2019 New York Auto show review

"KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time" (kngt)
04/24/2019 at 16:41 • Filed to: NY auto show, nyias, New York Auto Show, nyias 2019, Ny auto show 2019, auto show, auto shows, New York Auto Show 2019, 2019 Auto Show

I went this year with the intention of spending time on vehicles that I will considering buying in the future. Sure, there was the requisite drooling over exotic high performance stuff as always and there was no dearth of those at the show, but I was also looking at family vehicles my wife would want to buy next. Anyway, here are the highlights and lowlights

Manufacturers that didn’t attend the show or I missed :

BMW- Wanted to check out the new 3 series

Volvo- Disappointed I couldn’t check out the V90 and new S60/V60 , was looking forward to this

Lincoln- Forgot about it until I came out. Wanted to see the Aviator. I have sat inside the Navigator though

Manufacturers that I didn’t care about:

· Nissyawn- They were leaning super heavy on the Z and Gt-R Nostalgia but outside of those displays nothing much. My wife wanted to see the Leaf but felt the interiors were dull

Mini

Infiniti

Alfa Romeo, Maserati, Fiat

Acura- They don’t deserve it with just a fancy paintjob TLX. I was totally expecting the turbo V6 TLX- TypeS to debut here and they disappointed big time.

Roughly organized thoughts on specific vehicles mostly from the perspective of my wife for a change:

* Mainstream vehicle that impressed us both the most- 2020 Subaru Legacy and Outback. Space, Interior quality and simple evolutionary design. The giant touch screen is what it is. Either you’ll get used to it or hate it. But as an overall package they work so well. And with the XT versions’ 2.4Turbo it wont suck , although I will reserve my judgement on the CVT until I drive one. My wife liked the new green Onyx edition Outback so much told me I should get that as my dad-car when we have kids (Well of course, DUH). You did good this time, Subaru.

* Luxury vehicle that impressed us both the most- Genesis G90. I was floored! The subdued design, quality of materials, space, ergonomics, comfort, attention to detail. And the back, seats were SO good I didn’t want to get out of them.It’s a budget Lexus LS and I’ve always wanted to own a large luxury sedan And I know despite it being a land-barge it would be good to drive because of the 3.3T. I have a definite soft-spot for Genesis but I so wanted this car. I wanted to show her the similar new Kia K900 as well but it wasn’t there. Did set some expectations that we cannot afford one unless it’s a 5 year old model depreciated to $30K or lower. IWe also looked the latest Lexus LS but the design outside and inside is too fussy. She liked the G80 as well but it was more plasticky. G70 was really good inside and out but was disappointing because of the tiny back seat that reminded me of the ATS. It is no longer on my list, too bad everyone says it drives excellent.

*She liked all the quirky tall hatchbacks/Crossovers. The new Kia Soul was her favorite and since she prefers electric/hybrids might consider the e-Soul next.

* She loved the new Ford Escape. Guess they know the target market well.

* Kia Telluride looks really good, she liked the interior a lot but felt it was too big. But she liked the Hyundai Palisade interior and exterior better.

* I did notice many cars look much better in person than in pictures, videos. The 2020 Sonata with its fish face was a pleasant surprise- in the right color it looks much, much better. Some interior plastics on that car could be better but overall much premium than the outgoing model

* The Jetta GLI is an excellent all round package and I was impressed by it save for some cost-cutting in interior plastics. My wife noticed it immediately and was able to compare that to Audi where the design elements were similar but the quality was much better. But when it comes to features, tech and performance for the money, it’s hard to beat in that segment. Looks good in that 35 th anniversary gray.

* The new Arteon was there. It’s...nice. Looks better than a Passat

* Showed her the GTI, GolfR, she was surprised at the packaging but still felt it was too “compact” even if she does like hatchbacks.

* Dodge Charger R/T- She immediately pointed out the cheap dash material and the rubberized switchgear LOL, but felt it was comfortable and spacious to be a family car. However, she balked at the mention of “V8, 370Hp, 16/25 MPG” and her immediate response was “Why do you need 370HP, and where will you use it on your 5 mile commute that mostly has heavy traffic?” Valid points my dear but no one “needs” a 5.7 Hemi. I want it. This might be a tough sell, but ugh! It looks so good in that gray.

* Speaking of family sedans, we both liked the Mazda6 over the Accord. Mazda interiors won her over big time, plus the Accord is not a beauty contest winner, and sits just too low for even us to get in and out without falling down on the seats. The Mazda was large enough and comfortable enough to get her approval. Now if only they release the AWD 2.5Turbo soon.

* Mazda 3 hatchback looks gorgeous we both agree but back seats and visibility are bad for adults. Front seat is the place to be.

* Rav4 - She loves the “Rugged look” and the space, but told her the Adventure trim doesn’t come in the Hybrid version. Doesn’t matter, it’s on the list now.

* Ranger> Colorado for exterior and interior but I personally like how the RST trim Colorado looks in white.

* She likes this Regal Tour-X. “Why don’t you buy this? You like wagons” I wish I liked it enough to do so though. Wished we could have seen the V60, but we sat in an Audi Allroad and she liked that. She liked the Golf Sportwagen as well, especially the one in teal blue with brown interior.

* Of the luxury crossovers, she likes the interiors of latest Audis the best. Missed out on Lincoln, sure she would have loved seeing what they did with the interiors. Cadillac was a solid meh for her overall but liked how the new CT5 looked. And yes, that black C-pillar fake window is ugly.

* All the full size trucks are too over styled, some ugly and just too big. Agreed. But she was fascinated by the Rivian RT

* She liked all the Jeeps including the Renegade but the Cherokee trailhawk was her favorite. Always liked the Wranglers. The Gladiator is LOOONNG by the way.

Overall, we both pretty good idea of what we might want to buy next in a few years. Good to experience all the aspects of the car except for the driving where you can touch, adjust everything to your liking, try to get in and out and play around without the pressure and constant talking from salesmen.

GIB

If you want lots more pics this guy does a way better job than I ever could:

!!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

DISCUSSION (23)

benjrblant > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time
04/24/2019 at 16:33

Which was your favorite booth? Not car, but booth and display.

KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time > benjrblant
04/24/2019 at 16:38

Subaru for sure they recreated a diorama of a National Park inside. You’ll see parts of it in this video

The Jaguar/Land Rover displays were also good. They had the iPace and the new Evoque in elevated stands and some of the softest flooring ever, even Kia had that.

SnowShark > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time
04/24/2019 at 16:46

Any new Toyota TRD Pros?

KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time > SnowShark
04/24/2019 at 16:51

Nothing new released in NY, just the usual TRD Sequoia from the Chicago show.

Chariotoflove > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time
04/24/2019 at 17:06

On the Buick, now that I’ve seen them, I would say get the Avenir trim. That’s the only interior that does the design justice.

KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time > Chariotoflove
04/24/2019 at 17:09

Does the TourX even come with an Avenir trim? I did sit in a Lacrosse Avenir. It’s pretty nice but I still can’t ignore the typical GM switchgear.

The Regal GS was okay, I’d get a Stinger GT any day instead.

Snuze: Needs another Swede > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time
04/24/2019 at 17:10

“Why don’t you buy this? You like wagons” I wish I liked it enough to do so though.

I’m curious, w hat don’t you like enough about it to consider it?

Also, re: the Subaru XT, my wife and I drove an ‘18 Forester XT when we were car shopping and the CVT was an enormous let down for me. Also, the crappy interior (at that price point) was a big letdown for both of us . It sounds like the ‘20 Outback interior is nicer, so that’s good. I just hope the engine/trans combo is better.

KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time > Snuze: Needs another Swede
04/24/2019 at 17:18

https://oppositelock.kinja.com/buick-regal-tourx-the-test-drive-oppo-review-1826777806 TL;DR- engine needs more power/better power delivery , 8 speed is dull

I think the Out back will be similar but hoping it’s better than the TourX even with CVT somehow , I really don’ t know- wishful thinking perhaps . But in any case it wont be something I buy next, probably the one after we had 2 kids and by that time my expectations would have tempered from sporty to practica lity (?) . Until thine I’ll try to stick to sedans/hatchbacks . Perhaps a used 2019 V60 if the right one comes along.

Chariotoflove > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time
04/24/2019 at 17:24

I’m not sure. It should. Otherwise, the materials let the design down. I don’t actually have a problem with GM switchgear. For me, it’s just t he soft materials, and I think Buick’s often has too much of a Chevy-like rubbery-ness to it.

I feel the same way about the Regal. It’s great, but I loved the Stinger.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time
04/24/2019 at 17:25

Need to get myself a drive in the new Mazda 3 manual hatch.

KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
04/24/2019 at 17:26

I’d recommend it just for the exterior and interior but practicality suffers because of the design. But every review says it’s very #Premium to drive.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time
04/24/2019 at 17:28

I might be okay with that trade. Got a 12 year old and a 10 year old - will keep one of these on the list to pick up used for them (and maybe as a commuter for me for a few years prior to that).

Your boy, BJR > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time
04/24/2019 at 18:05

I went with my mom, the least car person I know. Her fave was the ‘20 Evoque, which she said she likes far more than the XC40 or XC60. She concluded that she’s still gonna eventually end up with a XC40 or 60 because my stepdad runs a Volvo dealership, not a Land Rover dealership. It was a disappointing time that was almost saved by these pics of me attempting to fit myself into a Suzuki Cappuccino (it didn’t work)

Kinja'd!!!

mincz > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time
04/24/2019 at 18:36

Why did Subaru put all that glossy black plastic around the 12 inch screen? Yuck! Look at all those fingerprints. Why not a nice brushed metal instead?

Despite that, I think the next gen Outback is pretty decent looking . It seems subtly more wagon-like than the current gen.

Snuze: Needs another Swede > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time
04/24/2019 at 20:36

I see a Regal TourX at work every day and I quite like the way it looks . I’m intrigued by Buick’s choices in that car though, because we have the 2018 Terrain which is conceptually similar - uses the same LTG 2.0L turbo and has an automatic and AWD. I always assumed that the TourX utilized the same drivetrain since GM likes to share powertrains so much.

Turns out I’m wrong - the TourX gets a 250 HP version of the LTG, while we have 252 HP. It seems silly but I wonder if they have different engine tunings? Also, we have the 9T50 9 speed automatic transmission. I honestly think it’s one of the best automatic transmissions I’ve driven. The TourX gets an Aisin AWF8F45, which I know nothing about. If there’s one thing GM consistently gets right it’s their automatic transmissions, so I have no idea why they would use a 3rd party gearbox.

I hope the Outback is what you hope for, and who knows, maybe by the time you’re ready something even better will come along.

FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time
04/24/2019 at 23:15

She hasn’t seen it in person yet but my wife was looking at photos of that Onyx edition and has decided she wants to trade in our ‘13 Outback for one.

Galileo Humpkins (aka MC Clap Yo Handz) > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time
04/25/2019 at 11:26

To your Genesis point, we were in South Florida a little over a month ago for a wedding. Not fun Miami South Florida, boring old people Boca Raton. While 3 out of 5 cars were some sort of Lexus, I saw a ton of Genesis. I was very impressed with them at auto shows, but even more impressed seeing them in the wild. I don’t see many in Chicago so it was nice to see a lot of them out and about.

thejustache > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time
04/25/2019 at 11:55

LOL at the dad car comment. I used to call my 2005 Outback XT my ‘dad car’. Now that I actually am a dad I realize that my 3" exhaust and tune makes it both too loud and too smelly for my wife to want to be in it for long, much less with an infant. Not a problem for now as her car is perfect for that, but I’m foreseeing a potential issue a couple years down the road.

The 2020 Outback XT Onyx looks like the car I’ll drive after I have my manual shift knob pulled out of my cold, dead hands. That’s maybe a little harsh, it actually does look pretty nice and I never in a million years expected they would put anything but a CVT in it... still looking at the press photos I feel like I’m staring down a tough pill that’s got at least a nice candy coating on top. I guess I should be thankful for the candy coating, right?

Dream dad garage at this point would be a mid sized truck for DD and occasional towing, plus a rallycross/rally car for fun. Problem being on my budget any truck nice enough to meet those needs and get good enough gas mileage for DD would be too expensive to also afford a fun car. My dad and I joke about it but it’s true - there seems to be a about a 10-12 year gap where no car or truck that really interests us was made. The old used ones are wearing out, and the new ones are still too expensive.

KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time > Galileo Humpkins (aka MC Clap Yo Handz)
04/25/2019 at 11:56

I’ve never seen a G90 on the road, ever. Seen plenty of G80s and even the K900 a fair bit.

TheTurbochargedSquirrel > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time
04/25/2019 at 12:20

Its looking very likely that we will be replacing my Mom's Outback with a Legacy XT in the fall. The release is timed just right to coincide with her lease ending and my dad missing his 2005 Legacy 2.5GT.

KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time > TheTurbochargedSquirrel
04/25/2019 at 12:22

Would like to see an Oppo review of that.

TheTurbochargedSquirrel > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time
04/25/2019 at 12:42

If it happens I will do one.

gmporschenut also a fan of hondas > mincz
04/25/2019 at 22:40

I think they may be able to do that now that they have the A scent to the full size suv market.