Small SUVs Take Center Stage at Los Angeles Auto Show
 2016 Honda HR-V |
SEE ALSO: 2014 LA Auto Show-Press Pass Coverage +VIDEO
SANTA MONICA, CA -- November 24, 2014: New subcompact SUVs Honda HR-V and Mazda CX-3 top the list of vehicles debuting this week at the 2014 Los Angeles Auto Show, says Edmunds.com. The unveilings underscore the surge of interest that car shoppers have shown in compact and subcompact SUVs. Edmunds.com sales data shows that the segment has doubled in market share over the last decade. “For many car shoppers, compact SUVs check the boxes for many ‘must have’ features: a reasonable price, generous cargo space and utility, and good fuel efficiency, all with a commanding view of the road,” says Edmunds.com Sr. Analyst Jessica Caldwell.
When the Honda HR-V debuts in Spring 2015 as the little brother to the popular Honda CR-V, it will stake its case against competitors on the vehicle’s interior space. The HR-V assumes the platform of the Honda Fit, which already boasts superior roominess among subcompact sedans. The HR-V also promises cargo space that’s more on par with the larger class of compact SUVs.
The Mazda CX-3, meanwhile, will try to stake its claim in the subcompact segment as the stylish – yet affordable – choice among its competitors. Edmunds.com favorably compares the interior design to the luxury Audi A3, with stitched and padded vinyl and multi-colored tones that are a departure from Mazdas of the past.
Other vehicle debuts at the LA Auto Show highlighted by Edmunds.com include:
2016 Ford Explorer – Unlike the subcompact SUVs debuting at the LA Auto Show, the Ford Explorer offers a traditional option for shoppers who want a bigger ride. New features in the 2016 Explorer include both front and rear view monitors and electronic park assist systems to guide drivers into tight parking spots.
2016 Toyota Mirai – The Mirai will be the first production vehicle with a hydrogen fuel cell to hit the market. The zero-emissions vehicle will be welcomed by green car enthusiasts, but owners will have initial trouble finding many locations to fill up while Toyota works to build a critical mass of hydrogen fueling stations in the U.S.
2016 Jaguar F-Type – The new F-Type will have the luxury and performance of its earlier generation but with a few new features, including standard all-wheel drive on R models and optional manual transmission on rear-wheel drive V6 models.
