Must See Luxury Cars and Sedans at the 2016 LA Auto Show

Angelinos love luxury cars, and you’ll find plenty of them at this year’s Los Angeles Auto Show—along with a plethora of handy sedans. Here are some of the best sedans and luxury vehicles at this year’s LA Show.

Alfa-Romeo’s return to the United States is well under way. We’ve just driven the Giulia sedan and loved it; at LAAS, we saw the new Stelvio SUV, and we’ve no reason to believe we’ll love it any less. The styling is beautiful, the interior is elegant, and as its mechanicals are largely shared with the Giulia, we’re pretty sure it will be terrific to drive.

What changed? The Stelvio is an all-new SUV.
When is it available? Late 2017.
How much? Pricing has not been announced.

Audi is the latest German manufacturer to build a four-door hatchback and call it a coupe (a concept that drives us slightly bonkers, and not in a good way). Even though the new cars wear the A5 and S5 monikers, you can think of them as hatchback versions of the A4 and S4. Both have room for five and generous luggage space. The A5 gets a 252 horsepower turbo four-cylinder, while the S5 is powered by a 354 hp turbo V6.

What changed? The Sportback is a new body style for the A5 and S5.
When is it available? Spring 2017.
How much? Pricing hasn't been announced.

Audi is introducing the all-new version of the Q5 at the Los Angeles Auto Show. Styling improvements are subtle, but it’s the electronics that really boil our potatoes—Audi’s optional “Virtual Cockpit” is a full-video dash that can show real-time Google maps. We also love the updated turbo engine (now 252 hp strong) and standard Quattro all-wheel-drive.

What changed? The Q5 has been completely redesigned.
When is it available? Spring 2017.
How much? Pricing has not been announced.

BMW is getting into the plug-in hybrid racket, and it’s no surprise that they are doing it with a performance bent (go to the show and you’ll note the big “iPerformance” sticker on the car). Sure, the new 330e will go 14 silent miles on battery power only—but it’ll also blast to 60 MPH in under six seconds.

What changed? This is a new plug-in hybrid version of the venerable 3-series.
When is it available? Now.
How much? $44,695 for starters.

Another member of BMW’s new plug-in hybrid line is the Seven series. It uses the same four-cylinder turbocharged powerplant as the 330e, with electric drive to boost the output to 322 hp. That may not seem like very much power for such a big car, but consider that BMW made extensive used of carbon fiber reinforced plastic to reduce the car’s weight.

What changed? BMW added a plug-in hybrid powertrain to the 7-series.
When is it available? Right away.
How much? $90,095.

The LaCrosse is Buick's freshly-redesigned big sedan, and the all-new version is lighter, lower and wider—and it’s also much more athletic, both in terms of styling and the way it drives. The new LaCrosse has 305 horsepower under the hood and a lovely interior. Warning: Sitting in a LaCrosse may change your opinion of Buick.

What changed? The LaCrosse is all new for 2017.
When is it available? Now.
How much? $31,065.

We already think of the CT6’s performance as electrifying, so it was cool to see a CT6 that really is electrified. The hybrid CT6 combines the CT6’s turbocharged four cylinder engine with two electric motors, for a total system output of 335 hp. Fully charged, the CT6 can drive up to 30 miles on electricity alone.

What changed? Caddy’s big CT6 gets a plug-in hybrid drivetrain.
When is it available? Spring 2017.
How much? $76,090 less electric vehicle tax incentives.

Genesis is the new luxury brand from Hyundai, and the G80 is the car formerly known as the Hyundai Genesis Sedan. The new G80 Sport takes the twin-turbo V6 from the bigger G90 and stuffs it into a car that weighs about 400 lbs. less. A unique grille and subtle copper-colored accents outside and in further differentiate the car, which Genesis division boss Erwin Raphael describes as driving “like a bat out of hell”.

What changed? This is a new sporty version of the G80.
When is it available? Spring 2017.
How much? Genesis has not revealed pricing.

From Hyundai’s Department of You’ve Gotta See This comes the G90, the opulent flagship from the South Korean automaker’s new Genesis luxury sub-brand. The big G90 has a massive back seat with reclining seatbacks, which is the way South Korean executives prefer to travel. A powerful V8 and soft, quiet ride round out this unlikely challenger to the big German sedans. Genesis offers buyer amenities such as free pick-up, drop off, and a loaner car for service and warranty repairs.

What changed? The G90 is the flagship model of Hyundai’s new Genesis brand.
When is it available? Right now.
How much? $69,050.

Here's a car that doesn't get the recognition it deserves. The Accord Hybrid promises 48 MPG, and by and large it delivers, thanks to a brilliant hybrid drivetrain unlike anything else other manufacturers are using. Honda's famous quality and lots of stretch-out space in the back seat round out this fantastically fuel-efficient sedan.

What changed? The Accord Hybrid gets refreshed styling and new features for 2017.
When is it available? Right away.
How much? $29,605.

We have limited patience for “sporty” compacts that are sporty in appearance only, so when we heard that the Elantra Sport would get a 201 hp turbo engine—and pair it with a six-speed manual—we perked right up. The new Sport is great to drive, and automatic buyers need not suffer as the car also offers a seven-speed twin-clutch automatic. Look out, VW Jetta GLI.

What changed? This is a proper performance version of Hyundai's lovely little Elantra.
When is it available? Now.
How much? $21,650.

Does Infiniti’s new subcompact SUV look familiar? It might—it was designed in conjunction with the Mercedes-Benz GLA, and the two cars are mechanically very similar. We like Infiniti’s interpretation, which is small and svelte, very affordable, and good fun to drive. It’s a bit small to be truly family-friendly, but is a great choice for singles and couples.

What changed? The QX30 is the new compact SUV from Infiniti.
When is it available? Right now.
How much? $29,950.

The Q60 replaces Infiniti's G37 coupe, a gentleman sportster with a powerful V6 up front. The new Q60 goes bonkers on the power thing; engine choices range from a 208 hp four-cylinder turbo to a 400 hp twin-turbo V6. The Q60 is certainly more gentlemanly than the G; we do miss the old car's rough demeanor, but we love the Q60's advanced technology. New and notable at Los Angeles: A gold Neiman-Marcus edition.

What changed? The Q60 is all new.
When is it available? Right now.
How much? $38,950

Tighter fuel-economy regulations—we’ll see if they last under the new administration—mean you’ll see more and more small luxury cars on the market, and this is Jaguar’s: The new XE, which looks and feels much like a scaled-down XF. We can think of no better complement: Like its big sibling, the XE is handsome inside and out and very athletic out on the road.

What changed? The XE is the new entry-level car from Jaguar.
When is it available? Now.
How much? Pricing starts at $37,395.

Truth be told, the old Cadenza seemed a little out of place in Kia's Ikea-like lineup, but the new-for-2017 version is lovely, a well-thought-out blend of contemporary and cushy. Packed with great technology, brimming with value, and very satisfying to drive—good steering is a new concept for Kia—the Cadenza gives big front-drive luxury cars something to worry about.

What changed? The Cadenza has been completely redesigned for 2017.
When is it available? As we speak.
How much? $31,990.

Lincoln's new Continental sets the pace for the brand's future styling, but there's something delightfully retro about this big four-door—maybe it's the over-the-top opulence of its over-stuffed seats that takes us back to the 1970s. That said, we sure do love that optional 400 hp twin-turbo V6. This is the cushiest muscle car you'll ever drive.

What changed? Under the classic nameplate is an all-new car.
When is it available? Now.
How much? $44,650 and up... way, way up.

This the AMG-ized E-Class we've been waiting for. Forget the E43 with its paltry 396 horsepower—this is the real deal, with a 4.0 liter twin-turbo V8 putting out 563 hp in the E63 and 603 hp in the E63 S. Both versions feature 4Matic all-wheel-drive and can rocket to 60 MPH in less than three and a half seconds.

What changed? This new edition of the E-Class is the most powerful in the lineup.
When is it available? Summer 2017.
How much? Pricing has not been announced.

While the crossover market booms, the E-Class wagon retains its well-heeled clientele (the average household income of an E-wagon buyer is through the roof). Mercedes is showing this new E400 version, which is powered by a 329 hp turbo V6. It features a fold-down rear-facing rear seat—remember when all wagons had those?—so it’s a true seven seater.

What changed? The E wagon gets a new turbo V6 engine.
When is it available? Early 2017.
How much? Mercedes hasn’t announced pricing.

“Exclusive” is a buzzword in the luxury market, and Mercedes cars don't get much more exclusive than this. MB will build just 300 copies of the Maybach S650 Cabriolet, and only 75 will come to the United States. US buyers can choose from three color themes, each with a hand-finished interior. All get a 621 hp twin-turbo V12.

What changed? Merc's convertible S just got a whole lot more exclusive.
When is it available? Spring 2017.
How much? €300,000 ($321,000) in Europe; US pricing has not been announced.

No car at the show gave us a bigger smile than the Sentra NISMO, primarily because Nissan let us sneak one out for an overnight drive. With a 188 horsepower turbo engine, cheeky red body trim, and sticky Michelin Pilot tires, this is a racy little car that brings some much-needed pizazz to the Sentra lineup. It may not prove to be the fastest or the best-handling, but man, is it ever a hoot.

What changed? Turbo power, a stiffer suspension, and jazzy body details make the staid Sentra into a little hot rod.
When is it available? Early next year.
How much? Nissan hasn’t announced pricing.

Porsche is in the process of launching the second generation of its Panamera sedan, and they’re adding a stretched-wheelbase version called the Panamera Executive. A 5.9” wheelbase stretch expands back-seat legroom. Porsche will offer the Panamera Executive with several powertrains, including a plug-in hybrid.

What changed? This is the long-wheelbase version of the new Panamera.
When is it available? January 2017.
How much? Pricing isn’t yet available.

Last year, Volvo stunned us with the award-winning XC90; now we are getting to know its sedan counterpart, the S90. Though clearly a much different car, the S90 embraces much of the technology that helped us fall in love with the XC90, including the tablet-like infotainment system and powerful four-cylinder Drive-E engines.

What changed? The S90 is an all new model.
When is it available? It’s on sale now.
How much? $46,950

If you’re old enough, you’ll remember Volvo for their big wagons—and those big wagons are coming back in the form of the V90. At the LA show, Volvo showed the V90 Cross Country, which features SUV-like styling cues such as a raised suspension and black body cladding along the fenders and rocker panels.

What changed? The V90 is a new model.
When is it available? Sometime next year.
How much? Pricing has not been announced.