News includes these companies Kia, Hyundai, Honda, Lucid, Alfa Romeo, Nissan, Genesis, Nissan, Honda, NACTOY, Hyundai and Scout Motors.
In this Article
Rain Dampens Outdoor Activities at Innovation Plaza
Mother Nature had other plans for this year’s AutoMobility LA, as a third storm system in a week descended on Southern California during media day. The bulk of the rain arrived Thursday afternoon, bringing moderate to heavy rainfall to the Los Angeles area. This November has been remarkably wet, with downtown LA recording over 3 inches of rainfall—ranking as the wettest November in 43 years.
The weather created challenges for journalists and industry professionals hoping to take advantage of the reimagined Innovation Plaza, the outdoor hub that serves as the central stage for media-day announcements, vehicle debuts, and hands-on test drives. Located adjacent to Crypto.com Arena, the open-air setting typically supports photography, broadcast content capture, and live social reporting. Several automakers including Honda, Kia, Lucid, and Rivian had planned test drive experiences departing from the plaza throughout the day.
The timing proved particularly unfortunate for Scout Motors, which was revealing its Terra and Traveler concept vehicles outside the convention center for the first time at an auto show. Media members found themselves navigating wet conditions while trying to capture content, though forecasters expect the drying trend to continue into next week with sunny weather returning for Thanksgiving.
2027 Kia Telluride Unveiled With All-New Hybrid Powertrain
The redesigned Telluride grows in size with a longer wheelbase and overall length, contributing to improved interior space and cargo capacity. The exterior draws inspiration from Colorado’s Rocky Mountains, featuring a broad hood, vertical headlamps, fluid body lines, and distinctive triangular fender creases.
Among the new tech features is a clever “Stay Mode” that allows the hybrid battery to power the climate control, cabin lighting, and stereo for about 20 minutes without activating the combustion engine. A new Ground View Monitor provides a composite camera view of the terrain at low speeds, while LED ground lighting around the vehicle assists with nighttime outdoor activities. Entertainment options include streaming services like YouTube, Disney+, and Netflix built into the infotainment system.
The 2027 Telluride will be available in LX, S, EX, SX, and SX-Prestige trims, along with rugged X-Line and X-Pro off-road models. U.S. sales are expected to begin in the first quarter of 2026. Annual sales of the original Telluride have doubled since its 2019 introduction to around 120,000 vehicles per year.
Hyundai CRATER Concept Makes Global Debut
Built on a compact monocoque architecture, the concept rides on 33-inch tires with high ground clearance, aluminum rock sliders, and massive fender flares. The concept features front and rear locking differentials for serious off-road capability. SangYup Lee, Executive Vice President and Head of Hyundai and Genesis Global Design, explained that the concept represents freedom in automotive form.
The interior features a tubular design theme with a cross-car metal pipe serving as the instrument panel, wraparound seats made of soft Alcantara inspired by sleeping bags, and a full roll cage that doubles as grab handles. Notably, the CRATER eschews traditional infotainment screens in favor of a head-up display that spans the entire width of the windshield. Playful touches include a character called “Crater Man” integrated throughout the vehicle—even as a bottle opener on the front recovery hook. The side mirrors are actually detachable cameras that can be used as flashlights or action cameras for filming adventures. The CRATER will remain on display throughout the LA Auto Show’s public days through November 30.
2026 Honda Prelude Returns as NACTOY Finalist
The legendary Honda Prelude nameplate has returned, and it’s already generating award buzz. The 2026 Honda Prelude hybrid-electric sports coupe was named a finalist for the prestigious North American Car of the Year award during the LA Auto Show ceremony this morning. The sixth-generation Prelude marks the return of the iconic nameplate after nearly a quarter-century absence, with the original run ending in 2001.
The new Prelude is the first Honda model to pair the brand’s award-winning two-motor hybrid-electric powertrain with high-performance chassis hardware from the legendary Civic Type R, including its dual-axis front strut suspension, wider front and rear tracks, and Brembo front brakes. The Prelude also debuts Honda’s innovative S+ Shift drive mode, which simulates a performance transmission experience with virtual rev-matched downshifts, gear holding, and enhanced engine sounds to increase driver engagement.
Power comes from a 2.0-liter Atkinson cycle engine paired with two electric motors producing a combined 200 horsepower and 232 lb-ft of torque, delivering EPA-estimated fuel economy of 46 city/41 highway/44 combined mpg. The 2026 Prelude is available in one well-equipped trim with an MSRP of $42,000 plus $1,195 destination. Vehicles began arriving at Honda dealerships on November 18. The Prelude is on display as part of Honda’s full lineup at the show, alongside the Passport TrailSport HRC Concept fresh from the SEMA Show in Las Vegas and a historic 1990 Lola T90-01 CART Series race car.
Lucid Gravity Touring Launches at $79,900
The Gravity Touring features an 89-kWh battery pack delivering an EPA-estimated 337 miles of range, down from the Grand Touring’s 450-mile capability but still competitive in the luxury EV market. Power comes from a dual-motor setup producing 560 horsepower and 811 lb-ft of torque, enabling a 0-60 mph time of just 4 seconds. One of Lucid’s key advantages remains its charging technology—the Gravity Touring can pull up to 300 kW at 1000-volt DC fast chargers, adding 200 miles in roughly 15 minutes.
The SUV is available with five- or seven-passenger seating configurations and offers up to 111.9 cubic feet of cargo space with all seats folded. Marc Winterhoff, Interim CEO at Lucid, emphasized that the Touring unlocks a new audience for the brand in the critical SUV segment, noting there isn’t another SUV in its class that delivers the same combination of range, interior space, and driving performance. Customer orders opened today with select configurations available for immediate delivery. The Touring will be on display alongside the Grand Touring and the ultra-performance Lucid Air Sapphire throughout the show.
Alfa Romeo Showcases Refreshed Tonale and Ultra-Exclusive 33 Stradale
Alfa Romeo brought Italian flair to Los Angeles with a dual debut: the refreshed 2026 Tonale compact SUV and the North American auto show premiere of the breathtaking 33 Stradale supercar.
The 2026 Tonale arrives with a starting MSRP of $36,995 and introduces design cues inspired by the 33 Stradale, including a concave scudetto grille and more aggressive trilobe air intakes that visually widen the SUV. A new limited-edition Sport Speciale trim joins the Sprint and Veloce options, while three new exterior colors—Rosso Brera, Verde Monza, and Giallo Ocra—expand personalization options. The front fascia features reduced overhangs and wider tracks that help the Tonale look more planted and athletic. Chris Feuell, Head of Alfa Romeo North America, noted that the refresh adds more style, substance, and customer personalization options while maintaining a base price under $37,000.
The star of the show, however, was the 33 Stradale—the brand’s 630-horsepower halo car making its first North American auto show appearance. Inspired by the legendary 1967 Tipo 33 Stradale, the modern interpretation delivers 0-62 mph in under three seconds and a top speed of 207 mph. Built entirely by hand at Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera in Italy, production is limited to just 33 units globally, all of which are already spoken for.
Nissan Rogue PHEV Makes Public Debut
Nissan’s first plug-in hybrid for the U.S. market, the 2026 Rogue PHEV, makes its public debut at the LA Auto Show. The vehicle represents an interesting strategy—it’s essentially a rebadged Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, leveraging the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance’s shared architecture.
The Rogue PHEV combines a 2.4-liter gasoline engine with two electric motors and a 20-kWh battery, producing a total of 248 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque—significantly more than the standard Rogue’s 201 hp. The plug-in hybrid offers an EPA-estimated 38 miles of all-electric range and a total range of 420 miles.
Unlike the standard two-row Rogue, the PHEV variant offers three-row, seven-passenger seating. The vehicle will be available in SL and Platinum trims when it arrives at dealerships in early 2026. Pricing is expected around $40,000 based on the comparable Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV’s $42,675 starting price.
Genesis GV60 Magma — High-Performance EV Makes Dynamic Debut
Genesis unveiled the GV60 Magma, its first performance-focused production EV, marking the beginning of its new Magma high-performance sub-brand. The GV60 Magma features a widened stance, lowered suspension, and aggressively restyled front and rear bumpers that distinguish it from the standard GV60. Large air intakes, enhanced cooling systems, and redesigned aero elements reinforce its performance-first intent while maintaining the luxury character Genesis is known for. Special Magma-signature orange accents highlight the exterior and interior, signaling the model’s new role as the brand’s sport-oriented flagship EV.
Inside, the GV60 Magma receives sport-focused upgrades such as deeply bolstered performance seats, unique interior color themes, and expanded driver-communication systems designed to enhance engagement. Genesis incorporates a virtual gear-shift system that simulates stepped gearing for a more dynamic driving texture, along with Drift Mode and a high-performance brake-control system engineered to maximize stability and rotational precision during spirited driving. The chassis is further refined with upgraded cooling, suspension tuning, and torque vectoring calibrated specifically for the Magma line.
Genesis says production of the GV60 Magma will begin in 2025 with market arrivals expected in 2026, including North America. The company plans to expand the Magma lineup with additional high-performance EVs, positioning the sub-brand as a direct competitor to luxury performance divisions such as BMW M and Mercedes-AMG—only built on an all-electric foundation.
Nissan Shows Bold New 2026 Leaf EV at LA Auto Show
At the LA Auto Show, Nissan placed a spotlight on its all-new 2026 Leaf, showcasing how the iconic EV has evolved into a sleek, crossover-style liftback. Far from its original compact hatch design, the latest Leaf rides on Nissan’s CMF-EV (AmpR Medium) platform, giving it a more rugged yet refined silhouette with flush door handles, a flowing fastback roofline, and a dramatically improved drag coefficient.
Under the hood, the 2026 Leaf offers a 75 kWh battery pack that enables up to 303 miles of range, according to Nissan’s estimates. It has a front-mounted single electric motor producing around 214 horsepower, and for the first time in a Leaf, features a NACS charging port, which opens access to Tesla’s Supercharger network — an important usability boost for long-distance EV drivers. Charging is sped up further with a DC fast-charge capability, making recharging more practical.
Inside, Nissan has elevated the Leaf’s cabin with a refined, minimalist layout that features dual 14.3-inch digital screens in its higher trims, ambient lighting, and a dimming panoramic roof option. Driver-assistance tech includes a 3D intelligent around-view monitor and an “invisible hood view” system for better visibility. All of this positions the new Leaf as a far more modern, capable, and competitive option in the mainstream EV market.
2026 Honda Pilot Makes Public Debut With Refreshed Styling
The refreshed 2026 Honda Pilot makes its public debut at the LA Auto Show, featuring brawnier styling and significant technology upgrades. The mid-cycle refresh brings a more aggressive front fascia with a larger, squarer grille and blockier bumpers—design elements borrowed from the recently updated Honda Passport.
Inside, Honda has upgraded the tech package substantially. A new 12.3-inch touchscreen comes standard across all trims, representing a 37% increase over the previous screen size, and it’s paired with a 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster that’s 43% larger than the outgoing seven-inch unit. Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Google Built-In are now standard features. Honda promises a quieter cabin thanks to new semi-tempered door glass and additional insulation, along with improved steering feel from a retuned electric power steering system.
The 3.5-liter V-6 carries over unchanged, producing 285 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. The 2026 Pilot begins arriving at dealerships next month in Sport, EX-L, Touring, TrailSport, Elite, and Black Edition trims. Pricing will be announced closer to launch.
NACTOY Announces 2026 Award Finalists
The North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year (NACTOY) organization unveiled its prestigious 2026 finalists at the opening of the LA Auto Show, narrowing the competitive field to nine vehicles competing for three awards.
The Car of the Year finalists are the Dodge Charger, Honda Prelude, and Nissan Sentra. For Truck of the Year, the finalists include the Ford Maverick Lobo, Ram 1500 HEMI, and Ram 2500—marking the first time in the award’s 32-year history that Ram has earned two finalist positions. The Utility Vehicle of the Year finalists are the Hyundai Palisade, Lucid Gravity, and Nissan Leaf.
Jeff Gilbert, president of NACTOY, noted that the finalists demonstrate the wide range of choices available to consumers in the marketplace, with the distinguished jury of 50 automotive journalists from the United States and Canada selecting vehicles that truly reflect the best of the best. The winners will be announced on Wednesday, January 14, at the Detroit Auto Show.
Hyundai Announces Mammoth Mountain Partnership
Hyundai Motor America announced a multi-year partnership with Mammoth Mountain ski resort as part of a campaign to highlight its SUV and XRT vehicle lineup.
The partnership includes permanent vehicle displays at the resort, sponsorship of the “Night of Lights” holiday celebration, and custom content featuring Mammoth’s mascot Woolly alongside Hyundai XRT vehicles.
Sean Gilpin, Chief Marketing Officer at Hyundai Motor America, explained that the partnership presents a great opportunity to showcase the capability of Hyundai’s SUV and XRT vehicle lineup while inspiring outdoor exploration and creating memorable experiences for adventure seekers.
Scout Motors Unveils Rugged EV Revival with Terra and Traveler at LA
Scout Motors made a bold statement at the LA Auto Show by showcasing its two flagship concept vehicles: the Terra pickup and the Traveler SUV. Both models, resurrected from the heritage of the original International Harvester Scout, bring a throwback spirit into the electric era. Their design roots are unmistakable, with squared-off silhouettes, short overhangs, and robust, functional styling that nods to Scout’s off-road legacy.
Under the skin, both Terra and Traveler are built on a new, body-on-frame EV platform that promises genuine capability. Scout projects over 1,000 lb-ft of torque, 0–60 mph in as little as 3.5 seconds, and serious ruggedness — with mechanical lockers front and rear, high ground clearance, and the ability to accommodate 35-inch tires. The Terra is rated to tow more than 10,000 lbs and carry nearly 2,000 lbs of payload, while the Traveler isn’t far behind with a projected 7,000-lb towing capacity.
Scout also emphasized its commitment to practicality and modern tech: both vehicles support 800-volt architecture, NACS charging, and bi-directional power flow. For those concerned about range, there’s an optional “Harvester” gas-powered range extender that lets Scout EVs go beyond 500 miles. On the user experience side, the brand leans into tactile, mechanical controls — not just screens — and uses a zonal software architecture for over-the-air updates, reinforcing its “Connection Machine” vision that blends utility, heritage, and modern EV functionality.
Additional Debuts and Displays
The LA Auto Show floor features numerous other notable vehicles making appearances this year. Lincoln returns to the main halls with the 2026 Nautilus, while Porsche is displaying an impressive lineup including the 2026 911 GTS Hybrid, Macan Electric, and Panamera E-Hybrid.
Honda brought the Passport TrailSport HRC Concept fresh from its SEMA Show debut, alongside the refreshed 2026 Nissan Pathfinder. Hyundai is showcasing the IONIQ 6 N high-performance electric sedan at its North American debut, as well as the 2026 Elantra N TCR Edition motorsports-bred sedan making its U.S. debut.
Coulson Aviation is also present, highlighting the brand’s innovation in firefighting vehicles with two custom-built units displayed alongside a Sikorsky S-61 helicopter that actively fought the 2025 wildfires.
Show Information
The LA Auto Show opens to the public tomorrow, November 21, and runs through November 30, including Thanksgiving Day. General admission tickets are available at $25 for any day.
Special exhibits include SPARQ’s celebration of Los Angeles car culture featuring hypercars, Formula 1 machines, and iconic vehicles from movies like Fast & Furious and video games like Need for Speed. Test drive opportunities are available from Honda, Kia, Lucid, and Rivian, while experiential activities include Ford’s Bronco Built Wild Experience and the Camp Jeep off-road adventure track.
Weather forecasts suggest dry conditions will return for the weekend, with sunny skies expected for the Thanksgiving holiday.
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