We saw loads of good stuff at the New York International Auto Show this year, including a variety of sultry luxury machines like the Cadillac CT6 V-Sport and Audi RS5 Sportback, not to mention the stunning new Essentia EV GT concept from Genesis. However, as is inevitable these days, we found plenty of less-than-desirable debuts as well, five of which we’ve listed here for your communal derision.
Continue reading for the worst debuts from the 2018 New York International Auto Show.
Acura MDX A-Spec
Taking the first spot in our list of the worst from the 2018 New York International Auto Show is a new upgraded version of the mid-size Acura MDX SUV. It’s called the A-Spec, and it brings a variety of aesthetic upgrades to play, including a new bumper, larger intakes, and a fresh dark-colored surround for the central grille. Custom 20-inch wheels are mounted in the corners, while additional glossy black trim was added to the window surrounds. Finishing it off is a new rear diffuser. Unfortunately, while the A-Spec certainly looks sportier, it doesn’t have the upgraded oily bits to match, rocking the same 290-horsepower 3.5-liter V-6 as the rest of the line.
“It’s cool and all with the darker appearance, but this trim needs a bit more power,” explains our man Ciprian Florea, "And it’s nowhere to be found.”
Read our featured news about the 2019 Acura MDX A-Spec. or our full review of the 2017 Acura MDX
Hyundai Tucson
Look, we know it isn’t easy job redesigning a high-volume production car - what do you change to make it better, and what do you keep to make sure you don’t make it worse? It’s a daunting task, to be sure, but regardless, we can’t let Hyundai off the hook for this decidedly lazy update to the mid-size Tucson SUV. Yeah, it’s just a mid-cycle refresh, but we were looking for more than the minor exterior features we see here, which are limited to new wheels, new LED headlights, and relocated rear reflectors. There’s also second-row USB chargers and a new floating display for the interior. Meanwhile, the powertrain gets nerfed with the loss of the outgoing model’s turbocharged engine and seven-speed transmission.
So what were we expecting? Robert Moore explains: “They have this awesome design language for the Santa Fe and end up making the Tucson look old.” Time to give some extra love to the Tucson, Hyundai!
Read our full review of the 2019 Hyundai Tucson. (currently in the process of updating or read our featured news!
Kia Sedona
Next up on our list of yawn-worthy updates is the Kia Sedona. Now, don’t get us wrong - we aren’t hating on this thing because it’s a minivan. Rather, we’re not fans of the new Sedona because, like the Tucson, the upgrades for the mid-cycle update make us roll our eyes with disappointment. The exterior was upgraded with a new fascia, wheels, and fog lights, while there’s also a new instrument cluster behind the steering wheel, but that’s about it. Sure, customers are offered additional optional equipment, but excuse us as we let out a hefty “meh.” The rest of the spec carries over with a 3.3-liter V-6 making 276 horsepower and 248 pound-feet of torque.
Read our full review on the 2019 Kia Sedona.
Subaru Forester
The Subaru Forester certainly has the right stuff to provide for growing families and weekend outdoor enthusiasts, what with its prodigious interior space, onboard safety technology features, and AWD grip. None of that changes for the 2019 model year, but unfortunately, the niche fun stuff didn’t get renewed either. That means the turbocharged powerplant in the Forester XT went the way of the dodo, replaced with a “Sport” variant outfitted with some glossy black trim, new black wheels, and a rear spoiler. The manual gearbox option also got the axe, with Subaru’s Lineartronic continuously variable transmission now the only option across the line.
Sure, we weren’t expecting anything hair-raising from the Forester, but a delete for the turbo and three-pedal gearbox make this thing even blander than it was before.
Read our full review of the 2019 Subaru Forester.
Kia K900
For anyone interested in getting into a top-of-the-line Kia, there’s the K900 sedan. First breaking into the scene a few years back as a means to take on the Audi A8 and BMW 7 Series, the K900 saw a refresh in New York this year, gaining exterior inches and a restyled look that has us divided here at TopSpeed. Some of us think it looks fine, while others are calling it “ugly AF.” What do you think?
Read our full review of the 2019 Kia K900.
