Walk into any coffee shop where car people gather and you’ll hear the same excited chatter. Auto shows are back with a vengeance, and the 2025 season delivered some serious surprises. From electric sedans that actually look good to SUVs designed for real adventures, automakers showed up ready to impress. The New York show alone pulled off what many thought impossible after the pandemic nearly killed these events.
- The 2025 New York Auto Show proved that in-person debuts still matter, with major reveals from Kia, Subaru, Genesis, and traditional American brands.
- Electric vehicles dominated the conversation, but practical hybrids and turbocharged options showed automakers haven’t abandoned buyers who aren’t ready for full EVs.
- Regional markets like Indianapolis are already seeing dealerships prepare for these arrivals, with buyers asking about availability before cars even hit production.
The Electric Sedans That Don’t Look Boring
Kia dropped jaws with the EV4, a compact electric sedan that resembles a vehicle from a science fiction movie. The extended, low-profile, and aggressive front end makes it stand out in parking lots full of anonymous crossovers. What really matters is the price point. While Kia hasn’t announced exact numbers yet, they’re promising affordability that could undercut Tesla’s budget plans by a wide margin. Two battery options provide buyers with flexibility between city-only driving and road trip capability, offering ranges of 235 to 330 miles, depending on the chosen pack.
The EV4 shares its platform with the EV3 crossover that recently won World Car of the Year honors. That’s a solid foundation for a sedan that needs to convince Americans to give up their SUV obsession. The interior feels spacious and modern without overwhelming you with touchscreens, a feature that many EV makers still struggle to master.
SUVs Actually Built for Dirt
Genesis surprised everyone with the X Gran Equator concept, an off-road SUV from a luxury brand known for smooth highway cruisers. The design stays true to Genesis styling with those signature two-line headlights, but adds real off-road hardware underneath. What’s wild is how they handled the interior. Instead of the usual wall of digital screens, you get small circular gauges and a more analog feel. It’s a concept, sure, but it signals Genesis wants a piece of the adventure market.
Jeep countered with the Wagoneer Overland Special Edition, bundling air suspension, skid plates, and a two-speed transfer case into one package. This isn’t just cosmetic. The Wagoneer can actually hang with dedicated off-roaders when the pavement ends, and buyers looking for car deals Indianapolis and other Midwest markets are already asking dealers when they can test drive these builds on local trails.
Subaru brought the Trailseeker, their newest electric that finally looks like a Subaru instead of a rebadged Toyota. With 375 horsepower, all-wheel drive standard, and 3,500 pounds of towing capacity, it addresses every complaint people had about the underwhelming Solterra. The 260-mile range won’t win awards, but it’s honest about what you can expect from a 74.7-kilowatt-hour battery.
The Hatchback Making a Comeback
Kia showed the K4 hatchback, giving Americans a practical five-door option in a market that’s basically given up on anything that isn’t a truck or SUV. The K4 takes the good-looking sedan version and adds cargo space without making it look like a station wagon your parents drove. It’s the kind of car that makes sense for people who need versatility but refuse to drive something boring.
Performance Cars Still Matter
Honda revived the Prelude nameplate with a hybrid setup that pairs two electric motors with a four-cylinder for 200 horsepower. No manual transmission, which stings a bit, but the direct-drive system promises engaging driving dynamics. Prices should start just over $42,000 when it arrives this fall.
The real headline is how normal the New York show felt. Pre-pandemic, people wondered if auto shows would survive when automakers could just livestream reveals from their headquarters. Turns out, seeing these machines in person changes everything. The crowds, the energy, the chance to sit in cars months before they reach showrooms, streaming can’t capture any of that.
What This Means for Buyers
All these reveals mean actual options showing up at dealerships over the next year. Prices will vary wildly depending on trim levels and options, but competition is heating up. When luxury brands build off-roaders and economy brands make stylish sedans, everyone benefits. The variety alone beats the SUV-everything approach we’ve been stuck with lately.
Auto show season proved something important this year. Car companies still know how to create excitement around new metal. Whether you’re shopping for an electric daily driver or a weekend adventure rig, the options keep getting better. And sometimes you just need to see these things in person to understand what all the fuss is about.