11. BMW – X5
- Third generation X5, 7 passenger SUV looks longer and more sharply defined than its predecessor, with a rounded and pronounced front nose.
- Interior – navigation & 10.2-inch touchscreen dashboard (standard).
- Heated rear seats (optional).
- sDrive35i is the first X5 with rear wheel drive (baseline model) – 3.0 liter turbocharged V6 engine (300hp).
- 4.4 liter turbocharged V8 engine (445 hp) – xDrive50i (topline model).
- 3.0 liter V6 engine (265hp) – xDrive35d (diesel version), new engine estimated 26mpg on the highway.
12. Buick – LaCrosse
- Known as an aging flagship sedan of the brand traditionally driven by old people loses some of its wrinkles.
- 1st update since 2009.
- Gets some minor cosmetic changes on the outside in an effort to make it look more rounded and modern.
- LED daytime running lamps and tail lights and a larger front grille.
- Interior – new seats & more supportive.
- Center stack gets an update with fewer buttons than the old models.
- 2.4 liter four cylinder GM engine with “e-Assist” electric motor (gas mileage boost).
13. Buick – Regal
- Sports Sedan – similar cosmetic changes to the LaCrosse on the outside.
- Interior – more supportive seats, a simpler dashboard and center console give it a sportier look.
- “e-Assist” engine & electric motor (standard).
- Suspension tuned to be more responsive.
- New, more powerful version of 2.4 liter turbocharged four cylinder GM engine (259 hp) is in the sportier models, the turbo and GS.
14. Cadillac – CTS
- Reworked midsize sports sedan from the ground up to better compete with the BMW 5 Series model.
- 200 pounds lighter (for better handling) than the BMW 528i and 250 pounds less than the current CTS.
- Longer and lower than the 2013 model, and its angles are far less severe.
- Interior – more upscale, hand-crafted look.
- There’s a choice of 3 engines:
- 3.6 liter V6 (321hp).
- 2.0 liter turbocharged four cylinder (272 hp).
- 3.6 litre twin turbo (420hp) – new engine in Vsport model.
- 2 transmissions are available:
- 6 speed automatic.
- 8 speed automatic.
15. Cadillac – Escalade
- Completely redone SUV based on General Motors’ new pickup truck chassis.
- Details and prices haven’t been announced yet.
16. Chevrolet – Camaro
- The muscle car known to Transformers fans and movie goers alike as ‘Bumblebee’ gets a small freshening for 2014.
- Reshaped front and rear to make it more modern and athletic looking , lighter and high-performance version.
- Z28 has been re-engineered at 3,800 pounds, about 100 pounds lighter than a standard Camaro.
- It can hit the racetrack with bigger brakes.
- 7.0 liter V8 Corvette engine (500hp).
- Forgoes some creature comforts to shed weight.
- One speaker radio, stiff seats and only comes with a manual transmission.
- Air conditioning is an option and there is less sound insulation.
17. Chevrolet – Corvette ‘Stingray’
- 1st new version of the American sports car icon in 9 years.
- 6.2 liter V8 engine (455hp) with 7 speed manual transmission.
- 0 to 60 mph in 4 seconds.
- 30mpg in “Eco” mode.
- The aerodynamic car’s engine can run on just four cylinders at highway speeds.
- Lower and sleeker, to save weight the steel structure is replaced with aluminum and the hood is made of lightweight carbon fiber made by 1000 person team at GM.
- The interior gets a more modern look with new touch screens.
18. Chevrolet – Malibu
- Suffering from sagging sales in the most competitive part of the U.S. car market after just a year on the market. In an effort to boost sale, this homely midsize car gets an emergency refresh.
- 2.5 liter new four cylinder engine (196 hp).
- ‘Stop-start’ technology to raise combined city-highway mileage to 27mpg.
- Designers also changed the front end to give it a more modern grille with chrome accents and a hood that slopes downward.
- By reshaping the back of the front seats giving back-seat passengers 1.25 inches of added legroom.
- The chassis and suspension, including new springs inside the front struts, will cut body roll in turns and improve the ride.
19. Chevrolet – Silverado
- Badly needed revamp that was delayed by General Motors’ bankruptcy.
- Look a little more aggressive and aerodynamic than their predecessors.
- Quieter cabs and updated steering, suspensions and brakes.
- There’s also a step built into the rear bumper to gain access to the bed.
- Doors fit into recesses in the body to make the trucks quieter.
- 200 pounds lighter than Ford and Chrysler competitors.
- 3 revamped engines:
- 4.3 liter V6 (262hp) – that can tow a substantial trailer.
- 5.3 liter V8 (325hp).
- 6.2 liter V8 (376hp).
- The engines can switch seamlessly to run on only four cylinders to get better gas mileage.
- A heavy duty version also available.
20. Chevrolet – SS
- High Performance Rear Drive Sedan
- 1st Chevy in 17 years goes on sale late this year.
- The Australian built car is a new version of the Pontiac G8 (a much-revered sporty car that died when GM scrapped the Pontiac brand late in 2010).
- All SS models come loaded and seat five. Leather seats with added side bolstering for spirited cornering.
- Lane departure warning, blind-spot detector and backup camera, plus front collision alert are available.
- Wide, athletic stance with wheels pushed out and big brakes.
- Slight “power bulge” in the aluminum hood.
- 6.2 liter V8 2013 Corvette engine (415hp).
- 0 to 60 mph in 5 seconds.