The 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan truly stood out. Sami Haj-Assaad was amazed by the effort put into its interior. High-end materials give it a premium feel, and there's an abundance of features like heated seats in the front and rear, as well as front massage seats. The new Atmosphere feature, combining sound and lighting, adds a fun touch. While a hybrid version isn't shown yet, the Tiguan is already a strong contender.
The 2025 Fiat 500e Giorgio Armani Collector's Edition also caught our attention. Clayton Seams, a sucker for fashion collaborations, loved the "GA" wheels and the oddball charm. It may not be a sales leader, but it has a certain appeal. Nostalgia plays a part in making it a standout.
The 2026 Kia EV9 GT was a disappointment. Graeme Fletcher questioned the logic of a hot-rodded three-row SUV aimed at families. The GT-Line already has good performance, and adding more power and an adaptive suspension seems unnecessary. There are also plenty of other Kia EV6 GTs available.
The 2025 Kia EV6 GT also faced criticism. Clayton Seams loved the previous design but was disappointed by the new front end. It still drives well and has more range, but the restyle is a turnoff. Design changes can sometimes go awry.
The 2026 Kia Sportage left us puzzled. Sami Haj-Assaad wondered what Kia was doing to make it stand out. It was just redesigned in 2023 and now has a new front fascia. While it offers technology and different powertrains, it feels like a run-of-the-mill refresh.
Even with a small shortlist, these cars made their mark at the 2024 Los Angeles Auto Show. It's clear that each vehicle has its own story and impact on the automotive world.