Here's what we've seen at the L.A. Auto Show

It's the first of the season's big U.S. auto shows, and some automakers are betting car buyers are in a mood to have a little fun. Here's a look at what we've seen so far:

2017 Land Rover Evoque

This 'topless' SUV has been one of the most daring reveals we have seen at the year's Los Angeles Auto Show. The Evoque compact premium convertible fills a niche that doesn't exist and Land Rover officials figure, hey, it's fun.

And Land Rover isn't the only automaker to show off its topless vehicles. Porsche, Mercedes-Benz and Fiat are also flaunting their convertibles at the show: the Porsche 911 Targa 4 GTS, Mercedes-Benz SL Roadster and the Fiat 124 Spider.

VW Golf GTE Sport, Beetle Dune and Passat

Volkswagen isn't showing any diesel cars this year as the automaker continues to deal with the aftermath of its emissions cheating scandal. But the German automaker did display the new Golf GTE Sport plug-in hybrid coupe that touts amazing gas mileage and an updated nostalgia car called the Beetle Dune. VW also showed its new version of the Passat midsize sedan.

Chevrolet Volt

Chevy's plug-in sedan snagged the auto industry's top environmental honor by being named the 2016 Green Car of the Year at this year's show. The Volt beat out the Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, Hyundai Sonata and Audi A3 E-Tron.

2017 Fiat 124 Spider

The 124 Spider — its name borrowed from an iconic little convertible Fiat sold from 1966 to 1985 — uses the same architecture as the Mazda MX-5 Miata, but the Fiat's exterior panels and engines are unique. The result is a thoroughly modern interpretation of the classic affordable Italian roadster.

2016 Honda Civic Coupe

The coupe is aimed at generating renewed enthusiasm among the Honda Civic faithful, in a sportier version than the sedan that will make up a small, but important, part of overall demand, USA TODAY's Chris Woodyard says.

2017 Jaguar XE

The updated version of Jaguar's compact sports sedan unveiled in L.A. offers a fresh design at a nice price. The 2017 Jaguar XE starts at $34,900. The vehicle comes with three powertrain options, and the top-line engine starts at $41,700.

2017 Alfa Romeo Giulia

Watch out Tesla. Alfa's U.S. chief Reid Bigland said they wanted to "create a sedan that performs like a two-seat sports car" and one that becomes "the fastest, quietest and most technologically advanced premium sedan in the world." The 2017 Alfa Romeo Giulia has a top speed of 191 miles per hour.

2017 Lincoln MKZ

The 2017 Lincoln MKZ midsize luxury sedan will be the first Lincoln on the road to wear the new face of the brand when it goes on sale next summer.

QX30 Infiniti

Infiniti is hoping to wins the hearts of younger, affluent drivers with the swoopy lines of the QX30, then the all-wheel-drive, high ride height and space that it hopes will close the deal. Even though it is aimed at the young, it will have some of the features that make luxury appeal to older customers. For instance, Infiniti says QX30 will have the quietest interior in its segment.

2017 Ford Escape

The Escape compact crossover is the No. 2 player in the hottest segment of the U.S. market and receives a major upgrade for the 2017 model year. The Escape is Ford's second-best seller in the U.S. after the F-150 pickup. Ford sold more than 306,000 Escapes last year and could set a record this year.

2017 Hyundai Elantra

The redesigned compact sedan is going more mainstream as Hyundai replaces the lumpy headlights from the previous model and adds a new hexagonal grille. The automaker trumpets the interior space and cargo volume.