This year’s New York auto show could barely be called a car show due to how many crossovers and SUVs were revealed. But as customers in the U.S. continue to favor utility vehicles, automakers are updating their lineups accordingly. From conventional utility vehicles to high-performance and fully-electric ones, the 2018 New York auto show had an SUV or crossover for all lifestyles and interests.
2019 Toyota RAV4
Now riding on Toyota’s TNGA platform, the 2019 RAV4 looks much more aggressive than the vehicle it replaces. It offers a new 2.5-liter I-4 and an available hybrid system that should deliver superior fuel economy. Like its predecessor, the RAV4 Hybrid the most powerful model, but it should also be the most efficient. Those looking to give their RAV4 some sporting moves should look to the XSE trim, which gets a unique suspension tuning for improved handling.
2019 Subaru Forester
Yes, the Forester is all-new, and it rides on Subaru’s Global Platform. But you’ll have to get a magnifying glass to see the exterior design changes on the 2019 Forester. Under the hood, the 2.5-liter flat-four gets direct injection, bumping output up to 182 hp and 176 lb-ft of torque. The latest version of Subaru’s Starlink infotainment system replaces the old interface. Owners should also appreciate newly designed front seats and a more refined ride that promises to improve comfort on long drives.
2019 Hyundai Tucson
Hyundai’s compact crossover, the Tucson, gets a significant refresh that adds a long list of available driver assistance features. Hyundai’s 181-hp 2.4-liter I-4 also replaces the 1.6-liter turbo-four on higher trims. Sporting Hyundai’s corporate grille, reshaped headlights and taillights, and a new dash layout similar to the one found on the 2019 Santa Fe, the Tucson looks sharper, fresher, and ready to take on its newly redesigned rivals.
2019 Cadillac XT4
New for 2019, the XT4 gives Cadillac an entry into the increasingly popular subcompact luxury crossover segment. It comes with a nine-speed automatic transmission and a 237-hp 2.0-liter turbo-four, making it one of the more powerful entries in its class. The 2019 Cadillac XT4 can be equipped with an active suspension and continuously controlled dampers for sportier handling, while optional red carbon-fiber interior trim and massaging front seats give the cabin a more luxurious feel.
2019 Jaguar F-Pace SVR
High-performance models are no longer limited to cars. Crossovers have started to gain hot variants, as well. The latest addition to this growing segment is the 2019 Jaguar F-Pace SVR. It packs a 550-hp 5.0-liter supercharged V-8, a 176-mph top speed, wider tires, and a specially tuned adaptive suspension to ensure that it has the handling chops to tackle your favorite winding roads or even a racetrack.
2019 Hyundai Kona EV
The all-electric 2019 Hyundai Kona EV aims to shake things up with its estimated range of 250 miles on a single charge. Although its front-drive only, the Kona EV will be the first all-electric small crossover that aims to make electrified mobility accessible to the mass market. The Kona EV has an interior with design cues taken straight out of the Nexo fuel cell crossover, giving it that futuristic appearance without looking like you’re driving an alien spacecraft.
2019 Mazda CX-3
Mazda’s smallest crossover gets a mild refresh to keep it competitive. Its 2.0-liter I-4 now makes slightly more power at 148 hp and 148 lb-ft. The chassis also gets some minor updates for improved driving dynamics, and the steering has been made more responsive. To improve the CX-3’s NVH, Mazda has added more sound deadening and thicker door panels and rear door glass.
Lincoln Aviator Concept
Although this was just a teaser of what’s to come, the Lincoln Aviator concept shows that Lincoln will bring all the goodness of the Navigator down to a stylish midsize SUV. The new Aviator will feature a twin-turbocharged engine or an optional plug-in hybrid system, the former coming standard with rear-wheel drive. All-wheel drive should be optional on the gas-only Aviator, but the plug-in hybrid variant will likely get it as standard equipment.
2019 Hyundai Santa Fe
Making its first North American appearance at the 2018 New York auto show, the 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe comes standard with Hyundai’s Smart Sense suite of active safety tech and will be the Korean automaker’s first vehicle to offer an optional diesel engine. Sporting a new design language, the 2019 Santa Fe looks aggressive yet distinctive, allowing it to stand out even more, especially in bright exterior colors.
Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport Concept
A preview of a five-seat variant of the Atlas, the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport concept is 7.5 inches shorter than the standard Atlas. Powered by the same 276-hp 3.6-liter V-6 in the production Atlas, the Atlas Cross Sport concept kicks it up a notch with an 18-kW-hr lithium-ion battery and two electric motors for a total output of 355 hp. Expect the production version of the Atlas Cross Sport concept to go into production at Volkswagen’s Chattanooga, Tennessee, plant when it launches in 2019.
2019 Maserati Levante Trofeo
Want some serious power to go with sexy Italian style? The 2019 Maserati Levante Trofeo has your name written all over it. Featuring a 3.8-liter twin-turbo V-8 with 590 hp and 538 lb-ft of torque, the Levante Trofeo can accelerate to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds and top out at well over 180 mph, according to Maserati. It also features a new kind of leather called Pieno Fiore, a Corsa driving mode, and launch control.
2019 Acura RDX
The 2019 Acura RDX returns with a 10-speed automatic, a 272-hp 2.0-liter turbo-four, and an optional Super Handling All-Wheel Drive system that can send 70 percent of torque to the rear wheels and then transfer it left or right. A new Android-based multimedia system with a 10.2-inch screen makes its debut on the 2019 RDX along with a new front seat design specifically made for Acura vehicles.
2019 Lexus UX
The 2019 Lexus UX makes its first North American appearance in the Big Apple, and it’s the first Lexus vehicle to feature Apple CarPlay. The UX 200 features a 2.0-liter I-4 and produces 168 hp, and the UX 250h gets a hybrid system for a total of 176 hp. The diminutive Lexus UX should offer excellent fuel economy in a package that’s ideal for the urban jungle.
2019 Jaguar I-Pace
Jaguar’s first all-electric crossover aims to challenge the Tesla Model X, and it does so with lots of style. The 2019 Jaguar I-Pace has an estimated range of 240 miles on a single charge and 394 hp and 512 lb-ft of torque on tap. Expect the I-Pace to drive with the same agility as its siblings with internal combustion engines, meaning it should be pretty fun to drive.