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NOTE: The trends listed here only cover the good 'ol USA. You folks outside of the "free world" are much better off.
The trends of today suggest larger wheels, smaller windows proportionate to the rest of the car, and little rear badges to make the emissions smell like roses. I see more automatics, more CVTs, and a shift towards more full-size sedans (or "crossovers" from SUVs. Absolutely no diesel.
Cars of today seem glossy and bloated. The C-pillars of a "subcompact" like the Chevy Cruze are meatier than 80's and 90's Volvo C-pillars, which were absolute tanks of a car. Windshields are low and slung pretty far forward of the driver, which isn't exactly necessary after the invention of safety glass. Automakers seem to be intent on giving more car for the money, more metal and plastic to crumple in case of an accident. This sense of security has given people the liberty of talking on their phones or fooling with the multimedia systems in their cars while in operation of said vehicle.
The only good thing to really come about is the demise of large SUVs. Although, with Ford discontinuing the Ranger, and the new Ranger platform lengthened to full-size elsewhere, it seems apparent that there still is demand for bigger autos.
TL;DR: US auto market intent on giving consumers a car they feel safe in.
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