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Top Debuts at the 2016 LA Auto Show

Nov 20, 2016
  • 2016 LA Auto Show
    • Image Credit: AOL

    Top Debuts from the 2016 LA Auto Show

    Press days for the  2016 LA Auto Show have come and gone, but that doesn't mean we're done talking about this year's show. As usual, we've voted on our favorite debuts and tallied the results. And just because we can, we've thrown in two honorable mentions as well. If one of your picks didn't get a trophy, you can still revisit it in our  recap post or  mega list of galleries. Let's get to the list.
  • Alfa Romeo Stelvio
    • Image Credit: AOL

    6th Place – ALFA ROMEO STELVIO

    GREG MIGLIORE: This is the vehicle Alfa desperately needs to be a winner. It's attractive, gives the company critical mass in the US market and should bring Alfa to a wider range of customers.

    JAMES RISWICK: Many more people will buy this than the Giulia. Folks like SUVs and this one looks killer. Actually, I think it looks a bit better than the Giulia. It definitely looks a whole lot better than its corporate cousin, the  Maserati Levante.

    MICHAEL AUSTIN: It's pretty, goes fast, and looks fantastic. This will be a cell-phone camera lure for months to come.
  • Jeep Compass
    • Image Credit: AOL

    5th Place – JEEP COMPASS

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    ALEX KIERSTEIN: After seeing it in the flesh, my feeling is that  FCA's big bet on  crossovers and SUVs is going to pay off. They're going to sell a ton of these. I fear a bit for the quirkier  Renegade, and even funkier  Cherokee – I can see buyers  making tradeoffs in size and/or price to get into what looks a lot like a wee  Grand Cherokee with a very practical interior, too.

    GREG MIGLIORE:  Jeep nailed the styling and capability. The  Compass is now a trend-setter in one of the industry's most important segments.

    Jeep Compass Information

    Jeep Compass
  • Mazda CX-5
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    4th Place – MAZDA CX-5

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    JAMES RISWICK: A smart evolution for a small SUV that aged quite well during its life. Added refinement is what this thing needed and it got it. Oh, and you can finally get it with a  diesel.

    ALEX KIERSTEIN: With  VW out of the picture, it'll be interesting to see if the extra torque and economy of the Skyactiv-D are important to potential buyers already attracted to the  CX-5's sharper styling and other improvements.

    JOEL STOCKSDALE: I wasn't blown away by the look of the new CX-5, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. It's still a great looking crossover, and it would be silly for  Mazda to ruin a good thing. It gets points from me primarily for  finally bringing us the Skyactiv diesel. We've been waiting for it for so long. I can't wait to try it out.

    Mazda CX-5 Information

    Mazda CX-5
  • Jaguar I-Pace Concept
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    3rd Place – JAGUAR I-PACE CONCEPT

  • Honda Civic Si Coupe Concept
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    2nd Place – HONDA CIVIC SI CONCEPT

    JOEL STOCKSDALE: Pretty much exactly what I was hoping for, a bridge between the sorta sporty  CivicSport hatchback, and the crazy-sporty (and probably crazy-expensive) Type R. As much as I love hyper-hatches like the  Focus RS and  Golf R, we need as many affordable fun cars as we can get. I'm also pleased to finally see the fantastic looking coupe get a powertrain to back up its looks.

    ALEX KIERSTEIN: It's a bit frustrating that this is only a concept, and so even though the final product will look largely the same we still don't have many specs. But that's perhaps less important than  Honda'scommitment to producing a whole range of enthusiast-oriented cars with available manual transmissions. When's the last time Honda fans had such interesting options coming?

    DAVID GLUCKMAN: I'm torn on this one. The Si was always pretty simple, and that's what made it great. This new one has complications like adaptive suspension and active steering. Does it need those? It still has a manual, though, so I'm happy.

    Honda Civic Information

    Honda Civic
  • Chevy Colorado ZR2
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    1st Place – CHEVROLET COLORADO ZR2

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    GREG MIGLIORE: This truck has me salivating. It's loaded with off-road capability and it looks the part. Can't wait to drive it.

    DAVID GLUCKMAN: It's like a ZR1 but better! The Duramax diesel is neat, and t hose crazy Multimatic shocks are huge, but I think my favorite part is the cutout in the bumper ahead of each front wheel. You hit the obstacle with your tire, not an air dam.

    ALEX KIERSTEIN: I think it's fascinating how tapped into the truck enthusiast zeitgeist and delivered everything those folks really want, in a single truck. There's an optional torquey, economical diesel that gives an impressive range on a tank. And there's the Multimatic spool-valve shocks, which are both novel and  extremely impressive in action. Bonus: it looks cool as heck.

    Chevrolet Colorado Information

    Chevrolet Colorado
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