Columbus

Columbus auto show

Among the first people to enter the Columbus International Auto Show on Thursday were several couples in which one half was trying, but failing, to persuade the other to agree on a specific vehicle.

“I have Subaru fever,” said Jim Squire, 51, of Granville.

“And I don’t,” said his wife, April Squire, 57. They were shopping to replace her vehicle, a Ford Explorer SUV, and she had her eye on a Toyota Avalon sedan or maybe a Ford Edge SUV.

It’s a common scene at the auto show, which opened on Thursday and continues through Sunday at the Greater Columbus Convention Center. Hundreds of models are on display.

Mr. Squire prefers a Subaru Outback, a crossover vehicle that is one of the top sellers for a Japan-based brand that is gaining market share. The model’s popularity — sales rose 10 percent last year — is indicative of a larger trend, as crossovers, trucks and SUVs are on the rise and many sedans on the decline.

The show lineup reflects this shift: Automakers are showing several new crossover models.

Three automakers are offering opportunities to drive their models at the show. Ram is back with its Ram Truck Experience, an indoor all-terrain course. Subaru and Toyota are offering test drives on a route near the convention center.

Also shopping for a crossover or SUV was Paul Zielinski, 26, of Victorian Village. He said he needs a larger vehicle for his job as a sales representative for an apparel and shoe company.

“This is a good opportunity in a low-pressure situation to feel a bunch of different cars out at once, as opposed to going to a bunch of dealerships,” he said. His top candidates are the Jeep Cherokee, Mazda CX-5 and Toyota 4Runner.

Meanwhile, Scott Dougherty, 38, of Pickerington, was trying to convince his wife of the merits of the Hyundai Veloster, a peppy hatchback.

“My car’s sitting over there across the way,” he said, pointing toward the Hyundai area. “But I’m not allowed to get it.”

His wife, Amy Dunlap, 40, contends that the Veloster is too small. “I’m a little claustrophobic.”< /p>

And yet, on an afternoon in which several couples could not agree, Dougherty and Dunlap found common ground when talking about the Acura NSX. The Marysville-made supercar, which will have a sticker price that starts at $156,000, will begin to arrive at dealers as soon as next month. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1UJjlb4Q-4k

The NSX at the show is painted “Valencia red” and is one of the leading attractions this year. Unfortunately for visitors, the model is off-limits for touching.

“I just think it’s pretty,” Dunlap said, almost at the same time as Dougherty said, “It’s a beautiful car.”