From hybrid to SUVs to, well, both - these five vehicles were our favorites from a loaded first day of the New York International Auto Show.
NEW YORK — From small urban cars to hulking luxury family haulers, automakers managed to bring a little of everything Wednesday for the first press preview days of the New York Auto Show.
After a full day of unveilings of new models, we managed to cull what would be considered the most significant — the cars that will make an impact over the next year or two as they gradually make their way to showrooms and the street.
Here are the top five:
Nissan GT-R
Nissan revealed a redesigned version of its GT-R sports car with a quieter interior and more drive power.
The GT-R gets a six-cylinder, 3.8-liter, twin-turbocharged engine with 565 horsepower. Engineers stiffened the body structure, integrated a new suspension and fitted the vehicle with 20-inch forged aluminum wheels.
The sporty model, first introduced in 2007, got a new, larger "V-motion" grille with a matte chrome finish and an upgraded front spoiler and bumpers.
The vehicle keeps it signature four-ring taillights but adds new aerodynamic features, such as side air vents near the quad exhaust tips, improving air flow while the vehicle is in motion.
The company did not reveal pricing, but the 2016 GT-R starts at more than $101,000.
The 2017 Nissan GT-R debuts at the New York International Auto Show.
Acura MDX
Honda's luxury brand refreshed the look of its biggest-selling model, the luxury SUV. And it's noticeable in a glance of the front end.
Acura gave what it calls "diamond pentagon grille" to the MDX in what John Mendel, executive vice president of Honda's U.S. operation, calls the "most aggressive refresh we've ever done with the car."
It also has larger 20-inch wheels and a new hybrid sport version that adds 35 horsepower from the conventional version while adding gas mileage. It's powered by a 3-liter V-6 in combination with electric motors.
Subaru Impreza
At a time when automakers are focused on unveiling crossovers and SUVs, Subaru, an automaker whose identity is tied closely to SUVs, revealed a new Impreza sedan and Impreza hatchback.
The Impreza is based on a new platform that will be the basis of several additional models. It has been redesigned inside and out, has new in-car technology and more space than the outgoing model.
Subaru has logged impressive sales gains in the U.S. in recent years, largely because its small, all-wheel-drive crossovers have been launched at the right time to capitalize on the growing popularity of the segment. But today, Subaru said Millennials still want cars.
"The new Impreza will set a new standard in the compact segment and will help propel the Subaru brand to even more success," said Subaru President Thomas Doll.
The new Impreza, which has been criticized for being under-powered, includes a revised version of Subaru's 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine that generates 152 horsepower — four more than the outgoing version.
It will go on sale at the end of this year. Subaru did not announce pricing model but said it would be about the same as the current model.
Hyundai Ioniq
Instead of dishing out a hybrid, plug-in hybrid or an electric vehicle, Hyundai did all three — in a single car.
It's the new Ioniq — pronounced "ionic" — which will come to showrooms later this year and early next year. In unveiling the car at the New York Auto Show, Hyundai promised it's not going to be just another small, fuel-efficient, high-tech car, but rather one that should post some astounding gas mileage and range numbers.
PHOTOS:More of the Ioniq[7]
•The hybrid version is expected to be rated at 57 or 58 miles per gallon in combined city and highway driving.
•The plug-in version is expected to have an electric-only range of 25 miles before the gas engine kicks in. It will have a range of about 600 miles between its battery and gas engine.
•The full electric will have a range of 110 miles between charges, which is toward the top of the range of cars that aren't Teslas or Chevy Bolts.
Hyundai wowed the crowd at the New York Auto Show unveiling three separate Ioniq cars - a hybrid, a plug-in and an electric car.
Toyota Prius Prime
Toyota pulled the wraps off the Prius Prime, a new plug-in hybrid car[8].
The introduction of the 2017 Prius Prime comes two years after Toyota ended production of its previous Prius plug-in hybrid car. The first Prius plug-in car went just 11 miles on a full charge. The new one can go 22 miles a charge.
Toyota's introduction of the Prius Prime plug-in hybrid also shows how committed Toyota is to its Prius lineup of hybrids at a time when gas prices remain at unexpected lows.
Toyota estimates that the Prius Prime will get 120 or more MPGe (miles per gallon equivalent) -- the highest MPGe rating of any Plug-in Hybrid. That also represents a substantial 26% improvement over its predecessor.
Toyota unveiled three new cars Wednesday morning at the New York Auto Show. The highlight was its new hybrid plugin, the Prius Prime. This is the first Prius from the automaker in two years.
Snavely also reports for the Detroit Free Press
More from the New York International Auto Show:
From hybrid to SUVs to, well, both - these five vehicles were our favorites from a loaded first day of the New York International Auto Show.
Day one of the New York Auto Show was all about big reveals and SUVs. Chris Woodyard and Brent Snavely take a look at their five favorites in New York City.
Lincoln spokesperson Matthew McConaughey surprised the crowd by stepping on stage during the reveal of the new Lincoln Navigator at the New York International Auto Show.
Toyota unveiled three new cars Wednesday morning at the New York Auto Show. The highlight was its new hybrid plugin, the Prius Prime. This is the first Prius from the automaker in two years.
Hyundai wowed the crowd at the New York Auto Show unveiling three separate Ioniq cars - a hybrid, a plug-in and an electric car.
For years, automakers pushed fuel efficiency to sell hybrid and electric vehicles. Now, in an era of cheap gasoline, the message is: These cars will still save fuel, even as SUVs get more efficient and command market share. (March 23) AP
The 2017 Nissan GT-R debuts at the New York International Auto Show.
A first look at Lincoln's new Navigator concept at the New York Auto show. Video by Chris Woodyard and Michael Struening/USA TODAY
A quick look at the new Nissan Mobility Concept electric mini car
References
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- ^ More of the Ioniq (www.usatoday.com)
- ^ new plug-in hybrid car (www.usatoday.com)
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