Although the Orange County Auto Show perennially lives in the shadow of the much larger and more prestigious LA Auto show in late November, it is a terrific opportunity to check out the upcoming 2011 models in the metal before everyone else in the country. After all, Orange County is the epicenter of car culture as evidenced by the number of automakers that have their headquarters here.

My personal design favorite at the show is the 2011 Kia Optima Photo: James Hamel

Kia

For me, the 2011 Kia Optima really stole the show for me. I absolutely love both the exterior and interior design and it amazes me that this is just a mainstream family sedan. It looks vaguely like the new Saab 9-5 but is infinitely better looking in the metal (and cheaper too). I quite honestly don’t see how anyone could buy a 2011 Sonata after seeing the new 2011 Optima.

Also on hand was the 2011 Sportage which deftly mixes masculine exterior design cues in a segment (compact SUVs) that favors organic and flowing lines. The interior may not be swathed in soft touch plastic but at prices in the low $20,000 range for a well equipped model can you complain?

2011 Honda Odyssey

Honda/Acura

The big news here is the launch of the 2011 Honda Odyssey. While some claim the exterior design is controversial, I like it because it is unique. What no one can deny, however, is that the 2011 Odyssey has the best interior of any minivan ever built.

Not only is it stylish and well built but it also boasts many clever first in class features. For instance, there are child safety latches (and enough width) for five full size car seats, there is a trash bag ring for rear passengers (so when your kids are done with their juice boxes they can dispose of them there) and the 3rd row “magic seat” now qualifies as the easiest to fold third row in the history of mankind.

There are also countless other family friendly safety features that Chris Martin from Honda personally demonstrated for me but I quite frankly can’t remember them all. The Odyssey has a very, very impressive interior and that will guarantee this minivan’s sales supremacy.

Over at Acura, the main focus was on the very stylish Acura TSX Wagon being released later this year. Although I am in the minority, I love the look of wagons and the TSX actually has the Audi A4 Avant beaten for style. And it should cost a lot less. (Note: if you were wondering, the cargo hold of the TSX wagon is just as large as most similarly sized crossovers. The only difference being you might actually have fun driving the TSX.)

Lexus CT 200h hybrid hatchback

Toyota/Lexus

At Toyota they had a plug-in Prius on display which is essentially a Prius with an extension cord attached to it. So that’s not very exciting. At Lexus, however, they had the all new Lexus CT 200h hybrid hatchback on display. Yes, it may share its electric/gas powertrain with the Prius but the similarities end there.

I have never had a visceral response to a Lexus product ever. I don’t think they are intended to excite and titillate. But I am afraid that this CT200h got my pulse racing a bit. The exterior styling is bold and aggressive and the interior is inventive. Dare I say it but the Lexus CT200h is seriously youthful! Young people might buy it! Sorry, I got a bit too excited there.

Mazda2

Mazda

The Mazda2 is adorable, the interior is minimalistic design at its best and I would pick one over a Fiesta any day. No, I don’t care that it’s less powerful and has fewer options. It’s also cheaper.

Courtesy of Examiner.com