Exactly, nothing significant has changed. The fact that a '78 car is being compared to a '96 car, and the fact that many people still think that the '78 car looks better, speaks volumes about the '78 car.
I'm not a big fan of the Shiti Golf, but it's admirable that in the eyes of some it still looks better than many newer models.
That aside, this whole comparison is pointless - as bwana said, it's like asking which coffin looks better.