The Coolest Cars We Expected And The Craziest Ones We Didn't At The 2026 New York Auto Show! | Ep. 332
About this episode
Hyundai’s NY Auto Show surprises kick things off with the off-road-focused XRT lineup and the wild Boulder concept—built to address past complaints like low ground clearance and limited low-range capability, though it’s still only confirmed as a concept. The crew then tours Genesis (GV70 Prestige Graphite and the striking G90 wingback wagon), Dodge’s 250th-anniversary Durango and Hellcat “Jailbreak” customization, and Chrysler’s refreshed 2027 Pacifica with a redesigned front end. Kia highlights the redesigned 2027 Seltos and the coming EV3. The episode ends with Nissan’s Z Nismo finally getting a 6-speed manual option and Chevrolet’s new 2027 Corvette Grand Sport (including an electrified Grand Sport X).
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In this episode of TFL Car Chat, Andre Smirnov and Producer Zach take over the floor of the 2026 New York Auto Show while Roman and Tommy are away at the Easter Jeep Safari. The duo dives deep into the Hyundai and Genesis displays, which are dominated by rugged concepts and stunning luxury reveals. Zach gives us an up-close look at the Hyundai Boulder SUV, a body-on-frame powerhouse that signals a major shift for the brand into the serious off-road segment. They also explore Hyundai’s expanded XRT lineup, including the all-electric Ioniq 5 XRT and the updated Tucson, debating whether these "soft-roaders" finally have the ground clearance and hardware to satisfy true enthusiasts.
The conversation then shifts to the premium side of the Javits Center with the North American debut of the Genesis G90 Magma Concept. Andre and Zach are left nearly speechless by the striking presence of this low-slung performance wagon, comparing its "sinister" elegance to heavy hitters like the BMW M5 Touring and Audi RS6 Avant. From the asymmetrical quad exhaust to the massive 22-inch wheels, they break down why this might be the most beautiful car at the show. Finally, the guys check out the "America 250" celebrations from Dodge and Chrysler, featuring the 710-hp Durango SRT Hellcat Jailbreak and the refreshed 2027 Chrysler Pacifica, before rounding out the day with the debut of the affordable Kia EV3.
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beefier tires
"...you have some beefier tires, but one of my complaints over the years... [72.6s] Exactly, and that's exactly kind of what Brad was referring to..."
“Beefier tires” means tougher, more trail-friendly tires. They help the vehicle grip better on dirt, rocks, and uneven ground.
“Beefier tires” typically means larger, wider, or more aggressive all-terrain/off-road tires designed to improve traction and durability on rough surfaces. In the segment, they’re mentioned as part of the off-road upgrades, alongside clearance and gearing.
ground clearance
"...you have some beefier tires, but one of my complaints over the years... some of our complaints has been ground clearance was low, right? [83.9s] So not quite enough."
Ground clearance is how much space there is between the bottom of the car and the ground. More of it helps the vehicle handle rough trails without getting stuck or scraping underneath.
Ground clearance is the distance between the lowest part of the vehicle and the ground. More ground clearance helps reduce the chance of scraping the underbody on rocks, ruts, and uneven trails—one of the speakers’ key complaints about earlier setups.
New York Auto Show
"Yeah, part of the reason for that is Hyundai had an interesting approach for this New York Auto Show..."
The New York Auto Show is a big car event where brands show off new cars. In this segment, they’re talking about how Hyundai’s reveal was set up to be a surprise.
The New York Auto Show is a major North American event where automakers debut new vehicles and concepts. The hosts discuss Hyundai’s reveal approach and how the lack of visibility during the presentation created surprise.
concept stage
"And one other thing I wanted to mention real quick before we leave is that we don't know, well, Hyundai confirms that this particular model is just in the concept stage for now. We're not 100% confirmed that it is going to production."
A concept stage car is basically a “show car” or prototype. It might become a real car later, but it’s not guaranteed yet.
A “concept stage” vehicle is a prototype or design study shown to gauge interest and explore ideas. It may never reach production, or it could change significantly before it does.
EV
"Will it be an EV? I mean, given the way the wind's currently blowing, probably not, but we can't say that with absolute certainty."
EV means the vehicle runs on electricity from a battery instead of gasoline. They’re discussing whether this upcoming model will be electric or not.
EV stands for electric vehicle, meaning the car is powered primarily by an electric motor and a battery. The segment is debating whether the SCV truck would be electric, but they emphasize it’s not confirmed.
Hyundai
"And full disclosure while we're at it too, Hyundai did invite me in particular out to New York to cover the New York International Auto Show."
Hyundai is a big car company. They also have a luxury brand called Genesis, which is why both show up in the same event coverage.
Hyundai is a major automaker that also owns the Genesis luxury brand. In this segment, the hosts mention Hyundai’s invitation tied to the New York International Auto Show coverage.
red painted brake calipers
"So you see that you get the red painted brake calipers. [362.0s] And then if you look inside..."
Brake calipers are what squeeze the brake pads to slow the car down. Painting them red is mostly a style upgrade that you can often see through the wheels.
Brake calipers are the clamping components that squeeze brake pads against the rotors. Painting them red is a common visual “performance” cue that makes the brakes stand out through the wheel spokes.
rear spoiler
"Then you have the rear spoiler here. And then you have another spoiler halfway down the tailgate."
A rear spoiler is the wing-like piece on the back of a car. It’s mainly there to help the car’s airflow, and it also makes the car look more aggressive.
A rear spoiler is an aerodynamic add-on mounted at the back of a car, designed to improve airflow and stability at speed. In EVs and performance-oriented trims, spoilers are often paired with other aero elements to help the car look sporty and potentially manage airflow more effectively.
550 horsepower
"That particular one is the 550 horsepower Scat Pack, but they're not doing the 1850 version of that, at least not yet."
Horsepower is basically how strong the engine is. More horsepower usually means the car can speed up faster and pull harder.
“Horsepower” is a measure of engine power—how much work the engine can do over time. When someone cites a specific horsepower number, it’s usually to communicate the car’s performance potential (especially acceleration and passing power).
Napa leather
"The name of the Napa leather interior color. Look at the seat surfaces and also the piping as well."
Napa leather is a nicer kind of leather used on some car interiors. It’s meant to feel softer and look more premium than cheaper materials.
“Napa leather” is a premium, soft leather finish often used for upscale interior trim. In car marketing, it usually signals a higher-quality hide and a more supple feel than standard leatherette or lower-grade leather.
facelift
"This particular facelift is only available on certain trims of the 2027 Pacifica. Which is most of them, actually. It's most of them."
A facelift is a refresh of a car that usually changes the look (like the front) and may add or remove features. It’s not a brand-new model, just an update.
A facelift is a mid-cycle refresh where automakers update styling and sometimes equipment without fully redesigning the vehicle. In this case, the speakers specifically mention a redesigned front end and that it’s tied to certain trim levels.
destination
"[1119.7s] $41,495 in 1995 destination. [1122.4s] I apologize for my mistake on that."
Destination is the cost to ship the car to the dealership. It’s a standard fee that’s often listed on the sticker, not something the dealer makes up.
“Destination” is the fee automakers add to cover shipping the vehicle from the factory to the dealer. It’s usually shown on the window sticker and is separate from dealer charges and taxes.
Toyota Sienna
"[1140.3s] There's a Sienna and there's an Odyssey, of course. [1142.8s] Correct. [1143.9s] But still, it's in the meat of that market."
The Toyota Sienna is a popular minivan. It’s often compared directly with other top minivans because it’s built for families and daily use.
The Toyota Sienna is one of the main competitors in the minivan segment, known for strong practicality and (in recent years) hybrid availability. Mentioning it alongside the Odyssey and Pacifica frames the episode’s point about who dominates minivan sales.
Chrysler 300
"[1154.7s] Even though it is Chrysler's sole remaining model, [1158.8s] because the 300 has been gone for a couple of years. [1160.7s] The 200 has obviously been gone for much longer than that."
The Chrysler 300 is a big sedan that used to be sold by Chrysler. The host is saying it’s gone, so Chrysler’s lineup is much smaller now.
The Chrysler 300 is a full-size sedan that was part of Chrysler’s lineup for years. The speaker notes it has been discontinued for a couple of years, contrasting it with the Pacifica as Chrysler’s remaining model.
Kia Sportage
"So the Seltos is the compact SUV sitting below the Sportage, the Sorento and the Tyre, right? So in the pecking order, this one's at the lower end, the smaller end."
The Kia Sportage is a bigger step up from the Seltos in Kia’s SUV lineup. They’re using it to explain how the Seltos ranks below other Kia crossovers.
The Kia Sportage is a compact SUV that sits above the Seltos in Kia’s crossover lineup. The hosts mention it as part of the “pecking order,” helping listeners understand where the Seltos fits size-wise and positioning-wise.
12.3-inch displays
"at least, you get two 12.3-inch displays, one for the gauge cluster, one as your center infotainment screen,"
These are big digital screens—12.3 inches—used for the driver gauges and the main infotainment. Bigger screens can make the information easier to read.
12.3-inch screens are large digital displays used for the gauge cluster and infotainment. Larger screens can provide clearer graphics and more flexible menus, but they also increase the importance of software updates and display calibration.
panoramic sunroof
"This has a panoramic sunroof, dude. That's another interesting option for a small SUV."
A panoramic sunroof is a big glass opening in the roof. It lets in more light and can make the car feel roomier inside.
A panoramic sunroof is a large glass roof panel (often spanning much of the cabin) that lets in more natural light and can make the interior feel more open. It’s typically offered as an option on higher-trim vehicles and some SUVs.
headrest
"The headrest, kind of see-through, there's a little bit of a mesh, and it feels really, really soft."
A headrest is the padded part behind your head. It helps protect your neck, especially in a crash from behind.
A headrest is the padded support behind your head, designed to reduce neck strain during a rear-end collision. Its shape, adjustability, and distance from your head can affect comfort and safety.
Lucid Sapphire
"but the one closest to us as we were walking by Lucid, is there Sapphire, that's a quarter million dollar EV."
The Lucid Sapphire is a very expensive, high-performance electric car. They’re pointing out that it costs around a quarter-million dollars, so it’s in a totally different league than budget EVs.
Lucid’s Sapphire is a high-end, performance-focused EV variant. The hosts use it as a contrast to more affordable EVs, calling it a “quarter million dollar EV,” emphasizing how far apart the price tiers are.
lift it
"Is it gonna lift it? It's gonna, yeah, lift it, throw, you know, Toyota Open Country all terrain, three tires on it, you know."
“Lift it” means raising the car higher off the ground. That can help it clear bumps and rough terrain more easily.
“Lift it” refers to raising a vehicle’s ride height, usually to improve ground clearance for off-road driving. It can also change tire fitment and suspension geometry, which affects how the vehicle handles.
tow hooks
"And you have the tow hooks here, kind of recovery points that are painted. But once again, it's a little bit more mild."
Tow hooks are strong metal points on the car/SUV used to pull it out if it gets stuck or needs to be recovered. They’re meant for towing/recovery situations, not normal daily driving.
Tow hooks are reinforced points on a vehicle used to attach a tow strap or recovery rope. They’re typically designed for controlled pulling during recovery, not for everyday towing like a trailer hitch.
two-tone
"[2331.7s] It is heritage blue. [2333.5s] And the roof is kind of a two-tone. [2336.9s] Yeah, so that's really nice."
Two-tone means the car has two different paint colors, usually one for the body and a different one for the roof. It’s a styling choice that makes the car stand out.
A two-tone paint scheme uses two different colors—often a contrasting roof color—to create visual separation and highlight the vehicle’s shape. Automakers use it to make a model look more distinctive without changing the underlying design.
VW
"[2341.7s] And also full disclosure, [2344.2s] VW invited me here to the show. [2347.6s] And they're showing something"
VW is short for Volkswagen, another car company at the show. The host is saying VW invited them, so they likely have something new to show.
VW (Volkswagen) is another major automaker with a presence at the auto show. The speaker says VW invited them, implying VW is showcasing a vehicle or technology that they’ll discuss next.
282 horsepower
"It's the two-liter, but it now has more power, 282 horsepower in this particular one."
Horsepower is a number that tells you how much power the engine can make. They’re saying this version makes 282 horsepower.
Horsepower is a measure of an engine’s power output. The hosts use “282 horsepower” to quantify the Atlas’s updated engine performance for this specific show vehicle.
Sacramento green
"This color that's closer to us, it's called Sacramento green,"
“Sacramento green” is the name of the paint color on the car. Different paint colors can look different depending on lighting.
“Sacramento green” is a specific paint color name used for the show vehicle. Color names matter because automakers often tie them to particular finishes and sometimes special effects.
silhouette
"What do you think about the silhouette? I mean, I think they improved it. I think it looks quite a bit better, actually."
“Silhouette” is basically the car’s overall outline—how it looks from far away. They’re saying the new design looks better in terms of shape and proportions.
A vehicle’s “silhouette” is its overall shape as seen from a distance—things like roofline, proportions, and stance. When hosts say they improved the silhouette, they’re usually referring to styling changes that make the car look more modern or better balanced.
front fascia
"with the new rear light design, also the front fascia. So, I mean, like anything else, as it goes through the generations, right?"
The front fascia is the car’s front styling—mainly the bumper and grille area. When it changes, the car can look like a whole new model even if the mechanicals are similar.
The front fascia is the front-end bodywork area—think bumper, grille, and surrounding trim. It’s often revised during a facelift to change the vehicle’s overall “face” and styling identity.
Lamborghini
"But if you want to see some of the exotics, you know, several exotics. Yeah, not just Lamborghini, but also Porsche."
Lamborghini is a famous Italian brand that makes supercars. People usually associate it with very fast, very flashy cars.
Lamborghini is an Italian supercar brand famous for high-performance, exotic styling, and advanced engineering. The hosts mention it in the context of the New York Auto Show floor being packed with high-end exotics.
Porsche
"Yeah, not just Lamborghini, but also Porsche."
Porsche is a German automaker known for sports cars and performance engineering, with a lineup that spans everything from everyday sports sedans to track-focused models. In this segment, it’s referenced as one of the major exotic brands present at the show.
Lotus
"Lotus is here, Bentley and Rolls Royce."
Lotus is a British sports-car brand best known for lightweight engineering and handling-focused designs. The hosts list Lotus among the exotic brands on the show floor, implying a variety of performance-oriented cars are on display.
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