2019 New York Auto Show Recap - Thrill Meets Chill

This year’s New York Auto Show left me feeling a bit baffled. The 2018 edition was fairly eventful, both in terms of what was shown at the Javits Center and what I experienced during my off hours (no one randomly approached me on 8th avenue attempting to sell me cocaine this year), but this year seemed, as a fellow employee of our corporate mothership said, “chill.”

Not too chill – the morning was busy. And there was at least one important reveal after lunch.

Still, compared to 2018, the 2019 edition of the New York International Auto Show felt a tad more relaxed.

Here, then, are my random and scattered thoughts to what we saw last week in that big, crowded, noisy city scrunched between New Jersey and Connecticut.

Hyundai Venue: Perhaps the most consequential debut from New York, the Venue was also one of the most divisive. At least when it comes to looks. I like it – even if it borrows heavily from the Nissan Kicks it’s sure to compete with (that floating roof looks like a direct ripoff). Also like the Kicks, it’s only available in front-wheel drive.

It’s small, poised to compete not just with the Nissan but also Kia’s Soul (and perhaps Hyundai’s own Kona), and while it seems like OEMs are trying to fill every possible niche, I imagine that as long as crossovers remain hot, a bargain boxy subcompact/compact will sell just fine.

Hyundai Sonata: A few generations ago, the Sonata set the styling bar for midsize sedans. Then it faded into boring obscurity after a misfire of a redesign. Now, the next Sonata has all sorts of eye-catching details, becoming one of the most attractive cars in its class again. While I don’t like all the styling details – the steering wheel looks dismal – the overall package is good. I especially dig the streaks that slink over the hood, emanating out of the headlights. Oh, and the news that an N-Line version is on the way is heartening.

Lincoln Corsair: I’m on record as one of the few people who liked the outgoing Lincoln MKC, confusing nomenclature aside. So, on paper, I should like the Corsair. And I do. The gas engines are familiar, and a product rep told me that the chassis isn’t all that different from the MKC. The looks are very different, however, both inside and out, with the Corsair borrowing from the attractive big-sibling Aviator. It’s a departure from the MKC, but I still dig it. And while the MKC sold well enough, I think the Corsair is a much stronger entry from Lincoln. The brand’s recovery continues.

Toyota Highlander: Count this as the biggest “loser” for me. Toyota tried to dial up the aggression here, but failed. While it’s not weird for the brand to stay a bit conservative with the looks of a popular family hauler, we know Toyota can make an SUV look cool while still giving off the image of relaxed comfort. See the new RAV4 for details. If the RAV4 can turn my head, why can’t a Highlander? Why does suburban conformity have to reign in this class? Regardless, Toyota will sell approximately a bajillion of these things. Perhaps I’ve answered my own question.

Acura TLX PMC: This is the part where I disclose that Acura hosted my travel to NYC. But even factoring that in, I wouldn’t normally mention a special-edition sedan that’s limited to 360 units. Yes, the Valencia Red paint – which takes five days to apply – looks great, along with the blacked-out wheels. But that’s not the point. It’s not about this particular car, but rather what it represents – which, I hope, is a new direction for Acura. While I am not a fan of the ethical murkiness that involves an automaker hosting us for an auto show, one perk is the chance to pick the brains of key OEM employees. And Acura reps insisted that they’re well aware of the brand’s recent stumbles and what it will take to make things “right” in the eyes of enthusiasts. Assuming they follow through on their promises, it’s possible that Acura is on finally on the right track. I need to see more than a cool-looking TLX to be convinced, but perhaps this is a baby step in the right direction.

Mazda CX-5 Diesel: Tim Cain already said what needs to be said about this vehicle, and Steph has made the same points in our Slack channel, so I’ll defer to them. Moving on.

Kia Habanero: I don’t have much to say about a Stinger with Drift Mode, beyond that it sounds cool. But the Habanero concept seems to be a preview of yet another small CUV for urban buyers. Perhaps a Kia version of the Venue, if they’re not satisfied with a Soul?

Subaru Outback: I’m not covering every launch here, if you hadn’t already noticed, so I’ll close this piece with my take on the next Outback. Dropping the available six-cylinder engine in favor of the four-cylinder turbo found in the Ascent, the Outback gets minor cosmetic changes while keeping the distinctive Outback look. The interior gets a major upgrade, but overall, the Outback remains identifiable. Almost certainly the way Subaru wants it.

With that, the domestic auto-show season rests until November. Now come the first drives.

[Images: © 2019 Tim Healey and Matt Posky/TTAC, Subaru]