Top 10 New Models Unveiled at 2021 Los Angeles Auto Show
Following Detroit’s Motor Bella and Las Vegas’ SEMA Show earlier this fall, the Los Angeles Auto Show (November 17-28) was one of the first major auto shows to take place in North America since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020. Of course, there were many absentees, but new and lesser-known brands seized the opportunity to shine.
Don’t miss The Car Guide’s 2021 Los Angeles Auto Show section for our extensive coverage of the event. Here, you’ll find a compilation of 10 new vehicle debuts that most caught our attention. Ready? Go!
2023 Toyota bZ4X
Following a global reveal in late October, Toyota hosted the North American debut of its first fully electric SUV in production form. The oddly named bZ4X will land in showrooms in mid-2022 as a 2023 model. Developed with the help of Subaru, it generates 201 or 215 horsepower depending on the configuration and offers up to 400 kilometres of range.
2023 Subaru Solterra
One week after its global premiere in Japan, Subaru came to the Los Angeles Auto Show to host the North American debut of the all-new Solterra, a compact electric SUV that shares many similarities with the equally new Toyota bZ4X. Unlike the latter, it will be exclusively a dual-motor AWD vehicle in Canada. We predict it will enjoy a lot of success.
Hyundai Seven
Hyundai chose the 2021 Los Angeles Auto Show to unveil a new concept called Seven. This model foreshadows the introduction of a large electric SUV that will slot above the IONIQ 5 and will fittingly be named IONIQ 7. The end result will be largely different from the concept, but we applaud Hyundai’s bold approach.
Kia EV9
Kia’s radical EV9 concept made its public debut at the 2021 Los Angeles Auto Show, previewing a future large electric SUV from the Korean brand that will slot above the EV6. Designers aimed to emphasize the versatility and adventurous spirit of the EV9 with contrasting body cladding on the rocker panels and wheel arches. Inside, the clean-looking dashboard features an interactive 27-inch ultra-wide display, and there are three available interior modes that capture different journey situations and requirements.
2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid
The hybrid variant of the all-new 2023 Kia Sportage made its debut in L.A., following in the footsteps of the larger Sorento as well as the Hyundai Tucson, which both offer electrified options with their latest generation. The Sportage Hybrid pairs a turbocharged 1.6-litre engine with a 44-kilowatt electric motor and a 1.49-kWh lithium-ion battery. Total system output is rated at 226 horsepower along with 258 pound-feet of torque.
2022 Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS
Porsche’s entry-level sports coupe is adding a new flagship model. The 718 Cayman GT4 RS, unveiled in L.A., weighs only 1,415 kilograms and generates up to 493 horsepower thanks to a naturally aspirated flat-six engine derived from the 911 GT3. On Germany’s world-famous Nürburgring Nordschleife, it outperformed the regular 718 Cayman GT4 by more than 23 seconds. Can you believe that?
2023 Fisker Ocean
First shown as a concept at CES last year, the fully electric Fisker Ocean SUV was unveiled in production form at the Los Angeles Auto Show. Output ranges from 275-550 horsepower, while zero-emission driving is possible for 400-563 kilometres. An available California mode lowers all the windows and retracts the sliding roof for an open-air driving experience. Production is scheduled to start in November… of 2022.
2023 VinFast VF e35 and VF e36
The first two vehicles from wealthy Vietnamese automaker VinFast made their debut at the 2021 Los Angeles Auto Show. The VF e35 and VF e36 will hit the road in late 2022-early 2023. Styling is the work of renowned Italian design studio Pininfarina, but a lot of elements are inspired by Tesla including the cabin, driver assist features and even the no-dealer, direct-sales model.
2022 Land Rover Range Rover
The tall and proud Range Rover faces extra competition from American rivals, so Land Rover is introducing a new generation for 2022 which offers an amazing technological showcase. The Los Angeles event was its first public outing in North America.
2023 Nissan Z
There’s more than just SUVs and EVs at the 2021 Los Angeles Auto Show. Chevrolet presented the new 2023 Corvette Z06, while Nissan showed the lovely 2023 Nissan Z for the first time in North America. The latter pays tribute to past generations and features a new twin-turbo V6 rated at 400 horsepower. We can’t wait to drive it!