AutoGuide Hot Takes: New York Auto Show Notebook

It was the New York Auto Show this week—as always, AutoGuide is here for it. We don’t always cover every piece of news, but that doesn’t mean we don’t have thoughts and opinions—many of them. 

Managing Editor Mike Schlee, Road Test Editor Kyle Patrick, Site Coordinator Michael Accardi, and Editorial Director Greg Migliore weigh in on the hot topics of the week. If you disagree, please get in the comments and tell us why we’re wrong.

1) The Subaru Solterra mid-cycle refresh shows the difference in power perception between EVs and gas-powered cars. With a near 60% increase in power, it feels expected in the electric age. Imagine if Honda rolled up to the stand with a mid-cycle refresh on the Civic Hybrid and said, “oh, it makes 310 hp by the way.” The software-defined blues?

2) Kia’s K4 Hatchback looks like a neo-cubist remix of the classic BMW clown shoe, so that’s fine and dandy. I just wish Kia would stop letting Hyundai have all the performance clout. Stick some variation of the 2.0-liter turbo-four in there with a six-speed manual and watch people flock to it.

3) The new Trailseeker isn’t a Toyota-made product or a rebadged Lexus RZ. Subaru took the existing Solterra/bZ4X platform and heavily modified it in-house, stretching it to make the new vehicle. It features some Toyota components, like the electric motors and infotainment software, but most of the engineering is Subaru. The Trailseeker will be built by Subaru in the brand’s Gunma plant, separate from the Solterra.

4) New York-style pizza is the second-best, at best, in North America. We’re biased, but deep-dish Detroit is No. 1. New York is probably better than Chicago’s casserole of a pie. For a hidden gem, try New Haven pizza with an IPA.

5) The above hot take is incorrect if only because Toronto exists. Ahem.

6) It’s been a few years since Mazda said it was working on the next Miata—likely codenamed NE. Stop us if you’ve heard this one before: electrification may now have a diminished role, if any at all. Word is now that the Miata will keep the same size and weight as now, but come with a larger 2.5-liter SkyActiv-Z engine. Oh yeah, and a manual gearbox. Just don’t expect it for at least two more years, which will make the ND the longest-running Miata generation.

7) The Genesis X Gran Equator concept is the kind of vehicle that would get the company over the hump with people who are interested, but still not sure they want to spend their luxury dollars on a Genesis. This is what the people want. A sleek, off-road-themed crossover that you can buy and use, as opposed to the alluring but less practical coupe and convertible concepts that the brand has shown. 

8) Tim Kuniskis, the Grover Cleveland of the Ram brand, promises 25 product announcements in the next 18 months. In a LinkedIn post on Tuesday, he previewed a “bold new chapter” for Ram, which is one of the best-positioned Stellantis brands. Arguably, Jeep is usually ahead of Ram simply for its breadth of product, but that division needs to get sorted with better pricing and new vehicles, like the Cherokee, stat.

9) Loving the Outback Wilderness’ built-in pseudo brush bar. Many will hate it, but it’s the right sort of over-the-top styling for the segment. 

10) There’s too much honking in New York. 

11) Ford is talking about adding the ST and RS badges to its electric crossover lineup. The Puma is in line to receive the ST treatment, just as the Focus ST exits. The Mach-E is in line to receive the RS badge, which will seemingly smash two of Ford’s most iconic names together—someone tell Ford that Mustang RS sounds very wrong. 

12) Mitsubishi has paused all import activity in response to tariffs. Apparently this includes media loans from the press pool, although Mitsubishi’s product cadence—or lack thereof—means there’s likely not much demand.

13) That said, Mitsu has a respectable enthusiast cache. The specter of the return of a sporty Lancer or even an Evo is enough to keep some of us interested. 

14) Apparently, when the new Jeep Cherokee shows up, it will have boxy vibes, think more XJ and way less KL. 

15) Companies should do more throwbacks like the Mercedes G550 Stronger than the 1980s Edition. Yes, that’s the name. With wheels, colors, turn signals, and cladding that hark back to the W460, it’s a nice execution of a retro theme without being corny (ok, about that name). Toyota has done similar things with the 4Runner and Land Cruiser. The Chevy Suburban would be a cool canvas for something similar.

16) Surprised by the lack of love for the Tiguan R-Line Turbo. Not because it's a new version of the Tiguan, but because Volkswagen debuted the Gen 5 version of the 2.0-liter EA888 turbocharged four-cylinder engine for North America. It's similar to the version VW announced for the Teramont in China earlier this year. Improvements made to the EA888 Gen 5 engine—bigger turbo, new pistons and rods—are likely to show up in other cars powered by the EA888 Gen 4 Evo engine, like the Golf GTI.

17) Is the Genesis GMR-001 a real threat for Le Mans victory next year? Despite the lack of corporate experience in endurance racing, Andre Lotterer and Pipo Derani are two of the hottest development shoes Genesis could have hired to sharpen their car.

18) Don’t look now, but Nissan might be a surprise winner in the tariff war, as Automotive News reports its Smyrna, Tenn., factory is underutilized and set for a production ramp-up.

19) We’re divided on the EV4 sedan. Some think it’s awkward. Others think it’s gorgeous. But it promises strong value and range, straight out of the playbook of the EV6.

20) Looking beyond NY, Lexus will debut the next ES in Shanghai in a week. Heck yes. Sure, the average ES buyer is old enough to have attended the original Woodstock, but more cars should embrace luxury and comfort like Lexus’ longstanding sedan. Stop making everything sporty and too stiff.

21) Word is the upcoming range-topping, world-beating Corvette Zora is going to be called something else—you’re going to hate the actual name, promise. 

22) Looking for something for your Easter basket? The Baltic Scalegraph Tour Auto 2025 is a sleek wristwatch that marks the Tour de France Automobile, which is the French equivalent of the Millie Miglia. As far as expensive watches go, this is pretty slick

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