The New York International Auto Show starts this weekend at the Javitz Center. The event opens to the public Saturday, March 29 and runs through Sunday, April 7. As expected there are dozens of manufacturer stands to peruse, however many manufacturers are using the show to make their world or North American debuts.
Porsche is showing of its first electric Macan, which Newsweek took for a drive earlier in the year. Lucid and Karma will have their electric wares on display while the American companies will bring some of their classic sheetmetal and some new designs.
Here are some of the most important vehicles to check out first.
Hyundai Santa Fe
The three-row Hyundai Santa Fe is larger, boxier and more spacious than the model it replaces, beginning the fifth generation of the popular SUV. At the front there are H-shape and horizontal LED lamps, Hyundai notes they used to be just for its electric vehicles (EVs), along with active air flaps, which maximize efficiency and leads to better gas mileage.
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It now comes with a roof rack, accessible by climbing on the rear wheels and using the new pop-out hand holds, and there's more glass and less pillar width, leading to better views when backing up.
The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe is offered in five trims from SE front-wheel drive ($33,950) to the Calligraphy all-wheel drive ($48,800), all starting with a 277-horsepower (hp), 311 pound-feet (lb-ft) of torque turbocharged four-cylinder. An eight-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT) is standard and one of the most impressive in a non-enthusiast vehicle. It's almost unnoticeable in automatic mode with none of the jerkiness that some DCTs are known for.
The turbo four-cylinder, too, is plenty peppy with two occupants in the vehicle, possibly even overpowered for vehicle in this class. But of course, it fits six or seven people and with an extra 600 pounds to pull around an owner will need all 311 of those pound feet.
The new model is only 2 inches longer than the outgoing one, though it looks much bigger.
Hyundai Tucson
The Hyundai Tucson joined the Santa Fe in a major refresh for 2025. Changes include a new grille, redesigned front and rear bumper fascia, and an updated daytime running lights. It also has new wheels and new badges. New roof side allow for more out-of-car storage on the outdoor-focused XRT trim.
The 2025 Tucson's cabin has a new infotainment interface, which is says is easier to use. The focal point is a curved display that integrates two 12.3-inch screens for the cluster and touchscreen. Hyundai also added more knobs and switches to make common features easier to use. The center console, steering wheel and door panel accents have also been redesigned. The wireless device quick-charging pad has moved to a more convenient position.
Hyundai added USB-C ports with improved charging capability. Rear passengers get ports as well. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration are now standard and a 12-inch color head-up display is optional. It can even display maps from Apple and Android on the windshield.
The 2025 Tucson models with the 2.5-liter four-cylinder will arrive at U.S. dealerships in June, while 1.6-liter turbo hybrid and plug-in hybrid models will be available late summer.
Hyundai Santa Cruz
Hyundai updated its Santa Cruz pickup for the New York auto show. The midsize truck gets updates inside and out, starting with a new front fascia, new grille, new wheel designs and new daytime running lights.
Inside it comes with a new instrument panel and a new optional panoramic curved display housing two 12.3-inch screens. It added more physical controls for the new audio, video and heating and cooling controls. It also has a new steering wheel and redesigned air vents.
Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard along with over-the air updates and new USB-C ports. Hyundai Pay is also included, which allows drivers to pay for gas without getting out of their car. It also has a fingerprint scanner meaning owners can unlock and drive without even a digital key.
The new Santa Cruz offers two engines including a 191-hp, 2.5-liter four-cylinder or a 2.5-liter turbocharged four making 281 horsepower. The former features an eight-speed automatic transmission while the latter has an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission with paddle shifters.
It arrives at dealerships this summer.
Infiniti QX80
The redesigned 2025 QX80, formerly the QX56, is longer, wider and taller than the outgoing model and has a new design for both the front and rear end. Infiniti also added more luxury and features to compete in the full-size SUV category with the Cadillac Escalade, Lincoln Navigator, Mercedes-Benz GLS Class and others.
The 2025 Infiniti QX80 now offers only a 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged engine, rated for 450 horsepower (hp) and 516 pound-feet (lb-ft) of torque. The outgoing model delivered 400-hp from a 5.6-liter V8 with a seven-speed automatic transmission. The new model has a nine-speed automatic with paddle shifters.
Rear-wheel drive is standard on the less-expensive Pure and Luxe models, while all-wheel drive is optional. On the Sensory and Autograph trim all-wheel drive is standard. All models feature a drive modes for Standard, Eco, Sport, Snow, Tow and Personal.
The cabin, with 10 extra cubic feet of interior space, features soft layered materials with soft ambient lighting. Two 14.3-inch displays are integrated into the dashboard while a third climate screen splits the driver and passenger seat in front of the large armrest. It goes on sale this summer.
2025 Mini Cooper S
The Cooper S was transformed for the 2025 model year and in the U.S. it will offer one engine, a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder delivering 201 hp and 221 lb-ft of torque. The revamped suspension, Mini says, was built for the brand's go-kart driving feeling.
The interior continues with a minimalist design featuring new materials but the same round OLED display in the center for media and navigation. Customizable "experience modes" add to the immersive experience. It has two projector units that display the graphics onto the dashboard.
The Mini Cooper S will be arriving at dealers in May with a base price of $32,200 before destination and handling.
Polestar 3
The Polestar 3 (along with the 4) is rounding out the company's SUV range in New York. The Polestar 3 Long Range Dual Motor has a starting price of $73,400, going on sale in the second quarter of 2024.
The Polestar 3 Long Range Dual Motor now offers the Plus Pack including a 1,610-watt Bowers & Wilkins 25-speaker premium audio system, which was specifically designed for the 3. It also offers sustainable animal friendly wool seats, 21-inch Plus wheels and heated rear seats.
The Polestar 3 Long Range Dual Motor produces 489 hp and 620 lb-ft of torque with a company-estimated 315 miles of range. The Performance Pack makes the starting price $79,400 adding specific chassis tuning, 22-inch forged wheels and a software performance upgrade that boosts output to 517 hp and 671 lb-ft of torque.
Polestar 3 deliveries are scheduled to begin in the second quarter of 2024.
Polestar 4
The Polestar 4 is a more coupe-like take on an electric SUV. It has no rear window leading to an immersive experience for back seat passengers. Drivers will use a rearview monitor in place of the mirror. A glass roof is available with optional electrochromic functionality, which can darken or lighten the glass depending on weather and preference. Those back passengers also get their own climate control screen mounted between the front seats.
Everything on the outside is flush with the body including the door handles, frameless windows and rear light bar. Polestar says it's still taking design cues from the early Precept concept car. Like the Polestar 3, it uses recycled and sustainable materials, including animal welfare-secured Nappa leather.
The dual-motor Polestar 4 is the fastest production car the brand has ever developed with a zero-to-sixty sprint in less than 3.8 seconds with 544 hp combined. A 102-kWh battery is fitted to both long-range versions. Those dual-motor models can disconnect the front wheels to maximize range. The single motor version delivers 272 hp and 253 lb-ft of torque and has a range of 300 miles.
Kia K4
The Kia K4 sedan replaced the company's compact Forte nameplate at the New York show. The new five-passenger runabout apes the design of Kia's more recent models with slim vertical headlights and a wide, horizontal grille. At the tail, the K4 has its lamps extended to the corners while a new air diffuser completes the package. The profile view shows brawnier haunches and shoulders and the wheel package is expectedly futuristic.
The cabin uses direct and ambient lighting to highlight the new technologies like generative AI, which will answer questions and take requests from the occupants like "turn the heat up" or change the radio station. It will also be better equipped than the outgoing model with available heated and cooled seats and the new screen setup from the electric Kia EV9 including the hard buttons for features and switches for climate.
Kia says it wanted to debut this NVIDIA-powered tech on the K4 as its expected buyers are the type that are familiar with using AI to get things done.
The powertrain options are basically carryover with two four-cylinder options. The seven-speed dual-clutch transmission is gone in favor of an eight-speed automatic for the turbocharged engine and the same continuously variable transmission for the lowered powered, naturally aspirated 2.0-liter. Kia also explained that the bigger K5 redesign allows the new K4 to have its own personality.
Genesis Neolun Concept
The Genesis Neolun concept is "inspired by Korea's iconic moon-shaped porcelain jars," according to Genesis Chief Creative Officer Luc Donckerwolke. The company says it uses reductive design to find the clean lines and surfaces that wrap the vehicle.
It's biggest showstopper is its coach doors, which open from the center offering a view of the entire cabin. The company says development of the B-pillarless coach doors has reached a level "where its application to production vehicles is now feasible." Electric steps also fold down when the doors are open for easier ingress.
Head and taillights are integrated into the body in front and back, however both stretch onto the sides. A pop up roof rack hides when not in use to keep the surfaces clean.
Inside, passengers will enjoy a radiant heating system warming up not just the air but also the surfaces. Additionally, the front-row seats swivel rearward to face a flexible display that unfolds from the rear-seat headliner.
Uncommon Knowledge
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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
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