The 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show is in full swing, and automakers are revealing new and upcoming models. Whether you’re on the hunt for an affordable sports car, a compact SUV or a luxury sedan, these are the latest and greatest vehicles that make their debuts today in Los Angeles. Be sure to click the LA Auto Show tag for the latest news and updates.

2013 Ford Mustang

Currently, the Ford Mustang reigns supreme in the affordable sports car class. However, that doesn’t mean there isn’t room for improvement. On the outside, the 2013 Mustang features a more aggressively styled hood and grille, as well as LED lighting, while the Mustang GT gets an 8 horsepower boost for the 2013 model year. A common reviewer complaint is also addressed as automatic transmission models will get a manual mode, allowing drivers to shift their own gears. The 2013 Mustang will go on sale in spring 2012.

2012 FIAT 500 Abarth

If you like the FIAT 500’s stylish design and compact packaging, but would trade some of J.Lo’s dance moves for better performance, your prayers may have been answered. The high-performance FIAT 500 Abarth makes its debut today at the LA Auto Show. With its turbocharged 1.4-liter engine, the 500 Abarth makes 160 horsepower. That’s 59 more than the base 500, but the Abarth model also adds a performance-tuned suspension and brakes to help reign in its additional power.

2013 Cadillac XTS

Last week, we got our first look at the Cadillac XTS when the automaker accidently published a photo of the new luxury large car on its website. Now, we get our first in-depth look at the new sedan, which also marks the debut of Cadillac’s new CUE infotainment system, and safety tech such as front and rear automatic brakes, which use radar sensors to automatically slow the car down and help prevent low speed collisions.

Under the hood, the XTS’ 3.6-liter V6 churns out an estimated 300 horsepower, while all-wheel drive and Cadillac’s magnetic ride control suspension improve grip and cornering ability. The 2013 Cadillac XTS will hit dealer lots in spring 2012.

2013 Ford Escape

The compact SUV segment has been heating up, and Ford unveiled the redesigned 2013 Escape today at the LA Auto Show. Along with a sleek new design, the new Escape features an available MyFord Touch infotainment system and two new EcoBoost engines which offer better fuel economy, according to Ford. A unique hands-free power liftgate is also available on the 2013 Escape, which will open with just a light kick under the center-rear bumper. That’ll come in handy if your hands are full when you’re loading up the Escape.

2012 Jaguar XKR-S Convertible

Jaguar pulls the wraps off of its XKR-S Convertible today, which promises maximum exposure for those who want blistering performance. The most powerful convertible that Jaguar has ever built, the XKR-S features a supercharged V8 that produces 550 horsepower. Jaguar says the XKR-S will sprint from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.2 seconds and has a top speed of 186 mph. Just 25 2012 Jaguar XKR-S convertibles will be sold in the U.S. with a starting price of $138,000.

2013 Infiniti JX

We’ve known that the 2013 Infiniti JX was on its way for a few months, but the luxury crossover made its official debut today at the Los Angeles Auto Show. The seven-passenger SUV is set to join the rest of the Infiniti lineup in spring 2012, and the automaker says that the three-row JX has more second- and third-row legroom than a Cadillac Escalade. Under the hood, a 3.5-liter V6 rated at 265 horsepower and a continuously variable transmission propel the JX, which is available with front- or all-wheel drive. The Infiniti JX will start at $40,450.

Land Rover DC100 and DC100 Sport

It’s been a number of years since the Land Rover Defender 90 was sold on U.S. soil. We told you a few months back that a new Defender concept was headed for the Frankfurt Motor show, and now the automaker has tweaked its model, debuting two new concepts at the Los Angeles Auto Show.

Land Rover says that the DC100 and DC 100 Sport “investigate potential future design direction for the Defender.” Both models feature permanent four-wheel drive, an eight-speed transmission and an intelligent terrain response system, but the DC100 Sport will likely appeal to Defender 90 and Jeep Wrangler fans, thanks to its removable top.

2013 Volkswagen CC

Volkswagen unveiled the refreshed 2013 Volkswagen CC today at the Los Angeles Auto Show, which has one very significant addition over the 2012 model – a middle seat. The 2013 CC now seats five instead of four, but also gains updated front and rear fascias as well as standard bi-xenon headlights. Volkswagen’s 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine continues to power the base model, while a 3.6-liter V6 engine is optional. The 2013 Volkswagen CC will go on sale in spring 2012.

2013 Mazda CX-5

The all-new 2013 Mazda CX-5 SUV debuted today at the LA Auto Show. Powering the affordable compact SUV is Mazda’s 155-horsepower Skyactiv engine that is also offered in the 2012 Mazda3. With Mazda’s Skyactiv-Drive six-speed automatic transmission, the CX-5 is expected to achieve EPA fuel economy figures of 26/32 mpg or 25/30 mpg city/highway in models with front- or all-wheel drive, respectively. Mazda says the SUV will have a towing capacity of 2,000 pounds.

A notable design element of the 2013 Mazda CX-5 is a new grille design that marks a departure from the “smiling face” grille found on models like the Mazda3.

2012 Hyundai Azera

The 2012 Hyundai Azera made its debut today at the LA Auto Show. The second generation Azera is the latest Hyundai model to receive the company’s fluidic sculpture styling treatment currently found on the Sonata and Elantra. Underneath the curvy new sheetmetal is an all-new 3.3-liter V6 engine that produces 293 horsepower. Paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, Hyundai says the 2012 Azera should achieve 20/29 mpg city/highway.

The 2012 Hyundai Azera comes standard with heated leather front and rear seats, while ventilated front seats are optional. Other standard features include dual-zone climate control and a cooled glovebox. If you’re looking to block out the sun, the Azera offers a power-retractable rear sunshade and manual side sunshades. For those looking for more sunlight to flood the cabin, a panoramic sunroof is optional.

Check out our full coverage of the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show.

Car Deals: November 2011

We’ve compiled a list of the best car deals available in the U.S. for this month.

Deals by Manufacturer:

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• Hyundai Deals
• Kia Deals
• Mazda Deals
• Nissan Deals
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#1 Ranked Vehicles: Fall 2011

• Ford Fiesta- #1 Affordable Small Car
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• Toyota RAV4 – #1 Affordable Compact SUV
• Mazda CX-9 – #1 Affordable Midsize SUV
• Ford Fusion Hybrid – #1 Hybrid Car

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The current Ford Taurus is a solid car that has never excited anyone. Safe, fuel-efficient, roomy and boring, it doesn’t have the visceral allure of a Chrysler 300 or the near-luxury feel of the Toyota Avalon – it’s just an unexciting but practical full-size sedan. It shares its name with what was once the world’s best-selling car, but that hasn’t fooled anyone.

The next Taurus, however, is a different story. Automotive journalists got their first official look at the 2010 bull at this week’s Detroit Auto Show, and for the first time in many years, they’re excited about a big Ford.

Edmunds Inside Line calls it “antithesis of the current Taurus, a bloodless chunk of metal that was boring and derivative even in the first sketch we saw of it way back in 2002.” The new car, instead, “undeniably has a compelling look.” Ford designers, when planning the new vehicle, aimed for “athletic and premium,” feeling that the Taurus should represent the best the company could offer as “the flagship for the Ford brand.”

Outside, the look of the Taurus has changed completely. The Los Angeles Times reports, “The new sedan bears many of the styling features — including oversized rims and a characteristic second grill — found on a line of fuel-efficient compact European Fords the company plans to bring to the U.S. starting next year.” The bulbous head and tail lights of the current model have been replaced with thinner, sleeker lamps. Perhaps most significantly, the arching roofline of the outgoing model is gone, replaced by a flattened curve somewhat reminiscent of the Chrysler 300, which gives the car a more aggressive stance.

Inside, Autoblog reports, “One could easily argue that the interior of the 2010 Taurus is even more a departure from the past than the exterior. The biggest difference is the new center stack that flows away from the dash at a very shallow angle, almost like in a low-slung supercar.” The dash itself is an upscale twin-cowl design, “and the remaining interior surfaces vary from soft-touch light and dark plastics to wood grain inserts.” Autoblog was particularly impressed with Ford’s new Multi-Contour Seats, which “have three, six-way adjustable lumbar bladders and a seat cushion featuring a new technology called Active Motion that continually moves the seating surface in a subtle way that wards off back pain on long trips without distracting the driver.”

Under the hood, Jalopnik says, is “a 3.5 liter V6 good for 263 HP and 249 lb-ft of torque… it won’t be burning the strip down, but it will be very competitive at the segments it’s aiming for.” This comes mated to a six-speed transmission available with or without SelectShift, which gives the driver steering wheel-mounted shift paddles – a clear sign that we’re a long way from the old Taurus now. All-Wheel-Drive is optional.

Eventually, Ford will introduce a second engine for the Taurus. It won’t, however, be the big V8 traditionally offered as an upgrade on large sedans. Instead, Ford has developed a V6 that, the company claims, uses fuel injection and turbochargers to replicate the performance of a V8 with the fuel economy of a V6. The “ecoboost” V6 will be offered on the Taurus and other large Ford models sometime in the second half of 2009.

Safety equipment is extensive. The Detroit News notes that the next Taurus will be “the first Ford vehicle to have a forward collision warning system — a feature that alerts drivers to a potential crash and charges the brakes to respond more quickly. The system also engages an electronic brake assist to help the car stop sooner.”

The 2010 Taurus should reach showrooms in the spring. Pricing, according to Automobile Magazine, starts at $25,995, with the top-of-the-line Limited Edition selling for $31,995.

With the auto industry rocked by slow sales in 2008, automakers are heavily discounting many cars. Research the best car deals with U.S. News’ car rankings and reviews.

Stung by the recession, the auto industry has been scaling back its traditionally lavish series of auto shows. Automakers use the events to show the press and the public new car models and “concept cars” suggesting future designs. There are dozens of such shows throughout the year, but traditionally the most significant take place in Detroit, Geneva and Tokyo.

This week’s Detroit Auto Show has been a subdued affair compared to previous years. Now, reports say that the Tokyo Motor Show may not happen at all.

Autoblog reports, “GM and Chrysler are now confirming that they have pulled out of October’s Tokyo Motor Show, and word is that Ford didn’t meet last year’s sign-up deadline, so they probably won’t be in attendance, either…In fact, if recent reports are accurate, the entire Tokyo Motor Show is itself in doubt.” The decision to pull out of the show is not surprising, “Given the high cost associated with building and staffing an international auto show stand – not to mention diminishing crowds and increased exposure through other forms of media.”

The industry group that organizes the show insists it will go ahead without the Big Three, Forbes reports. “Nobuyuki Takahashi, spokesman for the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association, said there were no scheduling changes for the exhibition set for late October.” Toyota and Honda have confirmed plans to participate.

At least half a dozen major auto shows,” according to Bloomberg, “have been canceled or scaled back since November, when GM decided not to hold a press conference at the Los Angeles Auto Show.” Even the biggest shows have been affected. “Nissan Motor Co., Suzuki Motor Corp. and Porsche SE didn’t go to this year’s North American International Auto Show in Detroit, which opened to the media this week.”

The cancellations in Tokyo, according to Jalopnik, are “important news” because they show that “the same conversations happening here in Detroit are happening overseas.”

The industry downturn, however, is great news for car buyers — at the moment, many cars are available at significant discounts. Research the best car deals with U.S. News’ car rankings and reviews.

The Ford Flex will soon have a more luxurious big brother. Lincoln has designed its own take on the big crossover, the 2010 MKT, which made its first public appearance this week at the Detroit Auto Show.

Autoblog reports, “Starting with the MKT’s most obvious discussion point, its sheetmetal, it is clear that Ford has gone in a different direction – literally. Whereas the Flex comes about its styling primarily through the use of horizontal lines, the MKT’s design has a decidedly vertical orientation. From its two-piece wing grille, to the character ridge running down the hood, to its surprisingly crisp corners, the MKT is very much its own crossover. It’s also very much a Lincoln,” with the front end dominated by what is “fast-becoming a trademark” for Lincoln – a huge “two-piece wing grille” that some have likened to a toothy grin. “Few are likely to call the MKT ‘pretty,’ but in the metal, there’s no doubting its originality or its presence.”

The New York Times says it looks like “a huge, upscale station wagon with braces.” Under the hood, they find “a 268-horsepower, 3.7-liter V-6. Also available is Ford’s Ecoboost V-6, which is a direct-injection 3.5 liter V-6 with twin turbochargers. Ford said it will be rated at 355 horsepower at 5,700 r.p.m. and 350 foot-pounds of torque at 3,500 r.p.m. Ford promised V-8 performance with V-6 fuel economy.”

In the cabin, Jalopnik says, shoppers will find “class-leading material choices and styling that rivals any of the competitor in the market.” The MKT’s interior puts a particular emphasis on technology, with options including “voice activated navigation, Sync, Sirius Travelink, Ford’s Active Parking Assist system,” and even a blindspot alert system that “gets cross traffic parking lot alerts.”

Pricing has not been announced. The MKT should reach showrooms late this summer.

Research the best luxury SUVs with U.S. News’ car rankings and reviews.

The Toyota Prius has new competition. In mid-summer, Honda will begin selling its own hybrid car, expected to cost less than the popular Toyota model. The 2010 Honda Insight looks a great deal like the Prius and will probably be the first realistic alternative potential Prius buyers have ever had to consider. With the 2009 Detroit Auto Show now open, the auto press is driving Honda’s new hybrid for the first time, and so far, while most reviewers are impressed with the car, few think it’s going to knock the Prius off its lofty perch.

The first question with any hybrid, of course, is fuel economy. Motor Trend explains, “According to the EPA, the 2009 Insight returns a 40/43 mpg on its city/highway fuel-economy cycle. Not bad, but significantly off the Prius’s 48/45 numbers. When the next-gen Prius drops next year, you can bet that difference will be greater still.”

In fact, Toyota claims that 2010 Prius will get a combined average of 50 mpg, though the EPA hasn’t yet spoken on the subject.

The Insight, though, is still an impressive car in its own right. MT says “Honda has worked hard to make the Insight the drivers’ choice.” The Insight’s steering is “light and precise, and the Insight changes direction happily, without keeling over as the Prius is wont to do,” they write. “Throttle and brake response are smoother too: Powertrain engineers focused on keeping the pedal feel and position consistent with the performance of the CVT and brake-regeneration system. Not so in the Prius; its throttle seems to have a mind of its own, depending on speed and pedal position, while the brakes have a noticeable stepped feel.” There is even a Sport mode in the Insight, and though it doesn’t turn the car into a true performance car, “the Prius doesn’t even offer such sporting pretense.”

Automobile Magazine says that inside, the Insight is all Honda. “The cabin design and ambience are an appealing mixture of Civic, Fit, and first-generation Insight, with effective ergonomics, intuitive controls (the radio interface is especially nice), and lots of nooks and crannies for storage.” The interior fabric is a bit of a disappointment, and there is no opportunity to upgrade, but “as for the seats themselves, the fronts are simple and comfortable, while the outboard rear seats offer good headroom, decent legroom, and good footroom.” The cargo area beneath the hatch “is top-notch, with a big exterior opening through the hatch, a low lift-over height, a tall load space, and a broad, flat floor.”

A unique feature (but one that won’t be unique for long, since many automakers seem to be planning something similar) is the car’s Eco Guide. It coaches the driver toward more economical driving, and CNET is impressed. “The speedometer background changes color,” they explain, to tell the driver how much fuel is being used. “Blue means you’re a guzzler. Blue-green means that you’re starting to get with the program. Green means, well, you’re green, with excellent fuel consumption and consequent lowest emissions. To further educate and entertain, the car’s trip computer keeps score, and displays fuel consumption history on a bar graph so drivers can keep track and improve on economy. Green driving is scored in leaves, with more leaves being better.”

Which brings us back to the question of fuel-economy. The Prius easily bested the Insight in EPA testing, but Autoblog Green tells us “Honda believes that real-world mileage will be much better than the official ratings,” because the EPA testing cycle is not as efficient as a driver coached by Honda’s Eco Guide could be.

There may be something to the claim. Autoblog Green itself tested the Insight, and averaged 63.4 mpg. With the Insight posting numbers like that, and a sub-$20k price tag, the Prius may have something to worry about after all.

Research the latest in green cars with U.S. News’ car rankings and reviews.

If Chrysler had worked this hard all along, they wouldn’t be where they are today.

The company, dependent on federal loans for its slim hope of staying alive another six months, used the Detroit Auto Show yesterday to unveil a stunning midsize electric sedan, the 200C.

Jalopnik calls it “shockingly attractive,” and comments, “Of all the Chrysler products revealed at the show, this is the most likely to reach production.”

Edmunds Inside Line reports, “Chrysler said the showcar features a 40-mile all-electric range with zero fuel consumption. The four-seat sedan sprints from zero to 60 mph in just 7 seconds and has a top speed ‘greater than 120 miles per hour,’ according to the automaker.”

Kicking Tires calls it “Chrysler’s four-door competitor to the Chevy Volt.” The car reportedly “can run 40 miles on electric-only power and 400 miles using a small engine-generator. It’s built on a shortened version of Chrysler’s rear-wheel-drive LX platform – think 300C, Dodge Charger and Dodge Challenger – but looks like no other Chrysler on the market. The front end looks a bit like the Hyundai Genesis, while the rear recalls a BMW 6 Series. All are good signs for a company better known for designing cars of a more pedestrian, er, Caliber.”

The Los Angeles Times says, “The 200C is a clear, formal, aspirationally modern design with clarity of lines and direction; the proportions are harmonious; it looks great from every angle — and looks wildly like a Mercedes S-class from a couple of angles. It simply is the best-looking real-world car at the show.” And while the emphasis in Detroit has been on environmental impact, the Times comments, “The transcendent truth of automobiles is that people buy beautiful cars.” The Times thinks “the 200C will be available in two years with a variety of gas-burning engines in it — and yes, probably a Hemi.”

Inside, the car is a high-tech showcase. The New York Times notes that the Chrysler uses a “touch screen in a console that flows forward and becomes the instrument panel.” A photoelectric film built into the surface material effectively makes the entire console a single touch-sensitive screen. That screen displays a “virtual command ball” which the driver rotates to select options from various menus, controlling climate and entertainment settings.

But can cash-starved Chrysler, said to be the automaker closest to collapse, actually build this car? Only time will tell if the company can manage its reorganization and stay afloat long enough to built its Volt-fighter.

Research the latest in green cars with U.S. News’ car rankings and reviews.

Chevrolet used its space at this week’s Detroit Auto Show to announce a production schedule on a SUV small enough to be built on a compact car platform but large enough to seat 7. The Chevy Orlando will go on sale in the U.S. in the summer of 2010, as a 2011 model – and the automotive press has exactly one thing to say about it – it’s spacious for its size.

Autoblog explains, “Based on the same platform as the Cruze, the Orlando offers seven seats in a relatively compact design.” Autoblog calls the crossover “more appealing than the HHR.”

Business Week comments, “The body has some European flair to it,” and again points out that “GM managed to pack three rows of seats on a small frame that will also host the Chevy Cruze compact next year.” The Cruze platform has proven very fuel efficient, and Business Week thinks the Orlando “should also get close to 30 miles per gallon.”

Both rows of rear seats fold flat into the floor, according to the Detroit News. “The concept also uses dual overhead glass on the rooftop allowing more light exposure into the cabin and a storage area inside the center console that can charge an iPod or iPhone.”

Though the Orlando is expected to appear first with a conventional four-cylinder engine, Automotive News speculates that the crossover could ultimately be sold as a Volt-like Extended-Range Electric Vehicle. “Although GM currently has no plans to use the Volt technology in the Orlando,” AN writes, “executives note that the Orlando will be built on an architecture that easily would allow GM to do so.”

Research the best small SUVs with U.S. News’ car rankings and reviews.

The Los Angeles Times reports, “The 2009 Porsche Boxster and 2009 Porsche Cayman have just had their world debuts at the L.A. Auto Show.” Both the drop-top Boxster and fixed-roof Cayman “come in either ‘normal’ or S versions. Starting at the bottom, the Boxster’s 2.9-liter flat-six engine spins to the tune of 255 horsepower and won’t leave the showroom without your writing a check for $46,600. Deplete the bank account by $56,700 and the Boxster S zooms into availability, with a 3.4-liter flat-six and 310 hp. The Cayman equivalents enjoy more power. The base model ($50,300) has 265 hp and the S ($60,200) sports 320.”

Bigger news comes from the new PDK transmission. Jalopnik writes, “The PDK double-clutch should provide a quick alternative for those unwilling or uninterested in doing the shifting themselves.” A seven-speed, it acts as an automatic but allows users to shift on their own if they choose – and shaves a fraction of a second off the car’s 0 to 60 time.

Autoblog comments, “Even as the industry swirls in turmoil, Porsche continues to offer hope to enthusiasts as they relentlessly increase performance without sacrificing efficiency.”

Motor Trend had the first opportunity to drive the car, in Boxster S form. They report, “A lot of 911 has trickled into the new Boxster and Cayman.” They comment, “based on our first-blush exposure, we can tell you the updated, beefier Boxster is faster, better handling, more sophisticated, and even more of a driver’s car than was its immediate predecessor. Another example of evolution, Porsche style.”

Research best luxury sports cars with U.S. News’ car rankings and reviews.

What do you sell to Americans who are accustomed to the space and high seating position of SUVs but need the fuel economy and frugal sticker price of small cars? Asian automakers have apparently all arrived at the same answer – little boxes on wheels. A day after the inventively-named Nissan Cube little-box-on-wheels made its debut, Korea’s Kia has brought us another one. The 2010 Kia Soul crossover/wagon/small car/small SUV is just as hard to categorize. And like the Cube, it actually seems like a versatile, inexpensive car that might make sense for an awful lot of people. At least, those who don’t already own a Scion xB or a Honda Element.

Autoblog reports, “Expected to drop as an early 2010 model in late ’09, the new boxy Soul will go head-to-head with the equally-new Nissan Cube for the affections of ex-xB buyers here in the States.” The Soul (and before you ask, yes, it’s built in Seoul) is a bit more curvaceous than the Cube, with a “rising beltline [that] starts lower in the front and gradually sweeps skyward at the rear, adding a unique look to the little crossover.”

Kicking Tires describes the cabin, saying “The dash has fairly traditional shapes: The center controls face skyward, the shifter goes on the floor and the gauges sit behind the steering wheel. At first blush, overall quality is a step above the aging Kia Spectra’s, if not quite to Hyundai Elantra levels. The backlit instruments look upscale, and dials for the A/C and stereo feel reasonably high-quality.” Nice small touches abound. “There’s a dedicated spot to stow your sunglasses, the pivoting sun visors extend all the way to the B-pillars, and the rear center seat belt mounts in the seatback – not the ceiling – to keep rear-window visibility clear. Gold star, Kia.”

The Los Angeles Times reports that the car is “is front-wheel-drive, seats five and offers two four-cylinder engines, rated at 122 or 142 hp. It rides on a front-strut suspension with a torsion bar in the rear. Fuel economy specs were not included in the news conference info. Transmission choices are a five-speed manual and four-speed automatic.” Pricing was not formally announced, but Kia Vice President of Sales Tom Loveless said the price will be “in the teens.”

The teens – that’s precisely the issue with this car. The boxy form has been tried plenty of times, and has earned a reputation as a trendy car for the young. Motor Trend wonders “Are there enough hip youngsters and young hipsters to drive all of these boxes?”

But they might have missed the point. The Los Angeles Times notes, “It fits right in with those models marketed to youngsters but often purchased by an older crowd that actually finds the cavernous, boxy interiors useful for hauling children, pets and their bulky accouterments.” If Kia can convince U.S. consumers that the Soul will hold up over time (must…resist….immortal…soul…jokes…) they may have a winner with an older crowd.

Stay tuned for more coverage from L.A., and research the best small cars with U.S. News’ car rankings and reviews