The New York International Auto Show (NYIAS) will be in town from April 19, 2019 – April 28, 2019. As a car lover, this is an exciting time of year for me. I’ve been attending the NYIAS since I was a kid with my family. It was sort of a family Easter tradition. It was fun as a kid to see and play with the new cars, and as an adult, I still feel the same.
The New York International Auto Show provides car enthusiasts, no matter the age, a chance to see and touch beautiful new cars, as well as learn about the latest technology in safety and entertainment in the automotive industry.
Read: Why Your Car Shopping Should Be Done at the New York Auto Show
This year, I am excited to see what the line-up of 2019 and 2020 SUVs have to offer. I love SUVs because they make me feel as though I’m sitting on top of the world and because they’re a better looking mom-friendly option versus a minivan. These are the SUVs for 2019/2020 I’m most looking forward to seeing at the New York International Auto Show.
Luxury SUVs
Audi Q8 – The Q8 was a concept car in 2017, and has finally hit the streets. In fact, I’ve seen a few of these on the road, and when I first saw one I literally did a double take. It’s a beautiful car, at least on the outside. I can’t wait to see what this new Audi SUV has to offer. It is described as having the “functional practicality of an SUV with the dynamic design of an Audi coupe.” I’m impressed by the new 335-horsepower 3.0-liter TFSI® V6 engine paired with an eight-speed tiptronic® transmission. This momma would go from 0 to 60 mph in 5.6 seconds.
Starting MSRP: $67,400
Lincoln Aviator – After a three-year stint from 2002-2005, Lincoln has revamped the Aviator for 2019/2020. The new Aviator is a three-row SUV comes with a range of cool advanced technologies: the luxury SUV can “kneel” to greet you, scan the road ahead for uneven pavement, and allow you to drive away using your smartphone instead of a key. Depending on how much power you prefer to have under the hood, you can choose between the standard twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine or a 450-horsepower twin-turbocharged hybrid engine option. I’d go for 450-horsepower any day! The Lincoln Aviator comes with all-wheel drive and a choice of gas or hybrid powertrains.
Starting MSRP: $51,000
Mercedes-Benz GLE – To be honest, I wasn’t always a fan of the Mercedez-Benz SUVs, but they’ve improved, in my opinion, on the style of the body, which makes me consider it for my next SUV. If you’re a mom looking for luxury, superb performance on and off the road, plus more space, then you may want to take a look at the new 2020 GLE. The all-new Mercedes-Benz GLE has a new range of engines and a new 4MATIC system, as well as technology innovations including a world first 48-volt active suspension system called E-ACTIVE BODY CONTROL, that allows spring and damping forces to be individually controlled at each wheel.
Starting MSRP: $55,700
Read: 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE: This 3-Row Luxury SUV Keeps Getting Better and Better
Affordable SUVs
Chevrolet Blazer
My very first SUV was a Chevy Equinox. Had they not changed the body, I would have gotten it again. That’s how much I loved it. But, now, with Chevrolet bringing back the Blazer, an SUV I used to lust over as a kid, I’m excited. The 2019 Blazer is a five-passenger midsize SUV. I love the bold styling; that’s what initially caught my eye. The new model comes with a standard 2.5L I-4 or for those of us moms who need more power and speed, 3.6-liter V-6 engines are available, each backed by a nine-speed automatic transmission. Road tripping families will love the Hitch View that shows a top-down view inside the cabin, making it easier to hitch a trailer without a second person to assist.
Starting MSRP: $28,000 (L trim); $32,300 (Base trim); $40,600 (R trim); $42,700 (Premier trim)
Kia Telluride – I was intrigued by the Kia Telluride straight off of the Superbowl commercial alone, and then I saw one on the street. I thought, “Ooh this is nice!” The Telluride is a large mid-size SUV sporting a boxy exterior, providing seating for up to eight. For a vehicle of its size, it is powered by a powerful 291-hp 3.8-liter V6 mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission. Kia loaded the Telluride with technology to enhance comfort, convenience, utility, and the driver and passenger experience. These include things like four-wheel independent suspension and a choice of four (4) drive modes: Smart, Eco, Sport, and Comfort. In addition, drivers can select from two different settings, Snow and AWD Lock, for specific driving conditions, which would come in handy during brutal East Coast winters.
Starting MSRP: $31,690 (LX trim); $33,900 (S trim); $37,090 (EX trim); $41,490 (SX trim)
Read: Kia Reveals the All-New Telluride, A Designer-Designed SUV Full of Rugged Elegance
Ford Explorer – These are popular with moms on Long Island. I understand why because they’re roomy. Ford added two all-new models: Explorer ST and Explorer Hybrid. Ford boasts that the all-new Explorer ST is the most fun-to-drive and powerful Explorer ever with a specially tuned 3.0-liter EcoBoost® engine projected to make 400 horsepower and reach a targeted top track speed of 143 mph!!! Umm, I need that! If you want a more fuel-efficient SUV, Ford has the Explorer Hybrid, equipped with a 3.3-liter hybrid powertrain that is projected to return an estimated range of more than 500 miles between gas station fill-ups. Impressive!
Starting MSRP: $54,740
This line-up of luxury and affordable SUVs make me excited about the New York International Auto Show taking place at the Jacob Javits Center next week. I can’t wait to report back on which ones live up to the hype after seeing them in-person. From there, I will be able to evaluate if they suit the needs of an always on the go mom like me – providing ample cargo space, legroom, etc.
Learn more about the 2019 New York International Auto Show on their website.
What do you look forward to when the New York International Auto Show comes to town?