The Absolute Best Cars At The 2018 New York Auto Show

The hatchback’d coupe looks (nearly) just as good as its two-door counterpart and mirrors its technical specification. Pricing details have not been disclosed, but it should be in the same ballpark as the RS5 Coupe, so I know which one I’d pick.

- Adrian Padeanu

Toyota does something that nobody could expect with the 2019 RAV4 by completely overhauling the model's design. Unlike every previous generation's soft, fairly friendly appearance, Toyota makes the new one look rugged. The big grille and chiseled lines create a style like no RAV4 in the model's over two decades of existence.

This is what the 2019 Subaru Forester should have looked like. The RAV4 would never be my first choice for a hardcore off-roader, but now it at least appears more capable of a little excursion.

- Chris Bruce

The cabin is similarly handsome. However, both the press shots and our live photos from New York suggest the interior might be a little dark – at least for my taste. However, I can't wait to start finding these RAV4s on the road to see how the meaner exterior appearance fits in the real world.

- Chris Bruce

Going with a sexy concept car is borderline cliché for a best-of category, but for me this swept-back Genesis is more than just an exquisite exercise in style. Like it or not the future is electric, and though we don’t know exactly what this concept is packing under its GT shape, we know multiple electric motors can deliver a serious performance punch.

- Chris Smith

My main reason for choosing this car, however, is Genesis’ claim that this concept also seeks to create a bond with the car and its driver. Ordinarily that would fly under the door as typical marketing language from the PR team, but at a time when every other automaker is racing to build the first completely self-driving car, Genesis doesn’t mention the word "autonomous" anywhere in its Essentia press release. As such, I think Genesis legitimately wants to offer a properly futuristic car that driving enthusiasts can embrace, and that’s why it’s the number one car in New York right now that I so want to drive.

- Chris Smith

Many of Lincoln’s recent designs leave me cold, but the Aviator 'preview' (aka a thinly veiled look at next year’s production model) made a big impression on me. It’s sleek, modern, and almost lithe in the way the graceful sheetmetal sits on a big two-box SUV shape. So, too, does the interior look much fresher than other recent Lincoln efforts: more like the sharp Navigator, less like the stodgy Continental. But I’m also excited to see Lincoln putting unique engineering effort into new models.

- Jake Holmes

The Aviator lets you use your smartphone as a key, scans the road surface with cameras, and will have a plug-in hybrid powertrain with a biturbo engine. It shows that Lincoln has a vision for handsome, innovative vehicles – which makes me far more optimistic for the brand’s next few years.

- Jake Holmes

The new Corolla Hatchback ticks all the important boxes for me. With an available six-speed manual and a utilitarian hatchback design, it’s the first Corolla that I haven’t instantly dismissed in over a decade. We’ll have to wait to see how it drives, but apparently the new TNGA platform will give the new Corolla a lower center of gravity, which is a promising start. I have to appreciate the fact that the load floor folds down genuinely flat, and the legroom in the rear felt respectable for the class of car.

- James Bradbury

I don’t really care about all of Toyota’s new safety tech, and I’m bummed about the omission of Android Auto (even though they’ve finally managed to integrate Apple Carplay into their Entune infotainment setup), but I still think the new Corolla Hatchback is a strong step in the right direction for Toyota.

- James Bradbury

Even though the RDX was essentially a carbon copy of the prototype we saw back in Detroit, the sharp-looking SUV still managed to catch the attention of many at the New York Auto Show. The main highlight for me was the new look – particularly when wearing the sporty A-Spec trim; optional 20-inch alloy wheels wrapped in low profile tires, gloss black accents on the headlights, taillights, and side mirrors, and sport seats finished in either red or black leather were among the styling highlights.

- Jeff Perez

Underhood there’s a new 2.0-liter turbocharged engine, and in the cabin loads of tech inspired by the NSX supercar. All told, there’s a lot to love about Acura’s new RDX at first glance.

- Jeff Perez

Technically, the Mini Classic Cooper EV wasn't at the 2018 New York Auto Show. It never put wheel to show floor, but it was unveiled in the city the day before the show's doors opened. Mini's electrification strategy is no secret, as it's already selling a plug-in hybrid version of the Countryman and a full electric three-door Cooper is on the way. In the meantime, the brand decided to honor its heritage while winking towards the future with this electrified version of a classic Cooper.

- John Neff

The original Mini is still so charming and fun; it's great to see a fully functional restomod like this in the Big Apple. And the conversion to electrons isn't bothersome one bit, as the car's feather weight and fun driving characteristics lend themselves so well to the transformation. Mini gave practically zero details on the car, like it's range or the size of its battery pack. All we know is that a "go-kart feeling" was mentioned in the press release, which means it's a true Mini, through and through.

- John Neff

When there's a new pickup concept at an auto show in the United States, you really should be excited. Always. Well, unfortunately the Volkswagen Atlas Tanoak is not intended to morph into a production model, but who knows – maybe at some point the Germans could change their mind.

- Anthony Karr

Despite being only a study, the truck simply ticks all the right boxes. It has the solid overall appearance of the Atlas seven-seat SUV combined with a large and stylishly-shaped cargo bed. Amarok’s slightly bigger brother also features an impressive cabin for a pickup with minimalistic design and two large screens dominating the dashboard. And, unlike most other concepts, it is powered by a pretty straightforward 3.6-liter V6 engine and not some overly complicated hybrid system. Good job, VW – keep it simple and robust.

- Anthony Karr

I know I know, the I-Pace made its world debut at Geneva. But I was able to take the car through an innovative autocross course at the company's new HQ in New Jersey (just like Baby Driver star Ansel Elgort), and that small taste has me wanting more.

- Seyth Miersma

Superb handling, 240-miles of range, and drop-dead good looks make I-Pace an enticing package, even if I find the term "SUV" slightly misleading.

- Seyth Miersma