North American Vehicles of the year 2020: And the winners are… among these finalists

2020 Chevrolet Corvette StingrayHandout / Chevrolet Los Angeles, CALIFORNIADiscreetly opening the Los Angeles Auto Shows doors sorry, the doors of AutoMobility LA the North American Car, Utility and Truck of The Year committee unveiled this morning its nine finalists for 2020.From 46 eligible vehicles this year, and 26 semi-finalists voted on in September, the candidates have now been reduced to nine contenders, three in each category.Without further ado, heres which models (all-new or substantially new and available at dealerships before the end of the year) have caught the 50-journalist-jurys attention.2020 Car of the Year finalists: Chevrolet Corvette Stingray; Hyundai Sonata; Toyota Supra2020 Utility of the Year finalists: Hyundai Palisade; Kia Telluride; Lincoln Aviator2020 Truck of the Year finalists: Ford Ranger; Jeep Gladiator; Ram Heavy DutyThe LosersThe German manufacturers. BMW, Mercedes-Benz and VW-Audi-Porsche did make up more than a third (18) of the 46 eligible contenders (six for BMW, eight for Mercedes and four for VW) but none made it to the final cut.Check Out All Our Latest Auto Show CoverageAlso, an unusually high-number of trucks were fielded in this years contest, with the Ford Ranger, the Chevrolet Silverado HD, the GMC Sierra HD, the Ram Heavy Duty and the Jeep Gladiator eligible. The finalists cut sent away both General Motors contenders.The AbsenteesDid you say electric vehicles are the future? Plug-in hybrids? Even Polestar 1, the first product out of Volvos brand-new perform-electric division, didnt make the cut.The (Possible) Winnerswill be announced two months from now, in Detroit.Yes, in Detroit. These coveted awards have been unveiled in the Motor City in January for the last quarter of a century, as the lead-off press conference at the North American International Auto Show.But remember: the NAIAS has this year been moved to June. So whats happening with the awards ceremony? After careful deliberation, the (NACTOY) jury arrived at an overwhelming consensus that continuing the partnership with the Detroit Area Dealers Association (DADA) and our January awards ceremony were the best choices for 2020, NACTOY President Lauren Fix said.So stay tuned for the unveiling, planned for the January 13.Past NACTOY Winners2019 Genesis G70 Hyundai Kona and Kona EV Ram 15002018 Honda Accord Volvo XC60 Lincoln Navigator2017 Chevrolet Bolt Chrysler Pacifica Honda Ridgeline2016 Honda Civic Volvo XC902015 Volkswagen Golf Ford F-1502014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Chevrolet Silverado2013 Cadillac ATS Ram 15002012 Hyundai Elantra Land Rover Range Rover Evoque2011 Chevrolet Volt Ford Explorer2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid Ford Transit Connect2009 Hyundai Genesis Ford F-1502008 Chevrolet Malibu Mazda CX-92007 Saturn Aura Chevrolet Silverado2006 Honda Civic Honda Ridgeline2005 Toyota Prius Ford
Origin: North American Vehicles of the year 2020: And the winners are… among these finalists

Nissan Sentra 2020: Nissan isn’t giving up on (compact) sedans

2020 Nissan SentraNadine Filion / Los Angeles What is it?Nissans eighth-generation Sentra could become dare we say, after the somnolent designs of the past the sexiest almost-coupe-style compact sedan on the market. For this, we can thank the sharp design cues lifted from its big sister and indeed very sexy the Nissan Maxima. Starting with the floating roof, the muscular body sides and the signature V-motion front grille, the 2020 Nissan Sentra is truly alluring.Although assembled alongside the Kicks in Nissans Aguascalientes plant in Mexico, the next Sentra is built on a completely new platform. The new architecture should bring major driving dynamic improvements with its stance widened and lowered by five centimetres compared with the current car, and even more important, a new rear independent suspension replaces the archaic torsion-beam system of the past.Other improvements include a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine not the exact one from Nissan Qashqai, but close, says the company thats good for 149 horsepower. But dont be fooled by Nissans claim of 20 per cent more performance versus the current Sentra; the latter was among the least powerful of its segment, so the new model will only be on par with the competition.Check out all of our latest auto show coverage hereWhy does it matter?The outgoing Sentra is not showing on most consumers radars, perhaps because its been with us since 2013, albeit with a minor 2016 refresh. The result has been that, for each Sentra sold in Canada this year (January to September), Hyundai has sold five Elantras, Toyota six Corollas, and Honda as many as eight Civics. The Sentra has not been a rip-roaring success. Even in Quebec, where compact sedans still account for one in every five new vehicles sold, the Nissan Sentra is simmering in mid-pack with a not-so-glamorous three per cent share of the segment.But to its credit, and contrary to some other manufacturers, Nissan is not abandoning cars. Certainly, the latest Sentra could well profit from the demise of the Ford Focus and Chevrolet’s Cruze.Nonetheless, theres a lot of pressure on the new Sentra. For 2020, Nissan is discontinuing both the Micra and Versa Note, leaving the Sentra will have to pick up the slack. On the other hand, the Sentra returns to its 1982 roots and will be the cheapest car in Nissans lineup.When is it coming?The 2020 Nissan Sentra will hit Canadian showrooms late February next year, with three trim levels: S, SV and SR. A CVT will be available across the board, but the base version will still offer a six-speed manual transmission something the U.S. wont get. Prices will be unveiled closer to the on-sale date, but expect something not too far removed from the current price tag. Should you buy it?Not if youre looking for AWD or a five-door version. Sadly, unlike the Mazda3 or even the Altima, the new Sentra doesnt add the AWD. Theres also no hatchback.That said, the Sentra has been known as very comfortable and spacious for a compact sedan, a rare compact that truly excels on the open road. And this latest generation definitely has looks going for it, not to mention Nissans Safety Shield 360, newfound power, and not to mention the Zero Gravity front seats that have proved so popular in other Nissan products.In other words, this new Sentra should break Nissan out of the compact car doldrums its been in for
Origin: Nissan Sentra 2020: Nissan isn’t giving up on (compact) sedans

Volkswagen’s ID. Space Vizzion Concept is a wagon by any other name

Volkswagen ID. Space Vizzion conceptHandout / Volkswagen What is it?If youve lost track of all the ID. prototypes since Volkswagen unveiled its first I.D. Concept in Paris four years ago, let us explain Volkswagens ID. Space Vizzion Concept like this: This is the ninth concept of the electric-vehicles series although were still waiting for a production vehicle on what the company calls its modular-electric-drive-matrix.The first thing youll note if you care about punctuation is that, somewhere along the road, the I.D. became ID.. For another, the Space Vizzion is effectively yet another concept (to be) built on Volkswagens MEB dedicated-platform for battery-electric vehicles. Now, just in case you forgot the previous eight ID. prototypes, it started with the I.D. compact hatchback at the Paris Motor Show in 2016 and includes a small SUV, a couple of Microbus-style vans, a racecar, and even a dune buggy.VW describes this umpteenth prototype as combining the aerodynamic design of a Gran Turismo with the spaciousness and versatility of an SUV. All of which is to say: Its a station wagon. Actually, to be more accurate, its a long station wagon: Stretching almost five meters 4,958 millimetres to be exact from bumper to bumper, were talking Audi S7 Sportback or Tesla Model S length.Check out all of our latest auto show coverage hereWhy does it matter?Well, for now, it doesnt, because were not even getting the first mass-produced EV heralded by these highly promoted concepts: The first VW ID.3, a small electric car to be launched next summer, wont reach North American shores. Rather, the company is waiting for 2021 to send us the ID.4, a four-door crossover variant, based on the VW ID. Crozz Concept unveiled two years ago.But if VWs promises made imperative by a certain Dieselgate scandal are to be believed, this ID. Space Vizzion Concept unveiled at the Los Angeles Auto Show might matter for Canadians. After all, station wagons have always been (a bit) more popular in Canada than in the U.S. enough, in fact, that VW is one of the rare manufacturers to (still) offer one in its lineup, even arranging extra production of the soon-departing, seventh-generation Golf Sportwagen and Alltrack.When is it coming?Dont hold your breath, or you might turn into that weird Saintly Blue Pearl Effect colour showcased on the prototypes body best described by VW as a new metallic white with shimmering blue and violet pigments. You want more bizarre? The interior is made of AppleSkin, in lieu of leather. Yes, youll be sitting on leftovers from apple juice production. Kids should love it. But back to our specifics: VW says the concept previews a potential production car for Europe and North America. This is a bit less assertive than VWs previous statement suggesting the production version will launch in late 2021 with different versions for North America, Europe, and China.Should you buy it?Too early to tell. For now, we are promised a rear-mounted motor for 275 horsepower that can be paired with a second, 101-horsepower coaxial drive motor. The latter would give all-wheel-drive capability and up to 335 horsepower. This 4Motion variant of the ID. Space Vizzion, with its 82-kWh lithium-ion pack, is said to be good for 482 kilometres more or less Tesla Model 3 range and can sprint from zero to 96 km/h (60 mph) in five
Origin: Volkswagen’s ID. Space Vizzion Concept is a wagon by any other name

2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime PHEV boasts 302 HP — yes, you read that right

What is it?The first plug-in hybrid version of Toyota’s best-selling RAV4, the Prime looks to expand on the number of electrified compact sport-cutes Toyota Canada sells, which currently account for about a quarter of the 62,000 RAV4s the company hopes to sell this year.Why is it important?Toyota is changing the focus of all its hybrids, emphasizing the performance improvement of electrification as much as its environmental benefits. So, in marrying a 2.5-litre Atkinson-cycle four with Toyotas Hybrid Synergy Drive, the new RAV4 Prime boasts 302 net horsepower, the most ever for the sport-cute. And, yes, it is more than the then-top-of-the-line 3.5-litre V6 Toyota offered in the RAV4 between 2006 and 2012.Those 302 horses also make the Prime quicker than any previous RAV4, its 5.8-second sprint to 96 kilometres an hour (60 mph) in true hot-rod territory. Hybrids are no longer just for fuel economy!Check Out All Our Auto Show CoverageNot that the Prime suffers in that arena. Thanks to the estimated 60 kilometres of electric-only range afforded by its huge-for-a-PHEV 17.8-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery, the new RAV4 plug-in is rated for the electric equivalent of 2.6 litres per 100 kilometres. And, of course, thanks to the rear-mounted traction motor, the Prime offers Toyotas Electronic On-Demand All-Wheel-Drive system.On a more pedestrian front, even the SE version of the RAV4 Prime gets heated and power adjustable seats and an eight-inch Touchscreen while the top-of-the-line XSE gets the RAV4s first paddle shifters and 19-inch rims, the largest ever offered on a hybrid RAV4. When is it arriving?Summer of 2020.Should you buy it?Damn straight you should. Any time you can cut your fuel consumption as dramatically as this while increasing performance so substantially is a good day for any SUV owner. Factor in the convenience of plugging in at home and quick refuelling on the road, and the RAV4 would seem an optimal blend of traditional and electric technologies for what we hope will be a reasonable price.As the RAV4s press release boasts, welcome to a new chapter of Toyota SUV performance.LISTEN: What do car dealers think about electric vehicles? Are they keen to have them in their showrooms? We talk to Vancouver GM dealer Blair Upton about this and much more during this week’s episode of Plugged In. Plugged In is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, and Google Podcasts.Is the player not working? Click
Origin: 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime PHEV boasts 302 HP — yes, you read that right

First Look: 2021 Aston Martin DBX

What is it?This is the DBX, Aston Martins first SUV, one of the most-teased vehicles of all time (Gaydon has been rolling out “spy” photos of the DBX on an almost monthly basis for the past year) and, in the words the company itself, the sport utility with the soul of a sports car.Why does it matter?Well, for one thing, Aston Martin is 106 years old and this is the first time its built anything that even resembles an off-roader. For another, while other marques have built SUVs that are supposed to remind you of their sports cars Im looking at you, Ford, and your new Mustang Mach-E there is, for better or for worse, a lot of Aston Martin sports car DNA in the DBX.Most importantly, Aston Martin sales have been hurting as of late and, as much as many will scream Sacrilege!, if a sport brute can put Gaydon back on a firm financial footing, then so much the better.Thats why its important to Aston Martin. Why it might be important to you is that under the hood is a 542-horsepower version of the twin-turbo V8 sourced from Mercedes-Benz. An active exhaust system, in AMs own words, lets the DBX sound refined one moment and exhilarating the next. The sprint to 100 kilometres an hour takes but 4.5 seconds. Top speed is an impressive 291 km/h.Check Out All Our Auto Show CoverageEven more impressive at least when it comes to that soul of a sports car thing is the adaptive triple-chamber air springs, which allow a completely variable suspensions system. Even more technically impressive is the eARC adaptive roll bar system that, according to Aston, can generate as much as much as 1,033 foot-pounds of anti-roll force per axle. By combining the variable air spring, adjustable dampers and electronically controlled roll bars, Aston says the DBX can transport five in comfort and still handle like its soul is a sports car. When will it be available?In the second half of 2020.Should you buy it?Well, first off, do you have $218,400? You do? Okay, then here are the questions you need to ask yourself beyond is it fast? (yes, it is) and will it handle well? (yes, it should). First off, do you need to transport lots of passengers in the rear seats? Oh, dont worry, the front seats look marvelous the drivers seat, for instance, will accommodate anyone from the 99th percentile male to a 5th percentile female. But the rear seats look a little as is something of an Aston tradition cramped in the legroom. Not as bad as the Rapide (the companys four-door sedan) but tight(ish) nonetheless. Trunk space is, at 22.3 cubic feet, at least adequate.On the positive side, the interior is delectable, the leather and wood trim everything one expects from an English luxury marque. And there are truly bespoke touches such as the Pet Package yes, optional pet accessories in a luxury automobile that includes a portable washer to hose off muddy dogs, a bumper protector to ward off errant claws and even a pet partition just in case the portable washer misses a few bits.There are 10 other packages available ranging from a traditional Snow Package (ski bag and roof-mounted ski rack) all the way to and I am assuming this will be hugely popular in the United States a gun cabinet and shooting stick package that marries a lockable solid aluminum case for firearms with a stick made of leather and wood to help you, I assume, chase after pheasant. How very
Origin: First Look: 2021 Aston Martin DBX

First Look: 2021 Audi RS Q8

What is it?Audi is on a tear when it comes to its go-faster RS-badged rides. The RS 6 Avant is making a return and the RS 4 is on the horizon. To further bolster its attack on the AMG and M brands, Audi pulled the wraps off the RS Q8. Usually, when you are dealing with a low-slung wagon or hatchback, shoehorning a monster motor under the hood and beefing up the dynamics is a natural. Doing the same to a higher-riding SUV is another matter. Fear not, the RS Q8 is every bit an RS model its fast, furious and will stay glued to the tarmac. The outward styling is bolder with wider front fenders and a unique honeycomb grille. The cabin follows this lead, especially if one opts for the serious RS sport seats wrapped in Valcona leather with a honeycomb pattern that mirrors the grille and RS badge embossed on the backrest.Why does it matter?The big news is a 4.0L twin-turbo V8 that works with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system. It pushes 591 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque through an eight-speed automatic transmission and all four wheels. In this application the quattro system sends 60 per cent of the drive to the rear wheels and 40 per cent to the front, which will give it a rear-drive feel. However, the system can send up to 85% of the power rearward, or up to 70 per cent to the front wheels if the conditions demand. The lot can be tailored to the tone of the drive and includes a driver-configurable RS mode button. To keep things shiny-side-up it has an adaptive air suspension and four-wheel steering. The dynamic-plus package adds active anti-roll bars, real-time torque vectoring at the rear and a ceramic brake package.And so to the important number the RS Q8 runs from rest to 100 km/h of 3.8 seconds! When will Canada get it?Canadians will be able to buy the RS Q8 at the end of the second-quarter next year.Should you buy it?While my first choice would be the RS 6, the RS Q8 is an intriguing proposition that will find many happy, happy owners. It is blisteringly fast (read blatant understatement!), it promises to hug the road with tenacity when pushed, yet cosset the riders in first-class luxury when out for a night at the opera. How can you argue with the
Origin: First Look: 2021 Audi RS Q8

Audi bolsters its EV lineup with the 2020 e-tron Sportback

2020 Audi e-tron SportbackHandout / Audi What is it?The Audi e-tron Sportback takes the lower half of current e-tron SUV and marries it with the top half of an A7. When launched, the sharp-looking Sportback will be offered in two different flavours: The Sportback 55 has the same powertrain as the current e-tron, meaning a 95 kWh battery and two electric motors good for 355 horsepower and 414 lb.-ft. of torque. The key difference is Sportbacks sleeker aerodynamics, mechanical improvements, and increased regenerative braking extend the the driving range to 450 kiometres. The second model is the Sportback 50 it has a smaller 72 kWh battery, a net output of 320 horsepower, and a driving range of 340 kilometres. Sharper fastback look aside, the only real difference is the cargo capacity it drops by 45 litres to 615. The rest, from the cabin layout to the suspension, is carried over from the SUV.Why does it matter?Perhaps the highlight of the Sportback is its optional digital matrix LED lighting, with a 1.2-million-pixel chip. The chip itself isnt new, as its been used in overhead projectors, but the e-tron Sportback is the first automotive application. In theory, and if/when legislation permits, the chip has the capability to play a black-and-white movie on the road ahead using just the headlights!CHECK OUT ALL OUR LATEST AUTO SHOW COVERAGEAs each of the pixels can be controlled individually when an oncoming car is detected, the pixels of light that would normally blind that driver are shut down. The pixels are also used to put virtual lines on the road ahead of the car. These represent the width of the Sportback, which makes it is easier to judge placement within the lane and how space there is should the lane narrow.The party trick is the driver can pick one of five pre-programmed light patterns when the car is first unlocked. The demo saw a twirling logo light up the wall ahead of the car in a dancing light display. Gimmicky? Yes, but it is also a very interesting extension it has much more visual punch than projecting the name of the car on the ground! When is it coming?The 2020 Audi e-tron Sportback will hit Canadian roads in middle of next year.Should you buy it?The e-tron Sportback adds a sharper-looking alternative to the e-tron SUV. While the new 50 model is an interesting take on things, its the topline 55 thats going to be the seller. The good news is that the price increase will be small estimated to be around $3,000 when compared to the current
Origin: Audi bolsters its EV lineup with the 2020 e-tron Sportback

2019 LA motor show: live coverage

Welcome to Autocar’s extended coverage of the 2019 Los Angeles motor show, one of the last major shows of this year’s automotive calendar. As ever, it is a uniquely Californian show that plays home to a varied mix of SUVs, V8s and electric cars. Manufacturers including Audi, Ford and Volkswagen are all in attendance, with major announcements expected throughout the week. Some brands even jumped the gun, revealing all ahead of the show floor opening to the industry. We’re on the ground in LA to bring you all the news as it breaks from the show, as as well as providing insight and comment from industry figures, and first drives of some of the biggest new launches. LA motor show: What’s on display There are plenty of big names revealing new metal at this year’s show. While we’ve focused on the models most likely to go on sale in other markets as well as the US, there’s still lots to see. Aston Martin DBX Although Aston Martin chose China for the official reveal of its first ever SUV, it also made sure to bring one to Los Angeles. The £158,000 SUV promises the kind of sporting pedigree Aston is famed for, with a 4.0-litre V8 delivering 542bhp. A luxury interior and capable off-road credentials should make it a threat to the likes of Bentley’s Bentayga and the Porsche Cayenne Turbo. Audi  E-tron sportback  The rakishly styled Sportback variant of Audi’s E-tron electric SUV carries over the standard car’s 402bhp twin-motor powertrain, but the Sportback sees major efficiency gains that help boost range to 278 miles – a significant step up over the E-tron.  Visual changes are largely limited to the reshaped roofline and a subtly restyled rear end, which includes an LED brake light bar similar to that of the A8 luxury saloon.  BMW 2 Series Gran Coupé The largest model in BMW’s 2 Series line-up will make its public debut at LA, following a reveal in October.  The firm’s first small four-door coupe sits atop the same front-wheel-drive platform as the smaller 1 Series, and shares that model’s range of petrol and diesel powerplants. The range-topping M235i xDrive, however, gains all-wheel drive and will take on the Mercedes-AMG CLA 35, with a 2.0-litre twin-turbo petrol unit pumping out 302bhp and 332lb ft.  M8 Gran Coupe At the other end of BMW’s performance saloon range is this, the fearsome M8 Gran Coupe. Going up against the Porsche Panamera with up to 616bhp from its 4.4-litre twin-turbocharged V8, the five-door version of the firm’s new M8 is priced from £120,935, with deliveries due to take place at the start of next year. Bollinger B1 and B2 Newly established American firm Bollinger will showcase prototype versions of its B1 and B2 electric SUVs. The rugged-looking off-roaders sit atop a skateboard-style chassis and have been engineered to meet road-legal requirements around the world. In spite of their aerodynamically unfriendly design and imposing size, the boxy models will hit 60mph from rest in just 4.5 seconds, thanks to a pair of electric motors that combine to produce 614bhp.  Ford Mustang Mach-E Ford kickstarted its electrification strategy with the sleek SUV inspired by the Mustang sports car, showing the model for the first time at LA ahead of the main show. Due to go on sale in 2020 as a rival to Tesla’s new Model Y, the Mustang Mach-E will offer a range of 370 miles on the WLTP cycle in extended battery form. At launch, a range-topping First Edition version will produce 332bhp, with a GT model set to make around 459bhp shortly after. Lexus LC500 Convertible The long-teased Lexus halo model was finally shown off in production form at this year’s LA show. Previously revealed as a concept, the soft-top LC will arrive first in ‘500’ form with a 5.0-litre V8 engine. A V6 hybrid is expected to follow later. Mercedes Maybach GLS Conceived as a rival to the Range Rover SVAutobiography, Bentley Bentayga and Rolls-Royce Cullinan, the Maybach GLS is an ultra-luxurious reworking of Mercedes’ GLS flagship SUV.  The standard model’s silhouette is retained, but spy shots show that the Maybach version will feature bespoke design elements inspired by 2016’s Maybach 6 coupe concept. There are suggestions that the top-of-the-line GLS could also offer improved rear legroom, courtesy of an extended wheelbase.  Mini John Cooper Works GP Mini’s fastest model yet, the 300bhp JCW GP, has been teetering on the edge of an unveiling for a while, with prototypes making public appearances at high-profile events like the Nurburgring 24 Hours and Goodwood Festival of Speed, but now the wraps have finally come off. The 302bhp hot hatch will have a £34,995 starting price and be limited to 3000 units worldwide. Porsche 911 manual Not a new car, but almost as exciting, is the news that Porsche is adding a seven-speed manual option to its 911 sports car. The option is rolling out at no extra cost to buyers in the US, with a UK launch expected in the new
Origin: 2019 LA motor show: live coverage

First Look: 2020 Lincoln Corsair Grand Touring

2020 Lincoln Corsair Grand TouringClayton Seams Lincoln now builds no fewer than five different CUVs, and the Corsair is the second smallest of all of them. Just one slot above the aging MKC, the Corsairs design looks similar to that of the Nautilus and Aviator, which is to say its nice, but ultimately forgettable.The Grand Touring variant is a plug-in hybrid with a rear-mounted electric motor that gives the Corsair electric AWD, as Ford puts it.That means the 2.5-litre non-turbo four gas engine drives the front wheels and has no mechanical link at all to the rears. The rear wheels are powered (when needed) by an electric motor. The combined system output of the electric motor working in conjunction with the engine is 266 horsepower.Check Out All Our Latest Auto Show CoverageThe Grand Touring model is externally distinguished with a slightly different grille mesh and blue accents in the Lincoln grille logo and Corsair badges. The Corsair Grand Touring model is arriving for summer 2020, and Canadian pricing has not yet been announced. When it arrives you can expect it to have the same Conserve, Normal, and Excite drive modes as usual, in addition to the winter and mud ones.Lincoln has emphasized the interior of the Corsair is designed to be a sanctuary for relaxing and listening to music. The front seats are 24-way adjustable, and the rear seats fold down 60/40 to accommodate
Origin: First Look: 2020 Lincoln Corsair Grand Touring