Four-door style gets an upgrade
SEDANS: From sporty to luxurious, these cars meet the needs of many buyers
Sedans were once the lifeblood of the auto industry. Years ago there just weren’t many other options if you wanted to transport a family, but now SUVs and CUVs have stepped into the role of family-haulers. That doesn’t mean the venerable fourdoor sedan is dead, far from it, and here are five worth catching at the auto show.
In the Ford booth, take a look at the face-lifted 2017 Fusion. This mid-size sedan launched in 2006, and took over from the automaker’s Taurus. The second-generation car came out in 2013, and has been freshened for 2017. Ford offers numerous trims, including plug-in hybrid Energi, Platinum and Titanium, but it’s the Fusion Sport that’s of most interest. Powered by a 2.7-litre turbocharged EcoBoost V-6 engine paired with a six-speed automatic, the Sport also comes with allwheel drive. There are also a variety of performance-related additions, including deeper air intakes, mesh grille, 19-inch alloy wheels and dual exhaust outlets.
Hyundai has its bestselling and freshly redesigned compact 2017 Elantra. Now in its sixth generation, the Elantra four-door has been treated to a bold new aerodynamic design that is longer, wider and slightly taller than the outgoing model. Power comes from a new 2.0-L Atkinsoncycle four-cylinder engine designed for greater efficiency and better dayto-day driving performance. The Elantra can be had with a six-speed automatic or manual transmission.
Jaguar’s XE is the automaker’s new sports sedan, featuring an aluminum-intensive and lightweight monocoque structure. Long and low, the XE offers an aerodynamic profile and is the first Jaguar to be equipped with electric-power steering tuned to provide crisp and responsive handling. There’s a choice of power in the XE, including a 2.0-L in-line four-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine or a 3.0-L supercharged V-6 gas engine. The transmission backing them up is an eight-speed automatic. Available in XE Prestige, XE Premium or XE R-Sport, every model is equipped with all-wheel drive. The XE R-Sport has an aggressively styled body kit, including front bumper, side sills and trunk spoiler.
Nissan is showing off its face-lifted Altima. One of the most popular mid-sized sedans on the market, the Altima has been treated to a bold new design first seen on the 2015 Murano and then the 2016 Maxima. The Altima has been given new sheet metal in front, with a lowered fascia and new grille, bumper, hood and fenders. Out back, the Altima has been treated to lower and wider four-piece tail lights and a new trunk lid. There’s a new model, too: the sporty SR that offers enhanced handling with unique exterior and interior accents.
Finally, wander over to the Volkswagen display to see the 2016 Jetta GLI Autobahn, equipped with a six-speed manual transmission — although it’s also available with a sixspeed automatic. The Jetta is now in its sixth generation, and a turbocharged 2.0-L in-line four-cylinder gas engine capable of producing 210 horsepower and 207 pound-feet of torque powers the GLI sedan. The Autobahn trim adds 18-inch Mallory alloy wheels, a six-way poweradjustable driver’s seat with manual lumbar support, bi-xenon headlights, blind-spot detection and rear cross-traffic alert. Sporty touches include a rear spoiler, tuned suspension and bolstered seats.