Lead exterior designer Damon Schell focused on the word “coupe” rather than “crossover” when discussing the Acura ZDX. Why? Because the ZDX is the latest crossover sculpted to look like a coupe rather than a traditional sport ute, a very popular trend these days. Though the idea of a large vehicle with reduced cargo capacity for the sake of sleeker styling isn’t an efficient design, seeing the ZDX next to Acura’s TL sedan proves that it’s a step in the right direction for the automaker looking to evolve its new look. Though the vehicle on display is a concept or prototype, a company representative said it is a close representation of what the production version, which will go on sale this fall, will look like.

This Korean automaker is having a great year. It won the 2009 Car of the Year Award for the new Genesis in Detroit. Shortly thereafter, it released the attractive 2009 Sonata, essentially establishing itself as a serious contender in the cutthroat midsize family sedan category. Plus, Hyundai is actually posting sales increases this year, while most other automakers are left wondering when the financial bloodletting will end. In the Big Apple, the automaker unveiled the Nuvis crossover concept, further expanding the positive buzz around this company. The Nuvis is a look at the future styling of the carmaker’s new Santa Fe crossover, which is due in a couple of years.  It has gull-wing-style doors and lines that mimic waves and windswept sand dunes, and is powered by a version of the Hybrid Blue Drive that will propel the  2010 Sonata Hybrid sedan when it is released. It features lithium-polymer batteries, which the company says are safer and more practical than lithium-ion batteries.

Jeep really needs a great vehicle to help pull the company back from the brink – and the all-new 2011 Grand Cherokee seems capable of just that. The somewhat restrained design makes a strong statement that Jeep is going to stick to what is does best: build midsize utility vehicles with two rows of seats and real off-road capability. The Grand Cherokee is built on an all-new chassis it shares with Mercedes-Benz’s M-Class. It includes an air suspension that raises and lowers the vehicle 4 inches, and an interior that boasts a leather-wrapped dashboard and real wood trim. The only question is how Jeep will keep the price reasonable while packing in so many features.

As Hyundai climbs toward the premium end of the market, corporate cousin Kia is looking to follow the same upward trajectory. Like the Forte sedan and Soul crossover, the Forte Koup offers a lot of style and substance for the money. Together, the three vehicles drive home Kia’s strategy to create a distinct look for its value-oriented vehicles. The two 4-cylinder engines offered in the Forte Koup out-muscle some of the competition and are on par in terms of fuel efficiency. It goes on sale this summer.

The ML450 is Mercedes’ first full hybrid – meaning it can run on electric power alone. It pairs a 3.5-liter V6 engine with two electric motors embedded in the transmission. Altogether, the system produces 335 horsepower and 381 lb-ft of torque, equivalent to 88 percent of the horsepower and 90 percent of the torque produced by the company’s nonhybrid V8 engines. Yet it consumes 50 percent less fuel than the V8 and 30 percent less than the standard V6 engine, getting an estimated 21 mpg city/24 mpg highway.

Nissan’s restyled roadster brings a host of improvements over the model it replaces, including a lighter, stiffer chassis for a better ride and sharper handling, a more powerful engine and a folding fabric top that stows at the touch of a button. The 332-horsepower V6 engine has 26 more ponies and 2 lb-ft more torque than the previous engine. It also gets better mileage: 18 mpg city/25 mpg highway with either the standard 6-speed manual or optional 7-speed automatic transmission.

Every Porsche can transition from the street to a racetrack with staggering ease – something many competitors cannot do. The 911 GT3 is the ultimate interpretation of that ethos. The new and improved version now comes with an electronically adjustable suspension that should make it much more pleasant to drive around town. Meanwhile, its 430-horsepower 3.8-liter 6-cylinder engine will ensure you take it to the track as often as possible.

The iQ concept is actually an edgier version of the production Toyota iQ, which is sold in Europe and Japan. Aimed at young urban trendsetters, the 3-door hatchback is a bit larger than the smart fortwo and adds one more seat in the rear, for a total of three. It features 18-inch wheels beneath bulging wheel arches and side skirts that widen the car’s stance to make it look more aggressive. Scion will decide whether to sell a production version of the bright-yellow Scion iQ concept in the United States, depending on how people react to it. “If it should join our future lineup, I think it could reach iconic status like our xB,” said Scion Vice President Mike Hollis during the car’s unveiling.

The all-new Subaru Legacy sedan and its wagon counterpart, the Outback, offer more of just about everything compared with the models they replace. Among the most impressive improvements is an interior that’s larger in nearly every dimension, wrapped in a body barely larger than before. A more rigid chassis and revised rear suspension make for a smoother and quieter ride. The Legacy will be available with 4- and 6-cylinder horizontally opposed engines that are both more powerful and fuel-efficient than ever before, manual transmission and Subaru’s signature all-wheel drive.

Re-creating an iconic car like the GTI is tricky, but Volkswagen seems to have done it right, mainly by not fussing with the design and dynamics too much. If you're familiar with the GTI, you'll instantly recognize this vehicle as one. It is simply an overhaul of the current Golf with the front valance, rocker sills and rear fenders made more pronounced to make the vehicle look more aggressive. As with the outside, VW does very little to enhance the interior, which was already refined and user-friendly. Under the hood, however, you’ll have the option for an all-new 2-liter turbocharged 4-banger. When all is said and done, the new GTI is still one of the best in terms of blending style, practicality and performance in a desirable and affordable package.