The new Prius is god awful...
And much of anything else on the Toyota/Lexus/Scion line.

Working at Carmax has opened my eyes to all the other manufactures.
I can say a Toyota will not be my next new car purchase, if anything I'll get another 3rd gen, or a Jeep Cherokee (Pre 98), or a Volvo XC70 (Pre 07), or Infinity FX35 (Pre 06)... lol

As far as design, I am sure it has something to do with today's generation, trying to appeal to the 'younger' crowd or some bs like that.