By Alan Preston, www.carcarebuzz.com contributor

It was a great pleasure to attend the Michigan International Auto Show held at DeVos Place in Grand Rapids, Michigan this past weekend. This show follows the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan each year. While much smaller in overall size we consider it to be one of the best consumer shows. It doesn’t include all the glitz, concepts and fanfare of the larger show in the state. The difference comes, much like with many cars, in its overall feel and comfort. Most importantly, nearly every car is open unlike in Detroit due to the nature of the show and size of the crowd many are locked down. For the consumer, getting behind the driver’s seat is the true test. It is from this test, there are surprises and disappointments that simply can’t be determined on the outside.

The show itself features over 300 cars on display from nearly every manufacturer. It also includes the exciting Million Dollar Room, as well as, a display provided each year by the Gilmore Car Museum of very special classics. The set up of the show places the domestics in the center of the hall and the imports around the perimeter. In taking the time to observe the activity of the attendees, the excitement was mostly, with a few exceptions, around the perimeter. Where the people are is always telling. Like a great restaurant or a good supermarket, if the parking lot is full outside there is something great going on inside. That was true of this show. The activity and attention was around the perimeters.

At the center, Ford, Lincoln, Chevrolet, GMC, Buick, Cadillac, Chrysler, Dodge, Ram and Jeep could be found. Of those consumers that drifted away from the perimeter packed with imports, Ford, Lincoln, Chrysler and Dodge were drawing attention. In the GM sections, there was interest in Cadillac and the Chevy Cruze (which will be discussed later). Otherwise, there was no notable attention being given to their cars by consumers in their home state. It was a real indication that GM has its work still cut out for them. The absence of two divisions that once provided excitement to their line up remains a gaping hole.

I brought my wife along and together we had a great amount of fun getting in and out of most every vehicle on the show floor. We made a bit of a game of it. We thought about the Westminster Kennel Club Show as we did. We decided that we would tour the floor going through each breed and type of vehicle and then take one final tour much like the judges at the Westminster Kennel Club Show and pull out our winners (or losers) at the end. We discussed our categories and then determined that we really had none, so we made them up as we went along and kept a few that we always had in previous years. We have always had one category for the years of visiting too many shows to remember, that one is “Best In Show”. So, let’s get right to the categories and the commentary.

Toughest Job Winner:

The models at the Chevrolet Volt display. They were all dressed up and had no one to talk to – no one. The display was located right at the entrance to the hall and the crowd simply walked right by. It had to be a tough job.

The Biggest Loser:

The Buick Verano. The Verano was displayed within eyesight of the Chevrolet Cruze on the floor. There is no distinguishable difference between the two cars except for the traditional Buick trio of vents that just look silly on a Cruze with different grille. This car might have well been called the Cadillac Cimmeron. The real difference in the cars is the sticker price. My advice is, if you like the car, buy the Cruze LTZ and save thousands. As we mentioned, GM has a lot of work to do. They could start here.

Just Plain Fun on a Budget Winners:

This category was a tie. We tried several times to break the tie and could not. The winners are two completely different types of vehicles that could appeal to young as well as all ages. They both simply scream FUN! The winners are the KIA Soul and the Fiat 500. The Fiat 500 was our winner last year of the best new entry. Both are around $16-$17,000. Both just exude fun in style and feel. Both offer great colors and style combinations to meet a wide cross-section of buyers. Both are very fuel efficient. Both are nicely done inside and out. We walked away from the Soul on display doing our version of the Soul Shuffle Slam. Total Fun!

Best New Entry Winner:

The best new entry this year goes to the Scion IQ. While a bit of a knock off of the Smart Car in styling, it caught our attention. Like the Fiat 500 last year, it’s not only a great look, but we’re watching this trend towards a fuel efficient urban type car here in the United States. It looks good and it felt good inside. It’s somewhat larger than others with a bit more storage area. It’s worth a look and gets the best new entry of this year.

Best Overall SUV Winner:

For the second year in a row this goes to the Land Rover L2. There is simply nothing else like it. Its improved fuel efficiency caught our eyes last year. Its styling and interior comfort is unmatched. Its price by comparison to its performance is very competitive considering it versus a top of the line Chevrolet, Ford or others in its class. We simply loved the Buckingham Blue and tan combination on display. Unique it is. It is a very special SUV that could gain traction on the market.

Not Sure What’s Going on There Winner:

It’s hard to explain this award, as we’re just not sure. The award goes to Toyota and Lexus. I just can’t put my finger on it. Their fuel efficiency seems to be lagging behind the marketplace. Their styling seems off and aging in both lines.   In either display, aside from the Toyota Venza, there wasn’t a Wow!  We’re just not sure what’s going on there. We know that due to the earthquake and tsunami there are struggles for the Japanese makers. This seems more than that.

Best Luxury Cross-Over Winners:

This category is a tie or a winner with a close second place. The winner goes to the second year in a row to the Acura ZDX Tech. A close second goes to the Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon. Both are comparable in price. Both are just plain “Cool” all the way around – just plain cool. I realize I may be alone in the pick of the ZDX as Acura sales are lagging. I think it’s worth a second look. Cadillac did an exceptional job on the CTS Sport Wagon. I do wonder if it might have been better to make it a Chevrolet. Just wondering.

High Traffic Award Winners:

There was no question that the highest customer traffic award winners of the show belong to KIA and Hyundai. The vehicles from both these manufacturers are drawing the consumers. It’s no surprise if you spend time looking them over. They’re very nicely done, priced right, and are very fuel efficient. The Optima is one very special sedan. The Hyundai Veloster was our runner up for best new entry. The Hyundai Genesis Coupe at 300 hp caught my eye. These two are gaining at substantial rates and it’s no surprise if one takes a close look. The consumers in Grand Rapids were – by far.

Best Overall Sedan Winner:

This award easily goes to the Ford Fusion. Let’s face it; this is not a BMW 5-Series. However, for the average to a little above average car buyer this is a great pick. Ford continues to refine this vehicle and it’s even better than it has ever been. If you like it now, you’ll really like the new 2013 Fusion. I liked it much more than the Taurus. It’s just a great car all the way around. It is the benchmark that the Chrysler 200 and Chevy Malibu need to come up to in order to get in the game.

Nice Surprise Winner:

This award belongs to the Suzuki Kizashi. This is a very interesting, economical, exciting, and fun looking sport sedan. Of any vehicle there, it was one that we left the show wanting to know more about. It has a great look and feel. I must however, thank my wife for this one, as I nearly passed it by. She encouraged a second look. I am glad she did. I need to learn more about this car and will. From what I saw, it’s worth learning more.

The I Want but Can’t Afford Winners:

There are so many choices here for this category. It boiled down to three. They sort of speak for themselves. The winners are the BMW 860i Coupe, the Jaguar XK Convertible, and the Bentley Continental GT Coupe. Enough said.

American Muscle Winners:

The American makers still own a large part of the muscle market. The Corvette is a class of its own. However, the trio of the Camaro, Mustang, and Challenger are really quite spectacular. It is also amazing that it isn’t necessary to put their brands in front of their nameplates to know where they are from. All three are legendary cars in their own right from the D3. I spent much more time with the Challenger this year than before and I must say it is equal to the challenge. All three are retro inside and out. All three are examples of what the D3 really can do. Their challenge is to take this type of excitement to the rest of their lines. If they could, they just might return to legendary all the way around. Anything is possible, isn’t it?

Best Overall Product Line Winner:

After an exhausting look at everything in the show hall, one line stood out more than any other – Subaru. Their product line is simple yet offers a choice at entry and at the nicely done top of the line Legacy sedan. After looking at each vehicle, the Legacy, the Outback, the Forester, and the Impreza, our comment was the same – love it! The quality and feel by comparison from the lower level Impreza to the top Legacy was consistent more than any other on the show floor. These cars simply go anywhere through any weather. They are surprisingly fuel efficient and have a real price / value advantage over the competition. It is no wonder that Subaru is gaining market share. They have put together a great line from top to bottom. Most telling is that buying in at the Impreza level doesn’t have a bit of lesser feel. These are great cars that take you anywhere, in any weather. They do so with great fuel economy and comfort.

Best In Show:

The winner comes out of the best overall product line winner – the Subaru Impreza 2.0i Limited. From my view this car left so many others behind in so many ways. From its price starting at $21,595, to its fuel economy, to its size and comfort put it over the top. The trim level on this model is no sacrifice. Its styling and appearance is current and exciting by comparison. This car takes on so many other choices and it beats them in every category and in one that no one else offers – symmetrical all wheel drive. This feature gives it a huge advantage and does so without sacrifice to competitive fuel economy. Congratulations to Subaru on “Best In Show”.

Honorable Mention:

In naming Best In Show, several trips were made back and forth between two vehicles, The Subaru Impreza and the honorable mention winner the Chevrolet Cruze LTZ. This was a difficult choice this year as the Chevrolet Cruze is an impressive car at the LTZ level. The Cruze shows that Chevrolet is in the game. It deserves recognition as one of the best on the show floor. It came in second to the Subaru Impreza based on several factors. One factor was its price. To get to the same feel of trim level as the Impreza Limited, the LTZ Cruze was thousands more – not a few hundred, but thousands more. The size of the Cruze is nice but lost significantly in our comparison of backseat comfort. The all wheel drive factor had to be considered also. Consumers are responding to the Chevy Cruze. We liked it. Its sales show that consumers do also. It deserved an honorable mention. Congratulations to Chevrolet on the Cruze!

If you have not visited a show of this kind, we highly recommend it. Don’t misunderstand, there is nothing like the large shows as in Detroit, Chicago, Los Angles, New York, and internationally. They are great. They show all the concepts and come with all the glitz and entertainment that you can imagine. A show like the Michigan International Auto Show in Grand Rapids, Michigan is a real consumer show. It is different. It is great. We hope you visit next year along with us; and join in picking “Best In Show”.

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