2019 Frankfurt Motor Show Editors’ Picks

Best in show at Frankfurt

The Frankfurt Motor Show this year was a whirlwind of mostly electric models both production-ready and conceptual. In fact, all but one of our top picks from the show are electric. Click on to see the best of Frankfurt.

Fifth Place: Mercedes-Benz Vision EQS (32 Points)

Senior Editor, Autoblog Green John Snyder: Make the wheels a more realistic size, and tone down the grille a bit, then give me this car. If this is Mercedes’ vision of what an electric S-Class will be, I’m all for it.

Assistant Editor and Fleet Manager Zac Palmer: This electric “S-Class” makes me hopeful for future Mercedes electric sedans. I think the lighting tech employed here is rad, too.

Fourth Place: Hyundai 45 (33 Points)

Managing Editor Greg Rasa: Wow, 45 years. Hyundai has come a long way, from farming out its first design, to global automotive giant capable of creating its own masterpieces. This is beautiful like good architecture.

Senior Editor Alex Kierstein: Hyundai had a good show, with lots of interesting reveals. While I don’t love the retro vibe for this blue sky concept, I do like the clean, sharp lines and general design language. It’s like a blend of some great recent VW and Honda concepts of late, rolled into one.

Third Place: Audi AI:Trail Quattro (37 Points)

West Coast Editor James Riswick: This thing is so unbelievably cool. It’s a truck, but it’s electric and futuristic and stylish as hell. I don’t know what kind of life I’m leading where this thing could be used, but I sure like the possibilities. It reminds me of the rover Mark Watney drives in The Martian, which is also very cool. Seriously, could be my favorite concept car ever. 

Social Media Manager Michael Ferrara: Dune buggy! This is vehicle of the (apocalyptic) future. Audi nailed it on design, inside and out. I’m a fan of all the windows and natural light; the more, the better.

Second Place: Volkswagen ID.3 (53 Points)

Consumer Editor Jeremy Korzeniewski: This is the most important debut from Frankfurt. We won’t be getting this particular car in the States, but we will be getting a crossover and, most importantly, the Buzz van based on the same architecture.

Associate Editor Joel Stocksdale: This is a really important car, even if it may not come to America. Why? It has the powertrain that will be adapted to all VW electric cars, and it features lots of power and lots of range at a reasonable price. It shows Volkswagen is serious about electrics, and ones for everyone, not just the wealthy.

First Place: 2020 Land Rover Defender (88 Points)

Editor-in-Chief Greg Migliore: The return of this icon lives up to expectations with stunning design, a compelling powertrain and a reasonable starting price. Land Rover nailed it.

Senior Producer Christopher McGraw: I’ve been waiting awhile for this one. I’ll have to see it in person before I fully decide on looks, but the performance is undeniable.

Production Manager Eddie Sabatini: Looks great. The paint color options are amazing, I especially love the Pangea Green and Gondwana Stone, pretentious names notwithstanding.