Best new cars at the 2017 Chicago Auto Show

Just when it seems like there couldn't be any more crossovers, here come pavement-blistering high performance variants capable of hitting 60 mph in 4.4 seconds. Just when it seems like a brand has defined itself, it breaks form and delivers a fastback sports...

EDUCATION
11 February 2017 Saturday 01:56

Best new cars at the 2017 Chicago Auto Show

At the 109th installment of the nation's largest and longest-running auto show, some brands will try to change perception while others will solidify notions with bold takes on best-sellers.

Many of the estimated 1,000 vehicles on display are the stuff of dreams, but this year's show blends fantasy with reality even more with a life-size Batmobile built of Legos, and a "Star Wars" X-wing fighter superimposed on a Nissan Rogue crossover.

Five indoor test tracks, including the awesome (and a bit scary) Iron Schockl from Mercedes-Benz and the Ram Trucks pickup showcase, a handful of outdoor test drives, and many more simulators offer consumers and enthusiasts seat time in 2018 models before the vehicles hit dealer lots later this year. And the 1 million square feet of McCormick Place gives automakers plenty of space to draw crowds and drive sales.

Here are the stars of this year's show (2018 models unless otherwise noted).

Alfa Romeo Stelvio

The third model in Alfa Romeo's resurgent American lineup is the all-new 2018 Stelvio sport SUV. Named after the famed Stelvio Pass in the Italian Alps, Stelvio uses a 2-liter turbo four-cylinder engine delivering 280 horsepower and 306 pound-feet of torque. All-wheel drive is standard in the performance-oriented Quadrifoglio model, which uses a 2.9-liter biturbo V-6 engine. Pricing TBD.

(Robert Duffer)

Named for a mountain pass in Italy known for its hairpin turns, the midsize Stelvio crossover has Alfa's distinctive triangular grille and curvy styling. Under the hood is a 280-horsepower, four-cylinder engine paired to an eight-speed transmission. Buyers also can opt for the top-of-the-line Stelvio Quadrifoglio, which has a V-6 that produces 505 horsepower. All-wheel-drive is standard on all models. The made-in-Italy Stelvio goes on sale early 2017.

Dodge Durango SRT

Dodge unleashes 2018 Durango SRT performance SUV Robert Duffer

Dodge unveiled its latest high-performance muscle car on Tuesday, February 7, just in time for the 2017 Chicago Auto Show. The muscle car is actually the 2018 Durango SRT three-row SUV with a 475-horsepower HEMI V-8 engine.

Why make a high-performance family hauler capable of hitting 60 mph in...

(Robert Duffer)

The high-performance people hauler is even more potent than expected. The three-row SUV gets a Hemi V-8 making 475 horsepower, which Dodge claims will run 0-60 mph in 4.4 seconds. The Tesla Model X P100D SUV is technically faster, but it doesn't rumble like this fire-breather. Dodge claims a best-in-class towing capacity of 8,600 pounds. Visually, the SRT will have a new face with a solid mesh grille unobstructed by the Dodge cross, and a wicked hood scoop. Customers get one session at a high-performance driving school that will be nowhere near where you see many Durangos — during drop-off at the kids' school.

Ford Expedition

Ford redesigns 2018 Expedition full-size SUV Robert Duffer

Ford redesigned the Expedition full-size SUV days before the opening of the 2017 Chicago Auto Show.

With its broad, horizontal mesh grille, it shares more visual traits with Ford's SUV family than the F-150 pickup family. The 8-seater is about an inch longer and wider than the outgoing model, according...

Ford redesigned the Expedition full-size SUV days before the opening of the 2017 Chicago Auto Show.

(Robert Duffer)

With its broad, horizontal mesh grille, the truck-based Expedition full-size SUV shares more visual traits with Ford's SUV family than the F-150 pickup family. The 8-seater is about an inch longer and wider than the outgoing model, and comes with the F-150's 3.5-liter turbocharged V-6 engine with a 10-speed automatic. Power second- and third-row seats can be flipped down with the push of a button from the cargo area, and the family hauler is a wi-fi hotspot capable of connecting 10 devices. Due this fall.

Ford Mustang

Refreshed 2018 Ford Mustang channels high-performance GT350 Robert Duffer

The refreshed 2018 Ford Mustang drops the V-6 engine and adds elements from its track-star sibling, the Shelby GT350.

It gets a lowered hood, headlights and fascia like the GT350, with new vents and a wider grille. There are 12 wheel options, three new colors (including Orange Fury) and the headlights...

The refreshed 2018 Ford Mustang drops the V-6 engine and adds elements from its track-star sibling, the Shelby GT350.

It gets a lowered hood, headlights and fascia like the GT350, with new vents and a wider grille. There are 12 wheel options, three new colors (including Orange Fury) and the headlights...

(Robert Duffer)

The refreshed Mustang drops the V-6 engine and adds elements from its track-star sibling, the Shelby GT350. It gets a lowered hood, headlights and fascia like the GT350, with new vents and a wider grille. The lowered hood also reduces drag and creates better sightlines whether hitting the apex on the track or corners on the street. There are 12 wheel options, three new colors (including Orange Fury) and the headlights and taillights get new C-shaped bars. The global Mustang gets an unspecified increase of torque in the V-8 and turbo four engines, which come with an available 10-speed automatic transmission. Expected in lots this fall.

Honda Odyssey

Honda launches 2018 Odyssey minivan with new seats, transmission Robert Duffer

Honda aims to keep its best-selling minivan at the top amidst strong competition in the limited but loyal minivan market. Honda unveiled the redesigned 2018 Odyssey at the 2017 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, hours after the Chrysler Pacifica minivan won 2016 Family Car of the...

(Robert Duffer)

The fifth generation of the best-selling minivan gets an available 10-speed transmission, the latest tech and Magic Slide seats in the second row, which allow for five different seating positions along a rail, and are easy to bypass for third-row passengers even with child-safety seats in the second row. Its front wheels are powered by a direct injection V-6 engine that boosts horsepower from 248 to 280 with the same size engine. Expected in dealer lots this spring.

Hyundai Elantra GT Sport

2018 Hyundai Elantra GT hatchback debuts at Chicago Auto Show Robert Duffer

Hyundai Elantra is one of the best cars on the market for under $20,000, combining useful standard features in a capable ride. The value proposition continues with the redesigned Elantra GT hatchback available in two four-cylinder engines, which Hyundai announced on Thursday, February 9 at the...

(Robert Duffer)

The second generation hatch, first introduced as successor to the Touring hatch for model year 2013, features two new engines with a six-speed automatic or six-speed manual transmission. The GT Sport variant gets the 1.6-liter turbocharged engine from the sedan that makes 201 horsepower in the hatch. Sport gets 18-inch wheels instead of the 17-inch rollers on the GT. Inside is bigger, with more cargo capacity than the hatchback standard bearer VW Golf. With the seats folded down, there is 55.1 cubic feet compared to 52.7 in the Golf; with the rear seats up its nearly 25 cubic feet.

Kia Stinger

2018 Kia Stinger fastback sedan unveiled in Detroit Robert Duffer

Kia Stinger is a big risk and a big deal.

The five-passenger fastback sports sedan design pushes Kia into luxury sport territory along with the Tesla Model S, Audi RS7, Porsche Panamera and others. Born of the GT Concept luxury fastback unveiled in 2011 and paraded around the U.S in 2014, the...

Kia Stinger is a big risk and a big deal.

(Robert Duffer)

The five-passenger fastback sports sedan pushes Kia into luxury sport territory with the Tesla Model S, Audi A7 and Porsche Panamera. It comes with two available engines, including the twin-turbo V-6 used in the Genesis G90 flagship sedan, expected to make 365 horsepower in the Stinger. The V-6 has a target of a 5.1-second 0-62 mph time, with a top speed of 167 mph. Goes on sale in late 2017.

2017 Land Rover Discovery

The first complete redesign of the Discovery in 12 years, this large SUV has room for seven adults in three rows. It drops the LR designation — and about 1,000 pounds — in a less boxy design. Fuel economy is expected to increase, yet there's no shortage of power for towing, which maxes out at 8,201 pounds. Engines include a turbo diesel V-6, and a supercharged six-cylinder gas variant. The seats can be rearranged remotely through a smartphone app even when the operator is outside the vehicle, and the second and third rows can fold flat in 14 seconds. The suspension automatically lowers the car 1.5 inches to make it easier to get in and out.

Lexus LS

2018 Lexus LS flagship sedan gets sporting redesign Robert Duffer

The 5th generation flagship sedan was overdue for a full redesign, which hadn’t happened since model year 2007. It has a sleek modern look, with a long nose, longer wheelbase, short front overhangs with wide air intakes, and a lower ride. The rear-wheel-drive platform shared with the gorgeous LC...

(Robert Duffer)

The fifth-generation flagship sedan has a sleek, modern look, with a longer wheelbase and a lower ride. Its new twin-turbo V-6 engine mated to a 10-speed transmission churns out 442 pound-feet of torque, which Lexus says is on par with its competitors' V-8 engines. The RWD variant hits 0-60 mph in 4.5 seconds. The cabin is loaded with the latest safety technology, and there is an available 24-inch head-up display. Not sure how you see the road beyond the display but we'll test it once the 2018 LS hits the road, expected in late 2017.

Toyota Camry

Toyota steals the show with 'sexy' 2018 Camry Robert Duffer

For 15 years, the Toyota Camry has been the best-selling vehicle in the U.S., excluding pickup trucks. Its reputation as reliable though bland has prompted some critics to deride it as nothing more than an appliance.

While consumers don't care much for critics, Toyota President Akio Toyoda pledged...

(Robert Duffer)

Toyota President Akio Toyoda pledged to make the eighth generation of the best-selling midsize sedan anything but boring. He called it "sexy." Height drops an inch, while the hood dips 1.6 inches to give it a low, leaner look. The sport SE and XSE trims get larger air intakes and an X-shaped design over the grille. There are three new powertrains, including an all-new 2.5-liter four-cylinder and a new hybrid system that Toyota expects to lead the class in fuel efficiency. The interior is more open, less cluttered, with a "waterfall" element bridging the passenger and driver's sides of the dash under the center stack. It's due in dealer lots late summer 2017.

Volkswagen Atlas

2018 Atlas three-row SUV puts VW back on map Robert Duffer and Tribune wire reports

Better late to the three-row crossover party then never for Volkswagen.

The beleaguered German brand took a big step toward recovering from its emissions-cheating scandal by introducing a new seven-passenger SUV.

Volkswagen says the Atlas will have enough space for seven adults plus their luggage....

Better late to the three-row crossover party then never for Volkswagen.

The beleaguered German brand took a big step toward recovering from its emissions-cheating scandal by introducing a new seven-passenger SUV.

Volkswagen says the Atlas will have enough space for seven adults plus their luggage....

(Robert Duffer and Tribune wire reports)

Volkswagen's first three-row SUV fills a big hole in its product lineup. The seven-passenger Atlas, which will go on sale in the spring, comes with two engine choices — a 238-horsepower four-cylinder or a 280-horsepower V-6. Both are paired to an eight-speed transmission. All-wheel drive is available.

Associated Press contributed.

rduffer@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @DufferRobert

2017 Chicago Auto Show at a glance

Chicago Auto Show: If you go Nausheen Husain and Jemal Brinson The 109th Chicago Auto Show takes over McCormick Place for a little more than a week beginning Feb. 11. The show brings nearly 1,000 kinds of vehicles from more than 30 automakers. When: 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Feb. 11 to Feb. 20, (10 a.m.-8 p.m. Feb. 20) Where: McCormick Place North and South, 23rd Street... The 109th Chicago Auto Show takes over McCormick Place for a little more than a week beginning Feb. 11. The show brings nearly 1,000 kinds of vehicles from more than 30 automakers. When: 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Feb. 11 to Feb. 20, (10 a.m.-8 p.m. Feb. 20) Where: McCormick Place North and South, 23rd Street... (Nausheen Husain and Jemal Brinson)

When: Feb.11 through Feb. 20, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. (10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Feb. 20)

Where: McCormick Place North and South, 23rd Street and Lake Shore Drive.

Admission:

Adults (13 and older): $13;

Senior citizens (62+) and children (7-12): $7;

Children 6 and younger with a paying adult: Free.

CTA bus: No. 3 King Drive and No. 21 Cermak.

CTA rail: Green Line stop at Cermak.

Special buses: Between Ogilvie Center and Union Station, Museum Campus and McCormick Place, in 7- to 30-minute intervals.

Metra: Electric District line stops directly at McCormick Place, running from downtown to University Park on the Far South Side.

Website: www.chicagoautoshow.com

For ongoing coverage, visit www.chicagotribune.com/autoshow