RED, WHITE AND NEW
Bevy of 2018 releases fit what drivers want
Whether you’re looking for a stylish ride that will turn heads as you cruise through the city, a powerpacked off-roader capable of hauling whatever you can throw behind it or a fuel-sipping compact that will save you money at the pump — automakers unveiling this year’s all-new models have you covered.
As American drivers’ priorities and expectations evolve, the size, shape and capabilities of each year’s models change right along with them. Thanks to our increasingly connected world, 2018’s all-new vehicles are ready to sync with all of your devices, offer a smoother and more adaptive driving experience than ever before and come packed with a bevy of stateof-the-art safety features.
But because every customer who makes their way to a dealership this Presidents Day in the hopes of perusing this year’s all-new rides will show up with a different price range in mind and a unique set of preferences, here’s a look at some of the vehicles that will be storming their way onto the U.S. auto market for the first time this year. Subaru Ascent ($32,970)
Subaru is making a splash with the Ascent, a three-row, all-wheel SUV that is the manufacturer’s biggest vehicle. The Ascent offers the option of a bench or captain’s chairs in the second row, though the captain’s chairs option reduces seating capacity from eight to seven. The interior is roomy and comfortable and the third-row seats recline. The Ascent, expected to be available this summer, has a turbo-
charged, 2.4-liter Boxer engine that generates 260 horsepower with 277 lb.-ft. of torque. And with a 5,000 pound towing capacity, it’s clear Subaru’s biggest option is looking to throw its weight around. Kia Stinger ($31,900)
The Kia Stinger, which went on sale late last year, is the South Korean automaker’s new fastback sedan that shows the company is looking to offer drivers a new option in a class that has been dominated by more expensive European manufacturers. The base model has a turbocharged, four-cylinder engine that generates 255 horsepower and 260 lb.-ft. of torque — but the top-spec GT trim boasts 365 horsepower and available all-wheel-drive for the drivers with a need for speed. Range Rover Velar ($77,100)
Jaguar Land Rover clearly did something right with the Range Rover Velar, which was the top-selling model in the entire family for the October-December sales period. It’s a sporty luxury SUV that can handle city driving in Boston and some off-road action. Sleeker and sportier than other Range Rovers you’ll see on the lot, the Velar also offers luxury features like standard heating, ventilating and massage functions in the front seats and rear seats that come with an adjustable lean angle. Its 3-liter, six-cylinder supercharged engine is mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission that helps generate 380 horsepower. It gets 18 mpg city, 24 mpg highway. Volkswagen Atlas ($42,690)
The VW Atlas is an extremely roomy three-row SUV that has plenty of room for your passengers and anything else you may be bringing with you. The Atlas is second in its class with 96.8 cubic feet of cargo space and has a 276-horsepower, 3.6-liter V-6 engine. It gets 17 mpg in the city, 23 mpg on the highway and a combined 19 mpg. And though it’s a powerful vehicle capable of towing 5,000 pounds, the 8-speed automatic transmission makes for a nimble ride — especially in sport mode. Ford EcoSport ($19,995)
For the first time, Ford is introducing the EcoSport SUV to buyers in the U.S. The EcoSport is a subcompact crossover SUV that may not have a lot of pickup off the starting line, but offers more cargo space than most of its competitors at a very affordable price. The standard model comes with a turbocharged, threecylinder front-wheel-drive engine and gets an impressive 27 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway. Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio ($81,590) Alfa Romeo’s all-new Stelvio Quadrifoglio is a luxury mid-size that’s being advertised as the world’s fastest production SUV. Its 2.9-liter, twinturbocharged V-6 engine generates a best-in-class 505 horsepower and segment-leading torque. The Stelvio Quadrifoglio can roar from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.9 seconds — and if you want to push it to the limit, it boasts a top speed of 176 mph. And because it’s a driver’s car, it has the most direct steering available and offers columnmounted paddle shifters to help you make the most of the engine. Nissan Kicks ($19,000)
Replacing the Juke, the Nissan Kicks is a stylish subcompact crossover that’s big on looks and similar in size to its competitors, the Toyota C-HR, the Honda HR-V and the Mazda CX-3. Its 1.6-liter inline-4 engine’s 125 horsepower won’t get you off the line in a hurry, but what the Kicks lacks in power it makes up for in style points. It has a continuously variable automatic transmission that provides for a fun, sporty ride that will also get you great fuel economy at 33 mpg in combined city and highway driving. Buick Regal TourX ($29,070)
The Buick Regal TourX is an all-wheel-drive, fivepassenger sport wagon that
provides a lot of style and space at a great value. In addition to offering more cargo room than most of its competitors at 32.7 cubic feet, when you lift up this crossover’s hood, you’ll find a 250-horsepower, 2.0-liter, four-cylinder turbo engine mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission. It gets 21 mpg in the city, 29 mpg on the highway and 24 mpg combined. Hyundai Kona ($19,500)
The new 2018 Hyundai Kona SUV, available next month, may be smaller than some of its mates, but it’s priced to move, easy on the eyes and a lot of fun to drive. The smaller crossover still seats five and comes with either a 147-horsepower, 2.0-liter, inline-four with a six-speed automatic transmission or a 175-horsepower, turbo 1.6-liter, inline-four with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. All-wheel-drive is optional with both engines and the Kona gets up to 28 mpg in the city or 32 mpg on the highway. Volvo XC40 ($34,000)
The all-new XC40, which arrives this spring, is an athletic luxury subcompact SUV with some power under the hood. It comes equipped with a 248-horsepower, turbocharged, fourcylinder engine that generates 259 lb.-ft. of torque. Mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission, the XC40 goes from 0 to 60 in 6.2 seconds. Nimble on the road, it also has room to spare, with 20.7 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 47.2 cubic feet when the seatbacks are folded down.