How does this fly?

Car designers are not scared to do dumb stuff.  Most of the time, for no reason at all....adding features or elements that add nothing to the functionality or reliability or pleasantness of the vehicle.  Just to do it to do it....keeps them in a job I guess.

The first time I noticed this newest mind boggling accent.....the cheap black plastic wheel well arches, was on the updated Lexus RX 350.  Once a fantastic all around  crossover with clean lines and unmatched reliability, which proved to be one of the marque's best sellers.

Then, in addition to the overstyled grill that ages horribly, they added black plastic exaggerated wheel well arches....something you'd see on a down market model.  What were they thinking?

2015:

2019:​

The fender outlines are cheap black plastic....and is seen on all trim levels.  This is a $50k vehicle.  The tires now look too small, thanks to the illusion that the wheel wells are much larger.  What purpose does this serve?   It's busier, more complicated, and cheap looking.

Then, I started noticing it on most newer crossovers....the Ford Explorer being the most egregious offender.  Take a look at the 2020 LIMITED....not base.....LIMITED.

What is going on?  It's cheap looking, visually deceptive, and on most colors, makes the tires look too small.   So why?

Keep an eye out.....you won't be able to un-see it.