The 2017 Geneva Motor Show has come to an end and it's pretty obvious that this year's event has been a massive success. With more than 60 vehicles on display, Geneva once again proved why its among the most important auto shows of the year.
But, while we drooled upon supercars like the Ferrari 812 Superfast, Lamborghini Huracan Performante, and McLaren 720S, Geneva also brought us quite a few cars for the average Joe. They might not be as spectacular when it comes to performance and technology, but they're equally important to the automotive industry and deserve all the attention they can get.
Geneva may seem like an event that's about the glitz and glamour of luxury and performance cars more than anything else, but this is mostly because we all dream of owning cars that can go fast, and keep us comfortable and connected with the latest gadgets. But, once we stop dreaming, we realize that we can't afford a Lamborghini Huracan and that our daily driver is no-nonsense compact. When that moment comes, have a look at the cool, yet affordable cars you might have missed while rushing to find out how fast the Huracan is around the Nurburgring.
You might need a new daily driver soon. Just saying...
Continue reading for the full story.
Kia Picanto
I'm kicking things off with the new Kia Picanto, which was updated to the company's more recent design language. Now with a sportier attitude on the outside, the Picanto is also much more appealing on the inside thanks to higher quality materials, more comfortable seats, and a seven-inch infotainment system with navigation and 3D map. The optional Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and wireless smartphone charging brings it into the 21st century. The entry-level, 66-horsepower engine is far from impressive, but the upcoming, turbocharged 1.0-liter will make things more thrilling with 99 horses and 127 pound-feet.
Pricing should start from around £8,500.
Read our full review here.
Ford Fiesta ST
If the Picanto is too mild for you, how about the new Fiesta ST? About the same size as the Kia, the Fiesta ST has a bit more aggressive stance and pack more punch under the hood. And here is where it all becomes interesting, as the 1.6-liter four-cylinder was ditched in favor of a 1.5-liter three-pot. Make no mistake though, this tiny EcoBoost is just as powerful as the outgoing engine at 197 horsepower and 214 pound-feet of torque. Charging to 62 takes 6.7 seconds, which is pretty quick for a car this size. The interior is also nice and sporty with Recaro seats, more upscale materials, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.
And with an estimated price for around £19,000 in the U.K. and $22,300 in the States, it won't rip your wallet to shreds.
Read our full review here.
Seat Ibiza
We remain in the same segment for the Seat Ibiza, which has been redesigned to resemble the larger Leon. And boy the Spanish carmaker did a great job on this one. It's a Polo underneath, but the design is more modern, balanced, and sportier. The interior looks cool too and it comes with all the important tech you can expect from a modern hatchback. Trunk space has grown by 63 liters to 355 (by 2.2 cubic feet to 12.5), which makes it pretty spacious given its size. The engine lineup is varied too, with the gasoline 1.0-liter turbo joined by 1.5- and 1.6-liter diesels in various outputs.
The new Ibiza should remains as wallet-friendly as the outgoing model with a starting price around the £13,000 mark.
Suzuki Swift
The Suzuki Swift is yet another subcompact hatchback that made its debut in redesigned form at the 2017 Geneva Motor Show. Finally, because the previous model was getting a bit too long in the tooth. While the Japanese firm isn't exactly famous for creating exciting designs, the new Swift is actually a cool looking car. The large front grille and new bumper give it a sportier stance, while the rear got new angular lines and finally looks like a modern car should. The interior is neat too, sporting a seven-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, redesigned seats, and a lot of new safety equipment.
Likely to go on sale for less than £10,000 in base trim, the Swift is the most affordable vehicle on this list.
Read our full review here.
Toyota Yaris and Yaris GRMN
Granted, the Toyota Yaris isn't the kind of car that will leave anyone impressed, but it's affordable, easy to maintain, and it's great for crowded city streets. It also delivers solid fuel economy if you don't want to leave too much cash at the pump. Although only a facelift, the new Yaris is actually pretty different on the outside. The front end looks more joyful thanks to the body-colored nose, while the larger taillights give it a sportier look. There's a lot of new stuff inside too, as well as revised engines, but by far the biggest news is the GRMN, the first high-performance version of the Yaris. Aimed at the Polo GTi and Fiesta ST, it has a few unique features inside and out and a bespoke engine. The unit in question is a supercharged (!), 1.8-liter four-banged goodfor more than 200 horsepower, which places the GRMN above the competition.
Pricing is obviously not available yet, but pricing shouldn't increase much for the standard model, which should start from around £11,500. The GRMN model will probably fetch close to £19,000, but that's Fiesta ST money.
Read our full review here.
Nissan Micra Bose Personal Edition
This limited-edition Micra is a cool way to improve a hatchback that's already appealing thanks to its recent redesign. Unlike most of the competition, it comes with a contrasting livery (in this case orange over black) and an interior highlighted by a matching color scheme. As the name suggests, it's equipped with a Bose sound system, which is quite the big deal for a small, city car. To make things even more interesting, Nissan offers both gasoline and diesel engines, whereas most limited-edition are restricted to just one drivetrain. Granted, 90 horsepower isn't the kind of output you want to brag about, but at least you can ride in style while listening to your favorite tunes.
Pricing-wise, it will cost more than the regular Micra, so expect a sticker of at least £10,000, which isn't a lot given the rich standard equipment list.
Read our full review here.
Hyundai i30 Tourer
Tired of reading about subcompact hatchbacks only? Well, how about something bigger. Granted, the i30 Wagon isn't that much bigger than the vehicles above, but you do get a roomier interior and significantly larger trunk. You also get the sexy new design of the i30 hatchback and a sweet interior with all the features and tech to make your trips comfortable and pleasant. The engine lineup is as diverse as it can be with both gasoline and diesel options, and the new 1.4-liter turbo cranks out 138 horsepower so you can haul a trunk full of stuff.
With pricing set at £17,395 before options, the i30 Tourer is a good alternative to similar products from Volkswagen and Ford and comes with more bang for the buck.
Read our full review here.