2008 New York Auto Show: Winners and Losers

As the auto show season winds down, New York City took center stage. This year automakers really toned down the flashy, wild concepts to let new production models sink in a little better — one concept was even ready to be tested on roads. Mike Hanley, David Thomas and Joe Wiesenfelder took out their red and green pens one last time to decide which vehicles are worthy of showgoers’ time in New York.

2009 Nissan Maxima

David Thomas: Winner
I was surprised at how much better the Maxima looks in person. I still think the grille is too rectangular and Nissan could’ve integrated it better with the stylish headlights, but everything else about the Maxima screams winner. The interior is near Infiniti-quality, and there’s plenty of room in the back despite the car’s smaller size. The trunk is huge, too. Big-sedan fans should be very happy.

Mike Hanley: Winner
The new Maxima’s upright grille was a bit jarring when I first saw photos of it, but after seeing it in person it’s grown on me. There are interesting styling cues almost everywhere you look on the outside of this car. What put me more in the sedan’s corner was its interior; like Dave, I think it offers materials that wouldn’t be out of place in Nissan’s Infiniti luxury brand. For a big car, however, I found the backseat to be pretty small.

Joe Wiesenfelder: Winner
Here’s a switch: I was more accepting of the new Maxima’s styling than were the others when we got the photos earlier this week, but now I’m not sold on it. Specifically, I question how well the front-end treatment will work with darker paint. The headlights and grille blend into the show car’s silver paint, blunting the impact. Nissan finally succeeded in making this model significantly nicer than the Altima on which it’s based, but now I wonder if it’s too far into Infiniti territory. One of two things is happening: Either Nissan doesn’t need this model at all, or I’m not seeing the need. On its own merits, though, the Maxima’s a winner.

2009 Acura TSX

DT: Loser
I’m really impressed by the looks of the new TSX, inside and out; aesthetically, I like it. Unfortunately, there’s zippo room in the backseat and, most importantly, the engine is lacking big time. It’s too bad Acura can’t just pump up the power — then I think this car would be a winner.

MH: Loser
I think the TSX’s new look gives the car a little more visual interest. I’m judging this car from a slightly different angle, however, as I drove it last month and found it lacking, in large part because of its poorly tuned electric power-steering system. Not helping matters is that it competes in the cutthroat entry-level sport sedan segment. This car tries hard, but it just can’t cut it.

JW: Winner
I’m a fan of the current generation, and not having driven this one leaves me little to get overly enthused about. It doesn’t wow me, honestly, but I think it’s nice-looking, of good quality inside and a decent front-wheel-drive alternative to all the rear-drive models with which it competes. I give the backseat some leeway because the TL offers more space, but that doesn’t mean more room wouldn’t make this a stronger car overall. A larger engine option would be nice to have, but there’s no way the efficient four-cylinder is a bad thing in today’s market. No way whatsoever.

2009 Dodge Challenger R/T, SE

DT: Loser
Getting to see the Challenger SRT8 in person in Chicago wooed me to the positive on Dodge’s new muscle car. In New York, however, we learned about the base SE model and its 250-hp V-6 that I don’t like in other, smaller models. Now I’m less impressed.

MH: Winner
Muscle-car fans are the winners here in more ways than one. First of all, these lower trim levels of the Challenger, which had previously only been seen in high-power SRT8 trim, make the coupe attainable to a much larger group of buyers. Secondly, they both burn less fuel than the SRT8, which makes them even more attractive to price-conscious buyers. These wouldn’t be winners for me if they didn’t deliver on the visual intensity established by the SRT8, but they do.

JW: Winner
All told, the R/T loses something compared to the SRT8, but it’s still a stunning car. I’m less impressed with the stripped-down look of the SE, but that might be the blue paint, which is the first color I’ve seen on the Challenger that I dislike. Strongly. But the V-6 can’t be a bad thing. This car is as much about the look as anything else, and this will open it up to more buyers and — did we get this point? — burn less fuel. Case in point: 40% of Mustangs sold are V-6 models, and that drivetrain is a travesty with the automatic.

2009 Honda Fit

DT: Winner
I didn’t like the old Fit, but the new model ups the interior quality to roughly the same as the Civic. That makes me swallow its price tag — the current price is higher than the competition, like the Nissan Versa — a bit easier. The flat cargo floor is ginormous, and I like the ability to fold the backseat up as well.

MH: Winner
The new Fit looks a lot like the old Fit, and its interior is pretty nice for a small car. I, too, thought the cargo area was pretty large. As a whole the car is a winner for me, but I was disappointed to see that the available navigation system is like the one offered in the Civic and CR-V that has miniscule buttons on the side of the screen.

JW: Winner
It’s as dorky-looking as before, but it has more room, especially for cargo. The very concept of a high-quality, small, efficient car with loads of safety features and performance is a win, win, win. A bonus USB input in Sport models lets you connect flash drives as well as some MP3 players. Other cars have experimented with compact flash or Sony memory card capability. Who the hell uses those?

2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe

DT: Undecided
The concept of a 300+ hp rear-wheel-drive coupe is definitely appealing, but I’m not sold on the looks of the Genesis coupe. It’s not ugly, it just doesn’t move me in any way. The seating position is nice, and it appears that rear visibility is pretty good for such a swoopy back end. Getting a test drive will probably sway me one way or the other.

MH: Winner
The fact that the new Genesis coupe has a rear-wheel-drive layout is almost enough to make it a winner for me, but it also has some interesting lines and a decent interior. If Hyundai continues its value pricing strategy when the coupe goes on sale in about a year it’ll be even more compelling.

JW: Loser
Maybe the ultimate test of a car’s success in an auto show is one’s reaction to it, and I, like Dave, had absolutely none when I saw this one. Like Mike, I’m keen on the principle, but I also know that of all Hyundai’s strengths, its chassis work still isn’t up to the competition. Driving it will be the deciding moment. At this point, eh.

2009 Infiniti FX

DT: Loser
The design of the FX is pretty radical when you see it up-close. However, the interior really didn’t thrill me. It’s nice but not as cushy as the new EX. It also seemed to have the same cargo room as the smaller crossover, and it didn’t feature automatic-folding rear seats. Tsk tsk.

MH: Loser
There are plenty of changes inside and out with the new FX, like a more luxurious cabin and a more powerful V-8 engine, but it wasn’t different enough from its predecessor to make a real impact at the show.

JW: Loser
It breaks my heart to dis’ this one because I always liked the original’s audacious look and driving experience — enough to overlook the consequent impracticality. I love what they’ve done with the grille material — always something different and interesting from Infiniti. But a grille is too much to hang one’s hat on. The fender vents are a blight, and though I like new approaches, the quilted-leather look of the seats’ center panels just doesn’t do it for me.

2009 Mercedes-Benz M-Class

DT: Winner
I like the current M-Class, so the new one adding a nicer steering wheel and a radically improved navigation and entertainment system just ups its appeal for me. It would be a tough choice if someone pointed a gun to my head and made me choose between a BMW X5 or this luxury SUV.

MH: Loser
The mild update the M-Class receives doesn’t really change the look of the luxury SUV that much, and you could easily mistake it for the prior version. The newly available clean-diesel engine is noteworthy, but not enough to make it a winner.

JW: Loser overall; Bluetec Winner
The changes aren’t significant enough to alter the driving experience, and I’ve always considered the M something of a barge. It’s heavy and offroad capable, and that’s just unnecessary. On the flipside, the diesel version is more efficient and only about $1,000 more than the V-6 gas model. Too often, alternative drivetrains are comparable to the more powerful and expensive trim levels, diminishing the efficiency that’s the supposed goal.

2010 Pontiac G8 Sport Truck

DT: Winner
You don’t reinterpret the classic El Camino and lose in my mind. The modern twists of a 361-hp V-8 engine and an independent rear suspension are also mighty impressive. I just tested the G8 sedan and think it’s the best in its segment. The Sport Truck is a segment of one, so it will easily rule that.

MH: Winner
Pontiac wins here for coming up with a design that combines the front of a G8 sport sedan with a pickup bed without resulting in a visual train wreck. The V-8-powered truck can also tow 3,500 pounds and makes quick work of the run from zero to 60 mph: 5.4 seconds.

JW: Loser
It’s a car that’s also a pickup. And? If it were more efficient it might draw enough buyers to make it more than a niche success. A 6.0-liter V-8? I know the El Camino fans — the Ron Paul supporters of the automotive world — will throw a connip over this statement, but if this concept had as much appeal as some people ascribe to it, the El Camino would never have gone away. Everyone just calm down.

2009 Pontiac Solstice Coupe

DT: Loser
Sure, it’s better-looking than the convertible, but how does GM build a new model and not address the non-existing cargo room? You can’t stow an overnight bag in this car with two passengers, so the Solstice coupe is strictly a day-trip vehicle. Hope you have a three-car garage.

MH: Winner
The new hardtop gives the Solstice a completely different, fastback look that makes it a winner on its own. Plus, if you still want some wind in your hair you can pop off the roof section above the seats. To Dave’s point: At least now you always have some cargo room, which isn’t the case if you put the convertible’s top down.

JW: Loser
I think it looks pretty good, but the Solstice roadster experience is totally different with the soft-top lowered. When it’s raised, the thrashy engine and other noise permeate, and here we have a model that presumably gives one experience and not the other. I didn’t expect the targa top, so that’s good, but it doesn’t store onboard, and like Dave says, more space is needed. I can’t give Pontiac credit for making it better than the roadster in this regard. Being a little better than their own prior failures doesn’t warrant praise.

2009 Volvo XC60

DT: Winner
The XC60 is the nicest Volvo yet as the company churns out one improved model after another. There wasn’t a previous XC60, but I can see this winning over SUV lovers who don’t need a third row. It’s just a few inches shorter than an XC90 and has a ton of cargo room and a very upscale interior.

MH: Winner
The XC60 brings Volvo into the growing small luxury crossover segment, and does so with a high degree of style inside and out. That’s a necessary quality for attracting image-conscious buyers, but Volvo also plays to its base by loading the XC60 up with numerous available safety features.

JW: Winner
Good size, beautiful interior, impressive overall. I always found the XC90 too large and a bit of a pig. Smaller and more efficient can’t lose in today’s market.

Concept Cars

Scion Hako Concept

DT: Loser
Wow. I can’t remember an uglier concept … ever. I’ve heard people say it looks like a classic Ford Roadster, therefore validating its existence. That would be wrong, just like the Hako. It’s so wrong.

MH: Winner
I’m one of those people who sees similarities between classic Ford coupes and the Hako, and I’m a believer that a concept doesn’t have to be a streamlined teardrop to be visually appealing. Whether you like it or not, the Hako holds your gaze, and because of that Scion has a winner.

JW: Winner
Ford, shmord. It’s an interesting-looking twist on the strictly boxy shape that’s well on its way to being mainstream thanks to the two xB generations, the Honda Element and the upcoming Nissan Cube.

Kia Koup

DT: Winner
Kia has done a lot of hatchback and SUV concepts over the years, but not many coupes that are so plainly aimed at the competition. This could easily take on the Honda Civic coupe or the Mitsubishi Eclipse. The grille and headlight design looks similar to what the Optima added for 2009. Maybe it will be the subtle new face for Kia.

MH: Winner
The Koup was a nice surprise in New York. It has athletic styling and looks good from multiple angles. Even though its shape draws heavily from the Civic coupe, I’ll give it the thumbs-up.

JW: Winner
Just a cool-looking car in a segment that’s becoming more important with each passing day of near-$4/gallon gas. I’m not so sure about the silicone seat implants, though. Falsies on a car? The name is a problem, too. In my circles, “with a K” has become code for something fake or inauthentic, like krabmeat, which is the cheap stuff that tastes a little like crab but isn’t. Coupe with a K? No. Bad name.

Suzuki Kizashi 3

DT: Winner
I didn’t understand why Suzuki needed to develop three concepts over the past year to get to this. Still, the finished product looks to be a big deal for Suzuki. The company has been improving its entire lineup recently, but I’m not sure the world is ready for such a large sedan with the ridiculously large Suzuki “S” on the front.

MH: Winner
Suzuki has made one muscular concept in the Kizashi 3, with the kind of style that would put it at ease among luxury sedans. Any production model that might flow from this concept would likely tone down the look a bit, but Suzuki has the right idea with this concept.

JW: Winner
This one caught my fancy in ways the Hyundai Genesis coupe didn’t. The Genesis is a real model, and this one’s a concept, but Suzuki says it’s about 90% of the way to its final form. It holds your interest for more than a passing glance, and that makes it a winner at an auto show.