New Maokai looks too much like Malphite / a rock and not enough like a tree.
I honestly like the old Maoaki better, he feels more like an enchanted tree. This one feels like a big rock dude, and especially the charred Maokai skin, he just doesn't look like a charred tree and more just like a lava rock guy.
I'd say making him a little less bulky and adding more leaves and making the bark of the tree stand out more. He seems too smooth at the moment. Granted he's a much higher quality but I feel like he lost a bit of his personality in the transition.
Also, the roots on his snare are way less readable now. They were kinda ridiculous before but I barely notice them now. Making them bigger / stand out more would help on readability.