2014 #LAAutoShow: Joel’s Top Five Rides
2014 #LAAutoShow: Joel’s Top Five Rides
The 2014 Los Angeles Auto Show may be coming to a close, but the various vehicles that made their debut will continue into the future. All-new and refreshed models will soon roll out at the dealerships while elements from concepts will show up in future production cars.
For my first top picks list here at Why This Ride, I decided on five vehicles* that made a significant impact to me at their reveal. All are production vehicles, meaning they’ll be going on sale in the near future at dealerships. I highly recommend you check them out when they do. Afterwards, let us know what you think, especially if Why This Ride if you buy one.
2016 Mazda CX-3
I actually got to see Mazda’s all-new vehicle in a private event before its official debut at the LA Auto Show on November 19th. Mazda’s entry into the highly competitive compact crossover segment, the CX-3 possesses the head-turning good looks as the rest of the KODO-inspired lineup of Mazda vehicles. Powered by a fuel-efficient 2.0-liter gas engine and available with all-wheel drive, I have little doubt the driving experience will be distinctively sporty compared to the competition. If I have any concerns, it’s for the Mazda5. To me, both occupy a similar niche in the lineup. I expressed my thoughts to Mazda reps who reminded me the Mazda5 has several distinct characteristics that separate it from the CX-3, namely its seven-passenger seating. I’ll be real curious to see the public’s reaction to the CX-3 when it goes on sale sometime in late 2015. Of course, I hope to get behind the wheel of the crossover long before then.
2016 Honda HR-V
Honda and its lux brand Acura both made this list. This is not surprising: we’re a Honda family, owning a 2005 Honda Accord Hybrid and a 2006 Acura RL. I’ll admit I have a slight bias towards them.
That being said, there’s a lot to like about the 2016 Honda HR-V. Like the CX-3 above, it competes in the fast-growing compact crossover segment. While at first glance the HR-V matches the competition (i.e., good looks, fuel economy, a slew of high-tec features, etc.), I’m real curious about its “secret weapon”. Or, in this case, its magical one. The Honda HR-V comes with the same “Magic Seat” configuration found in the subcompact Fit hatchback. This design drastically expands the crossover’s cargo space to nearly 59 cu.-ft. with the second row seats folded down. As Honda points out, that more room than found in some mid-sized crossovers. I didn’t have a chance to check this out during the auto show. Here’s hoping I can find out in the near future.
2016 Acura ILX
I drove the ILX as a rental shortly after it rolled out at dealerships as a 2013 model. I found, unlike many of my colleagues at the time, the sedan had little resemblance to the Honda Civic especially the interior. I did agree with them, though, that I found the engine a bit too focused on mpg instead of mph. Acura must have heard that too, for the vastly refreshed 2016 Acura ILX will come with an inline-4 and eight-speed automatic rated at over 200 horsepower. I hope to test-drive the new compact as well as examine its huge number of techno-gadgetry.
2015 Chrysler 300
Can I let you in on a secret? I did not like the 300 when it went on sale as a 2005 model. Cars, to me at that time, were sleek creations; the 300 was a brick on wheels. But as I saw more of them on the streets, online, and at shows, I fell in love with their distinctive American look.
So I was more than happy to see the vastly refreshed 2015 Chrysler 300 C, S and C Platinum roll out on stage at this year’s LA Auto Show. To my eyes, the designers were able to recapture the magic of the original and bring it forward with many of today’s styling sensibilities. You could especially see it on the sporty 300S with its blacked-out front grille and those huge, 20-in. wheels. Yet my favorite is the 300C Platinum. Apparently the top trim, the Platinum has all the features I like in luxury cars and wrapped in one stunning package. The once “gangstamobile” has joined the jetset crowd.
2016 Fiat 500X
When I look at cars or any other vehicle, I look for those characteristis that make it stand out from the crowd. With Fiat, it was easy. With the exception of the Mini and the Beetle, there are few imports that maintain their foreign appeal in the US quite like the 500. That Fiat designers were able to pull it off with the much larger 500X crossover is even more amazing. But I found myself gazing over the various examples on display at the show, each time marveling at the Euro-blend of practicality and styling.
Auto shows, in many ways, unveil the future. Whether its upcoming products or fanciful concepts, they display what’s in store ahead for the car buyer by the auto industry . My five picks all affected me in different ways with their design to anticipation on how they’ll drive. Agree? Disagree? Let Why This Ride how you feel about the debuts at the 2015 LA Auto Show in the comments below.
*There’s no particular order for my list.
The 2014 LA Auto Show is open to the public November 21-30.
For more info, visit: http://laautoshow.com
