The year has barely started and automakers already are beginning to turn the page to model year 2018.
About two dozen new or redesigned models already are showing up in photo galleries and newsletters, including Kelley Blue Book (KBB.com), CheatSheet Autos and CarPreview.com.
An article in CheatSheet, 10 All-New 2018 Models Worth Waiting For, pretty much captures the spirit.
鈥淐all us greedy, but we don鈥檛 care that all of the 2017 models aren鈥檛 here yet. We know what they are, what they look like and what they do,鈥� wrote James Derek Sapienza. 鈥淭hey may be brand new, but they鈥檙e already old news! We want to know what鈥檚 next.鈥�
The most comprehensive list, though, is at KBB.com, which reports on 18 vehicles, from the 鈥渂enchmark鈥� Alfa Romeo Stelvio, 鈥渘amed after one of the greatest driving roads in the world 鈥� the Stelvio Pass in the Italian Alps,鈥� to the Volkswagen Atlas and Volvo V90.
Each vehicle in the KBB gallery comprises a photo and a link to a review 鈥� and some include video.
鈥淚f your new-car buying timeline extends into next year, you may be interested in seeing what鈥檚 in the pipeline,鈥� write the editors of KBB. 鈥淵ou might find something worth waiting for, or you may decide to seal the deal on a current-generation model. There鈥檚 plenty to chew on as automakers plan to revamp significant mainstream models 鈥� and offer up some pretty tasty all-new entries.鈥�
The most mainstream models identified so far by KBB are:
- The Chevrolet Equinox, which 鈥渓eaves no doubt the next-gen [model] is destined to be a higher-profile player than the vehicle it replaces when it comes to battle rivals,鈥� and Traverse, with an eye to making the next-gen version 鈥渕ore fuel efficient without sacrificing utility and comfort.鈥�
- Ford鈥檚 EcoSport subcompact crossover (which may not actually be available until 2019) will blend 鈥渃ontemporary styling with a host of upscale features and connected technology鈥� while the Fiesta entry-level hatchback will be an 鈥渆volution of the current handsome hatch.鈥�
- The Kia Rio subcompact, fully redesigned, which 鈥渃arries an international pedigree and makes a bolder curbside statement from nose to tail.鈥�
- The Toyota Camry midsize sedan, the automaker鈥檚 鈥渂read-and-butter family car,鈥� is expected to arrive with 鈥渟ome significant changes in both appearance and mechanical package.鈥�
Among others, CheatSheet Autos and/or CarPreview.com identified:
- The all-new Jeep Wrangler outfitted with more fuel-efficient powertrains, more safety features, and 鈥渁n interior with a bigger focus on comfort.鈥�
- The Ford Ranger and Bronco 鈥� yes, it鈥檚 making a comeback after a two-decade absence.
- Honda Accord will offer a 鈥渃lean-sheet redesign鈥� with a 鈥渕ore aggressive鈥� look, and become 鈥渓ighter and more fuel efficient while remaining roomy and dynamically sound.鈥�
If you don鈥檛 see what you like here, you won鈥檛 have to wait long for more 2018s to appear. Or you could just go for a 2017 model like those described in our previous post.
As we said, the year has barely started 鈥�
