Finding a whole new gear
Refreshed models go into overdrive to pull ahead as king of road
You may recognize the names, but these redesigned and restyled 2018 vehicles are a far cry from their predecessors.
Based on what you’ll see in this year’s crop of overhauled namesakes, automakers are shaping their latest offerings around what more and more drivers are looking for: infotainment displays and in-car Wi-Fi hotspots aimed at providing a more interactive driving experience, better fuel economy and all of the latest safety features.
Whether they’re looking to more closely match the appearance of their competition, cut costs to come in with the lowest-in-class prices, or equip their vehicles with a wide range of futuristic driver assistance tech, manufacturers are pulling out all the stops this year to attract drivers to their next-generation vehicles.
Here’s a closer look at some of this year’s improved models.
Chevrolet Traverse ($29,930)
This eight-passenger crossover is a completely restyled second-generation vehicle that offers plenty of room for passengers and cargo. Chevy is selling the Traverse's all-new exterior as “bold and refined” with a less round appearance than its predecessor and a more squared-off back end. But fear not, the revamped Traverse didn't lose the generous third-row space and ample cargo capacity that set it apart from its in-class competitors. The standard engine is a 3.6-liter V-6 connected to a nine-speed automatic transmission that generates 310 horsepower and 266 lb.-ft. of torque. The front-wheel-drive model gets 17 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway. The all-wheel-drive version gets 17 mpg in the city and 25 mpg in highway driving.
Honda Accord ($24,445)
This year's completely overhauled Honda Accord, voted 2018 North American Car of the Year, has a lower and wider stance that give it a coupe-like feel at the curb. It also offers even more leg room in the back than the previous model and the standard model comes with a range of driver-assist features that aren't available in similar competitors. Its class-leading 33 mpg combined fuel economy will also be a major draw. The most basic Accord has a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission that generates 192 horsepower and 192 lb.-ft. of torque — both improvements on last year's model.
Toyota Camry ($24,380)
Toyota's eighth-generation Camry has a lower and sleeker look that will have you thinking you're looking at a different model. Its doublewishbone rear suspension gives it a lower center of gravity and provides a fun experience behind the wheel. All of the trims are available with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that cranks out 203 hp and 184 lb.ft. of torque. The interior is spacious and the five-passenger standard Camry comes with a suite of driver-assistance features.
Hyundai Sonata ($32,450)
The redesigned Hyundai Sonata provides excellent value without sacrificing quality, a sign the automaker is looking to snag drivers who are looking for a good deal. Under the hood, this revamped midsize sedan packs a turbocharged four-cylinder engine and a more efficient eightspeed transmission, which generates 245 horsepower and 260 lb.ft. of torque. It gets 23 mpg city, 32 mpg on the highway.
Mercedes-Benz S-Class ($91,000)
Mercedes' flagship full-size luxury sedan is back and better than ever. The S-Class, which received only minor exterior updates, may be a bit pricey, but it offers all the opulence you'd expect from a car with a nearly six-figure price tag — including leather upholstery, a 12.3-inch central screen, navigation and a booming Burmester audio system. It also comes with lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring and automatic emergency braking. New to this year's model are the freshened bumpers, “triple-torch” headlights, and “stardust” LED tailights. The new S450 comes with a 362-hp twin-turbo V-6 engine that generates 369 lb.-ft. of torque. The rear-wheel-drive model gets 19 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway. The all-wheel-drive version gets 18 mpg and 28 mpg respectively.
Lincoln Navigator ($72,350)
It's the style points and luxury perks that separate the all-new Lincoln Navigator from its competitors. The three-row luxury SUV comes with all-wheel-drive standard and a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V-6 engine with the 450 horsepower needed to get this full-size vehicle in gear. Its 10-speed automatic transmission helps deliver a smooth ride. Inside, you'll find a high-end interior with leather seats, plush carpeting, a rearview camera and a 10-inch touch screen on the dash. The Navigator gets 16 mpg city, 22 mpg highway.
Audi Q5 ($41,500)
This luxury crossover got its first major overhaul in nearly a decade for 2018 aimed at creating a longer, wider, taller Q5 with an allnew chassis and more room for passengers and cargo. The second-generation Q5 has a revised all-wheel-drive system, which, when combined with the chassis, offers a smoother ride than you'd get in the original model. Its MMI infotainment system is sleek and simple. All models come with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine mated with a sevenspeed, dual-clutch automatic transmission that generates 252 horsepower and 273 lb.-ft. of torque. The Audi Q5 gets 23 mpg in the city and 27 on the highway.
Volvo XC60 ($41,500)
The newest version of this all-wheel-drive compact luxury SUV is better-looking and more powerful that its predecessors and offers an upgraded model with a semiautonomous driver-assistance program that can handle the ride home for you. The base model has a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 engine that delivers 250 horsepower and 258 lb.-ft. of torque. It gets an admirable 22 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway.
Subaru Crosstrek ($22,710)
This all-wheel-drive hatchback is back with an all new second-generation vehicle. The latest version is slightly longer and wider and has more safety features and more premium options. The 2018 Crosstrek has two rows and seating for up to five passengers and offers 55 cubic feet of cargo space. Subaru's Starlink multimedia system and its 6.5-inch touch screen come standard — so does its 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine and all-wheel-drive. The engine generates 152 horsepower and 145 lb.-ft. of torque. The Crosstrek gets 23 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway.