I prefer the old design, but I don't hate the new one. He' far less stoic looking and is goofy in different ways, he also does things the old dk wouldn't do(or rather couldn't do) like that banana slobbering face he makes all the time.
It's clear that miyamoto wanted to reclaim Donkey Kong. He tried to do it on the Gameboy but Rare completely outpaced him. The new design is like 70% rare, 30% OG. He's still got the tier, the black behind his eyes and his iconic hair curl is now dropping down way more and looks like a tuft but he's also a bit beefer.