10 Latest Cars Coming to a Dealership this Summer

2017 Volvo V90 Wagon 3 4 Road America ・ Photo by Chad Kirchner

Summer is almost here, and you're probably thinking about getting a new ride for your summer vacation or finding a great ride to drive your kids back to school. Recently, we sampled some new offerings that are either at dealerships now or will be sometime later this summer to see what is coming to make the whole experience more fun!

From sports cars to family cruisers, there's a little something for everyone to make that road trip more enjoyable.

2017 Chevrolet Cruze

The new Chevrolet Cruze is a favorite with automotive journalists and buyers alike. Offering both a sedan and a hatchback, the new Cruze is a step above the previous generation and a top contender in a hotly-contested segment. However, the Cruze offers something that the competition doesn't - a diesel engine. 

That's right; you can now head to a dealership and purchase a new Chevrolet Cruze with a 1.6L turbocharged diesel engine that makes 240 lb-ft of torque. Around town, the Cruze feels like a monster of a car. Remember, torque is what you use when you're going from stoplight to stoplight, and the Cruze has plenty of it.

The EPA also rates the new Cruze diesel at 52 miles-per-gallon on the highway. If you have a summer road trip planned, the Cruze makes a capable companion.

Photo by Chad Kirchner

2017 Honda Odyssey

When it comes to family road trips, a minivan is the ultimate people mover. Set the stigmas aside and check out all the features a modern van has to offer. The new Honda Odyssey is one of those vans, and we think you'll be more than impressed.

The Odyssey is easy to get in and out of, regardless of age. Little ones in boosters can get in without needing help, and moms can easily make sure their tiny ones are strapped in for the trip. The load floor is lower than an SUV or crossover, which makes it easier to load gear in the back. The Odyssey even has a built-in vacuum and a camera to monitor those in the rear seats.

Loads of advanced safety features are available, including autonomous emergency braking, lane keeping, and even adaptive cruise control.

Photo by Chad Kirchner

2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV

Later this summer, Chevrolet will finally make the 2017 Bolt EV available nationwide. Before any credits are factored in, a base Bolt EV starts at $37,495. You should always consult your tax advisor, but in some cases, the price can drop to less than $30,000 for a fully-electric vehicle with 238 miles of range.

While it still looks like a car from the future, it's not the long-distance future some electric car designs reflect. What is more impressive is that the futuristic looks hide an incredible amount of storage space. There are 94.4 cubic feet of space inside the car, which classifies it as a crossover. With the rear seats in place, rear storage space is still a hefty 16.9 cubic feet.

In a lot of ways, the Bolt EV is a normal, everyday car. It just happens not to require gasoline. That'll be the key to its success.

Photo by Chad Kirchner

2017 Volvo V90 Cross Country

We have a soft spot for wagons, and there's no wagon heading to showrooms right now that's prettier than Volvo's new V90 Cross Country. Sitting an inch higher than a standard V90, the all-wheel drive Cross Country will haul your family in comfort, but will also be able to go off the beaten path to a remote campsite or field.

Three different engine options exist, including the T8 plug-in hybrid, so there's a V90 Cross Country for every customer.

Inside, the "Scandinavian Sanctuary" is luxurious and beautiful. All of the materials feel upscale — the wood is real wood, and the metal is real metal. 

If you like to listen to music, don't miss the Bowers & Wilkins stereo. It's our experience that it's well worth listening to in any car, at any price.

Photo by Chad Kirchner

2017 Honda Civic Si

Arriving at dealerships now is the newest version of the Honda Civic Si. While it's not as hot as the Civic Type R coming later this year, the Si offers tons of performance at a fair price. Available in coupe or sedan, the new Si reminds us that Honda knows how to make fun cars.

Only available with a manual transmission, the Civic Si is powered by a turbocharged 1.5L 4-cylinder engine making 205 horsepower. Though it's only front-wheel drive, a limited-slip differential helps keep torque steer in check, and the lightweight Si is quite fun on the race track.

Unfortunately, you lose the option for a lot of the safety features because of the manual transmission, but if you're looking for a sporty car that's still practical, the new Si is worth a look.

Photo by Chad Kirchner

2017 Jaguar F-Type SVR Convertible

Some cars you buy with your brain; others, you buy with your heart. The $128,800 British convertible is one of those cars that's all heart. From the moment you press the starter button, you know you're driving something special.

A 575 horsepower supercharged V8 sends power to an all-wheel drive system to keep you on the track and out of the bushes. Jaguar claims a 0-60 miles-per-hour time of 3.5 seconds.

In addition to being beautiful, the F-Type's sound is incredible. A supercharger whine mixed with V8 engine growl creates an intoxicating roar, and when you downshift there are pops and backfires that'll scare your passengers if they haven't heard it before.

It's beautiful. It sounds amazing. It's fast. It's really hard not to love.

Photo by Chad Kirchner

2018 Dodge Challenger Demon

The folks at Dodge can't seem to stop adding more horsepower. Not that long ago, 475 horsepower was the most you could get in one of its products. But in a few short months, you'll be able to get your hands on an 840 horsepower Challenger named Demon. Oh yes!

Granted, it only makes that horsepower on 100 octane race gas, but when loaded up with the go-fast juice, the car can potentially run the quarter-mile in less than 10 seconds and get from zero to sixty in 2.3 seconds. That's quicker than a Bugatti Veyron that makes twice as much horsepower and has all-wheel drive!

If you want one, you'll need to make sure your dealership knows. Only 3,000 are coming to the United States and 300 to Canada.

Photo by Chad Kirchner

2018 Dodge Durango SRT

The Dodge Durango with the 5.7L HEMI V8 and all-wheel drive is a perfect year-round family hauler. That is, if you like to get places fast. But since Dodge is always upping their game, they are dropping a 6.4L V8 in for more excitement.

That means, in a few short months, you'll be able to get a family-hauling crossover that'll make 475 horsepower and accelerate faster than most sports cars from a complete stop at the traffic light.

Photo by Chad Kirchner

2017 Nissan GT-R

While Nissan's GT-R is hardly new, for 2017 they added a new Track Package that sits between the base model and the hyper-track-focused NISMO. While the infamous Godzilla is getting a bit long-in-the-tooth, the changes to the 2017 Premium model make the car more livable in everyday driving.

It's relatively comfortable and crazy fast. Just like a GT-R should be!

Photo by Chad Kirchner

2017 Honda CR-V

We'll admit that the CR-V is already in showrooms, but it's worth mentioning the newest Honda crossover for a few reasons.

One, it's a safe and reliable form of transportation with all of Honda's latest technology and goodies. That means Apple Car Play and Android Auto, autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and more.

Also, the CR-V is selling well. It's in a fight back and forth with the Nissan Rogue as the best-selling non-truck in the United States. To leave it out as a summer fun ride would be an error in judgement.

Photo by Chad Kirchner