You just can’t smell what stinks from your phone; sometimes, you’ve gotta actually see the cars, trucks, and SUVs in person to determine what’s hot and what’s not. And when it comes to the 2019 Los Angeles Auto Show, the editors of MotorTrend have comprehensively covered the new-car debuts to bring you this special list. Automotive risk-taking doesn’t always pay off, so if you’ve already enjoyed the MotorTrend list of the Best Cars of the 2019 L.A. Auto Show, keep reading for the “glass half-empty” side of the show.
Want to be a little more positive? Check out our Best of Show picks right here.
2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E Badges
You won’t find a more controversial car at the 2019 L.A. Auto show than the Ford Mustang Mach-E. And overall, I’m a fan of the styling, even if the visual height of the Ford’s profile makes it seem more like a tall four-door hatch than an SUV. Even so, take a closer look at the “Mach-E 4 X” badge on the door — it’s an affectatious design that’s hard to read, and will be even harder to make out for those who get smoked by this electric SUV on the street. –Zach Gale
2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer
“The Trailblazer’s exterior styling … follows in the theme set by the Chevy Blazer” according to Chevrolet marketing speak. Translated, it means they hit the Blazer with a hammer until it was small enough to cram between the Trax and Equinox. Strangely, the 2021 Trailblazer’s base price is cheaper than the Trax yet makes more power, which has you wondering why this doesn’t just replace the Trax entirely.
Unfortunately, the Trailblazer features Chevy’s dumb “selectable all-wheel drive” that tells you to turn on AWD when you’re about to get stuck instead of just doing it. Throw in the fact this youth-targeted crossover doesn’t have CarPlay and Android Auto standard, and you can tell Chevy doesn’t get it. At least Ford had the good sense to gamble the Mustang name on an extremely important and competitive EV. Chevy threw away the Trailblazer name on a copy and paste baby SUV. –Scott Evans
It looks like someone took a Blazer out of the dryer too early. The front fascia looks outrageously busy and isn’t as successful in the bigger sibling. The worst part? The giant C-pillars that are surely going to create massive blind spots. —Stefan Ogbac
SUVs
Stop it. Please stop it. You have to stop buying so many SUVs. Case in point: On the Audi stand sat a visible from space, radioactive green RS Q8. Parked right next to it was a subtle, lovely RS6 Avant wagon in a conservative but handsome dark blue. Though to be fair, molten lava would look conservative next to that RS Q8. Anyhow, both the RS Q8 and RS6 are built on the VW Group’s MLB Evo platform. The RS Q8 rides higher and weighs more. It doesn’t carry more people or cargo. It doesn’t handle better or go faster. It doesn’t go off road. It doesn’t look better. It’s the high-performance wagon for people who say, “I like to sit up high.” Soon enough, the RS Q8 will probably outsell the RS6 a zillion to one, and Audi will cancel the RS6 Avant wagon. You’re killing cars. Stop it. —Jonny Lieberman
The “Vision” Names (Hyundai Vision T Concept and Volkswagen ID Space Vizzion Concept)
At risk of discouraging automakers from using proper names, I’ve got to call out two of them for their, uh, distinct lack of vision. The Hyundai Vision T and Volkswagen ID Space Vizzion concepts share the same bold vision for an electrified future, but both suffer from a lack of imagination when it comes to naming their cars. Names should be unique and inspiring, not mindless marketing buzzwords. –Christian Seabaugh
Volkswagen ID Space Vizzion Concept
Don’t get me wrong, I love that VW is getting into the EV space, and YES, with a wagon. But what were the group meisters in Germany thinking? You can’t debut this slabby, soft-sided marshmallow at the same show your cooler, younger brother drops the lean, mean near-600-hp Audi RS6 FOR THE U.S. MARKET! Vizzion should have emerged at CES or something, amirite? —Ed Loh
1981 Zimmer Golden Spirit
Behold the pride and joy of “Mr. Showmanship,” hisownself, Liberace. Many may argue that the 17.8-foot-long neo-classic Zimmer Golden Spirit was ostentatious enough as it left its Pompano Beach, Florida assembly facility with its faux Mercedes SSK styling cues, landau roof, chrome air horns, and wire wheels. But Liberace saw this bedazzled and stretched Fox-body Mustang as a blank canvas onto which he commissioned the further edition of seven candelabras, each containing one, two, or five electric “candles.” It caused me the greatest eye pain of anything on the convention center floor, but if it’s your cup of tea, contact Galpin Motors and make them an offer they can’t refuse. —Frank Markus
2021 Kia Seltos
In the announcement for our 2020 SUV of the Year winner, we lauded the Kia Telluride’s design, writing: “On the bodyside, simple surfaces mostly tell their own story instead of becoming a stage for entertainment riven with random cuts and lines.” In other words, the exact opposite of the Kia Seltos.
The Seltos, Kia’s new compact SUV, is a mishmash of creases and curves, erratic shapes, and garish details; simply too much design smashed into too little space. Oddly proportioned as well, the Seltos looks too tall for its width and isn’t helped by dinky wheels. The Seltos could and should have looked like a downsized Telluride. Instead, it looks like some cheap Chinese knockoff. —Alex Leanse
2020 Buick Encore GX
The new Buick Encore GX is better than the current Encore—as it should be because, despite the name choice, the GX is a totally different vehicle and rides on a different platform. The Encore GX is bigger and shares its bones with the new 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer. Maybe I’m a purist, but this naming decision drives me crazy. Otherwise, the new Encore GX is larger, more nicely appointed, and will likely sell well. —Alisa Priddle
2020 Genesis G90
I’m sure its design will grow on me, but I can’t get over those enormous wheels. I love the new front end, with the handsome grille and the modern headlights, but the rest of the car’s design carries a type of ostentatious luxury that I’m not fond of, to put it politely. —Miguel Cortina
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