The 2023 LA Auto Show was a little quieter than usual, but it was home to a handful of new vehicle reveals from both the gasoline and electric segment. They include luxury and more family-oriented rides, a few sports cars and a popular returning model that's losing its traditional form of propulsion in this new electrified era.
As is customary, almost all automakers show up and bring a display to the LA show. But most of them are showing off concepts and new cars that have debuted in the last year. Ford is showing its new F-150 along with a new Mustang. BMW and Mercedes will have their whole selection of electric vehicles and gasoline sedans. The Stellantis brand will be there too with its latest Jeeps, Ram pickups and Dodge vehicles.
Ford Mustang GT/CS
Ford is opening the special edition file further in 2024 after introducing the Mustang Dark Horse and Mustang GTD. The Blue Oval is now bringing back the GT California Special (GT/CS) nameplate at the 2023 Los Angeles Auto Show on the sixth-generation ponycar. It will be sporting some of the visual cues of the 1968 original.
The original California Special package was geared toward California's "optimistic and carefree driving culture," said Mustang brand manager Joe Bellino in a release. "We're refocusing on those elements for the 2024 Mustang GT California Special, which brings vibrant style that looks as at home on Colorado Boulevard as it does on the Pacific Coast Highway."
The standout design element is the Rave Blue accent paint which lands on the nostril intakes flanking a new grille. Mustang GT California Special-specific graphics in lighter and darker blue hues appear on the lower body sides. The blue extends to one of the two new 19-inch wheel packages and to the 5.0-liter engine badge on the fenders and GT badge in the back.
It continues to the interior with perforated Navy Pier upholstery and Ebony Black leather. It also has Raptor Blue and Metal Gray threads woven into the dashboard and doors. A California Special instrument panel badge and GT/CS floor mats are also included.
The GT/CS is built on the Mustang GT Premium trim and adds $1,995 to the price. It's available in both coupe and convertible body styles and with either a six-speed manual or ten-speed automatic transmission. Customers can configure the Mustang GT California Special now at Ford's website.
Toyota Crown Signia
Toyota added the Crown Signia SUV to its Crown sedan lineup. The new crossover sports the same look front-end look as the sedan but offers more space inside for people and cargo. It comes only with a hybrid four-cylinder engine returning 36 miles per gallon combined. The Crown Signia is offered in exclusively with all-wheel drive and wheels from 19- to 21-inches are available.
The Crown Signia Limited grade comes with leather-trimmed seats with double stitching, quilting, and piping. The XLE has a combination of fabric and SofTex-trimmed seats; both have power eight-way driver and passenger seats. Three-level heating and cooling, along seat memory functions are available.
The cabin also features a 12.3-inch color driver information cluster along with a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Both have customizable layouts. With an active Drive Connect subscription, customers can take advantage of a voice assistant using the phrase "Hey Toyota" to wake it up. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard and Android users can also access Google Assistant.
Toyota Camry
The 2025 Toyota Camry also switches to a one-hybrid-powertrain lineup for the new generation. Like the Crown it's a 2.5-liter four-cylinder though here it makes 232 horsepower. The Camry is offered in front- or all-wheel drive.
The Camry comes in sporty and luxury grades. The sportier models come with a color matched front grille and black trunk accents along with dark 19-inch multispoke wheels. SE models come with 18-inch wheels. Luxury models now offer faux suede, new seat designs and quieter cabins.
For technology, the Camry features a new 7-inch digital gauge cluster on LE and SE models, while a XLE and XSE models get a 12.3-inch cluster. Those more expensive models also come with an available 10-inch head-up display with speed, warning indicators and turn-by-turn navigation.
An 8-inch touchscreen infotainment display is standard while a 12.3-inch screen is optional. Both include standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless charging and a combination of USB-A and USB-C ports. It also has 4G Wi-Fi with a 30-day, 3-gigabyte trial included.
Lucid Gravity
Lucid added a second vehicle to its all-electric lineup at the 2023 LA Auto Show. The Gravity comes with a projected range of 440 miles making it one of the longest-range electric vehicles (EV) on sale today. The three-row SUV goes on sale in late 2024 at a price less than $80,000, according to the company.
The new SUV features a front trunk storage space along with the rear cargo area leading to more than 112 cubic feet of cargo space, on par with the Ford Expedition (though the Ford's cargo space is all in the rear area). It's also the most aerodynamic of all the three-row SUVs on sale.
Inside, the Lucid Gravity has a 34-inch curved infotainment touchscreen that also acts as a digital instrument cluster. That's in addition to the Pilot Panel and touchbar. It also has more small storage spaces in the front seat than the Air sedan, it's first EV.
The Gravity SUV has a zero-to-sixty time of 3.5 seconds and can regain 200 miles of range in about 15 minutes on a DC fast charger.
Subaru Forester
The new sixth-generation Subaru Forester starts with a new design including a new grille and new LED headlights. Broader shoulder lines emphasize height while new wheel arches make it look more at home off road.
The 2025 Forester SUV lineup comes standard with a 180-horsepower four-cylinder engine and a continuously variable transmission. The Forester continues with 8.7-inches of ground clearance and standard all-wheel drive. A new X-Mode driving mode offers faster response time and more agile handling on and off the road.
It promises to be quieter and more refined than the outgoing model and comes with more standard features like dual-zone climate control. A hands-free kick sensor power rear liftgate is now an option. The 2025 Subaru Forester goes on sale in the spring of 2024.
Kia Sorento
The Kia Sorento SUV gets an exterior and interior redesign for 2024. The midsize three-row is offered in five trims in addition to the X-Pro off-road versions. It will also spawn a hybrid and a plug-in hybrid later next year.
The 2024 Sorento takes design cues from the larger Kia Telluride, including its distinctive amber daytime running lights reimagined. The taillights too are versions of the Telluride's and from the EV9 it takes the brawny front grille. The new constellation-inspired Star Map lighting elements and wider skid plate complete the new look.
Inside, the cabin takes a horizontal orientation with an available panoramic curved display that integrates dual 12.3-inch screens. A panoramic panel with 4.3-inch digital instrument cluster 12.3-inch screen is standard.
The Sorento is offered in front- or all-wheel drive, and with a choice of four-cylinder engines making 191 horsepower or 281 horsepower depending on trim. Less expensive models have an eight-speed automatic transmission. Faster models come with an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT).
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
About the writer
Jake Lingeman is the Managing Editor for the Autos team at Newsweek. He has previously worked for Autoweek, The Detroit ... Read more
