There’s a lot of ground to cover in the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, but we’ve been through it all. Our Day 2 coverage starts with debuts that didn’t make our cut on Day 1. From there, we’ll take you through some stand-out models that we’re getting up close and personal with for the first time. Check out our Day 2 coverage of the NYIAS and head over to the Javits starting tomorrow, April 19th, to walk the floor yourself.

Hyundai Sonata & Venue

The new 2020 Hyundai Sonata is quite the major leap forward in terms of the design. The exterior is much more dramatic with daytime running lights now running ¼ of the way up the hood, a downturned hood and aggressive front bumper. When viewed from the side the Sonata has a profile ala Audi A7, and it works here. The rear has what seems to be an upside down light bar from a Honda Civic coupe, but it is striking nonetheless. The new Sonata is offered with two engines. The base engine is a 2.5L naturally aspirated four cylinder with 191 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque; a 1.6L turbo with 180 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque is the optional upgrade. Both engines are paired with an eight speed automatic.

Have you ever looked at the petite Hyundai Kona and said that it’s too large? Well someone, somewhere must have thought that because Hyundai has now released the Venue. It’s a little over 5 inches shorter than the Kona. The sole engine is 1.6L four cylinder, but Hyundai has not offered any power and torque figures, only stating that it will get up to 33 miles per gallon. Don’t expect this to be a frequent at the drag strip. The one downer is that the engine is paired to a CVT ,which Hyundai calls an Intelligent Variable Transmission. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are here as standard on the 8 inch touchscreen as well as a large amount of available safety options. Expect pricing under $20,000.

Audi Q3

We were excited when the Q3 was first brought to the US, but knew it was already dated when it arrived on our shores. The new Audi Q3 has received a complete makeover. Its exterior has a sportier appearance with design elements from others within Audi’s lineup, improved technology, and slightly more room to make it more relevant in the US market. The Q3 has grown 3.6 inches in length, which has improved space for passengers. Apple CarPlay and Andriod Auto are now standard along with an available 10-inch infotainment screen along with the 12.3-inch virtual cockpit digital guage cluster. It has also been loaded with plenty of safety technology.

Kia Stinger GTS

Initial reviews of the Stinger’s fantastic engine and chassis were often balanced against its somewhat twitchy demeanor at the limit. Kia has clearly listened, developing a new mechanical limited-slip rear differential that works both in the RWD and AWD Stingers. Along with the new hardware, software tweaks change the shift pattern and stability control system to enhance the Stinger’s performance. And to drift. Yes, you heard that right. The “D-AWD” system comes with a drift mode. Unfortunately, the GTS is a limited-edition model. There will be only 800 units and all of them will be Federation orange with genuine carbon fiber accents. Because why not?

Porsche 992 911

The 991.2 Speedster was the big news at the Porsche stand, but we also got to lay eyes on the all-new 992 911 for the first time. The next-generation 911 is now all-widebody, meaning the Carrera S you see here is the same body you’d find on the Carrera 4S. The 911 heritage is still there in spades, but with some thoughtfully modern touches. As with all Porsches, performance is still the central theme. The turbocharged flat-six engine has been reworked to be more powerful and is now mated to an all-new 8-speed PDK gearbox. The steering and brakes have been made more responsive and there’s an all-new traction management system to keep you going faster, even in wet weather. The all-new Carrera S starts at $113,300, going up if you want to put the roof down or move up to the all-wheel-drive 4S. Expect a barrage of new 911 models over the next 12 months. And don’t be too shocked if some of them include a hybrid system.

Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA 53

If the AMG A 35 wasn’t sitting just right with you, then you’ll want to check out the slightly more swoopy Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA 35. Both models share the same 2.0L turbocharged four cylinder making 302 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. Paired with a 7 speed dual clutch transmission, launch control, and all wheel drive, the CLA 35 is claimed to hit 60mph in 4.6 seconds. We think it will be a little faster than that, though. Inside the all new interior is truly an upscale place to sit compared to its rivals from BMW and Audi. No word on pricing, but expect this little hot rod at dealerships in the fourth quarter of this year.

VW Jetta GLI

This was our first opportunity to check out the new GLI. Originally billed as a “GTI with a trunk” the GLI returns to its roots. With the 2.0TSI engine making 228hp and either a 6-speed manual or 7-speed DSG, all parts shared with the Golf GTI, the all new Jetta GLI is set to impress. The Jetta get’s VW’s VAQ limited-slip differential and brakes from the Golf R to deal will the bump in power. There’s also a unique suspension setup and progressive variable-ratio steering to help differentiate the GLI through the corners. Unique styling cues do most of the talking, however. Starting at $25,995, the GLI is packed with performance and premium features at a great price. The Honda Civic Si and Hyundai Elantra Sport better be watching their blind spots.

Chevrolet Trailblazer

Although it debuted at the Shanghai Auto Show, this was our first opportunity to see the new Blazer; a revival of an old favorite. But beyond the name, it does not resemble anything like what you may recall. It is supposed to act as the Trax replacement and comes equipped with a standard 8-inch touchscreen, available AWD, and up to 4,500 lbs. towing capacity.  It will come standard with an ECOTEC 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine but you can option it out with a 3.6-liter V6 engine as well. Both engines are paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission. Overall fuel economy is quite promising with highway ratings 27 mpg for the 2.5-liter and 26 for the 3.6-liter. The Blazer also offers plenty of the already standard Chevrolet technology, including 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot, Apple CarPlay compatibility, and Android Auto compatibility.  It will be reaching a Chevy dealer near you in the fall.

-Limited Slip Blog