Must-See SUVs and Crossovers at the 2016 New York Auto Show

Acura MDX hybrid ・ Photo by TJ Keon

More and more these days, buyers are flocking to dealerships to pick up new crossovers and SUV models—which makes this one of the most important segments in the entire automotive industry. The New York International Auto Show has a wide array on display this week, so follow along while we recap the most noteworthy crossovers and SUVs that will soon make their way to public roads (and some that won't).

2017 Acura MDX

Acura showed a refreshed version of its seven-seat MDX. The new “diamond pentagon” grille is a significant visual change, but the real news is that the MDX will be offered with the Sport Hybrid all-wheel-drive powertrain, as seen in the new NSX supercar. This three-motor system uses a 3-liter V6 engine, a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission with an integrated electric motor to drive the front wheels, and two electric motors to drive the rear wheels. What makes this system so remarkable is its ability to provide torque vectoring—that is, to power the left and right rear wheels individually. This not only provides superior traction, it should make for very exciting handling. It also makes for great fuel economy: The Sport Hybrid's 26 MPG combined EPA estimate is 5 MPG better than the current all-wheel-drive version of the MDX.

Other changes for Acura's big SUV include additions to the already-generous standard equipment list. The AcuraWatch safety suite, which includes automatic braking, lane- and road- departure assistance, and adaptive cruise control, is now standard, as are an electronic parking brake with auto-hold, automatic high beams, and fast-charge USB ports. The Technology and Advance packages get more equipment as well.

Photo by TJ Keon

2017 Buick Encore

The small luxury crossover segment is heating up, and few people realize that Buick was one of the first brands to field such a vehicle. Now the Encore is getting its first major update, and the big changes are inside, where the baby Buick gets a new center stack, the focal point of which is an 8” touch screen. This is the interface for the IntelliLink infotainment system, which now incorporates Android Auto and Apple CarPlay along with OnStar 4GE connectivity that turns the Encore into a WiFi hot spot. The dashboard gets a new integrated 4.2” color display as well. Outside, the 2017 Encore is distinguished by a new grille, LED headlights (a first for Buick) and new LED taillights.

Photo by TJ Keon

2017 Infiniti QX70 Limited

The QX70 is the second Infiniti to get the new top-of-the-line Limited treatment (the first being the QX80). Starting out at the front, the QX70 Limited shows off a new mesh grille that will appear on all QX70 models, with LED daytime running lights in place of the fog lights on lesser QX70s. The Limited gets unique 21” wheels, body-color air vents, and a darker finish on the mirror housings and taillights. Inside, the QX70 Limited gets two-tone seats with “pillow” quilting and matching interior trim. Power is unchanged from other QX70s: A 325 hp 3.7 liter VQ-series V6 driving either the rear or all four wheels through a seven-speed automatic transmission.

2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit

Jeep showed a new top-of-the-line version of the Grand Cherokee called the Summit, which Fiat-Chrysler calls “the most luxurious vehicle in the full-size SUV segment.” (We haven't asked Mercedes, Cadillac or Range Rover for their opinion on this.) Outside, the Summit gets a unique front-end look, LED fog lights, and 20” polished aluminum wheels, but the big changes are inside, which is literally covered in leather—leather on the seats, on the dashboard, on the center console, and the door panels, with a suede headliner and Berber carpet floor mats. The standard equipment list is as long as your arm, and includes an active noise cancellation system, high-end Harmon-Kardon stereo, auto-folding power mirrors, and an automatic parking system. The Summit will also feature the high-end Quadra-Drive II four-wheel-drive system and an adjustable air suspension.

Photo by TJ Keon

2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk

When Jeep introduced the Cherokee and Renegade, they included rugged Trailhawk models to prove that these car-based crossovers could crawl the rocks like a proper Jeep. One could argue that the bigger Grand Cherokee needed no such evidence of its abilities, but the Trailhawks have been strong sellers, and besides, they look pretty darn cool—so why not do a Grand Cherokee Trailhawk? And indeed that is what we saw at the New York Auto Show. The GC Trailhawk features Jeep's top-of-the-line Quadra-Drive II four-wheel-drive hardware, along with skid plates, a uniquely-tuned air suspension that provides an additional 0.4” of ground clearance in Off-Road mode (hey, every little bit helps), and tow hooks—painted red, of course. The Trailhawk also gets deeply-bolstered seats and a black hood decal. Engine choices reflect those of other Grand Cherokees: 3.6 liter V6, 5.7 liter V8, or the 3.0 liter EcoDiesel, which should make a great off-road engine.

Photo by TJ Keon

Lincoln Navigator Concept

The Navigator concept was one of the stand-out vehicles of the show, primarily because of the gigantic gull wing doors were designed to show off the Navigator Concept's fabulous blue-and-white interior (which features multiple screens and 30-way power front seats!). Competing with the doors for attention are the three-step retractable running boards with wood treads. The Tesla Model X notwithstanding, it will probably come as no surprise that the doors and steps are not destined for production when the next Navigator appears around 2017, but the big grille, sharp character lines, and overall resemblance to a Range Rover do give us a strong hint of what the production version will look like. Lincoln gave few details as to the running gear, except to say that the chassis was all new with a 400 hp EcoBoost V6 providing power. With Cadillac selling every Escalade it can make, Lincoln is probably quite anxious to get the new Navigator into production.

Photo by TJ Keon

2017 Maserati Levante

Maserati is expanding their US-market push with an SUV to take on the Porsche Cayenne, Range Rover Sport, and Jaguar F-PACE. Maserati's entry is called the Levante, and it features distinctive Maserati style and a Ferrari-built 3.0 liter V6, available in 345 and 424 horsepower versions. (And if our experience with the Ghibli is any indication, the Levante will sound terrific.) Inside, Maserati is emphasizing the Levante's Italian heritage by swaddling the interior in leather and silk, though owners who have had seat time in any of the nicer Chrysler or Dodge products, including the 300 and Charger, will probably recognize some of the switchgear. The Levante should go on sale later in 2016.

Photo by TJ Keon

Mini Clubman ALL4

Technically, the MINI Clubman isn't an SUV; if any Mini can claim that title, it's the Countryman. But with its extended wheelbase, bigger back seat, and barn-door access to the cargo area, the Clubman is the most practical of Minis, and serves the same purpose as many crossovers. At the 2016 New York show, Mini made the Clubman a bit more SUV-like with the addition of the ALL4 all-wheel-drive system. The Clubman's low stance make it (obviously) unsuitable for off-roading, but with power going to all four wheels the Clubman ALL4 should be a much better foul-weather friend.

Photo by TJ Keon

2017 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV

With such a small product portfolio for the US, Mitsubishi must choose its products wisely, and the Outlander PHEV is something of a gamble—the bet being that buyers will embrace the future of partially-electrified vehicles. The Outlander PHEV is a plug-in-hybrid version of the Outlander SUV, with a large battery pack that allows it to run on pure battery power for a limited distance—though just how limited that distance is, Mitsubishi has not announced. (The Outlander PHEV is already on sale in Europe, but differing test methods yield big differences between European-market range estimates and those of America's EPA.) Fuel economy numbers also remain a mystery for now. Styling-wise, the Outlander PHEV doesn't stray far from the regular Outlander; “Plug-In Hybrid EV” badging and an extra door for the charge port are the primary spotting differences.

Photo by TJ Keon

2017 Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe

The Germans are really into this whole four-door-SUV-coupe thing, and the GLC Coupe is a follow-on to the GLE coupe, which is now on sale. The idea is similar to the BMW X4 against which it will compete: A fastback hatch applied to a high-riding SUV. But the GLC Coupe isn't as impractical as it might appear at first glance: As with the GLA, the roof arches towards the centerline of the car, so there's more headroom in the back seat than you might expect—though taller folks will have to duck on their way in.

The GLC Coupe gets a quicker steering-box ratio than the standard GLC in order to make it feel more responsive, though powertrains with a 241 hp four-cylinder engine in the GLC300 and a 362 hp twin-turbo V6 for the AMG-badged GLC43. Both models feature a nine-speed automatic transmission and Mercedes' 4MATIC all-wheel-drive system, and AMG models get an adjustable air suspension that can be lowered for easier loading.

Photo by TJ Keon