Lincoln MKX

Following the Lincoln Aviator concept shown two years ago comes the MKX, Lincoln's entry into the midi-SUV market that is closely related to the Mazda CX-7 and Ford Edge. Sharing the same metal, it is only the front and rear graphics that distinguish it from Edge, the Lincoln using a busy mesh of brightwork instead of Ford's cleaner three-bar grille. The rear is better, braced with a wide strip-light, though doing without the glass tailgate and distinctive D-pillar of the Aviator.

Inside it is clear that the concept car's jet-theme has also been lost, but the MKX is different to Edge, more geometric and with tasteful colour trim, and so it is here that the car has greater value over the Ford.

This is THE fastest growing market sector in North America at the moment and Ford is clearly keen to capitalise on this. But whilst the MKX is an attractive proposition it is shame that its development budget didn't allow for it to have its own sheet metal as its Mazda cousin does.

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Lincoln Aviator concept - Detroit 2004
Mazda CX-7 - Los Angeles 2006

Mercedes-Benz GL-Class

The new GL-Class launched on Mercedes' industrial stand is described by DaimlerChrsyler Chairman Dieter Zetsche as "the cleanest and most economical full-size SUV": the Vision GL320 Bluetec is a diesel that can meet California's tough emission legislative scheduled for 2009, while still returning 25mpg.

Designed by Steve Mattin before his move to Volvo, the GL is the largest of Mercedes' passenger cars. The two-box exterior has relatively uncluttered sides offset by a busy front end: the hood in particular offers one too many details and could perhaps do without the SLR-derived vents that stunt the twin 'power bulges'. The DRG itself is neatly framed by the leading surfaces of the wheel arches, even if the chrome and number of surface breaks lead to some visual confusion close up.

Inside, the urbane interior is tastefully trimmed, dark Alcantara roof lining and charcoal carpets sandwiching stone leather seats. Up front, contrast stitching helps add value to the leather-covered dashboard, though the upper surface of the door trim replaces the hide with plastic. A competent exercise, Mercedes has bravely avoided a retrospective study, even if the outcome loses some of the character of the G-Class it replaces.

Hyundai Santa Fe

The original Sante Fe was one of the most successful designs to have come from Hyundai’s west coast design studio; attractive and distinctive. This new model is less expressive but better resolved for a higher quality feel and shows the emergence of what is progressively becoming an established corporate facial identity with the hood shut line running off the angled headlamp upper edge into the soft cornered and slightly tapered downward rectangular Hyundai grille.

The exterior otherwise is more formal than its slightly organic predecessor, but well balanced with a subtle fluidity and harmonious integration of elements. Only the rather average interior lets the car down with an old fashioned theme and conservative colour and trim.

Nissan Sentra

Whilst the Camaro and Challenger are grabbing the headlines, cars like the small entry level Sentra are bound to cause less of a stir. But none-the-less this is an important production car show debut and will go head to head with the American-market Yaris announced in LA.

Sharing a lot of its form language with the Azeal coupe concept shown last year, the Sentra immediately makes a positive impression with its clean surfaces, sharp lines and exceptional resolution, only the rather weak rocker and large wheel arch clearance detracts. At the front the grille is particularly interesting being made of a series of black plastic blocks suspended in the aperture and thus being effectively a ‘negative’ of a traditional mesh grille.

The interior has a dished-top IP, simple wood appliqué and a now archetypal Nissan centre console with parallel sides – relatively conservative. But, like the exterior, it is modern, high quality and exhibits a high level of design competence.

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Nissan Azeal Concept - Detroit 2005
Toyota Yaris - Los Angeles 2006

Acura RDX

The RDX prototype is the production preview of Acura's Edge rival that will be in showrooms in the summer, being an SUV to fit in below the MDX.

Stylistically, the RDX sits somewhere in between the voluptuous Mazda CX-7 and the linear Ford Edge. Its flanks are organically sculpted within conventionally sited creases, the shoulder a straight crease that picks up again after the front arch to define the bumper. This movement is lifted from the Honda Accord, and is mated to a DRG that owes much to the larger MDX. Here, the headlamp graphic lifts to meet the lower edge of the grille, though in conjunction with the other surface and line breaks at the front looks somewhat contrived when compared to the other elevations.

The rear is more successful, the lights set within a pentagonal graphic that mimics the pointed nose. The trunk lid is nicely formed, and comes out on the lower edge to continue the upper surface of the bumper: so many station wagons have thinner cheaper lids that break up the horizontal surface, but the RDX's extra depth adds to the solid feel of the design.

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Acura RDX concept - Detroit 2005

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