13 intriguing new vehicles coming in 2015

After a strong 2014 for car and truck sales, automakers have a flood of new models in the works to woo buyers in 2015 and try to keep the sales momentum going.

Here are 13 of the most intriguing new vehicles expected over the next 12 months. We;ve seen some at shows already — photos in the gallery above — and others will be unveiled in coming months, including at the Detroit auto show this month and at the Chicago and New York shows that follow.

• Acura NSX

Designed, developed and built in the USA, this all-wheel drive hybrid super car is the heart of Acura's plan to become a top luxury brand. The two-seat NSX will be one of the most eagerly watched introductions at the upcoming Detroit auto show (first press day Jan. 12).

While it will sell in small numbers, Honda engineers are throwing the kitchen sink — including separate electric motors for each of the front wheels and a mid-engine gasoline-electric hybrid package — to try to reestablish Acura as a go-to brand for performance, technology and excitement.

• Cadillac SRX

The SRX crossover was an immediate hit when Cadillac introduced it, but the handsome five-seater has grown old. Cadillac needs a new model with the latest features and improved fuel economy to cash in on the boom in luxury SUVs.

"Luxury crossovers are incredibly popular," IHS Automotive senior analyst Stephanie Brinley said. "The SRX replacement is a chance for Cadillac to cash in on that and continue their run of excellent products."

The SRX replacement will have a new name as Caddy switches to names that combine letters and numerals, such as BMW and Audi use.

• Chevrolet Cruze

By far the best small car Chevrolet has built, the current Cruze's features and fuel economy gave the brand its first legitimate competitor for the best small cars from Japan, South Korea and Germany.

GM puts such high stock on the Cruze that CEO Mary Barra, who was then in charge of product development, delayed the car a year to make sure it didn't repeat the mistakes of the botched redesign of the Malibu midsize sedan. The result: a roomier interior and other improvements in the sedan, which goes on sale next fall.

• Honda HR-V

Honda's entry in the hot subcompact SUV market, the HR-V could win the brand new buyers thanks to slick looks and one of the larger engines in the segment. "It's going to get a lot of attention," Brinley said. "We'll be talking about small crossovers all year."

Fuel economy, price and features will be key for the HR-V, whose competitors will include the Chevrolet Trax and Fiat 500X. The HR-V looks to have one of the roomier interiors in the pack.

• Hyundai Tucson

Hyundai's smaller SUV will grow slightly larger in 2015 to make room in the lineup for — you guessed it — a future subcompact crossover, such as those city SUVs unveiled in recent months by the likes of Honda, Mazda, Fiat Jeep and Chevy. That will push the Tucson closer in size to the Santa Fe, potentially creating a traffic jam on Hyundai dealership floors. Hyundai thinks a roomier interior and new looks could make the Tucson a hit with U.S. buyers.

• Jaguar XE

Jaguar's first compact sedan launches the British brand into direct competition with aggressive sport sedans like the BMW 3-series and Cadillac ATS. It's a tough market, but success is vital to Jag's global growth plan. An expected all-wheel drive model could help.

"Jaguar's never had a viable candidate in this segment, but this one ticks all the right boxes" with contemporary looks and features, says Aaron Bragman, Cars.com Detroit bureau chief.

The XE is one of the first tests of the Indian Tata Group's ability to develop a luxury car without former Jag owner Ford's help.

•Jeep Renegade

Developed primarily for sale in Europe, China and other regions, the subcompact Renegade's appeal in the U.S. is unknown, but the Jeep brand could use an appealing entry-level model here. A lot will depend on whether the Renegade delivers on Fiat Chrysler's promise of serious off-road capability.

"It gives young buyers the classic Jeep looks and all the benefits of a Wrangler with a better price, higher fuel economy and more safety equipment," Bragman says. "You're going to see them all over college campuses."

• Lexus RX

Like the similar-sized Cadillac SRX, the RX is one of the older five-seat midsize luxury SUVs on the market. It's also the best-seller in its premium segment, and the vehicle other automakers gear themselves up to compete with.

"The RX is the most popular luxury crossover in the U.S.," Bragman said. "It's the vehicle that made Lexus a volume brand."

Expect advanced features and a luxurious interior to keep the competition on its toes.

• Lincoln MKX

Ford's luxury brand is basking in the warm response to the smaller MKC SUV it launched in 2014. The larger, five-seat MKX needs to make a big impression to maintain that momentum and compete with the replacements for the direct-rival SRX and RX.

"The MKX's success is very important to Lincoln," Brinley said.

Look for Lincoln to build on its strength making high-end interiors with the new MKX. The new Revel audio system from Harman also will make its debut on the MKX, which should be on sale this spring.

• Mazda MX-5

Mazda might still exist without the affordable little roadster also known as the Miata, but its "Zoom-zoom" claims to be a brand for enthusiasts would ring hollow. The curvy new model boasts a 50/50 weight distribution for handling and a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine.

"The MX-5 is Mazda's icon, the car that sets the stage for the rest of the brand and defines Mazda as a company," Bragman said. "It impacts the whole company, every model in the lineup."

• Nissan Titan

Nissan was the first Japanese automaker to build a full-size pickup, but the Titan has never met sales targets. At one point, Nissan nearly quit Titan development all together to use a truck developed by Chrysler's Ram division. When that deal fell apart, Nissan doubled down on developing the 2016 Titan that will debut at the Detroit auto show.

The new Titan promises to be more capable, with a wider choice of models and a powerful and efficient 5.0-liter V-8 diesel from Indiana-based Cummins Engine.

• Toyota Tacoma

The midsize Tacoma pickup is one of Toyota's core models, with as avid and loyal a following as the Camry or Corolla. The 2016 model being unveiled at the Detroit auto show faces unexpectedly strong competition from the new Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon midsize pickups.

"Toyota's likely to remain the sales leader, but it's possible they were caught a little off guard by the Colorado," Brinley said. The strong likelihood that the Nissan Frontier midsize pickup expected later in the year will offer a V6 Cummins diesel adds to the 2016 Tacoma's challenges.

• Volvo XC90

The XC90 was one of the most popular European SUVs when it rolled out, but it's been on the market too long, with too few updates. Volvo product development slowed to a crawl when Ford sold the Swedish brand to a Chinese company during the Great Recession.

The company's getting back on its feet, and the redesign of XC90 due this year is key to winning back safety-conscious family buyers who are Volvo's core audience.

"The interior is striking," Bragman said. "They used some very creative materials and design themes. It's a stunning place to sit."