A Baker’s Dozen of Debuts

Back to the dozen debuts expected for this year’s LA Auto Show (it’s a baker’s dozen, by the way): The Hyundai Motor Group dominates the list with over half of the debuts. Here’s what the LA Car intelligentsia reports on the very new cars at the show:

Acura ADX

It’s Acura’s first foray into the luxury sub-compact crossover SUV field. Based on the Honda HR-V platform, the ADX features a CVT that simulates gearchanges from the 1.5-liter four-cylinder Integra engine with expected 200 horsepower and 192 pound-feet of torque. Its standard front wheel drive can be upgraded to all-wheel over four drive modes. Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and a charging pad are standard. The A-Spec model offers a panoramic sunroof, faux-suede trim for ventilated front seats, a flat-bottom steering wheel in perforated leather, stainless metal pedals, a chrome shift knob, and USB-C ports in the rear. Blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and automated emergency braking are enhanced by a driver-attention monitor flashing a warning if it determines the driver is distracted. It’s coming next year, with a mid-$30,000 price range. – Zoran J. Segina

Fiat

Stellantis held a press conference to introduce the Giorgio Armani Collector’s Edition of the electric 2025 Fiat 500e. Two colors are offered: a signature green and a ceramic Greige. For audiophiles, the JBL audio system features four Virtual Venues hand-selected by Maestro Andrea Bocelli, offering listeners an audio experience that changes the acoustic characteristics of the car depending on the chosen location.

However, the Fiat that stole the show is the new Topolino, which Stellantis had tucked away in a corner of its exhibit. The Topolino is Fiat’s tiny two-seater urban electric car. It goes for 9,890 euros ($10,303 in US dollars, or 7,544 euros after subsidies) and has a top speed of 28 mph. The one on display had no paint (the plastic body is mint green) and no doors (theater-style ropes are on the door openings. There are no plans to sell this in the US. – R. Nakano

Genesis GV70 and Electrified GV70 (refreshed)

There are some small but significant changes in this mid-cycle refreshing of the GV70 line. The electric version now gets a power-opening charge port with a Tesla Supercharger-ready North American Charging Standard plug and a larger 84-kWh battery. Aside from some subtle styling tweaks, both models get a 27-inch widescreen that merges the instrument cluster and central infotainment screen.

Honda Passport

The 2026 Honda Passport, while on the same platform, is bolder, and more rugged with added length, ground clearance and width. Naturally-aspirated 3.5-liter V6 engine develops 285 HP and 262 lb-ft of torque. Ten speed automatic transmission moves 275/60-R18 General Grabber A/T Sport all-terrain tires through Honda’s i-VTM4 all-wheel drive system offering seven different available drive modes. Optional front scuff plates and rock sliders coupled with underbody armor and recovery hooks on TrailSports add to off-road credibility. You can tow 5,000 pounds with towing hitch and revised suspension included on TrailSport models.

All trims all get 10.2-inch digital gauge cluster, 12.3-inch infotainment display, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and smartphone charging. Interior offers power and heated front seats, and power tailgate. TrailSport adds a panoramic sunroof and Elite gets perforated leather seating, ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, rear climate controls and shades, and 12-speaker Bose audio. Expect pricing from the mid-$40,000 to over $50,000, not including accessories. – Zoran J. Segina

Hyundai Ioniq 9

Coming soon to a driveway near you - maybe even yours - is the big, bold and futuristic Hyundai IONIQ 9, a midsize three-row electric SUV. The Ioniq 9 is built on the same platform as the Kia EV9, but it just hits the senses a little differently with a much sleeker and more stylish design. Sure this vehicle looks amazing, but its whats on the inside that makes this EV really stand out.

Ioniq 9 has a spacious cabin designed for six or seven, depending on the seating arrangement, spread over three rows. Relaxation seats in the first and second rows have a fatigue-relieving Dynamic Touch massage function, and the second row seats swivel so that second and third row passengers can face each other when the vehicle is stationary. Ioniq 9 boasts some pretty impressive cargo space, as well, with 22 cubic feet behind the third row seat, and nearly 47 cubic feet with the third seat folded. Ioniq 9 is powered by a big 110 kWh battery with an estimated range of 385 miles, and can charge from 10 to 80 percent in a fairly quick 24 minutes. Ioniq 9 should be hitting Hyundai showrooms during the first half of 2025. – Reed Berry

Hyundai Initium

Set to launch in 2025, Hyundai will give car buyers yet another clean energy option with the production version of their INITIUM (Latin for "first") concept vehicle. Initium is a sporty, SUV-type hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) designed for a targeted driving range of around 400 miles before refueling. Sounds impressive - and maybe a bit optimistic - but they will achieve this with large hydrogen tanks, aerodynamic 18-inch wheels and special tires with low rolling resistance.

Initium was presented here at the L.A. Auto Show to spotlight Hyundai's new "Art of Steel" design language which, according to Hyundai exec SangYup Lee, "pushed the formability of steel to the extreme to create a form of art." Built with comfort and convenience in mind, Initium has a wide body and large rear doors, making it easy for second row passengers to enter and exit the vehicle. For maximum safety of passengers in the event of a collision, the vehicle is reinforced with a multi-skeleton structure at the front, as well as a side body structure, plus nine airbags. The vehicle has an electric motor output of up to 150 kW, resulting in smooth driving and excellent acceleration. – Reed Berry

Kia EV6 (refreshed)

The all-electric Kia EV6 hatchback gets a refreshening. The change is most noticeable at the front end, where the car gets a look more in line with the newest design theme Kia calls “Opposites United”. Tweaks to the tail end and interior round, plus larger battery capacity round out the changes for this mid-generation update. 

Kia Sportage

Those who remember the very first Kia Sportage may not recognize the sixth-generation model that was unveiled. It’s bigger in virtually every way.

As Kia says, “the 2026 Sportage delivers more of everything for today’s savvy, adventurous and eco-conscious consumers across three distinct powertrain variants – ICE, Turbo Hybrid (HEV), and Turbo Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) – with an expansive trim range that includes the rugged and capable X-Line and X-Pro Prestige trims.”

Kia EV9 GT

Kia unveiled the high-performance EV9 GT. With an estimated 501 horsepower propelled through dual electric motors, the EV9 GT is said to launch from 0-60 mph in 4.3 seconds. This from a three-row SUV. An electronically controlled suspension sets shock damping based on the selected drive mode or through the GT button mounted on the steering wheel.

Nilu

This car company presents former Koenigsegg, Lamborghini and Bugatti designer Sasha Selipanov’s new Nilu27 hypercar at the South Hall Atrium for the limited time through November 24th.

The track version was previously unveiled. A road version of the Nilu27 is promised to be forthcoming in the future. 

Nissan Murano

The new Murano was introduced in October 2024 at Nissan Headquarters in Nashville, Tennessee. The LA Auto Show can lay claim to it being the first auto show appearance of the new car.

The fourth-generation Murano sports a dual screen dashboard, ventilated and massaging front seats, a 64-color ambient lighting interior to dazzle the passengers, and a 9-speed automatic transmission. The car is scheduled to reach dealerships in early 2025. – R. Nakano

Volkswagen Tiguan

The redesigned Volkswagen Tiguan rides on the MQB Evo platform but features shorter rear overhang, beefier fenders, and a taller hood and nose above a larger black grille with narrow LEDs and a full-width light bar. The turbocharged 2.0-liter engine develops 201 horsepower—up from 184, and moves 170 pounds less mass. Plastics in the interior are replaced by Savona leather, diamond-pattern seats and stitching, with walnut wood trim on the premium model. Expect optional massaging front seats, tri-zone automatic climate control and heated rear seats.

The new Tiguan’s wheelbase will be longer, and with the shifter now on the steering column, a new console design will have more storage. IQ.DRIVE will offer standard driver assists, stop-and-go adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, forward automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, blind spot monitoring, lane-keep assist and emergency stop assist (if the driver is incapacitated). The new Tiguan comes in the spring of 2025 costing around $30,000. – Zoran J. Segina