A US-first guide to the cars, trucks and technology behind the biggest auto show reveals of the year, from Detroit to Beijing
Auto shows no longer work the way they did a decade ago. Many carmakers announce new models online or at their own events, and the shows themselves are partly about atmosphere: test tracks, concept cars, movie props and crowds. Still, a few weeks each year bring a cluster of genuinely useful information, and 2026 has had several. The biggest auto show reveals so far this year came from Detroit in January, New York in April and Beijing from late April into May, with Paris opening its doors this week.
This guide is written for US readers, so I focus on what the Detroit and New York shows mean for American buyers and use Beijing and Paris as a window on where the rest of the world is heading. Prices and specifications are from the sources listed at the end. Where a figure is a manufacturer claim, I say so, and where reports disagree or are unclear, I note it. A concept car is not a promise of a production car, and I have tried to keep that line clear. I have not seen any of these vehicles in person.
How Detroit Set the Tone: Trucks, V8s and One Real Reveal
The Detroit Auto Show ran for the public from January 17 to 25, 2026, at Huntington Place, with media day on January 14. A preview from Carscoops before the show noted it would have just one confirmed global reveal, a Ford Bronco variant, though the show itself was growing: 27 brands were expected, up from 22 the year before.
Ford Bronco RTR
Ford unveiled the 2027 Bronco RTR on January 13, according to Hour Detroit. The Truth About Cars describes it as developed with RTR Vehicles and off-road racer Vaughn Gittin Jr., sitting just below the Bronco Raptor and narrower so it fits tighter trails. It uses a 2.3-litre EcoBoost four-cylinder making 300 hp and 325 lb-ft of torque, with an anti-lag function that keeps the turbo spinning when you lift off the throttle. Standard models get 33-inch tires, and a Sasquatch package adds 35-inch Goodyear tires and extra ground clearance of about an inch. I am not repeating the on-sale timing that source gave because I could not reconcile it with a 2027 model-year launch; check Ford for current dates.
Mustang Dark Horse SC
The same source covered the Mustang Dark Horse SC, shown in Detroit with a supercharged 5.2-litre V8 and a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic, with no manual offered. Ford had not released official power figures at that point; the article cited about 815 hp and 664 lb-ft for the same engine in the Mustang GTD, but that is not an official rating for this car. Pricing was not announced beyond a statement that it would start well above the standard Dark Horse’s $71,000 MSRP.
The Stellantis V8 Message
Stellantis used Detroit to make a statement about gasoline power. Dbusiness reported that the 2027 Ram 1500 SRT TRX made its public debut with a 777 hp supercharged 6.2-litre Hemi V8, that the 5.7-litre Hemi returned to the 2026 Ram 1500 lineup, and that the 2027 Ram Power Wagon was getting a Cummins turbo diesel making 430 hp and 1,075 lb-ft of torque. The Power Wagon starts at $88,470 including destination and goes on sale in the second half of 2026. Dodge’s Durango SRT Jailbreak (710 hp) and the new Charger R/T (420 hp) and Scat Pack (550 hp) were also on display, and Jeep showed a Cherokee with a turbo hybrid powertrain.
What stands out is the contrast with the EV-heavy messaging of a few years ago. Hour Detroit noted that Detroit still featured EV charging displays, but also described the Big Three’s recent shift away from EVs.
The Surprises: Cadillac and an Army Tank
Cadillac showed the Elevated Velocity concept, with suicide doors, an all-red interior and autonomous capability, alongside a Formula One car ahead of its 2026 F1 debut. And a very different vehicle drew attention: an M1E3 Abrams tank prototype built by Roush, with production planned by 2030 at General Dynamics in Sterling Heights. It is not a car, but it shows how Detroit’s manufacturing identity is expanding.
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New York: Family SUVs, Electric Crossovers and a Concept
The New York International Auto Show at the Javits Center ran through April 12. Reveals here were more practical than Detroit’s, aimed at ordinary buyers.
Subaru Getaway
The 2027 Subaru Getaway is a three-row electric SUV based on the Toyota Highlander EV. It uses dual motors making 420 hp, a 95.8 kWh battery rated at about 300 miles, and reaches 60 mph in under five seconds, according to Jalopnik. It has a 3,500-lb towing capacity, 8.3 inches of ground clearance and a NACS charging port. Forbes reported a smaller 77 kWh version arriving in 2027. Pricing was not announced, and Subaru has pointed to a late-2026 launch.
Kia EV3
The US-spec 2027 Kia EV3 is a small electric SUV on a 400-volt platform. Jalopnik lists a base 58.3 kWh battery rated at 220 miles and an 81.4 kWh pack rated at up to 320 miles on the front-wheel-drive version, with all-wheel drive making 261 hp and a 288 hp GT coming later. Forbes noted that the EV3 already launched in Europe starting around 35,000 euros, which Forbes converted to about $41,000. US pricing had not been announced.
Kia Seltos, Forester Wilderness Hybrid and Atlas
Not every reveal was electric. The second-generation 2027 Kia Seltos is 1.8 inches longer, with a new X-Line trim and a hybrid. The 2027 Subaru Forester Wilderness Hybrid adds a hybrid system to its 2.5-litre boxer, raising output from 180 to 194 hp, with fuel economy of about 32 mpg and 9.3 inches of ground clearance. The second-generation 2027 Volkswagen Atlas has a retuned turbocharged four-cylinder making 282 hp and 258 lb-ft, and a hybrid is planned for a later refresh.
Chrysler Pacifica, Infiniti QX65 and Luxury EVs
Chrysler refreshed the 2027 Pacifica, keeping its 287 hp V6, with prices from $43,490 to $60,250. Infiniti showed the 2027 QX65 crossover coupe at $55,535 to $64,135 including destination. On the electric side, the 2027 Genesis GV60 Magma makes 641 hp and does 0 to 60 mph in 3.4 seconds, with a 165 mph top speed, while the 2027 Lucid Gravity lineup starts around $80,000 for the Touring and just under $100,000 for the Grand Touring.
Hyundai Boulder Concept
Hyundai’s Boulder is a body-on-frame concept with 37-inch tires, long-travel suspension, safari windows and a dual-hinged tailgate, aimed at the Jeep Wrangler and Ford Bronco. Jalopnik reported no production confirmation. Cars.com described it as a design study that previews a future mid-size pickup, which is a hint, not a promise.
Beijing: The Show That Made Detroit Look Small
The Beijing Auto Show ran from April 24 to May 3, 2026, across 380,000 square metres at two venues. CarNewsChina reported 1,451 vehicles on display, including 181 global and China premieres and 71 concepts. Electrek’s Fred Lambert wrote that one hall alone held more EVs than are available in the whole US market, which is his observation and not a measured figure. Tesla did not attend, marking its third consecutive year of skipping the show, he added.
Beijing matters to US readers because it shows where technology is moving even though most of these cars are not sold in the US. Three themes stood out.
Charging Speed
CarNewsChina reported that BYD announced a second-generation Blade battery with sub-10-minute flash charging and aimed for 20,000 flash-charging stations by the end of the year, which is a target. Auto Express said the BYD Seal 8 flagship saloon offers 1 MW charging, and the Xpeng P7 is listed with 451 kW charging and around 349 miles of range. Electrek said CATL showed a third-generation fast-charging battery that it claims can go from 10 to 98 percent in six minutes. These are company claims, and range figures quoted on China’s CLTC cycle, such as those for the Audi E7X and BYD Great Tang below, are not directly comparable with the EPA ratings that US buyers see.
Performance and Size
Auto Express listed the Zeekr 8X, a plug-in hybrid with a tri-motor setup making 1,362 bhp and a 0 to 62 mph time under three seconds, and the Denza Z convertible with over 1,000 bhp. The Audi E7X, the production version of a concept, has a 109 kWh battery, over 466 miles of CLTC range and 670 bhp. BYD’s Great Tang, a seven-seat electric SUV, claims 590 miles of CLTC range from a 130 kWh battery.
Driver Assistance, Robots and Absences
Xpeng’s VLA 2.0 driver-assistance system was expected to headline the show, according to CarNewsChina, while Electrek noted humanoid robots and robot dogs everywhere, with Xpeng’s IRON described as a genuine in-house project and many others simply buying robots as attractions. Several Western brands were absent: Electrek listed Jaguar, Land Rover, Maserati, Subaru and Chevrolet, though Buick and Cadillac attended. The author also noted that Ford showed a Bronco in Beijing that is not offered as an electric model in the US.
Paris: Just Opening
The 91st Paris Motor Show runs October 13 to 18, 2026, at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles, with October 12 reserved for the press. Because it is only just opening as I write, I have limited information. Wikipedia lists the Renault Twingo électrique as an introduction at the show, Kia as a confirmed exhibitor, and Stellantis returning with eight brands and more than 60 vehicles. Other models mentioned in press coverage, such as a reborn Citroën 2CV, are not confirmed for the show, so I would not treat them as reveals yet.
What the Biggest Auto Show Reveals Mean for US Buyers
Looking across the shows, a few patterns matter for American shoppers.
EV reveals are shifting toward practical family vehicles. The Subaru Getaway and Kia EV3 target ranges of roughly 300 miles or more and NACS charging, and neither is a halo car. Meanwhile, the market context is sober: Kelley Blue Book reported EVs at 5.8 percent of US new-vehicle sales in the second quarter of 2026, with sales down 20.5 percent from a year earlier.
Hybrids are getting more space on the stage. The Forester Wilderness Hybrid, the new Seltos hybrid and the planned Atlas hybrid fit the same trend KBB described, with hybrid sales up 9 percent in the first half of 2026 while total sales fell 2.2 percent.
Gasoline performance is not going away. The 777 hp Ram TRX and the supercharged Mustang show that American brands still see demand for big V8 power.
China sets the pace on charging and scale, but you cannot buy most of it here. The headline numbers from Beijing are mostly claims, and they apply to cars that are not available in the US. Their importance is as a signal: charging speed and software are where competition is intensifying.
Concepts are not products. The Hyundai Boulder and Cadillac Elevated Velocity are previews. Wait for production announcements before making plans.
Biggest Auto Show Reveals at a Glance
| Show | Dates | Standout reveal | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit | Jan 17 to 25 (media Jan 14) | 2027 Ford Bronco RTR | Off-road trim with 300 hp EcoBoost |
| Detroit | Same | 2027 Ram 1500 SRT TRX | 777 hp supercharged V8 |
| New York | Through April 12 | 2027 Subaru Getaway | 420 hp three-row EV, about 300 miles |
| New York | Same | 2027 Kia EV3 | 220 to 320 miles; US price not announced |
| New York | Same | 2027 Forester Wilderness Hybrid | 194 hp, about 32 mpg |
| Beijing | Apr 24 to May 3 | BYD, CATL, Xpeng charging claims | 1 MW and six-minute claims, not yet in US |
| Paris | Oct 13 to 18 | Renault Twingo électrique | Opening now |
How to Read the Next Auto Show Announcement
- Check whether it is a production car or a concept. The Cadillac and Hyundai examples above are concepts.
- Separate claims from ratings. Look for EPA range and official horsepower, and note when a figure comes from the maker alone.
- Look for price and on-sale date. A reveal without both is a preview.
- Check the market. A car that is shown in Beijing may never reach the US.
- Remember trim and options. Headline specs often apply only to the top trim.
Conclusion
The biggest auto show reveals of 2026 tell a more mixed story than the headlines. Detroit celebrated trucks and V8s, New York showed family crossovers, hybrids and a handful of ordinary-looking EVs with real range, and Beijing showed how fast the charging race is moving elsewhere. The sensible reading for American buyers is to treat the show floor as a preview, pay attention to range, price and on-sale dates, and wait for production confirmation before planning around any concept.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the biggest reveal at the 2026 Detroit Auto Show? A Carscoops preview said there would be only one confirmed global reveal, expected to be a Ford Bronco variant. Ford unveiled the 2027 Bronco RTR on January 13, and Stellantis showed the 2027 Ram 1500 SRT TRX with a 777 hp supercharged V8.
What EVs debuted at the 2026 New York Auto Show? Among them were the 2027 Subaru Getaway (420 hp, 95.8 kWh battery, about 300 miles), the 2027 Kia EV3 (up to 320 miles), the 2027 Genesis GV60 Magma (641 hp) and an updated 2027 Lucid Gravity lineup.
When was the 2026 Beijing Auto Show? It ran from April 24 to May 3, 2026, with 1,451 vehicles on display, including 181 global and China premieres, according to CarNewsChina.
Are the Chinese cars from Beijing coming to the US? Most were not described as US-bound in the sources I read. Treat them as signals about technology, not as products you can buy.
When does the Paris Motor Show take place? The 2026 show runs October 13 to 18, with October 12 for the press.
Is a concept car a sign of a future production model? Not necessarily. The Hyundai Boulder was reported as a design study, and Cars.com said it previews a future mid-size pickup, but no production confirmation was reported.