The Road Ahead: Five Highlights of the 2023 New York Auto Show

BJT visited the New York International Auto Show recently to see automakers' latest offerings. This was the second year that the event has been put on since the COVID-19 hiatus, and unfortunately, many companies chose again to not participate. This seems like a missed opportunity to get cars in front of consumers who go out of their way to see new products. However, the word on the street is that manufacturers are finding other places to spend their marketing dollars. Let’s hope this trend doesn’t continue. With that said, there were still plenty of interesting vehicles to check out. Here are five standouts. 

All photos Ian Whelan.

2023 Hyundai Ioniq 6

As we transition to an electric future, there is a risk of cars becoming even more appliance-like, but Hyundai’s new Ioniq 6 EV stands out for its charming futuristic design. Its specs suggest that the Korean automaker aims to compete with Tesla’s Model 3, and at first glance, this vehicle’s interior seems more luxurious than the 3’s spartan design. The Ioniq 6 shares components with its sibling, the crossover-bodied Ioniq 5, but a more aerodynamic shape with a drag coefficient of 0.21 helps it achieve longer ranges. 

You can choose between single-motor rear-wheel drive and dual-motor all-wheel drive configurations and between two battery packs—53.0 kWh or 77.4 kWh. The latter allows an estimated range of 361 miles when paired with the single-motor configuration, which provides 225 hp. Dual-motor vehicles are available only with the larger battery and have a range of 270 miles. While range decreases with that setup, the benefits include 320 hp and a 0-60 time of 5.1 seconds. The 800-volt battery system charges from 10 to 80 percent in 18 minutes provided it's connected to a 350-kW fast charger. 

Prices start at $42,715. 

2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray

The mid-engined eighth-generation Corvette was already a dramatic departure from the successful front-engined rear-wheel-drive tradition the model has followed for decades. Now the E-Ray hybrid variant goes further, with an additional 160-hp front-mounted electric motor added to the 495-hp 6.2-liter V8 sports car. Total output is 655 hp for the first all-wheel-drive Corvette. 

The battery pack, which lives in the center tunnel between the seats, is relatively small at 1.9 kWh, so this setup is geared toward boosting performance rather than hypermiling. You can choose to cruise in full electric mode, but range is only about five miles. The driven front wheels and extra power contribute to a 0-60 time of 2.5 seconds, even though weight is up about 260 pounds. To help reduce weight, carbon-ceramic brakes are standard, but carbon fiber wheels are optional and can save an additional 41 pounds. 

Pricing will start at $104,295 for the coupe with targa roof panel and $111,295 for the convertible. 

2023 Lotus Emira

British sports car manufacturer Lotus is nearing the end of its journey with the internal-combustion engine as it transitions to an electric future. The automaker’s Emira is one last hurrah for the traditional sports car experience. It succeeds the Evora model, and the improvement in interior design and materials over the more spartan designs of recent years is a plus.

It retains the mid-mounted Toyota-sourced supercharged 3.5-liter V6 engine, now tuned for 400 hp. Power runs through a six-speed manual gearbox and mechanical limited slip differential, although a dual-clutch automatic is optional. You can also choose a four-cylinder Mercedes-AMG engine producing 360 hp connected to a dual-clutch automatic transmission. Bucking the trend toward electrically assisted steering, Lotus chose to stick with hydraulic assist in the V6 models to maximize road feel. This is the first Lotus in years that may offer genuine competition for Porsche’s 718 Cayman model and is far more exotic. 

Pricing starts at $93,600 for the V6 First Edition. Base models will start at $74,900. 

2023 Lamborghini Huracán Sterrato

If you’ve been interested in owning a supercar but don’t live somewhere with ideal roads, are in a pothole-covered city, or dream of owning the closest thing to a modern Lancia Stratos rally car, the Sterrato version of Lamborghini’s Huracán may be just the thing for you. 

The Italian automaker has reworked the suspension of the all-wheel-drive Huracán Evo, softening and raising it by 1.7 inches; widened the track; and installed all-terrain tires. The designers have added underbody protection, too. Visual changes include hood-mounted rally lights, black cladding around the wheel arches, and a roof-mounted intake scoop that’s designed to reduce the intake of dust into the engine’s air filters when you’re drifting through a dirt-rally stage. Power is provided by a 5.2-liter V10, now with 601 hp, 30 hp less than the Evo due to the new intake system. 

Production is limited to 900 cars, which are expected to cost at least $270,000. 

2023 Genesis G90

Gone are the days when the likes of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class and BMW 7 Series ruled the super-luxury sedan space. Hyundai’s Genesis brand has come a long way relatively quickly, and its flagship G90 sedan has a lot to offer. It delivers just about any luxury or tech feature you could think of, including active noise cancellation in the cabin. Power is provided by either a 375-hp twin-turbo V6 or a 409-hp engine that adds an electric supercharger to the turbos. Both connect to an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. 

If you go with the e-supercharger, 60 mph arrives in about five seconds, and you’ll get more luxury features like reclining rear seats that will heat, cool, and massage passengers. (Those features are standard for the front seats.) The more powerful trim also receives rear-wheel steering and air suspension that monitors road surfaces and predictively sets up the active suspension for ultimate comfort. 

Pricing starts at $89,495 for the base engine and $99,795 with the e-supercharger.