The New York International Auto Show Is Still Worth Experiencing

At the 2024 edition of the prestigious New York International Auto Show, there was plenty to see, but it seems that the glory days of witnessing nearly every auto manufacturer in the world trying to outdo its competition with elaborately designed displays is over. More than showmanship was lacking: Many brands that were once staples of the auto show circuit no longer participate, perhaps finding better uses for their marketing dollars. Still, the manufacturers that deigned to show up will likely benefit from their exposure to an audience that has gone out of its way to see their products. Here are some sleek rides to look for on the road soon.

Genesis Neolun Concept

Genesis Neolun concept car

Hyundai’s luxury division, Genesis, exhibited a concept EV SUV based on sister-company Kia’s EV-9. The exterior reflects a less-is-more design philosophy, featuring the Korean automaker’s signature double-bar light treatment. The interior is the centerpiece however, which you’ll access through coach-style doors giving it show-car flair. Both the seating—which appears to be inspired by Eames chairs—and radiant wood flooring evoke styling from a high-end home. The vehicle’s screens are made to roll away when not in use, to enforce the super clean design aesthetic, and perhaps the designers are pushing back on the idea that luxury interiors need to be strewn with them. While many of the concept car’s features likely won’t make it to production, it provides us a glimpse into where the designers of this up-and-coming brand are headed.

2025 Mustang GTD

Ford Mustang GTD

Now that the Ford GT is out of production, the most outlandish track-focused Ford you’ll be able to buy is the Mustang GTD, which is a road car based upon the Mustang GT3 racecar. While the vehicle is based on a unibody rather than a true racecar tube frame, it does take some engineering inspiration from the GT3. A rear mounted dual-clutch eight-speed automatic transaxle that helps provide a 50/50 weight distribution. The redesigned aero-focused body panels are carbon fiber, with new shapes that will help keep you glued to the road or track. Under the hood is a supercharged 5.2-liter V-8 producing over 800 horsepower, which is significantly more than the race car’s 500 horsepower. The car’s active suspension is unique to the GTD, with unequal length control arms up front and pushrods in the rear. All of this means that this track weapon can lap the Nürburgring in under seven minutes, and if you want in on the action, you’ll have to fork over at least $300,000.

2024 Lamborghini Revuelto 

Lamborghini Revuelto

When you think of a plug-in hybrid, something like the Prius Prime probably comes to mind. The idea of a plug-in hybrid EV is that you can pre-charge the battery and drive for some distance before the internal combustion engine joins in. Well, in a clear effort to compete with the Prius for green street cred, Lamborghini has introduced its own car with a PHEV drivetrain. Its electric motors are supplemented by a 6.5-liter V-12 engine, producing a combined output of 1001 horsepower that rotates the wheels through an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. You may even be able to drive to work without using any gasoline in full electric mode if you live only a few miles away. OK, clearly this isn’t a car for saving fuel; for Lamborghini, the intent of going hybrid is to add performance to its already-powerful internal combustion engine. Pricing for the world’s most powerful PHEV starts at just over $600,000, and that’s before you add any options.

2025 Polestar 4

Polestar 4 EV

Volvo’s spinoff EV company Polestar is on its fourth model, hence the name: 4. It’s essentially a fastback version of the 3, which has a more traditional SUV shape. The interesting thing about the 4, other than its sporty shape, is that the designers have eschewed the rear glass window altogether. Instead, the driver relies upon a 120-degree camera that displays a rear-facing image on the rear-view “mirror,” which is actually a screen. The manufacturer claims that omitting the rear window allows for more rear seat headroom and the extension of the glass roof panel further back over passengers’ heads. The car will be offered in single and dual-motor variants, with 272-horsepower and 300-mile range for the rear-wheel-drive setup, and 544 horsepower and 270-mile range for the all-wheel-drive setup, respectively. Pricing starts at $56,300.

2024 Lexus GX550

Lexus GX550 Overtrail

Toyota’s Land Cruiser family has long been among the best off-road vehicle classes, with a reputation for reliability even before SUVs went mainstream, and the new Lexus GX benefits from that DNA. It is essentially a Land Cruiser with cashmere lining, but it doesn’t give up all the suspension articulation, locking differentials, low-range gearbox, and other tools that help you climb rocky trails. There’s even a version called the Overtrail that’s geared toward off-roading enthusiasts, and it might give the Land Rover Defender a run for its money. But since most buyers are probably more concerned about the luxury appointments on their drive to work, Lexus offers a bunch of trims for that, too. A 3.4-liter twin-turbo V-6 provides 349 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque through a 10-speed automatic transmission. Pricing starts at $64,345.

Jaguar XJ220-N

Jaguar XJ220-N

One of the coolest cars at the show isn’t new at all, but it made its mark as one of the most exciting supercars of the ’90s. The Jaguar XJ220 was built at a time when automakers still strove to show off their engineering prowess through racing and high-performance halo cars. Built in collaboration with Tom Walkinshaw Racing, the car is powered by a twin-turbo 3.5-liter V-6, outputting 542 horsepower, connected to a five-speed manual transmission. It was once the fastest production car in the world, with a maximum speed of 213 mph. The N version shown in New York was one of three special chassis prepped for Group N racing, and that means it is stripped down to the bare essentials to minimize weight, and is outfitted with upgraded suspension, brakes, wheels, and larger turbochargers. Only 275 XJ220s were ever built, and they are still coveted by collectors.