5 of the Biggest Stars at the 2023 New York Auto Show
Spring is in the air, and you know what that means? It’s the return of the New York International Auto Show, of course. The 2023 edition kicked off last week and is highlighted by fresh takes on iconic models and bestsellers, not to mention a pair of large EVs that promise to make an equally large splash in their respective segments.
Here are five new vehicles that you should definitely care about…
2025 Ram 1500 REV
Set to go head-to-head with the Ford F-150 Lightning, Chevrolet Silverado EV and GMC Sierra EV, the all-new 2025 Ram 1500 REV made its official debut in New York. It’s built on the all-new STLA Frame designed specifically for full-size electric vehicles featuring a body-on-frame design, and Ram says drivers will enjoy class-leading ride and handling courtesy of an active-level four-corner air suspension and adaptive damping as standard.
More importantly, this 654-horsepower, zero-emission pickup can travel up to 483 km with the standard 168kWh battery and up to 805 km with the available 229kWh battery. But wait, there’s a Ram 1500 REV XR coming further down the line with even longer range. Can you believe that?
Two-way charging capability is included, as well. An on-board power panel in the 5.7-foot-long cargo bed can provide up to 7.2 kW, while the available on-board power panel in the 425-litre frunk provides up to 3.6 kW. Oh, and max towing capacity is rated at 14,000 lbs. Production will start in the first half of 2024 and deliveries will follow in the fall.
2024 Kia EV9
The all-new Kia EV9 made its first appearance in North America at the New York Auto Show. As the second Kia vehicle to be based on Hyundai Motor Group’s Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP) following the EV6, the three-row SUV will go on sale in Canada this fall offering six- and seven-passenger configurations.
Similar in size to the Telluride, but with 20 cm of extra wheelbase that maximize interior space, the EV9’s cargo capacity amounts to 571 litres when all the seats are up and increases to 2,320 litres when the second and third rows are folded down. The first two rows maximize comfort with available Relaxation Seats featuring a built-in power legrest. Meanwhile, the minimalist interior design involves a number of sustainable materials, such as polyurethane seat covers as well as carpeting and floor mats made from recycled fibres.
The 99.8kWh battery in the Kia EV9 feeds a 201-horsepower motor and provides a range of 480 km, while the dual-motor, AWD-equipped variant produces 379 horsepower and still tops 400 km of range. Impressive, isn’t it?
2024 Hyundai Kona
A month after revealing the design in South Korea, Hyundai came to New York to host the North American debut of the second-generation Kona and provide more details about it. A big seller in Canada, and Quebec in particular, this small crossover is radically transformed inside and out with increased size and a striking design. Cargo capacity is significantly improved, with 723 litres behind the rear seats and 1,803 litres behind the first row. And how about that new lighting signature up front?
The 2024 Kona happens to be the first Hyundai vehicle in Canada to offer a digital key, meaning owners can access and start the vehicle using their smartphone or smartwatch as a key. Over-the-air updates will keep the infotainment system fresh on the new 12.3-inch centre touchscreen.
Under the hood, two familiar gasoline engines return (147 hp and 190 hp), while the Kona Electric loses plenty of torque (down from 291 lb-ft. to 188 lb-ft.) but gains a bit of range (up from 415 km to 418 km). Similar to the IONIQ 5, one-pedal driving is possible and V2L capability allows users to power electronic devices or small appliances using the vehicle’s battery. The 2024 Kona will go on sale this summer, while the EV variant is slated to arrive early next year.
2024 Subaru Crosstrek
Another highly popular vehicle, the Crosstrek is getting a new generation for 2024. In the Big Apple, Subaru unveiled a rugged Wilderness model that follows in the footsteps of the Forester and Outback. It’s pretty easy to recognize with extensive use of black plastic cladding all around the body, unique and sturdier roof rails, plus Yokohama Geolandar A/T tires.
A front skid plate and increased ground clearance (from 220 mm to 235 mm) allow the vehicle to clear bigger obstacles. Don’t forget the larger approach and departure angles, or the revised suspension with upgraded springs and longer travel.
As for the 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, which is rated at 187 horsepower in this application, Subaru engineers made sure it could tackle more demanding conditions by fitting a larger radiator and fan. They also revised the CVT and cooling system, resulting in increased maximum towing capacity of 3,500 lbs (other models are limited at 1,500 lbs). The Crosstrek Wilderness will go on sale this fall.
2024 Jeep Wrangler
An American icon is also among the top debuts in New York this year. Jeep took the wraps off of the refreshed and improved 2024 Wrangler which carries over the new grille design introduced on the 2023 Wrangler 20th Anniversary. The interior makes a leap forward with a new 12.3-inch centre touchscreen powered by Uconnect 5 (five times faster than the previous operating system).
There’s an all-new Dana 44 HD full-float solid rear axle on Rubicon models, which sounds amazing. This axle accommodates not only the stock 35-inch tires offered by Jeep, but also 40-inch aftermarket tires. What’s more, it increases maximum towing to 5,000 lbs. A factory-installed Warn winch with a capacity of 8,000 lbs is available, as well.
If you’re wondering where and when the next major international auto show is taking place, the answer is Auto Shanghai 2023 from April 18-27. That’s only days away!
