Powertrain Choice Returns and Expands
The trend in recent years at the Los Angeles Auto Show (LAAS) has been for many of the vehicle debuts to be electrified in some fashion, primarily hybrid (HEV,) plug-in hybrid (PHEV) or battery electric (BEV) with the occasional hydrogen fuel cell electric (FCEV). The 2025 LAAS was a reflection of how tariffs and an uncertain economy have changed the direction of the auto industry, at least for this year.
We did see BEVs—the Jeep Recon and the Hyundai Ioniq 6 N; two HEV models—the Hyundai Palisade and the Kia Telluride; but also some vehicles powered by a more traditional internal combustion engine (ICE). This is noteworthy as it recognizes not everyone is ready for an electrified car, truck or SUV, and that gasoline engines are becoming more efficient and still have a place on the country’s roads and in people’s driveways.
In alphabetical order, these are standouts at the show.
Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale
The 33 Stradale has been shown previously in some pretty exclusive places, but it is just so pretty it earned some additional eyeballs. Only 33 will be made, worldwide, at an estimated cost of $1.96 million each. Oh yeah, all have been sold and owners are waiting to take delivery. The mid-engine model packs a twin-turbo V6 rated at 630 horsepower (hp), enough to push the sleek two-seater from 0-60 mph in less than three seconds.
Alfa Romeo Tonale
Alfa Romeo says the 2026 Tonale is has a “refreshed exterior design” and a “restyled front fascia featuring a concave scudetto grille inspired by the 33 Stradale. Available in three trims—Sprint, Veloce and the limited edition Sport Speciale, Chris Feuell, who heads up Alfa Romeo in North America, said it blends “unmistakable Italian design, class-leading dynamics and advanced technology.” This is the only sports SUV from Alfa Romeo and comes with 268 hp and 295 lb.-ft. of torque from its 2.0-liter turbo-4. It;s base price of $40,245 includes the $3,250 destination fee.
Clean Fleet Report reviewed the 2024 Alfa Romeo Tonale and liked it for its spirited performance and great Italian looks.
The 2026 Tonale is expected to be in dealerships in early 2026. For more information go here.
Genesis GV60 Magma EV
The GV60 Magma is the first high-performance production model to come from Genesis. On November 20 it made its world premiere at the Circuit Paul Richard in Le Castellet, France, only two days before we saw it at the Los Angeles Auto Show. Based on the GV60, which Clean Fleet Report last reviewed in 2023, the Magma model has a wider stance, lower height, and newly designed front and rear bumpers. Luc Donckerwolke, president and chief creative officer of Genesis says “Through Magma, we’re injecting adrenaline into the Genesis DNA while preserving the elegance and balance that define true luxury.”
The front and rear motors generate a combined maximum output of 609 hp (when the Boost Mode is activated that increases to 650 hp). This is put to the pavement on 21-inch tires with three drive modes—Sprint, GT and MY, the last one allowing drivers to customize settings for the electronic limited-slip differential, electronic stability control and other performance parameters.
Pricing will be announced closer to when the Magma goes onsale sometime in 2026.
Hyundai Ioniq 6 N EV
The Ioniq 6 N high-performance EV will be available in limited quantities beginning in spring 2026. We start with this because if it performs anywhere close to its sibling, the Ioniq 5 N, it will be worth waiting for and grabbing one. We have reviewed the 5 N twice, once on the Weathertech Laguna Seca Raceway and the other to see how it performed as an everyday driver. It was impressive either way.
With 642 hp and 568 lb.-ft. of torque the N will turn 0-60 mph in about 3.2 seconds and have a top speed of 160 mph. We fully expect the 2026 Ioniq 6 N to not only be a screamer on the track but also, as Hyundai calls it, an “everyday sports car.”
Pricing will be announced sometime in 2026. You can add your name here to receive updates.
Hyundai Elantra N TCR Edition
The 2026 Hyundai Elantra N TCR is a limited edition motorsports-focused performance sedan, It has a model-specific N Performance braking system, an adjustable carbon-fiber swan-neck wing, lightweight 19-inch N TCR forged alloy wheels and is available with either a six-speed manual or eight-speed dual-clutch transmission.
This is the same car, with certain safety modifications, that has won six consecutive years in the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge TCR series, besting competitors from Honda, BMW and Ford.
The Elantra N TCR Edition will be available by special order in the first quarter of 2026. Information can be found here.
• Jeep Recon EV
Tired of going off-road and making noise that scares-off rattlesnakes, scorpions, buzzards and the occasional lost hiker? Then make plans to go your local Jeep dealer in 2026 and take a test drive in the all-new 2026 Jeep Recon. Jeep says the Recon, with up to 250 miles of all-electric driving range, is the “first and only fully electric trail-rated SUV in the industry.” It was purpose-designed as an EV and comes standard with all-electric four-wheel drive and multiple drive modes to match different terrains. The 650 hp and 620 lb.-ft. of torque is far more than is needed when carefully driving on trails, but when needed will go 0-60 mph in about 3.6 seconds.
The interior is designed for the type of off-road driving Recon owners will put it through. The rugged interior features recycled materials on multiple surfaces such as the seats, console, doors, instrument panel, headliner and all-weather floor mats.
The exterior has what Jeep says is “the only fully electric vehicle designed with removable doors, rear quarter glass and swing gate glass,” adding that no tools are required. The open-air experience and silent running will make the Recon a unique off-road adventure vehicle.
The 2026 Jeep Recon begins production in early 2026, with initial launches in the U.S. and Canada. The starting price was announced as $66,995, including a $1,995 destination charge.
Kia Telluride, Telluride Hybrid and Telluride X-Pro
If you liked the first generation Kia Telluride, which Clean Fleet Report and the public did, odds are the 2027 Telluride, Telluride Hybrid and Telluride X-Pro will be even more to everyone’s liking. All three trims were unveiled at the Los Angeles Auto Show on a longer 7- or-8-passenger, three-row SUV that touts more cargo space and interior roominess.
There are two propulsion choices—a 2.5-liter turbo putting out 274 hp and 311 lb.-ft. of torque and the 2.5-liter turbo hybrid that delivers 329 hp and 339 lb.-ft. of torque with a 600-mile driving range. If going off-road is your thing the upgraded X-Pro adds wider all-terrain tires than before, a new electronic limited slip differential, new multi-terrain AWD mode that offers three different driving modes, new off-road vehicle status screen and a new Ground View Monitor, all riding on an elevated 9.1-inches of ground clearance.
The all-new 2027 Kia Telluride, assembled in Kia’s West Point, Georgia plant, is set to go on sale in the U.S. in early 2026. Pricing will be announced closer to the on sale date with updates available here.
• Lucid Gravity Touring EV
Just as the Gravity Grand Touring has begun to be delivered to owners, Lucid introduced the Gravity Touring. Both all-electric SUVs are built at the company’s facility in Casa Grande, Arizona. Lucid says of the Gravity Touring: “There’s not another SUV in its segment that can deliver the combination of range, interior space and driving performance found in the Lucid Gravity Touring,” adding “it offers the practicality of a full-size SUV within the footprint of a midsize, seating up to seven adults.”
With interior configurations including five- and seven-seat layouts, the dual-motor, all-wheel drive Gravity Touring has an estimated all-electric driving range of 337 miles with 560 hp scooting it along 0-60 mph in 4.0 seconds. It also retails for $15,000 less than the Grand Touring model.
For more information and to configure your Gravity Touring go here.
Now for Something “Just for Fun!”
Fiat Topolino
Topolino translates to “little mouse.” By the size of the one on display at the LA Auto Show, it earns its name. But it is more than a cute little car. It is asymmetrical with the driver having a “suicide door” and the passenger a conventional opening door. On the front it resembles the design of the 1957-to-1975 Fiat 500, and on the back it features vertical taillights.
Measuring-in at 7.11-feet long, 4.7-feet wide and 5-feet tall, it is powered by a 6 kW, 8 hp electric motor with a range of about 47 miles.
Don’t go rushing down you your local Fiat dealer as it is not sold in America. For more fun go here to learn, if you read Italian, about the Topolino. Ciao!
Volkswagen
Volkswagen showed the resurrected 1977 T2 Volkswagen microbus that survived the January 2025 Palisades Fire in Los Angeles. It is a marvelous story that our friends at KABC7 in Los Angeles feature in this video. The van became an unexpected symbol of resilience after surviving the January 2025 Palisades Fire in Southern California. The T2, referred to by many throughout this year as the “magic bus,” first earned global attention through an Associated Press photograph showing it seemingly unscathed amid a Malibu neighborhood left devastated by fire. Volkswagen contacted the owner and restored the vehicle at its Oxnard Facility, which is home to its collection of historic vehicles.
Hats off to Volkswagen for taking on this challenge to spread some light on a terrible tragedy.
How About Some Concepts
Chevrolet Corvette CX Concept
Chevrolet calls the CX Concept “aggressively futuristic.” No argument from Clean Fleet Report.
Making its debut, at The Quail, a Motorsports Gathering this past August, the Chevrolet Corvette CX is a stunning design study of what a high-performance driving machine should look like. It has visual connections to the Corvettes we see on the road but the proportions are long, low and sleek, with a roofline less than 41 inches high.
The Corvette CX is not for sale and Chevrolet has not indicated it will be. Sigh.
• Hyundai Crater
The most significant concept shown at the Los Angeles Auto Show was the Hyundai Crater. Designed at the Hyundai design studio in Irvine, California, it includes cues from other off-road capable Hyundai models like the Ioniq 5 XRT, Santa Cruz XRT and the Palisade XRT Pro.
This compact off-road SUV looks tough and makes you want to get in it and go. Keys please!
Hyundai did not give any indication if the Crater would be put into production.
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Story by John Faulkner. Photos by John Faulkner, Anne Proffit and the manufacturers.
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