New years mean new auto shows, and new auto shows mean lots of snazzy new rides. The auto shows this year were far from being an exception. By looking at the newly released vehicles by many auto makers, it's clear that style is the main focus. Even economy car brands like Hyundai and Kia are creating great looking new cars. Economy is still important to American car buyers, and fuel efficiency and low maintenance are still valuable aspects of new cars, but that's not the first thing anyone is going to notice.
Here are the top 5 Cars Unveiled at Auto Shows in 2013:
1.
Hyundai HCD-14 Genesis: The Genesis has been around for a few years now, and car buyers have pretty much stopped looking at Hyundai as a throw-away car. The future-release Genesis concept has "old fashioned power and glory" that's all about performance now. And if this car passed you on the highway you would be forgiven for thinking it a far more expensive brand.
2.
Tesla Model X: The Model S may be the 2013 MotorTrend car of the year, but Tesla is already moving on to bigger and better. The SUV prototype was unveiled at the Detroit Auto Show this year and is anything but your typical SUV. Rear falcon-wing doors make it look like a bird in flight and the dual-electric motor makes carrying 7 adults economical.
3.
Hot Wheels Chevy Camaro: This car is truly the toy for the grown-up Hot Wheels collector. With the iconic Hot Wheels logo on the grill and underthe branding and painted a boyish candy blue, the Hot Wheels Camaro seems only natural. An iconic American muscle car paired with an iconic toy? Sign us up.
4.
Acura NSX: Looking like a car Batman (or perhaps Bruce Wayne) would be proud to drive, the NSX concept car definitely has the style that has come to define 2013 autos. Aerodynamic and a little bit fierce, this car seemed made to drive. The interior is crafted to bring the driver into an intimate position with the car.
5.
Ford Atlas: No list of cars would be complete without a truck, and Ford has stepped up to the plate with the Atlas. Hailed as the future of pickups, the Atlas is a beast. Ford has integrated gas saving measures to help drivers reduce costs of ownership, and is showing that the smart technologies we've been seeing in cars work perfectly in trucks. This is a truck created for a purpose.
Bonus Car:
Kia Cadenza: Following in Hyundai's footsteps, Kia no longer wants to be seen as a entry level economy brand. The Cadenza is their premium sedan, which is designed for those who want a little bit more than the basic, forgettable car but might not be able to afford a high-end luxury car. This Kia comes with a V-6 engine and is easy on the eyes. The car has a few intuitive features that might make one wonder why they don't come standard in every car.
Images courtesy of Hyundai, Tesla, Chevrolet, Acura, Ford, and Car and Driver