My guess is that younger folks, who have grown up seeing and handling tactical looking rifles, would probably like the look. As an old timer, the traditional looking lever gun is much more appealing to me.
I'm sure back when the Henry rifle came out some of the die hards saw it as I see these tactical levers, but even more so. They were raised on flint locks, and then saw a cartridge fed repeater. That would have been a lot to swallow.