It wouldn't be car show season without the Los Angeles Auto Show (held Nov. 22 to Dec. 1 at the Los Angeles Convention Center) to kick things off.

It shouldn't be surprising that an event in the City of Angels would have its share of environmentally friendly models, with many electric and fuel-cell vehicles shown. But there were also plenty of cars put together with a sense of excitement and adventure. It all combined to make a showcase for fun and functionality, excess and efficiency.

Karl Brauer, a senior director at the car valuation and analysis company Kelley Blue Book, was on the scene and provided CNBC.com with his list of the 10 most exciting cars making their debut there.

Read ahead and find out which made the list and which you can look forward to in years ahead.

—By CNBC's Daniel Bukszpan
Posted 03 Dec. 2013

Tune in to "The Car Chasers" on CNBC Prime.

The legendary BMW 3 Series was split into the 3 and 4 Series this year. Sedans and wagons are now represented by the former, while coupes and convertibles are in the later.

The new arrangement won't throw you off, according to Brauer.

"Just remember—the 4 Series still offers sublime steering, confident handling and powerful drivetrains," he said. "And now it offers a retractable hardtop for open-air cruising."

Carbuyers tend to ignore the compact truck, prompting Brauer to describe this segment as "largely abandoned." Chevrolet is renewing its commitment to this unfairly overlooked vehicle with the all-new and aggressively styled Colorado.

"It will offer over 300 horsepower, a max tow rating approaching 7,000 pounds and a wide range of lifestyle accessories," he said. "Grab your mountain bike, canoe or snowboard, and go!"

For the past seven years, the Ford Edge has undergone only minimal revisions and modest updates. The concept car that appeared at the auto show represents major changes for this reliable brand, Brauer said.

"The next-generation Edge ... looks like a slick evolution for the midsize SUV," he said. "Both horsepower and fuel efficiency will increase, so if you like its style and will be ready to buy in about a year, keep this one in mind."

Brauer considers Jaguar one of the most interesting luxury brands on the market and see a bright future for it based on the design and performance of its F-Type.

"The F-Type convertible that launched earlier this year is probably the most compelling new model from Jaguar in the last four decades," he said. "The new coupe takes that momentum and wraps it in a sleek body style that promises even more performance."

When someone says "upmarket," Kia is not necessarily the first image that comes to mind. Brauer said the company is looking to muscle in on the category with the 2015 K900.

"The K900 is a luxury sedan that will rival the top models from Audi, BMW, Lexus and Mercedes-Benz—at least in terms of creature comforts," he said. But he cautioned against prematurely declaring the Korean company a luxury brand.

"Establishing Kia as the purveyor of premium vehicles won't happen overnight," Brauer said. "But the K900 offers a compelling mix of upscale styling, quality interior materials and advanced luxury features, making it an impressive first step."

Mercedes' Gran Turismo Concept is reminiscent of the days when auto shows were venues to show off designs that looked like arrivals from the near future.

This car's sleek design results from a collaboration with the creators of the Gran Turismo video game, and Brauer said that cars associated with such games represent a trend that has been in the making for a few years.

"The Nissan GT-R had a central display screen that was designed by the same video game guys who did the GT," he said. "The Subaru WRX and the Mitsubishi Evolution were both made more popular because of driving games, which first educated consumers about those cars."

Still, he said, if you expect a concept car based on a video game to reach showrooms, don't hold your breath.

"Concept cars are always described as 'a design exercise,' which means 'We had some fun and played around with it,' " Brauer said. "But components and technology could end up in production cars even if the whole thing doesn't get made. Video games are increasingly influential in pop culture, so I would expect to see more close ties" between car and video game makers.

A car with an established look faces a dilemma as years pass. How do you revamp it for present day without sacrificing the classic design that made it a hit in the first place?

According to Brauer, the 2014 Mini Cooper at the show deftly walks the line between modernization and respect for tradition.

"After more than 10 years in the U.S. market, even the iconic Mini Cooper needs to update its look," he said. "Mini balanced this need against losing the brand's identity with a new car that is clearly still a Mini. Adding several upscale features and more interior space helps the car stay relevant without sacrificing its trademark charm."

Most auto fans know that the Porsche 911 is a powerful sports car that never fails to deliver the high-speed goods. With the ability to go from zero to 60 in 3.1 seconds, the 2014 Turbo seamlessly continues this tradition.

"The Turbo Cabriolet, the most decadent version of Porsche's new 911, is stupid-quick," Brauer said. "Despite retail pricing approaching $200,000, it has already ... a backlog of purchase orders."

He recommends driving it with the top down for maximum effect.

The Cayenne SUV is the best-selling vehicle in Porsche history. The 2015 Macan shows that the company has been paying attention to its bottom line and is making a play for the premium compact SUV segment.

"That is the hot spot in the market," Brauer said. "This makes the new, smaller Macan an obvious next step for the German performance brand, and one that will help maintain Porsche's upward sales and revenue trend."

In Brauer's opinion, few fans in the auto world are more committed than those of Subaru—the most avid being WRX enthusiasts. But the 2015 Impreza WRX has been designed with every kind of driver in mind, not just enthusiasts.

"The latest version of Subaru's performance sedan has a stiffer frame and an upgraded suspension, which makes it both a stronger performer and a more refined overall driving experience," he said. "Interior upgrades extend the refinement theme, making the new WRX fit for adults, too."

Jeff Allen and Perry Barndt are gamblers—their game being classic and exotic cars. They travel the country looking to buy and sell them. Whether the vehicle is a rare Shelby Mustang or a vintage hot rod, the key is to buy low and sell high, something that doesn't always happen.

Selling cars is a dangerous business, but perhaps there's no bigger risk than negotiating with your own father. Tom Souter, Jeff's dad, runs a classic car dealership around the corner from Jeff's shop in Lubbock, Texas. They are not just regular trading partners but hell-bent on one-upmanship.

Tom said doing a deal with his son is like being locked in a closet with a porcupine: "It's gonna hurt, but you know it won't kill you."

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