Having perused the photos, absorbed the specs, dismissed the fiction, and generally believed the hype, The Good Car Guy is prepared to host select photo Galleries of New York Auto Show introductions. These cars (2011 Hyundai Equus, 2011 Scion iQ, 2011 Hyundai Sonata 2.0T, 2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid, 2011 Acura TSX Sport Wagon, 2011 Mercedes-Benz E350 4Matic Wagon, 2011 Kia Optima) may not be long-term favourites around here, they might not end up as memorable vehicles, and they each stand just half a chance at garnering extended coverage on GoodCarBadCar.net. But the Galleries you see below are still important, and for a variety of reasons. Check'em all out, in addition to a dose of GCBC opinion, after the jump.
The 2011 Hyundai Equus will be the Korean's attempt to compete with larger, more luxurious, more evocative machinery than the Hyundai Genesis ever thought of challenging. The Equus is more than 7 inches longer than the already large Genesis sedan, comes standard with the Genesis' 4.6L 385-bhp V8, and uses air-suspension to waft like an S-Class Benz or BMW 7-Series. Looking exactly like a supersized Genesis, a Good 12 winner, the 2011 Hyundai Equus is neither alarmingly attractive or off-putting in the least.
You've seen the iQ before, generally labelled as a Toyota. In North America, the Scion iQ will be a major rival to the smart fortwo, a Good 12 winner and the first GoodCarBadCar long-termer. But the Scion iQ is a 2+1+1, or a 3+1, or a 2+2.... one way or another, the Scion iQ seats four in a tidy, front-engined package. Get more info on the iQ here.
With regular fuel and 34mpg, the turbocharged Hyundai Sonata 2.0T manages to generate 274 horsepower. This power figure places the Sonata 2.0T alongside super-powerful V6-engined sedans from Honda, Toyota, and Mazda. With 34mpg, though, the 2011 Hyundai Sonata 2.0T is way out in front of the V6-engined competitors.
Also shown in a Gallery of its own is the 2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. Hyundai has really tinkered with the regular Sonata's styling to mark out the Hybrid as its own machine.The front end, in particular, is totally reworked. The Sonata Hybrid will be rated at 39mpg on the highway and should be capable of 62mph on electric power alone. Its curb weight is 263 pounds less than the Good 12-winning Ford Fusion Hybrid and its power output of 169 bhp should provide decent shove.
The Acura TSX Sport Wagon is basically a Euro-market Honda Accord Tourer. Or you could say it's basically an Acura TSX sedan with an elongated roof and a hatch. One way or another, it's the car you want instead of the Bad 8-winning Honda Accord Crosstour.
In light of BMW's move away from the 5-Series wagon towards the 5-Series GranTurismo, the Mercedes-Benz E350 4Matic Wagon is interesting, to say the least. As with the Audi A6 Avant, the E-Class wagon is very much a wagon. In fact, the Benz is even available with a third row seat like the Mercury Grand Marquis land yacht your great-grandfather owned.
Finally, the 2011 Kia Optima is revealed to be a looker, y'all. More handsome than the Hyundai Sonata with which it shares much. Even with a few questionable details the Optima comes across as one of the more attractive midsize sedans, causing the Honda Accord to appear bland, the Toyota Camry extra-bland, and the Nissan Altima bloated.
Related From GoodCarBadCar.net
Hyundai Equus 3 To Beat
Toyota iQ In Production Form
Hyundai Sonata vs Toyota Camry vs Honda Accord
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