NY Auto Show Debuts Signal Greater Refinement, Better Fuel Economy

Teaser image of 2014 Toyota Highlander released by Toyota

The New York International Auto Show starts next week at the Jacob Javits Center in New York City. Many of the new and redesigned models debuting there will showcase things that matter to consumers, such as improved fuel economy, better performance and new technologies.
Kelley Blue Book says that “with a balanced mix of new diesels, hybrids and higher-potency versions of cars like the Jaguar XJ and SRT Viper, this year's show promises something for everyone.” The publication, along with others, highlights significant redesigns of models such as the Cadillac CTS, Toyota Highlander and Jeep Cherokee that will be at the show.
In a press release, Cadillac details three engines that will power its redesigned CTS, including a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 272 horsepower, a 3.6-liter V6 with 321 horsepower and a twin-turbo V6 with 420 horsepower. Cadillac says that the twin-turbo V6 will be paired with a new eight-speed automatic transmission, which it says will help increase fuel economy. Cadillac estimates that the four-cylinder CTS will achieve 19/30 mpg city/highway, while the twin-turbo V6 model will achieve 17/25 mpg. The current CTS achieves an EPA-estimated 18/27 mpg city/highway with its base 270-horsepower, 3.0-liter V6, while the optional 3.6-liter V6 with 318 horsepower achieves 18/27.
Publications like Car and Driver believe that the 2014 CTS will be larger and moved farther up-market than the outgoing model in order to compete more directly with rivals like the BMW 5-Series.
Another significant redesign at the show is the 2014 Toyota Highlander. The current Highlander performs well in our rankings, thanks to its comfortable ride, good fuel economy and high-quality interior, but Toyota gave very little information about the redesigned affordable midsize SUV in a press release. Edmunds speculates that the 2014 Highlander will share design cues with the redesigned 2013 Toyota RAV4, and also predict that its fuel economy may surpass the current model’s EPA ratings of up to 20/25 mpg city/highway with the base four-cylinder engine.

2014 Jeep Cherokee

The all-new 2014 Jeep Cherokee will also debut at the auto show. As we previously reported, the new Cherokee serves as a replacement for the Liberty, and Jeep says the new model will offer greater fuel economy over the Liberty and will be more comfortable to drive on paved roads.
Another SUV that will debut is the Infiniti QX60 Hybrid. Last week, we reported that QX60 Hybrid is expected to achieve a combined fuel economy rating of 26 mpg. The gas-only current model, the Infiniti JX35, achieves an EPA-estimated combined rating of 21 mpg.
Other significant models that will debut next week, according to Kicking Tires, include the 2014 Acura MDX, 2014 Buick LaCrosse, 2014 Honda Odyssey, 2014 Audi A3 sedan, 2015 Volkswagen Golf and GTI, the diesel version of the BMW 3-Series, Subaru XV Crosstrek Hybrid and the U.S. debut of the 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray convertible.
Press access to the NY Auto Show starts early next week, while the show is open to the public from March 29 through April 7.