The 2026 Detroit Auto Show takes place Saturday, Jan. 17- Sunday, Jan. 25 at Huntington Place. The Hour Detroit team attended a media preview on Jan 14. Here’s what we gathered from the experience.
Find the schedule of events we’ve compiled here.
Four Takeaways
- Want to participate in the test ride-alongs? Be prepared to wait. Regardless of the brand, attendees are eager to feel how these automobiles handle, from the Ford Bronco to Dodge RAM trucks to the GMC Hummer, and more.
- Make sure to check out the 2026 North American Car, Truck, and Utility Vehicles of the Year. The 2025 Dodge Charger was named Car of the Year, the 2025 Ford Maverick Lobo was named Truck of the Year, and the 2025 Hyundai Palisade was named Utility of the Year. Each vehicle will be marked with signage showing they’re award winners, with some of them having the literal award on display near the automobile. Read the specs listed by them and learn why they’ve won these prestigious honors.
2026 GMC Hummer EV // Photo by Kate Walsh - Despite the Big Three’s recent pivot away from EVs, there were still plenty of displays at the Auto Show, particularly about EV charging stations, boasting about their efficiency.
- For fun, check out “The Gallery: Ultra Luxury Vehicles.” These autos from renowned brands — including Ferrari, Aston Martin, Maserati, Jaguar, and more — are simply stunning and are akin to the artwork found in the DIA.
10 of the Coolest Things We Saw
1. Cadillac’s Formula One Car
Cadillac is making its Formula 1 racing debut for the 2026 season this March. Auto Show visitors can check out the design and temporary black and silver livery for its car that will be used at the season’s first test in Barcelona. According to ESPN, the brand is keeping its official racing colors under wraps for now — but look out for an official announcement in a Super Bowl ad on Feb. 8.
2. Famous Movie Cars from Vanguard Motor Sales
For the second year in a row, the Plymouth classic and muscle car dealership brought some of its shiniest toys to the showroom floor. Among them: iconic cars popularized by action TV shows and films. Check out the 1968 Mustang GT Fastback driven by Steve McQueen in Bullitt (1968). Or peer inside the lifted Chevrolet K10, known for its airborne antics in the ’80s series The Fall Guy starring Lee Majors as Colt Seavers; later remade into the 2024 film of the same name starring Ryan Gosling.
To learn more about Vanguard Motor Sales, read our January cover story.
3. An Official Race Car from the Detroit Grand Prix
Anticipation is growing for the 2026 Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear, which takes place May 29 through May 31. Its display at the Detroit Auto Show features notable race cars, including the 2019 No. 2 Team Penske Team Hitachi Chevrolet IndyCar. It was driven by Josef Newgarden for his second IndyCar series championship win. Jeff Zawalski, who has been a volunteer for the Grand Prix over 20 years, tells Hour Detroit that the race relies on around 1,500 volunteers yearly. He notes that the Detroit Grand Prix Association is always seeking new members.
4. Adorable Puppies at Subaru Loves Pets
Subaru partnered with the Michigan Humane Society to bring shelter puppies to the showroom — with the option to sign adoption papers on site. During the Jan. 14 Media Preview, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson adopted a puppy named Lily at the booth. The puppies will return (as well as kittens, volunteer coordinator Ashley Ray tells Hour Detroit) on Monday (Jan. 19), Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday (Jan. 21- 23) from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
5. Bronco Mountain
Ford — which on Jan. 13, unveiled its 2027 Ford Bronco RTR — invites guests into the passenger seat to experience the Bronco’s abilities and features. The track includes a steep side hill, tilt ridge, and massive “Bronco Mountain.”
6. Camp Jeep
The indoor track is back. Get a first-hand experience of what a Jeep can do on a course with a professional driver, and learn about Jeep electrification, its customization/personalization options, concept vehicles, and more. Also available: a kids’ course with Jeep Power Wheels and a climbing wall.
7. A Futuristic Cadillac
With suicide doors and an all-red interior, the Elevated Velocity is an ultra-luxurious concept vehicle with autonomous capabilities. According to its description, the car would feature two different driving modes. The first mode, “Elevate,” would synchronize “with the occupant and environment to optimize performance recovery and enhance one’s state of being through comfort-focused features.” The second, “Velocity Mode,” would combine “hyper-performance capability with the confidence to explore beyond the pavement.”
8. Modded Detroit’s Showcase Featuring Cars from Local Enthusiasts
Since 2019, Modded Detroit has been hosting automotive events showcasing everything from classic muscle cars to heavily modded imports — and even motorcycles. Located in the lower-level showroom, their showcase offers a taste of metro Detroit’s diverse “underground car scene.”
9. Kid-Friendly Activities with the Detroit Science Center
The Detroit Science Center brought a “pop-up science playground” to the Detroit Auto Show. Activations include a portable planetarium and a Neuromaker Racetrack — which allows participants to race remote-control cars using a BCI (Brain-Computer Interface).
10. The U.S. Army’s M1E3 Abrams Tank Prototype
This early prototype tank was constructed by Warren-based defense contractor Roush. A spokesperson tells Hour Detroit that the tank is planned to go into production by 2030 and will be built by General Dynamics in Sterling Heights.
Jeremy Leland contributed to this report.
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