2017 New York motor show: Hits and misses

The Big Apple’s motor show isn’t the biggest, but it can always be relied on for a handful of important premieres – and this year has been no exception.

This week we’ve seen the quirky Toyota FT-4X concept, the polarising Genesis GV80, the big and burly Subaru Ascent, and the first four-cylinder Jaguar F-Type - among others.

Which offerings impressed and upset the CarAdvice crew most? We polled every team member we could wrangle, and you can catch our thoughts on the hits and misses of the 2016 New York motor show below.

Best production car: Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk

This is perhaps the stupidest idea for an SUV. But no one ever had fun with sensible ideas, so this is the best and by far the most interesting Jeep currently on sale. The madmen in Detroit have fitted a 6.2-litre supercharged V8 in this thing with 527kW of power and 874Nm of torque.

That’s 0-100 in 3.6 seconds, which is frankly, insane. I had a good sit down and walk about with the head engineer of this vehicle and although most of what he said sounded like a physics lecture from hell, it did reinvigorate my faith in Jeep’s engineering abilities.

Best concept car: Genesis GV80 Concept

For being similar, yet so different. Those small headlights to the big bonnet profile and an interior that was just believable enough to make you hope it makes it into production.

Seriously, if the South Koreans can make this thing look 80% this good with an upmarket interior, Genesis might actually have a chance to take on the mighty Germans after all.

Biggest miss: Honda Clarity

I know it's irrelevant for our market, but far out, Honda, Jesus Christ, can you make it look any f#&king uglier?

Does it have to look the way Fernando Alonso feels in his Honda F1 car?

Best production car: Dodge Challenger SRT Demon

Harks back to the 60s when Chrysler would sell you a lightweight, stripped out, quarter-mile weapon straight off the showroom floor.

It's a raised middle finger to those who complain about the relevance of performance cars, and while you might criticise FCA for releasing such a sledgehammer in the first place, it's a head-kicking reminder of everything we love about hardcore performance cars.

Best concept car: Mercedes-AMG GT concept

This is a beautiful example of where a hybrid future is heading and why it's nothing to fear. Luxury, style and drivetrain technology all in one package.

If we are to put the environment front of mind, and get as many people behind the wheel of high-tech machinery, this is the way to do it.

Biggest miss: Toyota FT-4X

I hate to agree with Paul (below), but... The Toyota FT-4X Concept just seems utterly silly. Toyota has done some very clever things lately - think CH-R - but this window into a post FJ Cruiser future isn't one of them.

The styling is block-like and basic and it just doesn't resonate at all.

Best production car: Dodge Challenger SRT Demon

Everything about this car is just slightly bonkers.

So, while I harbour long term doubts about Fiat Chrysler's viability and product map, the here and now harkens back to the USA's glory days at the top of the automotive heap.

Best concept car: Toyota FT-4X

Ur, um, the FT-4X. Yes, there wasn't much competition this year, and I know I'm in the minority about this, but I kinda like the FT-4X. It has a cleverly designed washable interior, and just does enough off-road to keep me interested.

Hopefully Toyota never uses the term 'casual core' ever again.

Biggest miss: Honda Clarity EV

Is there a statute on the books in Japan preventing normal or, even, just 'not ugly' green cars? Aside from the car's awful looks, the EV will have a mere 130km of range. That's significantly less than the Chevrolet Bolt's 383km or the Tesla Model 3's 346km, both of which the Clarity EV will be priced against.

In fact, that's even less than the 172km offered by the cheaper Nissan Leaf.

Not only ugly, but daft.

Best production car: Mercedes-AMG GLC63

Who the hell thought this was a good idea? Oh, just about everyone, ever.

An SUV with a huge V8 that looks this good will sell its proverbial chesticles off. Can't wait to drive it.

Best concept car: Subaru Ascent

This is the sort of big truck that Subaru needs for the US market, where people are keen to have vehicles that are large and in charge. The brand is growing massively in that market, and this new massive SUV will help them gain even more traction.

If the production version is anything like it - and it will be, this is a very thinly veiled concept - it'll be a shame if it is only confined to the US market.

Biggest miss: Genesis GV80

Noooooooo, no, no, no, no, no... That's not how you do a luxury SUV in 2017, Genesis.

The Genesis GV80 looks like a bad copycat version of the first-generation Audi Q7, with some fairly awkward proportions, hideous headlights and tail-lights, and an aged look about it, but not in a good way.

Best production car: Dodge Challenger SRT Demon

Easy. Dodge Challenger SRT Demon. This is the Trump of production cars and shows the world that you can never have too much power.

The fact that it wipes the floor with anything wearing a Bugatti, McLaren, Porsche or Ferrari badge makes it all the more sweeter. Plus, it does wheel stands and epic burnouts.

Best concept car: Genesis GV80

While the show didn't go bananas with concept cars, the Genesis GV80 looked pretty cool.

It's a glimpse into the future of Hyundai's premium brand and shows that the company is pushing hard to establish itself in the luxury car segment globally. I'm looking forward to seeing the production car.

Biggest miss: Toyota FT-4X

If you're suffering from insomnia, Toyota has the perfect cure. The Toyota FT-4X Concept.

It's like an FJ Cruiser, just not as good, or as big. It's the definition of bland and dispels any myths that the C-HR was perhaps a change of the guard for Toyota's styling department.

Best production car: Dodge Challenger SRT Demon

Demon. Demon. Demon.

It manages to be the stupidest and yet coolest car released in recent times. It almost makes us forget America's other recent misgivings. Almost.

Best concept car: Lucid Motors Air

Does this count as a concept? It's sort of one step past vapour, but two steps before production.

It's good to see another new manufacturer try to make their mark in this space, ala Faraday, and they did a cool 350km/h demo video... but like many concepts, there are still a lot of questions to answer before we expect to see this thing on sale.

Biggest miss: Lincoln Navigator

Navigator drops the 'Matt Trakker' gullwing doors and becomes yet another generic, giant box.

We all know it would never have made it into production like that, but it did give us hope that someday, someone would take a risk with a hulking luxo-beast like this. A sad day for fans of the animated flying Camaro.

Best production car: Dodge Challenger SRT Demon

Look, I'm gonna have to get on the bandwagon. These things, these big brutish bellowing beasts, are on the extinction list. How can I not love it?

Frankly, I'm looking forward to the electrified future, but that doesn't mean I don't adore a monstrous muscle car - and this thing fits the description perfectly.

So much attitude. The power, the stupid big wide bonnet scoop, the flared stick-on guards, the retro-style wheels. There's a lot to love here.

Best concept: Infiniti QX80 Monograph

Speaking of big and brutish... look, I realise this thing polarised onlookers, but I think it looks great. Especially in comparison to the current model, but even in isolation, I like the design.

The proportions are great, the Infiniti styling themes work well on the big face and bum, and it's going to do bloody well in the Middle East. Maybe here too.

Biggest miss: Genesis GV80

It just feels... like a misstep. I'm certain it'll go through many changes before production, especially when you consider the already obvious design themes and powerful proportions of the upcoming G70 sedan.

But, as a concept, I'm just not a fan. I'll say the lighting at both ends has some potential, but the execution in this case is poor. Poor, and dull - and the same can be said for the overall body shape. Dull. And that grille design... some sort of shield and beak combination, but thankfully not as bad as Acura's (now outgoing) beak face.

Still, the G70 gives me hope.

MORE: New York motor show coverage