In this article:
- How visiting an auto show can help you shop cars
- 2025 models and award winners
- Electric vehicle highlights
The benefits of attending an auto show are immediate and hard to miss. Entering a convention center full of hundreds of gleaming, new vehicles, organized by brands across thousands of square feet of space is a car shopper’s dream.
From first-time car buyers to those in search of a new car to people just interested in seeing what’s coming down the line, there’s something for everyone to be thrilled about by getting firsthand looks at vehicles as far as the eye can see.
Earlier this year we found ourselves surrounded by the latest and greatest cars when we visited the North Texas Auto Expo — an event that, after attending many times, has become one of our own personal happy places.
Benefits of attending auto shows
Held at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in downtown Dallas, this year’s auto show allowed us to explore all the vehicles and let us stop for ones we really wanted to spend extra time with. Just being able to take in all the cars you want in a single day is an amazing opportunity.
Multiple brands in one place
A big benefit of attending an auto show is seeing hundreds of automobiles, as in our case, from 10+ brands, all in one place. Nearly every manufacturer is represented, and if you have a personal favorite, it’s easy to navigate to a particular section for all that brand has on site.
Compare vehicle types, features and prices
You can also take your time with each vehicle and compare differences between trims, body styles, fuel efficiency, you name it. All the specs are right there on a display sheet on each vehicle, so it’s simple to take notes as you go along.
Ask questions directly to manufacturer reps
There are also multiple representatives from each brand ready to answer any questions you may have about a particular vehicle. They are all more than happy to talk shop about the specifics of their cars and inform on the latest updates.
How auto shows help first-time buyers
As one of the most anticipated automotive events in the Southwest United States, the North Texas Auto Expo occupied indoor and outdoor exhibit space. The outdoor area was reserved for test drives with many Stellantis vehicles (Dodge Durango, Dodge Hornet, Ram 1500, Ram 2500, Jeep Gladiator, Jeep Grand Wagoneer, Chrysler Pacifica) ready to roll. This is great for first-time buyers as they are able to:
- Build a shortlist of vehicles they test drove or want to test drive later
- Learn about new features and safety tech
- Get a feel for interior space and design preferences
As at last year’s event, a highlight of the 2025 Auto Expo was the Indoor EV Test Track. Performance and the power of electric vehicles from top brands such as Audi, BMW, Chevrolet, Ford and Mercedes-Benz were on full display, as attendees hopped into EVs with a professional driver and traversed 200,000 square feet of the convention floor.
Speaking of electric, another favorite of this year’s event was a shiny red Dodge Charger Daytona. It drew quite a crowd as the sound of the muscle car “revving” echoed across the event space. Combined with the Volkswagen ID.BUZZ (more on that later), the latest in the world of electric cars were on display in nearly every brand section.
A scavenger hunt for the top picks
To help us explore the expansive and jaw-dropping space, we brought along Car and Driver 2025 Editors’ Choice list and were able to see many of those vehicles that made the top grades in person. This included the opportunity to sit behind the wheel of the Genesis and Chevrolet Trax and view repeat winners from Honda, the Accord and Civic. We also got up close with other winners – the Chevrolet Corvette, Ford Maverick and the Ram 1500, to name a few on the list.
Another hit was the electric Volkswagen ID.BUZZ. The latest entrant into the world of EVs, the pair at the Auto Show feature orange and blue colors that begged to be explored. The combination of modern technology and design nods to the iconic VW bus made popular in the 1960s, made these a must-stop for visitors to the show.
More award-winning vehicles
The Texas Auto Writers Association had signage throughout the Expo next to vehicles they voted as their top picks. Attendees were especially drawn to the award winner for the Off-Road Truck of Texas, the INEOS Grenadier Quartermaster.
As the judges wrote about the vehicle, “The INEOS reminds you that some things are just built with a purpose. We loved the pure off-road capability that the platform provided. Taking the wins of the SUV and applying it to the pickup market, smart.”
Other vehicles recognized by the Texas Auto Writers were the Genesis GV80 (Luxury SUV of Texas), Kia EV9 (Electric SUV of Texas), Lexus GX 550 (2025 SUV of Texas) and Nissan Kicks (Sub-Compact SUV of Texas).
Get the most out of your auto show visit
Whether you’re in the market for a new vehicle or not, events like the DFW Auto Expo are a great way to spend the day checking out the latest and greatest in the world of automobiles.
And to get the most out of your experience, it’s a good idea to:
- Take notes and photos
- Attend panels or demonstrations
- Watch for limited-time offers or previews
- Make a checklist of must-see vehicles
- Don’t be afraid to ask questions
Auto shows to attend
Outside of the event we attended in Texas, there are tons of other auto shows across the country throughout the year to check out. These include the Chicago Auto Show, Los Angeles Auto Show, New York International Auto Show and Detroit Auto Show.
