathes new life into a tired industry, but that's not all. Familiar namesakes and bodylines provide the familiarity necessary to comfort die-hard gearheads as we transition into this new period of technological progression. 

Is it a second Malaise? Not even close. Instead, it's the automotive industry's attempt to write the wrongs of the Malaise, and it seems to be working.