Los Angeles Auto Show Vehicles Generate Edmunds.com Buzz
December 21, 2009
Five new models displayed at the recently wrapped-up Los Angeles auto show are generating tremendous buzz on Edmunds.com. The five most talked-about vehicles are the Buick Regal, Ford Fiesta, Hyundai Sonata, Toyota Sienna and Cadillac CTS coupe.
Here's what readers have to say:
2011 Buick Regal
Readers of Edmunds.com's Inside Line recognize that it's "hard to turn the Buick image to a younger market," but they generally give the new Opel Insignia-derived Regal kudos for trying.
While some take the opportunity to crack wise with comments like "I'm sure my grandpa will love it!" or to disparage the car as "my ideal rental," most agree that the new model is a "well-rounded," "sporty" and "stylish" car that "hopefully includes the level of quality that we all desire from a US auto maker."
2011 Ford Fiesta 
Reader comments about the 2011 Ford Fiesta are downright ecstatic, calling the car "stylish and fun," a "game changer" and "a stunner" that is "probably the best looking car in its class."
One post claims that all Japanese rivals "look like clown cars compared to the Fiesta," while another promises, "I would buy this over a Corolla, smart, Civic, just about anything in the price range." Says one reader, simply, "Thank you, Mr. Mulally."
2011 Hyundai Sonata
Hyundai's newest model continues to rack up compliments, including "a fantastic looking car inside and out," "the best looking Hyundai I've seen" and "WOW -- I was shocked by how good this car looked and felt."
Though the restyled interior is nearly universally lauded as "a significant step up," the Sonata's new sheet metal hasn't won over everyone. "Maybe it looks better in person," notes one reader hopefully, while another mocks the design as a hash of "the body lines of a Chrysler Sebring, the headlamps from a Toyota Solara, and the lower fascia of a Ford Taurus."
Even so, most predict a strong enough public reception that "Hyundai will not be able to produce enough of these."
2011 Toyota Sienna
Toyota is presenting the latest iteration of its top-selling family hauler as significantly "more like a sedan."
But Inside Line readers aren't buying it. "Toyota can scream it from the roof tops, but no amount of restyling can make a minivan a sedan-like," says one, though another counters that "at least Toyota is trying to inject some life into their vehicles."
As with the redone Sonata, the Sienna's "nice-looking" new interior, "especially those reclining second row seats," is a bigger hit than its exterior, which some readers deride as "a little overdone," "confused" and reminiscent of "the last Mazda MPV -- not a compliment." Says one plainly, "I'd prefer Toyota to spend money on better quality... not more creases in the sheet metal." More than one post also wonders, "Where's the HYBRID?"
2011 Cadillac CTS Coupe
Readers are calling the new two-door CTS one "hot-looking coupe" that is "absolutely special" and will not be "mistaken for any other coupe on the market."
Furthermore, it earns Cadillac praise for being "the only remaining American car brand that seems to have symmetry, continuity and identity to its designs and models."
Still, a few were not nearly as smitten, noting that "something seems off" and "the rear end is way too bulky"; one wonders whether the designers "set out to beat Acura in the hotly-contested 'ugly sharp-angled car designs' category."
In the end, though, most "really want to like this car" and believe that as long as "Caddie doesn't over price this," they "may be onto something."
From the 2009 Los Angeles Auto Show, that's the word on the street. -- Mark Holthoff, Edmunds.com manager of Customer Support
Posted by Michelle Krebs at 4:43 AM under Analysis , Commentary , Ford , GM , Toyota | Comments (0) | digg this | Seed Newsvine
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