I'm breaking each component of design down and I keep coming up Gen 2...I love some of the technology advancements and the 37's but correct me if I'm wrong...this is how I see it. There is no question the truck has plenty of new improvements from a functional stand point so I won't go into those.
Grille - Gen 2 - this new Grille just looks like it has less detail and thought. I get the minimalist design to be more 'modern' but it really looks like it's missing something. I could argue if I put both trucks in front of someone who didn't know which Gen was which, they'd pick the Gen 2 from just looking at the front as the newer model.
Lights - Gen 2 - new lights look so basic and plain, I'm not sure I can get over that. Gen 2 lights look more detailed, more thoughtful design and more menacing. Even the fender molding so nicely around the lights gives it a more pronounced look.
Hood Scoop - Gen 2 - again, they went so basic on the hood scoop. Less detail and even more like plastic now. I feel like they tried to compensate with this smaller looking scoop with the "raptor" stamp on it. As if the bean counters told them we need to save some costs here.
Fender Vents - Gen 2 - anyone else with me on the fact that the new fender vent is just too high up on the fender and looks out of proportion? Maybe it's because I'm used to staring at my Gen 2 vent being properly positioned/proportioned. I get the whole F-22 fighter jet thing, but I think that was a way to distance themselves from a "raptor" being an animal to minimize some of the cheesy easter eggs Dodge planted.
Tail-lights - Gen 2 - again, if you look at the detail around the bodywork of the Gen 2 taillight, it's molded with a design and has some nice lines that blend nicely with the whole truck. I also kinda like how the lights themselves have the little bulges and 3D detail in them. Not sure how the Gen 3 lights actually look in person but the blocking of colors in the lights themselves even looks a bit off to me. Also, the body line where the light inserts is just a straight line now, no curves or angles and less pronounced indent.
Rear Appliqué - Gen 2 - Again, it took me a minute to notice this but the Gen 3 appliqué is now just straight across line on the bottom edge with no angular detail. My Gen 2 (2020) has a nice angled cutout at the bottom that just adds a little design flare to the tailgate appliqué and looks less like an afterthought slap a piece of plastic on the back.
Interior
I won't go into too much detail here, but I do love the new interior, it looks to be more polished and finished but it also looks a little less rugged and off-roadish, if that makes any sense. I like my carbon fiber shift knob and a few other details I feel the Gen 2 still has the Gen 3 interior beat on, not in terms of quality or fit/finish just design and feel to match the trucks personality. The interior just has this confused "I want to be a Lincoln Navigator but I still want to be a truck" look to me. I'm sure it will grow more on me overtime.
Steering Wheel - Damn I really want to like that new steering wheel but again, it just looks less rugged and sporty. They even removed the perforated leather on the sides and the Raptor logo just doesn't look as mean or pronounced as it does on my Gen 2 wheel. My girlfriend was actually the first to point this out...
Anyway, not even sure why I took the time to write this, just really trying to put it in writing so that I can keep my want for "new and better" in check...lol.
