2009 L.A. Auto Show: Winners and Losers

This auto show season’s first U.S. show certainly kept us busy, with manufacturers debuting vehicles of every stripe; many are on their way to dealers right now. Most of what we saw was impressive in some way, but there were more than a few vehicles that failed to move us despite their merits.

2010 Hyundai Tucson
David Thomas: Winner
There were many cars in L.A. that showed drastic improvement. The Tucson was definitely one of them with an interior that will give Honda and Toyota a run for their money. Like Hyundai’s new Sonata, the Tucson also packs styling — something the lineup has been missing for years.

Kelsey Mays: Winner
I’m with Dave on this. The Tucson finally looks interesting, and interior quality is as competitive as ever. The Tucson’s gas mileage of 31 mpg highway with front-wheel drive nearly ties the segment-best Chevy Equinox — a huge step for Hyundai, whose lineup has historically been on the thirstier side.
 
Joe Wiesenfelder: Winner
No question on this one. When you consider the number and quality of compact crossovers it took on in 2005, Hyundai’s first-generation Tucson could have been — and sold — better. Conversely, this one will put competitors on the run.

Mike Hanley: Winner
The Tucson is the latest compelling new model from Hyundai, which has been on a roll lately. However, I was struck by the crossover’s cabin odor, which reeked of something chemical. Sure, the Tucson on the show floor was probably finished shortly before the show, but Hyundai had been getting better about this lately. Hardly any of the other models I checked out at the show suffered from this kind of problem.

DT: Winner
A few years ago, the predominant thinking in the auto industry was that no one wanted to drive a minivan, so automakers crafted cool-looking crossovers like Ford’s Flex. However, the current Sienna outsells the Flex by a ratio of 3-to-1. The new Sienna is another huge leap with a bold design — for a minivan — and an airy, upscale and attractive interior that parents and kids won’t want to leave.

KM: Winner
I’m not sure about Toyota’s decision to offer a four-cylinder Sienna, but keeping all-wheel drive in the mix is commendable. The cabin goes the way of utility over consummate quality, but its contemporary design should appeal to parents while their kids take a wrecking ball to the second and third rows. Oh, and the second-row seats in the upscale Sienna Limited are straight out of an airliner’s first-class cabin. Can we get some OJ before takeoff?

JW: Winner
Despite being years older, the current-generation Sienna won our faceoff against its two main competitors, the Honda Odyssey and the Chrysler Town & Country. Unless Toyota made this new generation worse somehow, which is highly unlikely, it will be a winner beyond the auto show.

MH: Winner
If there’s ever a time to introduce a minivan, it’s now, with consumers refocused on spending their money in practical ways — whether at the grocery store or at the car dealership. Minivans are inherently practical, and the Sienna also has some style about it that’s nice to see. The performance-oriented SE model sounds like an oxymoron to me, and the four-cylinder’s gas mileage is only slightly better than the V-6’s. Overall, the new Sienna builds upon what’s already a solid model in this class.

DT: Winner

Having already driven the European version of the same car, I felt fairly certain the Fiesta would be a hit without knowing its mileage or cost. Starting at $13,320 and getting up to 40 mpg highway turns the Fiesta into a slam dunk. I don’t love the chrome grille on the sedan, but the overall design is futuristic and fun.

KM: Loser
We drove the Euro-version Fiesta earlier on, and it’s a lot of fun. However, there’s a second part of the equation where Ford comes up short: space. This car feels decidedly more cramped than its peers — particularly the outsized Honda Fit and Nissan Versa. The cabin brings new levels of quality to the segment, but I wish Ford had matched that with more room.

JW: Winner
While it’s smaller than other subcompacts, it will seem pretty roomy to anyone who hasn’t checked out entry-level cars within the past few years. I’m more concerned with the chrome (or black) patches surrounding the side marker lights ahead of the front wheels than I am the sedan’s grille, but there are more than enough attributes to make this car a winner.

MH: Winner
As Kelsey points out, there are roomier subcompacts in this class if you’re looking for maximum space efficiency, but it’s hard to discount how fuel efficient the Fiesta is expected to be. Considering that most buyers will probably only use the front seats regularly, the Fiesta is big enough.

DT: Loser
Unlike the Fiesta, the Cruze didn’t wow me. It looks to be a solid entry in the compact class alongside the Toyota Corolla, which suffered from a half-hearted redesign last year. The Cruze will also get a maximum of 40 mpg highway. It’s a good-sized package, but the styling inside and out leaves me flat.

KM: Tossup

I’m cooling to the Cruze’s styling; it looked like a miniature Pontiac G8 at first, but upon closer scrutiny it’s far less exciting. From navigation systems to USB ports and Bluetooth connectivity, there’s an impressive amount of available multimedia options. However, other automakers, especially Kia, offer more of it standard. Chevy still relegates a lot of features to the options list.

JW: On the fence
Unfortunately, what appeals most about the Cruze are practical considerations. Larger size than competitors? Yes. Higher mileage? You bet. But will that be enough? Impressions of interior quality will be mixed, and I suspect the exterior will leave most beholders unexcited. If it drives well, it should do fine, but I don’t see it rocking the compact segment — not by a long shot.

MH: Mixed
I think the Cruze looks sharp and the available turbo four-cylinder model might be a lot of fun to drive. However, I’m less impressed with the car’s interior, especially the decision to finish part of the dash in a mesh fabric on some models. That’s going to be permeated with stubborn dust and dirt in a few years.

DT: Loser
It looks better than the Fiesta, but without any idea of its mileage, performance or what the final interior will look like I can’t even hazard a guess as to why the company rolled this out in L.A. It wasn’t ready for prime time and gets the scarlet L because of it.

KM: Loser
Agreed. The Mazda2 could be promising, but we need more details before we’ll be able to tell.

JW: Loser
Ditto. I find the smiling grille less exaggerated than the one on the Mazda3 — and more appropriate on a smaller, cuter car. Interiors are important these days, and for a company known for good interior quality, not showing the Mazda2’s was a bad move.

MH: Winner
This little car has a simple athleticism that looks good, and, like Joe, I think the toned-down grin in the front bumper was the right move. I, too, would have liked to see a production-ready interior, but I’m less inclined to hold it against Mazda because interior quality isn’t the be-all and end-all in this class. Gas mileage will be significant, so we’ll stay tuned for the numbers.

DT: Winner

Like the Tucson, the new Sonata is a stylish upgrade from the current model. It’ll get great mileage, and the interior resonates a sophistication the old model didn’t. Heck, this is the classiest-looking entry in the segment and rivals VW’s more expensive CC in terms of looks.

KM: Winner
Backseat headroom suffers on account of it, but the Sonata’s curvaceous shape reminds me of a Lexus ES 350, a car that’s a good $10,000 more than most family-sedan shoppers’ budgets. Hyundai’s decision to offer a turbo four-cylinder instead of a V-6 as the high-end engine option perplexes me. We’ll have to wait and see how it does.

JW: Winner
Some folks won’t like the new styling but some will love it, and this is more a recipe for success than was the previous generation’s careful, conservative design. I don’t invest in car companies, but if I did, I’d wish I had bought some Hyundai stock a few years ago.

MH: Winner
There’s no question the Sonata’s new look is more memorable, which is what it had to be in a class with an increasing number of daring designs. Still, practical considerations weigh heavily in this segment, and the Sonata comes through here, with good room for passengers and cargo and impressive highway gas mileage of 35 mpg with the base engine and automatic transmission.

DT: Winner

If this car never gets built because of Saab’s current straits it’ll be a real shame. There aren’t a lot of cars in this class taking design risks — save the Acura TL, which shoppers seem to have rejected. The 9-5 is quirky and has a sporty interior. It’s just different — and isn’t different good?

KM: Loser
I’m not sold on the 9-5’s styling, outside or in. The blacked-out A-pillars, in particular, didn’t do it for me, and I’m not sure the car’s cabin is up to flagship snuff. The car shows promise, but for a brand teetering on the brink, I need to see more.

JW: Loser
Saab’s condition is a shame, but that’s got nothing to do with the 2011 9-5. It takes a few chances and I respect that. Yes, different is good, but a different car from an entirely new brand would have a better chance than one from a brand that lost its differentness when General Motors got involved, if not before. As a onetime Saab owner, I’d be surprised if the brand survives, even if GM does find a buyer.

MH: Winner
The 9-5 had an uncanny ability to hold my gaze while it spun alone on its turntable. Was it the unusual roof pillars, the aggressive front-end styling or the tapered trunklid? I’m not entirely sure, but among the mass of auto-show metal, the 9-5’s funky look was interesting and refreshing.

DT: Loser

I like luxury SUVs as much as the average person, but I really don’t see why anyone would purchase this near-$60,000 GX when the larger, much richer LX goes for $77K. I didn’t like the side-opening rear hatch, the chest-high cargo floor or the minuscule third-row seats. $60,000? Really?

KM: Loser
Lexus’ version of the Toyota 4Runner has enough that separates it from its less expensive sibling, but I think the number of shoppers who need a luxury SUV that can conquer the backwoods is scant these days. As Dave noted, the side-opening rear hatch will be problematic in tight quarters.

JW: Loser
What they said — especially about the genre’s viability. Sure, there are people who would like or even love the GX, but probably not enough to justify its existence.

MH: Loser
The GX is one of those models you sometimes forget is in Lexus’ lineup, and it doesn’t look like the redesigned version is going to be any more memorable. Even though it’s brand new, the GX 460 looks like an SUV from an earlier, less-efficiency-focused era — because it is.

DT: Winner

I was reluctant to like the Regal since the redesigned LaCrosse seems so similar. The thing is — the Regal is better. The interior really isn’t much smaller; it seems more sports-car like and just looks sexier. The curvaceous spoiler integrated into the rear is just not something you see every day.

KM: Loser
Fascinating as the Regal is, I can’t figure out who will buy it. It’s a high-rent car with surprising backseat legroom, but Buick’s decision to offer a four-cylinder base engine doesn’t shout driving pleasure to me. The Regal is too small to be a Toyota Camry/Honda Accord fighter and too modestly powered to take on the Acura TSX and Audi A4.

JW: Winner
It looks better than the LaCrosse, as it lacks the overblown grille and hood/fender portholes. It’s a winner for what I see now. How it fits in the market is relevant, as is the driving experience (though Kelsey should know better than to draw conclusions based on the cylinder count). The greater concern is that it will drive well — and the lion’s share of Buick buyers won’t care.

MH: Winner
I share Kelsey’s concerns about who will buy the Regal, but from a purely auto-show perspective it’s a winner. It has some great angles, like the rear-quarter view, and the cabin is bigger than you’d expect. I’m also intrigued by the manual transmission that will be offered with the available turbo engine.

DT: Loser

OK, the Sorento is well-priced, well-equipped and a huge step forward for Kia. To me, it’s also a tad too boring. It seems too big for a compact SUV and too small to have a proper third row. I’m not sure how it’ll fit in the crowded field, but its low price may help it do really well.

KM: Winner
Kia threw a lot of darts at the wall on this one: a sub-$20,000 base price, a litany of high-rent options, available V-6 power, and an optional third-row seat. Cabin materials are typical of most modern Kias — decent overall but a step down from sister brand Hyundai. Still, utility and value are strong and that should attract plenty of shoppers.

JW: Loser
It’s nice-enough-looking and the features and price are big selling points, but… This isn’t a one-to-one size comparison, but when Hyundai rolls out a powerhouse like the Tucson at the same show, the Sorento just doesn’t shine. What you see will be on the market for years to come as competitors upgrade. What’s left to do? Add even more features and lower the price further?

MH: Loser
I second Joe’s thoughts: The relatively plain Sorento was just outshone by other models at the show. One of the important things about the new Sorento is that it changes from a body-on-frame design to a car-like unibody one, but that’s not what wows at an auto show. Unlike the Tucson, the Sorento couldn’t overcome its chemical-laced-cabin smell with other attributes.

DT: Loser

Can someone tell me where there’s a market for upscale, sporty coupes that aren’t sports cars? Audi may have a mild hit with its A5, but the CTS coupe doesn’t really strike me as a vehicle that will win over the same shopper. The arrow-like design also seems behind the times.

KM: Winner
I disagree. The design is certainly polarizing, but I suspect some will be quite drawn to it. It’s well executed, too: The rear seat is habitable, the seat belts sit within easy reach and the blind spots are small. With GM’s direct-injection V-6 — and a supercharged V-8 in the CTS-V coupe — there should be more than enough performance to give this car credibility.

JW: A little of both
On its own merits, it’s compelling for the same reasons the sedan and Sport Wagon are. Cadillac is after Audi and BMW with the CTS, which might explain the addition of a coupe, but, like Dave, I question if the sales will justify the investment.

MH: Loser
The CTS coupe didn’t have a big impact at the show because we saw essentially the same thing in concept form a few years ago. Beyond that, I’m not a fan of the rear end, which is huge.

DT: Winner

I like the R8 coupe a lot. I like the Spyder more — at least with the top down. The R8 is a car that exudes exotic appeal by the boatload but costs much less. Granted, it still has a six-figure sticker, but can you put a price on awesome? I think not.

JW: Winner
Auto shows usually have fantastical, sexy concept cars that stand no chance of becoming real production vehicles. This show didn’t, but the R8 Spyder serves both purposes. The impeccable lighting at Audi’s display turns an already stunning car into a spectacle. Find an auto show. Go see it. Seriously.

MH: Winner
The R8 Spyder is the kind of car that will upstage anything else around it — at an auto show or on the road. I wish you could still see the mid-engine like you can in the coupe, but this roadster is phenomenal-looking nonetheless. If you can’t make it to an auto show, as Joe advises, I’m sure it will star in a music video soon enough.

KM: Winner

The Ghost is incredible — daunting, seductive and beautiful. I find it better-looking than the Phantom. Build more of these, Rolls.

MH: Winner
The Ghost manages to broaden Rolls-Royce’s appeal without diminishing the brand’s mystique — an impressive feat. Plus, it seemed like Rolls had built the Ghost at the show expressly for Cars.com, what with its rich purple paint accented by a polished-metal hood. Just give me a call when it’s ready for delivery…

DT: Winner

It’s hard to put stock in the mileage figures of any concept, so VW’s uber-mileage claims were meaningless to me. However, the idea of designing a small car — this is actually much smaller in person than it looks — in a very aerodynamic fashion, which assures some mileage gains, is a smart move.

MH: Winner
This concept is less about the drivetrain and its fuel economy and more about the direction of VW’s future small cars. If the automaker follows through on this approach, its future small cars should be, in the words of Borat, very nice.

DT: Loser

At a show with few concepts this could have made a splash, but the completely impractical design of the P-Nut would never pass a safety test; it makes me wonder what Honda is paying its R&D team to do. Unless every car is talking to each other or running on rails, this will never do.

JW: Loser
I hate to be salty on the issue, but the silver lining to our weak economy is that there are fewer of these design exercises appearing at auto shows. If it’s not an advanced prototype or an overseas model brought in to gauge reaction, I don’t have much use for concepts. Few of them are any tastier than the P-Nut.

MH: Loser
With the L.A. Auto Show mostly focused on practical transportation like fuel-efficient cars and crossovers, a whimsical concept like the P-Nut seemed out of place — like Madonna standing in line on Black Friday. Even concepts have to be relevant these days, and the P-Nut is out of touch with reality.