What Is The Difference Between A Facelift And Generation-Change?

Do you often find yourself confused between a facelift and a generation change? Well, in that case, you're not alone. But, as a car buyer, you must find it essential to understand how the two differ.

First off, both facelift and generation change are strategies employed by manufacturers to maintain their car models´market value. This article will simplify the facts to help you understand the difference between a generation change and a facelift.

Facelift

You would've been hearing it for the zillionth time that technology changes with every day. In a facelift, carmakers introduce minor tweaks, limited technological upgrades and sometimes cosmetic additions, including a new colour palette, to enhance the vehicle's performance. They might even introduce these features to help their car match upto competition in that segment. In the case of a facelift, the car model receives only minor changes on the interior and exterior.

For instance, a car model might get revised front and rear bumpers as a facelift. The changes are so minor that it is hard to understand the difference between the new and the old model. Let's take a real-life example to help you know.

Tata Nexon:

In 2020, Tata launched a facelifted Nexon in the Indian markets. The facelifted version indeed looks like it got a significant makeover. However, the only change is that the oversized headlights and bulbous lights were replaced to give a sleek and modern appearance to the car. The rear of Tata Nexon also has an altered taillights setup. Interior-wise, the car is pretty much the same. We also spotted additional features like TPMS and the all-digital instrument cluster on the facelifted Nexon.

Photo Credit: cars.tatamotors.com

Generation Change

Now, let's talk about generation change. Unlike a facelifted car, new generation cars have more significant upgrades. Everything undergoes substantial changes from the body structure to the features and design. Since generation changes usually occur only once in 5-10 years, they usually feature considerable upgrades in technology and interior and exterior features to match the trends of that time period.

Mechanical changes usually include an all-new drive train or a new engine. But the platform and the basic chassis largely remain the same. Let's look at an example to understand the concept of generation change.

Honda City:

Honda City is one of the only cars in its segment to receive a generation change. In 2020, the Honda City went from sporting the aggressive arrowhead design to a more elegant and sophisticated aesthetics. This 5^th generation Honda City was more extended and broader than the previous generation. This new update meant that the 5^th generation variant was more roomy and spacious. Also, the 1.5 litre DOHC engine gave a solid boost to the new Honda City.

Photo Credit: www.marutisuzuki.com

Maruti Suzuki Celerio:

Sometimes, car makers do change the platforms for the cars as well in keeping with the latest body manufacturing practices. The 2021 new generation Maruti Suzuki Celerio is one such car. The generation change not only gave the Celerio a more powerful 1.0 L K10C 3-Cylinder Dualjet engine, it also was built on the new Heartect platform that Maruti Suzuki has been using for its premium hatchbacks and sedans.

Photo Credit: www.hondacarindia.com

The purpose of a facelift and a generation change is to refresh and update the car's features. However, overhauling is the preferred process if the vehicle requires significant tweaks. But even in such cases, carmakers always retain that essence of the car which made it popular in the first place.