Best SUVs of 2018 Los Angeles Auto Show
Hyundai unveiled a new flagship joining its SUV lineup.
The 2018 LA Auto Show has officially come and gone, but as the first show of the season there was so much good content we just can’t stop talking about it. Part one of our coverage looked at the best cars to debut at the event, and today the focus is on crossovers. Enjoy.
2020 Hyundai Palisade
The Santa Fe XL steps aside to let a new SUV take over the flagship spot: the three-row Hyundai Palisade. The vehicle boasts a big and bold interpretation of the cascading grille, unique composite headlamps (LED lighting may be added), exaggerated wheel arches and a slippery overall shape resulting in an aerodynamic 0.33 coefficient of drag. Inside, there’s available premium quilted Nappa leather, one-touch sliding middle bench and a whopping 16 cupholders.
An Atkinson-cycle 3.8-litre V6 engine provides an efficient 291 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. The Palisade will be sold in two wheel and all-wheel drivetrain configurations, the latter introducing a new Snow Mode that can adjust front and rear torque distribution as well as lock the differential in particularly challenging environments.
The 2020 Hyundai Palisade will be available at our 2 Hyundai locations located in: Richmond and Vancouver when it’s released.
2019 Honda Passport
If you’ve ever wished there was a model slightly larger than the CR-V but smaller than the Pilot, consider your dreams answered. Honda calls the 2019 Honda Passport — which was developed and is being built in the U.S. by Honda North America — a nimble on-road handler with off-road and all-weather capability. It certainly looks the part, wearing a matte black grille and front bumper, smoked headlights, floating C-pillar and anthracite wheels.
The cabin has space for five passengers and 1,166-litres of storage space behind the second row, expandable to 2,205 litres when the back seat is folded. All Passports utilize a 3.5-litre V6 engine producing 280 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission. Intelligent Variable Torque Management all-wheel drive is standard.
The 2019 Passport will be available shortly at OpenRoad Honda Burnaby.
2019 BMW X7
Hyundai isn’t the only manufacturer to add a new range-topping SUV to its lineup. BMW unveiled the X7, an over-the-top luxurious and performance-oriented Sports Activity Vehicle featuring the brand’s latest design language. Some of the many highlights include three-row seating, BMW Live Cockpit Professional (fully digital instrument cluster and main display, both measuring 12.3 inches) V8 powertrain, xDrive all-wheel drive, two-axle air suspension with electronic dampening and an optional M Sport differential and off-road package.
