MotorTrend

Hot Cars on a Budget: The 2016 Detroit Auto Show Under $35,000

More Affordable Debuts Are All Over the 2016 Detroit Show
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Flashy concepts may never reach production and newly unveiled luxury cars are out of reach for many, but the 2016 Detroit Auto Show featured plenty of budget-friendly debuts. And it's no snooze-fest—some of the most significant and fascinating reveals in Detroit happened for vehicles carrying prices below about $35,000, which is just a tad above the average price paid for a new car in the U.S. So after you're done ogling the Lexus LC 500 or reading up on the 2017 Ford F-150 Raptor SuperCrew, take a look at the 2016 Detroit Auto Show's hot cars on a budget.

2017 Chrysler Pacifica

The 2017 Chrysler Pacifica may not be the flashiest debut at a show also featuring the 2017 Porsche 911 Turbo and the 2016 BMW M2, but this minivan will reach far more driveways. The newest minivan from the automaker that created the segment in the U.S. retires the Town & Country name for Pacifica, a name last used on a crossover in the mid-2000s. The Pacifica is filled with new technology and flexible seating/cargo arrangements. And the Chrysler 200 inspired styling works—in person, the Pacifica looks good for a minivan.

Because the Chrysler Pacifica will replace the minivans from Dodge and Chrysler, prices will most likely start below $30,000. A sub-$35,000 Pacifica probably won't get you the new plug-in hybrid model or the dual-pane sunroof with third-row fixed glass, but you will get about 10 cubic feet more interior space than before, plus a 287-hp V-6 with a 9-speed automatic. Still don't think a newly designed Chrysler minivan is a hot car? Well it definitely qualifies as hugely significant: Combined Dodge and Chrysler minivan sales in 2015 numbered 190,989 units, above the Honda Odyssey's 127,736 units and the Toyota Sienna's 137,497 units.

The compact hatch segment is already filled with entries from Mazda, Scion, Hyundai, Kia, Fiat, Mini, Volkswagen, Ford, and soon, Honda. Although I wonder how many of these entries will still be around in 10 years, for now, consumers have a wonderful array of choices. The 2017 Cruze Hatchback has a few interesting design details that are accentuated in RS trim, but it's unclear whether the car will attract more conquest buyers or just Chevrolet consumers who want flexibility on a budget.

2017 Chevrolet Cruze Hatchback

We've seen lots of overly aggressive rear fascia designs in the last few years, and the 2017 Cruze RS Hatchback could fall into that category. The fang-like way the body-colored panel on either side of the license plate area doesn't quite connect with the rest of the panel behind the rear wheels grabs attention. For now, there's no Focus ST challenging model with an upgraded engine, perhaps because the volume in that segment is too small.

2017 Ford Fusion

When we tested an all-wheel-drive, 240-hp 2013 Fusion, the results weren't exactly thrilling, with 0-60 in 6.8 seconds. That will certainly change with the 2017 Fusion Sport and its 325-hp turbocharged 2.7-liter V-6, an exciting entry we can't wait to test. If that's not your speed, most other models will fall below $35,000, from the four-cylinder models to the non-plug-in hybrid.

Years after its original debut, the Ford Fusion remains one of the most attractive midsize sedans available today. So it should come as no surprise that the revised 2017 model features more meaningful upgrades elsewhere. Exterior upgrades include an updated grille and a long chrome trim piece that slices through the taillights. The car looks good in person, but then, it had just as much curb appeal before the refresh, too.

2017 Honda Ridgeline

The Honda Ridgeline truck is back—could it make a meaningful dent in the sales of four-door Chevrolet Colorados and Toyota Tacomas? And will it become the 2017Motor TrendTruck of the Year, following in the tire tracks of its predecessor? We can't wait to find out.

Although even the Black Edition doesn't look particularly menacing, the new Ridgeline is just as flexible as you'd expect, with a hidden in-bed trunk, dual-opening tailgate, available 115-volt power outlet, and an in-bed sound system for tailgating.

If you want drop-top fun in a new car well under $30,000, the Smart Fortwo Cabriolet should be on your list. Worldwide, there are already 220,000 Smart convertible owners, and the new one should capture the attention of those who want roof-less fun … and have a small parking space.

OK, the turbo-three-powered Smart Fortwo Cabriolet isn't quick in a straight line, but it can go top up to top down in only 12 seconds, even at speed. And with its tight turning radius, the Smart will be quicker than larger convertibles that have to make three-point turns where the Fortwo Cabriolet needs no such correction.

2017 GMC Acadia

My first impression of the new downsized 2017 GMC Acadia is positive, but I do wonder about how useful that available third-row seat has become. Now that the Acadia is 7.2 inches shorter and 700 pounds lighter than its predecessor, the more garage-friendly GMC is offered in five-, six-, and seven-passenger configurations. With the Acadia so much lighter than before, we wonder just how quick the crossover will be inMotor Trendtesting with the available 310-hp V-6.

One cool 2017 GMC Acadia feature is an alert that sounds whenever something you may have forgotten is left on the second or third row seat. As for GMC's talk of targeting the heart of the segment, consider that even the shrunken 2017 Acadia is still longer, at 193.6 inches, than the 191.1-inch Toyota Highlander and the 187.4-inch Kia Sorento.

Jeep arrived at the 2016 Detroit Auto Show with a lineup-wide series of special-edition models, all of which priced below $35,000 except the Wrangler Unlimited and the Grand Cherokee. They all make available shades of green that are unique to the special editions. So if you're going to pay a little extra for a visually upgraded Jeep, why not get the one color other non-SEs can't get?

Not surprisingly, the small and boxy Renegade is among the best-looking of the bunch. All of the special editions have bronze and orange exterior accents—which is your favorite?

The Telluride concept SUV wasn't Kia's only 2016 Detroit Auto Show debut. The refreshed 2017 Forte sedan and 2017 Forte5 hatch also showed their new faces. Sure, it's not a huge visual upgrade, but the Forte is a more modern and well-rounded package now, borrowing a few upgrades from the recently redesigned 2017 Elantra such as Android Auto/Apple CarPlay functionality, active safety tech, and available articulating headlights.

Therewillbe a 2017 Forte Koup two-door, but in Detroit it's just the sedan and four-door hatch. The latter offers neat red accents in the front fascia. A naturally aspirated 2.0-liter I-4 is standard, and a turbocharged 1.6-liter I-4 is now made available with a seven-speed dual-clutch auto.

The new 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV aims to be the first American-market affordable electric car to hit 200 miles of range. That is, of course, unless Nissan gets there first with an updated Leaf. The EPA has yet to provide ratings on the Bolt EV, which carries a $37,500 price including destination, but before tax credits of as much as $7,500.

2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV

If making a statement with your environmentally friendly car sounds appealing, consider the Bolt EV. The black trim stretching back from the headlights to the side-view mirrors captures attention, as does the black detailing behind the rear side doors. But the detail that I really appreciate is the way the liftgate shape leaves the taillights mostly uninterrupted, for a more seamless appearance. The Leaf also has visually engaging taillights -- which EV's rear design do you prefer?

2016 Infiniti Q50

If you've always wanted a Q50 because of its engaging styling but stopped short because of its too-powerful base engine or high price, stay tuned for pricing on the new Q50 2.0t. Powered by a Mercedes-sourced 208-hp turbo-four, the Q50 2.0t will bring down the car's price just a bit, possibly to just over $35,000 (a more powerful Q50 is shown here).

Even with the Q50's new 208-hp base model balancing the introduction of the new 400-hp twin-turbo V-6 model, don't forget about the other new affordable Infiniti: the QX30. That new compact crossover looks incredible, but rear visibility could be a serious issue for some. The Q50 is powered by the same engine, but with the sedan's less flexible interior compared to the crossover, you gain decent visibility.

Zach Gale

I’ve come a long way since I drove sugar packets across restaurant tables as a kid, pretending they were cars. With more than 17 years of experience, I'm passionate about demystifying the new car market for shoppers and enthusiasts. My expertise comes from thoughtfully reviewing countless vehicles across the automotive spectrum. The greatest thrill I get isn’t just from behind the wheel of an exotic car but from a well-executed car that’s affordable, entertaining, and well-made. Since about the time I learned to walk I’ve been fascinated by cars of all shapes and sizes, but it wasn’t until I struggled through a summer high school class at the Pasadena Art Center College of Design that I realized writing was my ticket into the automotive industry. My drive to high school was magical, taking me through a beautiful and winding canyon; I've never lost the excited feeling some 16-year-olds get when they first set out on the road. The automotive industry, singing, and writing have always been my passions, but because no one seeks a writer who sings about the automotive industry, I honed my writing and editing skills at UC Irvine (zot zot!), serving as an editor of the official campus newspaper and writing stories as a literary journalism major. At USC, I developed a much greater appreciation for broadcast journalists and became acquainted with copy editing rules such as why the Oxford comma is so important. Though my beloved 1996 Audi A4 didn’t survive my college years, my career with MotorTrend did. I started at the company in 2007 building articles for motorcycle magazines, soon transitioning to writing news posts for MotorTrend’s budding online department. I spent some valuable time in the copy editing department, as an online news director, and as a senior production editor. Today, MotorTrend keeps me busy as the Buyer's Guide Director. Not everyone has a career centered on one of their passions, and I remind myself all the time how lucky I am.

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