What You Need to Know Ahead of the 2019 New York Auto Show

For gearheads, the only thing better than waking up in the city that never sleeps is waking up to hot new vehicles fresh off the factory line. The 2019 New York Auto Show opens to the public April 19 and runs through April 28 at the Javits Center in Midtown Manhattan. With over 1,000 vehicles on display from nearly every major manufacturer, it’s not only the biggest auto show on the East Coast (and the oldest in the US)—it’s also one of the largest in the world. So, pack your bags because those vagabond shoes will definitely want to stray through what this event has to offer.

Crossover Country

There’s no denying that crossovers have invaded the market, descending on consumers like a cloud of Old Testament locusts. And make no mistake, they’ll be in high attendance at the 2019 New York Auto Show. Here are the ones to watch for:

2020 Ford Escape

The popular crossover gets a new look for its fourth generation—one that suits a vehicle now facing an odd position in the Ford lineup. With the Fusion and Focus officially discontinued and plans for the crossover-ey Focus Active dead in the water, the new Escape has more than a few holes to fill.

The 2020 model is longer, wider, and a smidge lower than its predecessor. It also has a noticeably car-like redesign, which makes sense as the Baby Bronco is set to land soon and will essentially be the adventure trim of the same platform.

2020 Lincoln Corsair

In line with Lincoln’s rebranding of its confusing “MK” naming scheme, the badge’s MKC (introduced in 2014) will be replaced by a new compact crossover that also shares the Escape’s underpinnings: The Corsair. French for “pirate,” the name follows the brand’s affinity for nautical-themed monikers. (Like the Nautilus and Navigator.) Set to make its official debut at the 2019 New York Auto Show, the model is expected to offer a turbocharged four-cylinder as standard power, as well as a plug-in hybrid option like the Aviator.

2020 Hyundai Venue

Hyundai’s newest and smallest CUV gets a fresh, Gen-Z name. The “Venue,” meant to elicit feelings of a place in which you want to be (and be seen), will be the new entry model in Hyundai’s lineup—slotting below the affordable Kona, which starts around $20k. The global reveal at NYIAS will incorporate an “innovative Augmented Reality element,” according to the company’s press release. Viewers can take part in the “perceptually-enriched experience” from home by heading to https://www.hyundaiusa.com/ at 10:45 am EST on April 17.

2020 Mercedes GLC Coupe

Fresh on the heels of the GLC SUV reveal at Geneva, Mercedes is prepping to take its coupe-sibling to New York. Sporting a mild facelift, the new GLC Coupe gets a revised exterior and 14-hp boost to the engine. Inside, the digital gauge cluster and infotainment screens have grown, which is good because rotary dials have disappeared in favor of a new multi-function steering wheel, touchscreens, and voice commands via the new MBUX system.

2020 Subaru Outback

Five years ago, the 2015 Legacy debuted at the Chicago Auto Show while the 2015 Outback landed in New York. Following tradition, the 2020 Subaru Outback will likely be unveiled at the 2019 New York Auto Show since Chicago just saw its new Legacy sister.

No details are available, but the 2020 Outback will likely have a lot in common with its platform sibling Legacy, including a new 2.5-liter base engine with 182 horsepower (up from 175), an optional 2.4-liter turbocharged engine with 260 horsepower, and a restyled interior sporting a new (and huge) 11.6″ infotainment system.

Sedans

Despite FCA and Ford giving up on the segment, and GM making moves to follow suit, sedans still hold a big piece of the pie in foreign markets (and indeed still have a place in our own). From entry-level economy models to highfalutin luxury rides, here’s who’s showing up in New York:

2020 Toyota Yaris Hatchback

A little bit Toyota, a little bit Mazda, and a whole lotta affordable hatch, the new Yaris looks sporty and fun. A new design gives what the automaker calls a “distinct hunkered-down, bulldog-like stance” and a longer wheelbase provides mid-size storage in a tiny package. A 1.5-liter inline-four base engine makes 106-hp, which in a car this tiny and lightweight ain’t too bad. (The estimated 40mpgs on highway driving help sweeten the deal too.)

2020 Hyundai Sonata

In addition to its new crossover debut, Hyundai has quite a few surprises in store for the 2019 New York Auto Show. The automaker dropped some images before the official debut of the new Sonata and, so far, the reactions have been quite positive. The eighth-gen sedan has received what many feel is a much-needed design upgrade. Aggressive new styling cues usher the Sonata into the new decade (check out those seriously cool daytime running lights) and a fresh interior adds some class.

2020 Cadillac CT5

Cadillac’s new rear-drive sports sedan is set to replace the third-gen CTS that debuted at the 2013 New York Auto Show. Riding on an updated version of GM’s Alpha platform (currently found in the Chevy Camaro), not too much else is known about the new CT5. The automaker did reveal that a 2.0-liter turbo four will serve as a base engine, with an optional 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 available. Both are mated to a 10-speed auto and both will have optional AWD. Cadillac has also revealed that a smaller, rear-drive sports sedan is in the works, set to replace the outgoing ATS.

2020 Mercedes-AMG A 35… and maybe a CLA 35?

The new turbocharged 302-hp A 35 is set to make its formal debut at the 2019 New York Auto Show. But the Germans just dropped a teaser image for another, hotter Merc, the Mercedes-AMG CLA 35 4MATIC. Could this be making an appearance, too?

Given the shared badge number, we expect both sedans to share the same engine and performance figures (a 2.0-liter turbocharged I-4 putting out 302 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque). The teaser image doesn’t reveal much more, other than saying the new CLA 35 will be “stunning from every angle.”

Sports Cars

It’s not all practical purchases on display at the 2019 New York Auto Show. Where’s the fun if we can’t drool over a few go-fast vehicles?

50th Anniversary Nissan 370Z and GT-R Models

Both the Z and GT-R lines of Nissan sports cars celebrate turning 50 this year. The automaker is tight-lipped on what we can expect to see on the anniversary models, but we expect some performance upgrades and special, commemorative design elements, similar to what was seen on the 40th Anniversary 370Z back in 2010.

Qiantu K50

In a partnership with California-based Mullen Technologies, China’s CH-Auto plans to build electric sports cars stateside, starting with the 2020 K50. Sporting a unique modular architecture, a whole lot of carbon-fiber, and an AWD dual-motor powertrain, the incredibly lightweight and powerful K50 is expected to price around $100,000.

More powerful entry-level Mustang?

Back in February a VIN decoder document began floating around the internet indicating that a new four-cylinder Mustang was in the works for 2020. Now Motor1 says it will be getting a special preview next week of a new performance-boosted entry-level model—one that they’re speculating is an all-new SVO. The publication expects more info (and maybe a debut??) to come at the 2019 New York Auto Show.

Concepts

What’s an auto show without some wild, forward-thinking concepts? Here’s what we expect to see at 2019 NYIAS:

Subaru Viziv Adrenaline Concept

This is mostly wishful thinking on our part. The Viziv Adrenaline was unveiled in Geneva and there’s no word on whether Subaru plans to bring it to the 2019 New York Auto Show. But with its Crosstrek-from-the-future styling, we’re hoping for an up-close look on our home turf.

Genesis EV concept

Confirmed by Hyundai Motor Group design boss Luc Donckerwolke, we know some sort of electric concept vehicle will be making an appearance at the 2019 New York Auto Show. Last year, Genesis unveiled the wild and high-tech Essentia concept, which delighted crowds and critics alike. Can the automaker do it again?

Besides the new concept, Genesis will also unveil a dramatic redesign of its flagship luxury sedan, the G90, which debuted last November in South Korea.

Kia Concept

In the same interview, Donckerwolke confirmed Kia will introduce its own concept but no specifics were given what that might be. The automaker recently revealed three new concepts at the 2019 Seoul Motor Show: a large SUV dubbed the Kia ‘Masterpiece,’ a compact SUV called the Kia ‘Signature,’ and an all-electric sports sedan referred to as ‘Imagine by Kia.’ The first two are expected to enter production, so it may be more likely we’ll see one of them pop up in New York.

The 2019 New York Auto Show runs April 19-28 at the Javits Center in Midtown Manhattan. Tickets are $17 for adults, and $7 for kids under 12.