Auto News 5

We first laid eyes on the all-new 2011 Kia Sportage last month at the Geneva motor show, but now that the cute-ute is in New York for its official U.S. debut, we're learning more about what we'll soon see at dealers across the country.inline_mediumwraptextright28631116/features/news/1003_2011_kia_sportage2011-kia-sportage-front-three-quarter.JPG.jpgTrue

With the 2011 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport making its U.S. debut at New York, Mitsubishi has a crossover it can offer starting at less than $20,000. At a length of 169.1 inches, the Outlander Sport is more of a Lancer-alternative than a true compact crossover along the lines of class leaders like the Honda CR-V and Ford Escape.inline_mediumwraptextright32813706/features/news/1003_2011_mitsubishi_outlander_sport2011-mitsubishi-outlander-sport-side.JPG.jpgTrue

Kia took the wraps off a third Forte model, a sleek-looking hatchback that will join the coupe and sedan this summer. Compared to the sedan, the new body style trims seven inches from the overall length, but height, width, and wheelbase remain the same. The two-engine lineup mirrors that of today's Forte, with a 156-hp, 2.0-liter in the base car and a 2.4-liter, 173-hp unit powering the sport version. Either engine offers the choice of a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic with shift paddles.inline_mediumwraptextright27408368/features/news/1004_2011_kia_forte_5_door2011-kia-forte-hatch-front-three-quarter.jpgTrue

Kia's Optima has never exactly stood apart from the crowds of midsize sedans sold here in North America -- but all of that changes with the new 2011 Kia Optima, which makes its big debut at the 2010 New York auto show.inline_mediumwraptextright32716560/features/news/1003_2011_kia_optima2011-kia-optima-side-view.jpgTrue

Hyundai's Korean-market Equus flagship first landed at the New York auto show in 2009, allowing the automaker to "test reaction" to a premium sedan above the Genesis. It seems reaction was plenty positive, as Hyundai is gunning for the likes of Lexus with the new U.S-spec 2011 Equus.inline_mediumwraptextright32833389/features/news/1003_2011_hyundai_equus2011-hyundai-equus-front.JPG.jpgTrue

The 2010 WRX STI Special Edition doesn't make much sense as a business plan. With an upgraded suspension and a slightly decontended interior, it's a better handling STI for less money. Unless you just have to have HIDs and a trunk-shaking sound system, there's no reason to look higher up Subaru's performance hierarchy. That is until late this summer, when the 2011 Subaru Impreza WRX STI, which is making its debut at the 2010 New York show, reaches dealer lots.inline_mediumwraptextright32824041/features/news/1003_2011_subaru_impreza_wrx_sti_sedan2011-subaru-impreza-WRX-STI-sedan-side.jpgTrue

As the performance gap between the standard Subaru Impreza WRX and the racy Impreza WRX STI continues to close, so too will the appearances of the two cars as Subaru updates the less-powerful car with the more-powerful car’s bodywork for 2011.inline_mediumwraptextright32718240/features/news/1003_2011_subaru_impreza_wrx2011-subaru-impreza-wrx.jpgTrue