2018 New York motor show: Autocar's star cars

Hot SUVs, stylish concepts and electric Minis: the New York motor show featured a diverse line-up of new cars. There are our favourites

Autocar

29 March 2018

Follow @@autocar

Slide of

New York motor show: Autocar's star cars

The New York motor show isn't the big event on the calendar, but it always features an interesting, important and diverse line-up of new cars.

Our team have picked out their favourites from this year's event.

For best results when viewing this gallery, click on the picture above to go full screen, then scroll using the arrows.
Slide of

Jaguar F-Pace SVR

We wondered if Jaguar could build a credible SUV, and they nailed it. Given the firm's credentials in the fast car market, there are fewer questions about whether they can make a fast SUV.

That it looks sensational – in an aggressive but not dialled to 11 way – gives confidence. That the engineering leads in the team are so upbeat builds that further.

Jim Holder, editorial director
Slide of

Toyota RAV4

Another new Toyota that looks infinitely more interesting than the one it replaces. Toyota's edgy, angular look has found its best and most resolved home yet.

If the dynamics also improve as much as other recent Toyotas, then here is a car to take very seriously indeed in this most important of segments.

Mark Tisshaw, editor
Slide of

Maserati Levante Trofeo

The hot SUV arms race has begun - and Maserati’s entry into the category, the Levante Trofeo, was a late surprise in New York. It’s suitably bonkers, too: under the bonnet of that high-riding SUV is a 582bhp Ferrari-built V8.

Why? No idea, but if Lamborghini can make the Urus, Jeep can shove a V8 Hellcat in its Grand Cherokee Trackhawk and Jaguar can make a 542bhp F-Pace, then why not? Sounds like fun…

James Attwood, digital editor
Slide of

Mercedes-AMG C63

The new C63 S coupe isn’t going to save the planet. It probably won’t even carry your family, let alone your dog. And in the way of coupes it’s likely to be quite a lot more expensive than the saloon upon which it’s based despite being clearly cheaper to build.

But painted in matt black and sitting on the Benz stand I just wanted to drive it more than any other mainstream car at the show. Sometimes, that’s all the justification you need.

Andrew Frankel, senior contributing writer
Slide of

Genesis Essentia Concept

In a sea of SUVs and saloons, the Genesis Essentia was a breath of fresh air, reminding us of that beautiful, original car design can marry with a new age of electrification.

It also shows that new challenges from electrification bring innovation: the low GT has been achieved by using an I-shape structure in the centre tunnel for the battery pack - as opposed to the typical skateboard battery on the floor of a car.

Rachel Burgess, news editor
Slide of

Classic Mini Electric

This wasn’t actually at the show, but it was unveiled in New York just before, so I’m counting it. Besides, you only have to read the comments on our web story to see that I’m not alone in lusting after an all-electric classic Mini. It’s the perfect city car adjusted into city-friendly form (that’s to say it emits nothing).

That it looks far cooler than any new Mini and is likely to be significantly more enjoyable to drive through town are further bonuses. Even though it’s a one-off, I’d love to think that in the near future some electric powertrain boffin will figure out a way to electrify original Minis for an affordable price. I’ll be first in line to get one if they do.

Sam Sheehan, senior staff writer

Close

Read time: 0 mins

Advertisement

First drives

Toyota Prius Plug-in long-term test
Does running a plug-in hybrid really make sense as a 500-mile-a-week driver? Six months with a Toyota Prius Plug-in gave us a conclusive answer

Toyota Prius Plug-in long-term test
Toyota Prius Plug-in Business Edition Plus 2017 UK first drive
Second-generation Toyota Prius Plug-in hybrid gets a bigger battery with new 39-mile electric range, more tech and styling updates, but it's expensive

Toyota Prius Plug-in Business Edition Plus 2017 UK first drive
2017 Toyota Prius Plug-in
Bigger-batteried Prius is frugal and works well as an urban EV, but it’s not the template we hope the PHEV of the future will be based upon

2017 Toyota Prius Plug-in
2016 Toyota Prius Excel first drive
Fourth-generation Prius promises yet-better eco credentials and a new dose of driving appeal. We find out if it delivers

2016 Toyota Prius Excel first drive
2016 Toyota Prius first drive
Now in its fourth generation, Toyota's original hybrid is radically different underneath, greener than ever and slightly more pleasant to drive

2016 Toyota Prius first drive