All the New Cars That Swept into the Big Apple
The 1900 New York Auto Show featured seven electric and two petrol-powered vehicles and a gasoline tricycle. The 2025 NYIAS had a higher octane mix of electrics and gas cars with SUVs taking center stage. Cars ranged from a twin-turbo V8 hybrid race car to a compact EV sedan that promises to be an affordable electric car, with a host of new models and concepts of future cars in between. In alphabetical order this is what we saw in the media preview:
Genesis Magma Racing GMR-001 Hypercar
Genesis rolled-out its full-scale GMR-001 Hypercar that is being tested and prepared to enter the FIA World Endurance Championship in 2026 and IMSA in 2027. The sleek sports car, in bright orange with yellow accents, featured the brand’s two-line lighting signature. Powered by a hybrid twin-turbo V8, regulations set by the two sanctioning bodies places the total horsepower between 643 and 697. Also on-hand at the reveal party were the car’s drivers—three-time 24 Hours of Le Mans winner André Lotterer and Luis “Pipo” Derani, a four-time victor at the 12 Hours of Sebring. Making the evening even more special were words from key advisor to the team, Jacky Ickx, who brings a near limitless amount of knowledge as a driver in Formula One (8 wins), the World Endurance series (six-time winner at the 24 Hours of Le Mans), IMSA (two time Sebring victor) and winner of the Paris-Dakar Rally.
The World Endurance Championship with the GMR-001 Hypercar begins in April 2026.
Genesis X Gran Equator Concept
Genesis premium SUVs are the brand’s top sellers, offering a range of sizes and propulsion options. So, what is missing? How about a very large, very sleek concept that targets Range Rover and Mercedes-Benz for those wanting to go off-roading in maximum comfort. The design direction includes the now standard twin horizontal lights, front and rear. No engine type was mentioned but with no grille it would seem this design is intended to be all-electric.
Production dates were not mentioned, so for now just imagine tackling dirt, mud and rocks in a luxury SUV.
2026 Hyundai Palisade
The Hyundai Palisade has been updated significantly for 2026 with a new 2.5-liter hybrid system and a new 3.5-liter V6, both with all-wheel drive available. The new exterior and interior designs join additional safety tech and a new trim of the XRT built for mild off-roading. Hyundai says: “It is adventure ready.”
The 2026 Palisade will be built in Ulsan, South Korea. Gasoline-only models are set to arrive at Hyundai dealers in early summer with hybrid models scheduled to go on sale early fall.
2026 Kia EV4
With the addition of the 2026 EV4, Kia will have five battery electric models, EV4, EV6, EV9, Niro, and Soul, along with plug-in hybrids, Niro and Sportage, and two hybrids, Sorento and Sportage.
The sleek-looking design has a low nose, long-tail and fastback roofline for a unique silhouette. The EV4 has two high-voltage battery options—58.3 kWh good for an estimated 235-mile range and 81.4 kWh for an all-electric driving range of 330 miles.
The Kia EV4 is expected in dealers, with pricing and further details, in early 2026.
2026 Kia K4 Hatchback
The K4 sedan, launched in 2025 (full review here), is being followed-up with the 2026 K4 Hatchback. If you like a hatch, which we do at Clean Fleet Report, then you will be excited to see this variant of Kia’s smallest car.
Eric Watson, vice president sales at Kia America, told us: “We saw a gap in vehicles that are affordable with entry-level SUVs have gotten very expensive in the $30,000+ range. People want a fuel-efficient vehicle that has cargo capacity. Plus, there are not a lot of hatchbacks anymore in the marketplace, so we see a niche and opportunity for it now. The K4 Hatchback is going to be an alternative for people that want something more than a sedan and don’t want to pay to get up into SUV prices.”
While Watson says the K4 Hatchback “isn’t going after the WRX ‘Hot Hatch’ as it isn’t performance,” with the available turbocharged 1.6-liter with 190 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, 8-speed automatic and the hatch being 11 inches shorter than the sedan, it should make for some fun driving.
The 2026 K4 Hatchback is expected to arrive in late 2025, with pricing, trim details and EPA-rated fuel economy to be announced closer to its on-sale date.
2026 Kia EV9 Nightfall Edition
When Kia introduced the 2024 EV9, the automotive media raved about it, and based on the sales, so has the driving public. Kia is amping-up the performance with the 2026 EV9 GT. At the NY auto show, revealed the 2026 EV9 Nightfall Edition. Not merely an appearance package, even though the gloss black styling elements and 20-inch wheels make it stand out, it has up to 443 hp and 516 lb.-ft. of torque that can take the three-row SUV to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds.
The EV9 Nightfall Edition, along with all Kia EV9 trims, are assembled at Kia’s West Point, Georgia, assembly plant. Sales are anticipated to begin in the second quarter of 2025.
2026 Subaru Outback
The all-new seventh generation 2026 Subaru Outback is bigger and boxier than ever, losing its station wagon vibe that has made it a sales success. Will loyal Outback owners take to the new design or not be concerned as long as the rugged off-road capability remains?
Power in the Base trim is the carryover 2.5-liter boxer engine with 180 hp and 178 lb.-ft. of torque. The Outback XT and Outback Wilderness models get the turbocharged 2.4-liter boxer producing 260 hp and 277 lb.-ft. of torque. Both engines are mated to a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and have all-wheel drive.
The 2026 Subaru Outback will be available in Premium, Limited, Touring, Limited XT, Touring XT and Wilderness trim levels when it goes on sale in late 2025.
2026 Subaru Solterra EV
Introduced in 2023 and upgraded in 2024, the all-new 2026 Subaru Solterra EV now has more power, charges faster and has a longer driving range. One big upgrade is the Solterra adopting the North American Charging Standard (NACS), giving it access to more than 65,800 Tesla Superchargers. Add to this the more than 65,000 combined charging aystem (CCS) stations for Solterra owners, accessible with an adapter.
The 2026 Solterra now has a 74.7 kWh battery good for 285 all-electric miles, which is a 25% increase over the outgoing model. It also has a battery preconditioning system for cold weather charging and offers a choice of 233 hp or 338 hp, depending on the trim. All Solterra trims have all-wheel drive featuring X-Mode and 8.3-inches of ground clearance.
Interior occupants are treated to improved rear seat legroom, increased cargo space and more standard tech than on previous Solterra models. An all-new 14-inch Subaru multimedia touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is standard as is a faster wireless phone charger and USB-C charge ports.
Clean Fleet Report will have full review when we get behind the wheel sometime later in 2025 when detailed specifications and pricing will be released.
2026 Subaru Trailseeker EV
The Subaru Trailseeker EV is all-new to the company for 2026. Sharing the Solterra platform, but is 6-inches longer and an inch taller, the Trailseeker offers more interior room. The same 74.7 kWh battery and preconditioning system are used with a 260-mile all-electric range. With a wider cargo area and taller roof, the Trailseeker still shares the same 8.3-inches of ground clearance with standard all-wheel drive. It also has X-Mode to tackle off-road trails.
The 14-inch Subaru multimedia touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is standard as is wireless phone charging and USB-C charge ports.
Launch, with pricing, is targeted for early 2026, at which time Clean Fleet Report will have full review.
2026 Volkswagen Tiguan SEL R-Line Turbo
The Volkswagen Tiguan was all-new for 2025, with one of the trims being the SEL R-Line that has a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder non-turbo engine. The 2026 Tiguan SEL R-Line has upped the performance by 67 hp and 51 lb.-ft. of torque by dropping-in a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder for 268 hp and 258 lb.-ft. of torque. Internally Volkswagen calls this engine EA888 evo5, which in Europe powers the Volkswagen Tayron three-row SUV.
The 8-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive are standard on all 2026 Tiguan trims.
The third generation 2025 Tiguan, which carries-over to 2026, is 170 pounds lighter than the last model, aiding in acceleration and fuel economy. The all-new design has a shorter rear overhang with nothing radical having been done that would scare away Tiguan owners from upgrading to the new model.
Availability and pricing of the 2026 Tiguan SEL R-Line Turbo will be announced closer to launch this fall.
Other automakers were represented at the show, but didn’t hold media events highlighting new product.
Make sure to opt-in to the Clean Fleet Report newsletter (top right of page) to be notified of all new stories and vehicle reviews.
Story by John Faulkner. Photos by John Faulkner and the manufacturers.
The post 2025 New York International Auto Show first appeared on Clean Fleet Report.