2016 Miami International Auto Show Highlights and More

For decades the Annual Miami International Auto Show has been a wonderful event for car enthusiasts and potential car buyers alike.  Families can check out multiple cars from various manufacturers all in one place which saves lots of time in the car search process.

 

If your family is in the market for a new family car and you’re wondering if you will fit & be comfortable in a 2 row Honda Ridgeline pick-up truck with extended cab or a 3 row Chrysler Pacifica (new minivan model for 2017) then the Miami International Auto Show is a great place to find your answer.

 

Bring along the entire family to try out the new car options and enjoy all the other highlights like classic cars at Memory Lane, giveaways, simulators and jaw-dropping Million Dollar Alley sports cars.  

Car Tech We Love for Families

It seems that Hybrid, eco-boost & other fuel-saving features are becoming the norm across the board now with either Hybrid models or a trim option available on many cars and trucks.  With all of the errands, camps, trips to work and school it can really help families to save (long term) on fuel.

 

Check out the following options on display at the 2016 Miami International Auto Show:       

  • Nissan Leaf or Nissan Rogue Pure Drive Hybrid

  • Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid Minivan

  • Chevy Volt Plug-In Hybrid

  • 2017 KIA Optima Hybrid EX

  • 2016 KIA Sedona Eco Hybrid

  • 2017 Honda Accord Hybrid EX-L

  • 2017 Ford Fusion Energi

  • 2016 Ford CMAX Hybrid

  • 2017 Toyota RAV-4 Hybrid SE

  • 2016 Toyota Prius Hybrid

 

When you are carrying precious cargo (the kids) safety and comfort features are key.  Some of the features we list are only found in high-end luxury makes/models but it’s great to note them since, hopefully, one day they will trickle down to mid-range options in the future.  

 

Here are some pretty great features to keep your eye on at the Miami International Auto Show:

  • “Are We There Yet?”  App on the Chrysler Pacifica

  • USB & HDMI ports in the REAR of the vehicle

  • Apple Car Play & Android Auto (Hyundai)

  • Cabin air purifiers that use static charge--great for families with allergies

  • Keyless Entry, Remote Start, & hands free liftgate/sliding door entry

  • Rear & Front cameras as well as wonderful 360 degree views (cameras surrounding the car) (Cadillac)

  • Heads up windshield display--can help keep your eyes on the road at all times (Mercedes & Cadillac)

  • Rain Sensing & Auto High Beams with LED lights

  • Parallel & perpendicular Parking Assist (Chrysler)

  • Pre-collision frontal & REAR assist or notifications

  • Programmable liftgate height

  • If you tow a trailer check out Ford’s new technology to help with maneuvering

  • Lane departure alerts

  • Assistive braking in reverse (Subaru) or Smart Stop technology (Toyota)

  • Blind Spot detection

  • Cross traffic & Pedestrian Detection

  • Night Vision with infrared cameras (Cadillac)

  • Front Pedestrian sensors (Buick)

  • Radar Cruise Control (Toyota) & Adaptive Cruise Control (Honda)

  • Power Rear seats with massage (Cadillac)

  • Vehicle Stability Control

  • Traction Control

  • Safety Connect (Toyota) or OnStar type features

  • Attention Assist that senses drowsiness (Mercedes)

     

Key Highlights You Don’t want to Miss:

Dodge Bondurant Challenger simulated race with an actual car!Wild Ride at Camp Jeep to experience their 4x4 action

Enter to win a this Hyundai, a Chevy Cruze or $45K toward a new car from participating manufacturers.

See the beauty of the past by visiting Memory Lane


              Drool over Exotic Sports Cars like Bugatti, Pagani, Maclaren and Lamborghini

Test Drive Chevy, KIA, Mazda, Nissan, or Toyota

Enjoy Videos, Simulators, and displays demonstrating high tech features and safety

 

 

New Cars to See at The Show

Some of the cars we are listing may not be “new” but may be old cars celebrating a big anniversary redesign or are making a comeback.  Be sure to stop and check them out while wandering through the show.

 

  • 2017 Chrysler Pacifica (ALL NEW--available in Hybrid)

  • 2017 KIA Niro (ALL NEW--available in Hybrid)

  • JEEP celebrating 75 years

  • 2017 Subaru Impreza (ALL NEW--2 pre production models at the show)

  • 2017 Hybrid EX-L and Sport Special Edition Toyota Accord, Celebrating 40 years

  • 2017 Honda Ridgeline (Redesign)

  • 2017 Ford F-150 reintroducing the STX package

  • 2017 Toyota Corolla, celebrating 50 years.

  • 2017 Convertible Range Rover

 

If You Are Hoping to See these Brands...You Might be Disappointed

Some of the Brands were no shows at this auto show or had very tiny displays with maybe just a few models available to see.  We were bummed that there were so few minivans to see...Honda had their base model Odyssey front and center (we were underwhelmed by it) but Nissan didn’t even have 1 Quest on display.  

 

  • Tesla  (a no show)

  • Saab (not at the show)

  • BMW--only 3 cars on display (1 locked for display only) and NO Mini Coopers

  • Genesis--2 cars on display

  • Fiat (2 & 4 door 500 model and their new Spider sports car)

  • Chrysler--3 models on display were the Pacifica, 300 and 200

  • Misubishi--in a dark corner tucked near Mercedes with 3 models to show

 

If you LOVE These Brands You’ll be Happy with Their Large Display Areas

  • Honda

  • Lexus

  • Lincoln

  • Acura

  • Audi

  • Ford

  • Volkswagen

  • Mazda

  • Subaru

  • Toyota --one of the largest

  • Chevrolet

  • Hyundai

  • KIA

  • Nissan

 

We spent about 5 hours at the Miami International Auto Show and saw just about everything there was to see.  We did not go upstairs to the vendors nor play any of the simulators, so if you add that to the event you could easily spend the entire day at the show.

 

If you have small kids and a lot on your “Car Show To Do List”, you may want to consider leaving them home.  Small kids are great to bring along if you’re just there to sightsee, play, and snap adorable photos of Jr in a Maserati.

 

No need to leave in order to grab something to eat because you can grab hot dogs, pizza, Brazilian pastries, Arepas, Jamaican patties, Chinese chow mein, tacos, nachos and so much more inside the Miami Beach Convention Center.  If you come with a Designated Driver, there are also multiple spots around the event to imbibe on a cold alcoholic beverage as well.  

 

Whatever time you have to spend, this will be a memorable and informative day out together for the entire family.