Five highlights from the New York Auto Show
The New York Auto Show opened its doors last week, and the Car Guide was on hand during Media Day to cover the many unveilings and other activities taking place at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in the Big Apple. Javits Convention Center in the Big Apple. While Korean brands are clearly in the spotlight this year, other manufacturers such as Nissan and Polestar also attracted attention.
Here are five highlights from the New York Auto Show.
Nissan Kicks 2025
Nissan took advantage of the New York Auto Show to give its Kicks SUV its first public appearance. The Kicks has been completely redesigned, not only in terms of styling but also under the hood and inside the cabin. It now boasts a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine delivering 141 horsepower and 140 lb-ft of torque. This power can also be sent to optional all-wheel drive (AWD), another new feature this year. The Kicks also offers more space for occupants and cargo and more on-board technology.
Genesis Neolune/Magma concept
Hyundai's luxury division also had its moment in the spotlight, presenting the Neolun SUV concept. The brand with the winged emblem also presented concepts from its new Magma division, which presumably wants to compete in the lucrative super-sports market already exploited by prestigious divisions such as Mercedes-Benz's AMG, Audi's RS and BMW's M.
Hyundai Tucson/Santa Cruz 2025
Hyundai took the opportunity to unveil the changes it has made to its Tucson SUV and Santa Cruz pickup. The Tucson gets a slight styling makeover and inherits a new XRT variant that gives it more robust aesthetic attributes. Powertrains remain the same under the hood, but hybrid models gain in power thanks to improved electric motors. Inside, the Tucson's dashboard has been redesigned, and a dual-screen configuration has been added. The Santa Cruz also adds an XRT variant with its physical attributes. A two-screen configuration is now available inside the cabin.
Polestar 4 2025
The Car Guide was the only Canadian media outlet to test drive a pre-production model of the new Polestar 4. In New York, the new rear-windowless model was shown to the public for the first time. And the manufacturer took the opportunity to unveil its price range. With a starting price of $64,990, it is eligible for the full $7,000 provincial subsidy, but not for the federal rebate.
Kia K4 2025
The new K4 sedan made its world debut, and was given the onerous task of replacing the Forte and K5 sedans at the same time. Its exterior design is by Karim Habib, a prolific designer who grew up in Quebec and is now head of design for the Korean manufacturer. The K4 uses the same powertrains as the Forte, and offers its occupants a highly digital environment, thanks in particular to the EV9's ccNC (Connected Car Navigation Cockpit) digital panel and telematics system.
