EVs have some pretty bad looking grilles too.
The Leaf appears to be wearing braces.
I know what you are thinking : but at least in the case of the Leaf, the grille is blocked.
There is a fellow in my apts with one of these BMWs with the oversize grille. On closer inspection, almost the entire grille is blocked, with just tiny slits that are open.
So the main difference is that with the Leaf, the grille is the body color.
Here is an article that mentions some of the details Mercedes has put into the aero on the front grille of the car. ( farther down in the article ) It mentions how they put features such as scoops and such to good use to reduce drag.
https://www.repairerdrivennews.com/2...pact-bodywork/