The EV Era Is Here And An Ode To Nostalgia: The New York International Auto Show 2025
The hum of electric motors. The gleam of chrome fenders. The unmistakable scent of fresh leather, polished steel, and change in the air. The 2025 New York International Auto Show returned to Manhattan’s Javits Center this spring with more energy—and electricity—than ever before, marking 125 years of innovation, rebellion, and romance on four wheels.
But this wasn’t just another showcase of souped-up supercars and sculpted concept vehicles. This year’s show felt like a cultural crossroads—where the ghosts of mechanical cars’ past met the silence of the electric future. It’s here—and automakers are racing to define what that future looks (and feels) like.
The PV5 "WKNDR" Convept EV Van.
A massive section of the show floor was transformed into an immersive electric vehicle experience. Brands from legacy names like BMW, Toyota, Mercedes Benz, Volkswagen, Acura, Hyundai, and many more offered ride-alongs, demo tracks, and sleek new EV lineups, all competing for a share of tomorrow’s market.
Inside, test tracks buzzed with battery-powered sedans, crossovers, and futuristic SUVs. Some leaned luxury. Others leaned rugged. All were united by a clear message: electrification is no longer an experiment—it’s the strategy.
What stood out wasn't just the innovation, but the urgency. EVs are no longer reserved for early adopters and West Coast tech nerds—they’re being designed for everyday drivers, road-trippers, and families. The competition is heating up, but so is the creativity.
While EVs stole headlines, another floor told a different story. Tucked between modern displays was a jaw-dropping tribute to the classics. Vintage Porsches, BMWs, and restored military vehicles lined the halls like a gallery of mechanical art. It was hard not to feel reverent in their presence—machines built for grit, for beauty, for the pure thrill of the drive.
A row of meticulously designed BMW’s E30s made for a welcoming store front to the exhibit.
An exhibition of modern and classic Subaru vehicles.
A curious explorer getting close and personal with the Storyteller GXN off-road RV.
Beyond the spectacle, the auto industry finds itself in a time of transformation. Shifting supply chains, international policy tensions, and the race for EV dominance aren’t just background noise—they’re shaping what will hit the roads in the next decade. It was no surprise that President Trump’s Tarriff tax was a popular topic amongst the manufacturers.
Automakers are pushing full throttle into an electric-first future, but they’re also grappling with the realities of cost, accessibility, and infrastructure. What emerged from this year’s show was a sense of collective momentum—both cautious and bold.
Just outside the Javits Center, a different kind of engine roared to life. Jeep transformed a concrete corner of Manhattan into a pop-up adventure park, where guests could hop into rugged 4x4s for an off-road simulation that felt more like a theme park than a test drive.
Climbing into a lifted Wrangler or Grand Cherokee with a trained driver, attendees were taken up steep inclines, over jagged rock piles, and across uneven terrain—an urban demonstration of wilderness capability.
If EVs represent where the industry is headed, supercars are the daydream we refuse to let go of. Back inside, a curated constellation of exotic machines glistened under spotlights—sleek Ferraris, lambos in retina-searing shades, carbon-fiber McLarens with butterfly doors spread like wings. These weren’t vehicles; they were declarations.
The New York Auto Show has always been more than just an industry event. It’s a mirror for how we move, what we value, and where we’re headed. This year, that mirror reflected a landscape in transition.
Whether you're a die-hard car lover, an EV skeptic, or someone who simply enjoys the artistry of design and motion, this year’s Auto Show made one thing clear: the car isn’t just surviving in the age of climate change and AI. It’s actually evolving. And if this year’s showcase was any indication, that evolution is going to be one hell of a ride.
Subaru teaming up with a shelter to create a pop-up adoption center.
