Even though it comes at the tail end of the auto show season and after other such events in LA, Detroit, and Chicago, the New York Auto Show never seems to disappoint. While it doesn't have the exotic car appeal of LA or the industry muscle of the Motor City, the New York show is the most popular in the US in terms of sheer number of paid consumers attendees.
That's why automakers roll out new models of some of their best-selling vehicles in the Big Apple as well as cool concepts that capture the attention of even jaded New Yorkers. Here are the star cars of the 2018 New York Auto Show.
(Photos by Zlata Ivleva)
This article originally appeared on PCMag.com.
2019 Acura RDX
The all-new 2019 Acura RDX crossover has a 2.0-liter turbocharged 272-horsepower engine that has 7 horsepower less than the outgoing 3.5-liter V6 but more torque. Acura's new Android-based infotainment system, called the True Touchpad Interface, makes its debut in the RDX with a 10.2-inch screen and a console-mounted touchpad.
2019 Acura RDX
All models come standard with the AcuraWatch driver assistance suite, which includes forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, road departure mitigation, adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, and lane departure warning. The 2019 RDX rolls out to Acura dealers nationwide in mid-2018; pricing wasn't announced.
2019 Audi RS 5 Sportback
The 2019 Audi RS 5 Sportback lets you have your fun and function. Its V6 pumps out 444 horsepower, which is almost on par with the 450-horsepower V8 of its sibling, the RS5 Coupe. It has the same 155mph top speed but offers the extra space and utility of a five-door hatch.
2019 Audi RS 5 Sportback
The RS5 Sportback also comes with quattro all-wheel-drive and an 8-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters. And while the Sonoma Green paint on the Audi RS 5 polarized the automotive press, it certainly made the car stand out at the New York show.
2019 Cadillac XT4
Cadillac has developed killer cars like the CT6 to compete with European luxury rivals. But sedan sales across the board are slow, while small crossovers are a hot commodity. As the sole crossover in the Cadillac lineup, the brand has big hopes for the XT4, which has a 2.0-liter 237-horsepower turbocharged 4-cylinder engine mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission.
2019 Cadillac XT4
The controversial Cadillac CUE infotainment system gets updated with a rotary controller as well as an 8-inch touch screen. The 2019 Cadillac XT4 goes on sale this fall for a starting price of $35,790.
2019 Ford Fusion
While the exterior of the 2019 Ford Fusion receives only a slight facelift, underneath the sheet metal is where the real changes are. The new Fusion gets Ford's new Co-Pilot360 Protect suite of driver assists as standard equipment on every trim level and includes forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot and rear-cross-traffic, automatic high beams, and automatic wipers.
2019 Ford Fusion
The Fusion Energi Titanium plug-in hybrid also gets a 20 percent increase in electric-only range to 25 miles thanks to a new 9-kWh lithium-ion battery. The 2019 Ford Fusion will arrive in dealerships in late summer, and pricing info will be revealed beforehand.
Genesis Essentia Concept
With its shapely carbon-fiber body, bold butterfly doors, and see-through roof and hood, the gorgeous Genesis Essentia Concept EV was without a doubt the hit of the New York show. Although there's no engine to view through the transparent hood, it provides a look at the Essentia's carbon fiber chassis, and along with the windshield and bubble-like roof, creates a glass line across most of the car.
Genesis Essentia Concept
The butterfly doors lift open via biometric fingerprint and facial recognition scanners, while the interior and exterior have a retro-future appeal that we can only hope will one day see production.
2019 GMC Sierra AT4
A small but important campaign in Detroit's current pickup wars is the one-upmanship between the domestic brands on heavy-duty off-road ready trucks, with GMC's 2019 Sierra AT4 being the latest entrant. The truck comes with a 2-inch suspension lift, locking rear differential, skid plates, and off-road-tuned Rancho monotube shocks.
2019 GMC Sierra AT4
The Sierra AT4 is powered by a beefy 5.3-liter V8 and has standard four-wheel-drive and Hill Descent Control for tackling steep grades. The 2019 Sierra AT4 also comes equipped with GMC's MultiPro tailgate that doubles as a load stop and step ladder.
Hyundai Kona EV
The all-electric variant of Hyundai's new Kona compact crossover unveiled in New York has a range of 250 miles and its electric drivetrain draws 201 horsepower from a 64-kWh lithium-ion battery. The Kona Electric has distinctive LED exterior lighting and a plastic panel in place of a front grille.
Hyundai Kona EV
Inside it comes with wireless phone charging, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a head-up display. The Kona Electric goes on sale in California at the end of 2018, and Hyundai plans to roll it out to other eco-friendly states in 2019. No word yet on pricing.
Jaguar/Waymo I-Pace Self-Driving Car
Waymo and Jaguar announced in New York that they're joining forces as part of the former's self-driving car project. Waymo plans to purchase 10,000 of the luxury all-electric SUVs, which offer 240 miles of range and performance that rivals the Tesla Model X (but at about $10,000 less), and outfit them with sensors such lidar, radar, and cameras.
Jaguar/Waymo I-Pace Self-Driving Car
The I-Pace EV SUVs will serve as driverless taxis starting later this year, alongside the Waymo Chrysler Pacifica's minivans that are currently racking up the miles in Phoenix and other testing areas.
2019 Kia K900
Even with large sedan sales sagging, Kia used the New York show to unveil its second-generation K900 flagship. It has a new exterior design that features Kia's "tiger nose grille," dual LED running lights integrated into the headlamps, and chrome trim around the exhaust tips, windows, grille, and above the side skirts that complement the standard 19-inch alloy wheels.
2019 Kia K900
The interior gets a new 12.3-inch touch screen combined with a center console controller. Under the hood is a 3.3-liter twin-turbo V6 that puts out 365 horsepower and is paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. The 2019 Kia K900 goes on sale in the U.S. at the end of 2018, and pricing will be announced closer to its on-sale date.
Lexus UX Crossover
With its new UX subcompact crossover, Lexus joins luxury carmakers Cadillac, Mercedes-Benz, and Volvo in offering vehicles via subscription. Lexus was short on specifics and said only that the UX will be offered through a subscription service in addition to the usual purchase and lease options.
Lexus UX Crossover
The UX comes with a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine that puts out 168 horsepower, while the UX250h hybrid pairs the same engine with Lexus' Hybrid Drive system to produce a total of 176 horsepower and achieve an estimated 38 mpg combined. The UX will also be the first Lexus vehicle with Apple CarPlay.
Lincoln Aviator
Lincoln continues to struggle for relevance and sales among luxury car buyers, but adding an SUV like the Aviator could help the beleaguered brand's cause. The SUV has a graceful exterior and an understated interior with a clean, uncluttered dash. The Aviator will also come with Lincoln's Suspension Preview that uses a forward-looking camera to scan the road ahead and adjust the suspension accordingly and with Ford's Co-Pilot 360 driver assist assemblage.
Lincoln Aviator
A twin-turbo engine will include a plug-in hybrid option, although Lincoln didn't say when the Aviator will hit showrooms or even give the vehicle a model year.
Maserati Levante Trofeo
Maserati was the only European luxury brand with a major debut in New York. The Trofeo variation of the Levante features a 590-horsepower 3.8-liter twin-turbo V8 engine that's hand-assembled by Ferrari and propels the all-wheel-drive car from 0 to 60mph in 3.8 seconds and to a top speed of just over 187mph.
Maserati Levante Trofeo
The Trofeo is distinguished from other Levantes by a piano-black grille, a redesigned hood with two cooling vents, and front fascia with large cooling intakes. Inside is matte carbon-fiber trim and paddle shifters, unique instrument cluster graphics, and a standard 1,280-watt, 17-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio system.
2019 Mercedes-AMG C 63
The Mercedes-AMG division of the German luxury automaker introduced its C 63 in sedan and coupe body styles, each with a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 that makes either 469 or 503 horsepower, depending on the trim chosen, and a 9-speed automatic transmission. Regardless, they're the only cars in the segment that offer both a V8 engine and rear-wheel drive.
2019 Mercedes-AMG C 63
Inside is a new steering wheel and revised instrumentation, including a 12.3-inch digital dash that can be configured in one of three AMG-specific display modes. Pricing for the Mercedes-AMG C 63 lineup will be announced in the fall, with the first cars expected to arrive in the U.S. early 2019.
2019 Nissan Altima
The sixth-generation Nissan Altima gets two new engines, more tech, and available all-wheel drive across five trim levels. The standard engine is a tweaked version of the current 2.5-liter 4-cylinder, but with a nine more horsepower for a total of 188. The optional engine on SL and Platinum trims is a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder turbo that produces 248 horsepower.
2019 Nissan Altima
Both engines are mated to a revised Xtronic CVT transmission that boosts fuel economy. Inside is an 8-inch infotainment touch screen and 7-inch instrument cluster, while NissanConnect Services will now allow owners can get over-the-air updates, real-time traffic reports, and remote start via the app. The new Altima will be available late this year.
2019 Subaru Forester
The fifth-generation 2019 Forester combines Subaru's stalwart 2.5-liter 4-cylinder boxer engine and all-wheel drive with a longer wheelbase for more headroom, cargo space, and rear legroom than the outgoing model. The 2019 Forester also gets new safety tech in the form of a DriverFocus system that uses cameras and software to ensure drivers aren't too distracted or tired and is tied into Subaru's EyeSight driver assist technology that's now standard across the Forester trim levels.
2019 Subaru Forester
A 6.5-inch touch-screen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, while a larger 8-inch screen and navigation are optional. The new Forester goes on sale later this year, but Subaru hasn't announced pricing.
Toyota Corolla Hatch 5
The 2019 Corolla Hatchback introduced in New York is an all-new second-generation version of the Corolla iM, which began life as the Scion iM before Toyota terminated the brand. It's longer, lower and wider than its predecessor and comes with a new 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine and either a continuously variable transmission with sport mode and paddles shifters or new 6-speed manual transmission with rev-matching.
Toyota Corolla Hatch 7
The Corolla Hatchback comes standard with an 8-inch touch screen and Toyota's Entune 3.0 infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, and all trims come standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 suite of driver assists. No word on pricing, but the Corolla Hatchback goes on sale this summer.
2019 Toyota RAV 4
One of the most significant debuts at the New York show, the latest version of the hot-selling Toyota RAV4 crossover is powered by a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine mated to either an 8-speed automatic or a continuously variable transmission. All 2019 RAV4s come standard with Toyota Safety Sense and a 7-inch touch screen with Apple CarPlay and in-cabin Wi-Fi via Verizon, while an 8-inch touch screen with navigation and a premium JBL 11-speaker sound system are available as options. The non-hybrid 2019 Toyota RAV4 will hit dealers late this year, with a hybrid version coming early in 2019. Pricing was not announced. (Photo: Toyota)
VW Tanoak Concept
One of the most discussed debuts at the New York Auto Show was Volkswagen's Tanoak pickup truck concept. The Tanoak is based on the VW Atlas crossover but lengthened to accommodate a bed that's just over 5 feet long and features sliding rail for securing items such as kayaks.
VW Tanoak Concept
The Tanoak concept uses the Atlas's 276-horsepower VR6 engine, with its power going to all four wheels, and it has a variety of settings for different types of terrain.