The GREAT Debate: What All-New Vehicle Caught You COMPLETELY Off Guard In The Past 12 Months?

As is the standard these days, I have a pretty heavy rotation of press vehicles. Of course it depends on how many products I want to book, but as I am diligent it is pretty common to be getting in and out of all-new vehicles on a weekly basis.

To be straightforward, when I swap vehicles it does take a lot for me to be caught off guard. But, it just happened.

Yesterday I received the all-new BMW 7-Series and while I've seen the vehicle inside and out — thank you, Agent 001 — it's a completely different experience in the flesh. It's off the charts.

The technology is incredibly well thought out. The only way to describe its interior is "on point." Its back seat that's spacious, filled with a fragrance and features a tablet is just overwhelming.

The all-new 7 is good. It's damn good. And I haven't even fully experienced its driving dynamics yet.

Having said that, Spies, I was curious: Which all-new vehicles have completely caught you off guard — in a good way — in the past 12 months? We want to know names and details! Let us know in the comments below!

cidflekken - 1/28/2016 4:10:52 AM

+6 Boost

I've experienced the new 7 in the flesh, and it lacks. To me, it resembles a 3-Series with fancier materials. It's much less special than an S-Class, or even, still, an A8.

If there was an interior that caught me off guard it was the Q7. As dowdy as the exterior is, and after being really impressed with the XC90's interior, I did not expect the Q7's dash/console to feel as special as it did. In pictures, it looks pretty unimpressive. But seeing and feeling it first-hand was completely different. However, I cannot say that it felt like a vehicle vying for the same clientele as the GLS.

MDarringer - 1/28/2016 8:33:24 AM

+2 Boost

I've also experienced the new 7 in the flesh and it is a visual dud. The interior is OK, but definitely NOT anything incredible.

PUGPROUD - 1/28/2016 8:24:52 AM

+4 Boost

...Volvo X90, great to see Swedes being Swedes again
...C63 Coupe, Mercedes does it again with great upgrades from base coupe
...Mustang, great driver but roof and rear deck design not right
...Camaro, even better driver but didn't stretch design envelop enough
...7 Series, too blah and more tech to go wrong than needed
...AMG S63 convertible, sublime and ready for Palm Beach fedora crowd

MDarringer - 1/28/2016 8:36:59 AM

-1 Boost

Nothing really catches me off guard with cars. I've been pleasantly surprised by several--Mustang in particular--and turned off by others--XC90 in particular. The former is a stupendously good sports coupe in base from and it just gets better from there. I find the XC90 pathetically dull and man is it overpriced!

mre30 - 1/28/2016 9:25:13 AM

+3 Boost

You know, there are a lot of fantastic products out there but I'd say that this was a sort of unexciting year in the auto world. New Lambo Hurracan..cool, Volvo XC90...awesome (why woundn't it be? The vehicle it replaced was launched in like 2003)...there are some nice evolutionary vehicles out there but nothing that leaps ahead.

My vote, by a longshot, for the vehicle that unexpectedly stands out this year.....is....

THE HOVERBOARD / SWAGWAY / FLAMING SCOOTER...whatever name it goes by. Its amazing that such a cool (and yes, dangerous) vehicle can be yours for $300. If you haven't tried one, do so. Its pretty cool..you need to have some coordination though.

klipprand - 1/28/2016 10:56:53 AM

+5 Boost

Pleasantly surprised by the loaner Mercedes GLA when I took our GLK in for service. It was a lot of fun to drive!

7msynthetic - 1/28/2016 12:51:52 PM

+3 Boost

Nissan Leaf - that thing is INCREDIBLE! Did it just come out?

GLA is fun but UGLY!

cidflekken - 1/28/2016 12:52:33 PM

+2 Boost

I will also add that the XC90 surprised me. In person, it is truly a stunningly beautiful SUV. And the interior is very well done, if not a little too understated. The tech and driveability are both outstanding as well. Kudos to Volvo and let's hope they can instill that same amount of goodness to the rest of their lineup.

On a side note, the S90 is a huge disappointment, aesthetically, but that's for another time and thread.

MDarringer - 1/28/2016 10:06:32 PM

-1 Boost

So if the XC90 is so brilliant, why does it sell at a trickle? Answer: overpricing.

scenicbyway12 - 1/28/2016 4:10:19 PM

+4 Boost

Having just spent some time behind the wheel of the new 7 I was blown away, it drives like a BMW again. The 7 drive smaller than the 5 and is incredibly quick. The styling might be subtle, the performance is not. It's the car the left the biggest impression on me lately.

DeeDogg - 1/28/2016 4:47:17 PM

+2 Boost

We went to the Boston Auto show a few weeks back, the wifey was interested in the refreshed QX60; right next to it was the Volvo exhibition.
Loved the XC90, especially the front seat that now offers the thigh extender(not sure what it's called); also loved the iPad style interface, she loves her iPad so I assume she connected with that on an emotional level...
She gave her contact info right there for follow up.

Agent00R - 1/28/2016 6:10:49 PM

0 Boost

BYOD FTW!

2ndbimmer - 2/1/2016 11:04:32 AM

+1 Boost

I knew the new 7 was going to be great, but it was amazing. Having friends who own the S class and A8, they definitely want to switch to the 7 series. The 7, as my friends agreed, has always been subtle greatness. It doesn't have this crazy presence, but it's the only vehicle in its class that you get out of smiling, not looking like a drone.