CleanTechnica Checks Out the EVs at the New York Auto Show

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I logged 14,405 steps visiting the 2025 New York Auto Show at Jacob Javits Center in Manhattan while moving around all the car displays. I put a lot of attention on the EVs and hybrids, naturally.

The 125th edition of this show provided a comprehensive look at the electric vehicle landscape in North America, amidst the Trump tariffs. The tariffs are especially focused on China, where most of the world’s batteries are produced.

Audi strongly emphasized its electric mobility commitment through a comprehensive e-tron lineup designed for diverse needs. The display ranged from the accessible Q4 e-tron and its Sportback, compact electric SUVs blending Audi design with efficient powertrains; to the debut of the technologically advanced and aesthetically refined Q6 e-tron SUV, signaling a new phase in Audi’s EV development. Expanding their electric SUV offerings were the enhanced Q8 e-tron and Q8 Sportback e-tron, featuring improved battery tech and range, alongside the high-performance SQ8 e-tron variants showcasing exhilarating tri-motor dynamics.

Cadillac presented its expanding portfolio of electric vehicles, underscoring its commitment to luxury electric mobility. The display included the Optiq, a new compact luxury SUV positioned below the Lyriq, aiming to broaden Cadillac’s EV appeal. The Lyriq, Cadillac’s first all-electric SUV, was also featured, highlighting its stylish design, spacious interior, and advanced technology. The Vistiq, a future three-row electric SUV, offered a glimpse into Cadillac’s plans for larger electric family vehicles. The imposing Escalade IQ, an all-electric reimagining of the iconic Escalade, showcased the brand’s ability to blend traditional luxury with cutting-edge electric powertrains, promising significant range and performance. Cadillac’s presence at the show emphasized its strategy to become a leader in the luxury EV market with a diverse range of models catering to different needs and preferences.

Chevrolet highlighted its efforts to electrify popular segments of the automotive market. The Silverado EV, an all-electric version of its renowned pickup truck, aims to offer both work capability and impressive range, appealing to a broad spectrum of truck buyers. The Equinox EV, an affordable electric SUV that won 2024 CleanTechnica Car of the Year, seeks to make EV ownership accessible to a wider audience with its competitive pricing and practical features. The Blazer EV, a stylish and sporty electric SUV, offers various configurations and performance levels, catering to those looking for a more engaging electric driving experience. Chevrolet’s display demonstrated its commitment to bringing electric vehicles to the mainstream, leveraging its established model names and extensive customer base.

Chrysler offered a glimpse into its electric future with the Halcyon Concept. This futuristic, all-electric concept car showcased the brand’s design vision and technological aspirations for upcoming EVs. While specific production plans were not detailed, the Halcyon Concept served as a statement of Chrysler’s intent to innovate in the electric vehicle space, hinting at potential future design cues and advanced features that could make their way into production models.

Ford showcased its current electric vehicle offerings, emphasizing its presence in key segments. The F-150 Lightning, the all-electric version of America’s best-selling truck, highlighted its capability, performance, and innovative features like the Pro Power Onboard, appealing to both traditional truck owners and new EV adopters. The Mustang Mach-E, an all-electric SUV inspired by the iconic Mustang, demonstrated Ford’s ability to blend sporty design and engaging driving dynamics with electric power. Ford’s display underscored its commitment to providing electric options in high-volume segments, leveraging its established brand recognition and manufacturing scale.

Genesis presented the striking X Gran Equator Concept, an all-electric vehicle that explored a unique blend of luxury and rugged capability. This concept’s bold design, featuring a long hood and substantial off-road-oriented wheels, suggested a potential future direction for the brand, hinting at an adventurous luxury EV. The interior’s distinctive four-circle display and swiveling front seats further emphasized the concept’s innovative and luxurious nature. While not a production model, the X Gran Equator Concept provided valuable insight into Genesis’s design philosophy and its potential exploration of new market segments within the EV landscape. The GV60, a distinctive all-electric SUV, showcased its unique coupe-like design, advanced technology features like Face Connect, and impressive range capabilities. The Electrified GV70, an electric version of their popular SUV, emphasized its powerful dual-motor all-wheel-drive system, luxurious interior, and fast-charging technology. The Electrified G80, an elegant electric sedan, further illustrated Genesis’s dedication to providing sophisticated and eco-friendly options in the executive segment, boasting a refined driving experience and premium materials.

Hyundai announced that its upcoming Ioniq 9 electric SUV would feature a NACS charge port, aligning with a growing industry trend. While the vehicle itself was not the primary focus of a detailed presentation at this stage, the confirmation of NACS compatibility signaled Hyundai’s commitment to enhancing the charging experience for its future EV owners by providing access to the Tesla Supercharger network.

Jeep offered a preview of its upcoming all-electric SUV, the Wagoneer S. While specific details and specifications were limited at the show, the presence of the Wagoneer S indicated Jeep’s entry into the electric SUV market, promising to bring the brand’s renowned off-road heritage and design language into the electric era. This move signifies Jeep’s commitment to adapting to the evolving automotive landscape and offering electric options to its loyal customer base.

Kia made a significant impact with the debut of the 2026 EV4, an all-new, compact electric sedan designed to be an affordable EV option. Its sharp, angular styling and projected range of up to 330 miles garnered considerable attention. The availability of a smaller battery version with a 235-mile range further emphasized its appeal to a broader audience. Kia also highlighted its adoption of the NACS charge port for the EV4. Additionally, Kia presented an updated version of the EV9, its larger electric SUV, which now also includes a NACS charge port, demonstrating Kia’s commitment to both innovative new models and improving the practicality of its existing EV lineup. Kia also showcased the adventurous Weekndr Concept, an all-electric vehicle hinting at potential future explorations in the recreational EV space.

Lucid Motors showcased the Gravity Grand Touring, an all-electric luxury SUV that generated significant buzz due to its impressive specifications. Boasting an EPA-estimated range of 450 miles and up to 828 horsepower, the Gravity positioned itself as a high-performance and long-range electric SUV in the premium segment. Its ability to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.4 seconds and its ultra-fast charging capabilities further underscored its technological prowess. The Gravity’s spacious interior and luxurious features also highlighted Lucid’s focus on providing a premium electric driving experience.

Nissan featured its all-electric crossover SUV, the Ariya. While not a new debut at the show, the Ariya represented Nissan’s ongoing presence in the electric vehicle market, offering a stylish and practical electric SUV option with a focus on comfort and technology.

The all-electric Porsche Taycan was presented in various body styles, including the Cross Turismo. The new all-electric Porsche Macan Electric made its debut, showing off the German’s performance brand’s electric SUV offerings and its ability to deliver exhilarating performance and sporty handling in an EV.

Rolls-Royce presented its first fully electric vehicle, the Spectre. Launch presentations showed it delivers the quintessential “Rolls-Royce experience” with its silent operation, effortless power delivery, and unparalleled luxury, all while producing zero emissions. The Spectre signifies the brand’s commitment to phasing out combustion engines by 2030, showcasing that the transition to electric power can enhance the very characteristics that define a Rolls-Royce. While Rolls-Royce has stated no plans for hybrid models, its focus on the Spectre underscored its direct path towards full electrification in the ultra-luxury segment.

Subaru made a strong showing with the debut of the 2026 Trailseeker, an all-new, all-electric SUV positioned as a slightly larger and more rugged option compared to the Solterra. Its over 260 miles of range, advanced all-wheel-drive system, and quicker acceleration (0–60 mph in 4.4 seconds) highlighted its capabilities. The interior’s new 14-inch touchscreen and the exterior’s new Subaru EV lighting signature marked a step forward in Subaru’s EV design and technology. Subaru also presented an updated 2026 Solterra, which received a significant 25% increase in range, now estimated at 285 miles, along with the new 14-inch touchscreen and the adoption of the NACS charge port, demonstrating Subaru’s commitment to improving its first electric vehicle.

Toyota displayed its all-electric SUV, the bZ4X. As Toyota’s first mass-market battery-electric vehicle, the bZ4X represented the brand’s entry into the growing electric SUV segment, emphasizing its focus on reliability and practicality in an electric package.

Volkswagen presented what is my personal favorite, the ID. Buzz, the highly anticipated electric reimagining of the company’s iconic microbus, and the ID.4, its compact all-electric SUV. These models highlighted Volkswagen’s commitment to providing electric vehicles across different segments, blending retro design with modern electric technology in the ID. Buzz and offering a more conventional electric SUV option with the ID.4.

A significant trend observed at the 2025 New York Auto Show was the increasing adoption of the NACS charging port across various manufacturers. This move, embraced by Subaru, Kia, Lucid, Hyundai, and others, promises to enhance the charging experience for EV owners by granting access to the extensive Tesla Supercharger network.

However, Tesla was very “visibly” absent, as were two other EV-only manufacturers, Rivian and VinFast.

Attendees also had the opportunity to experience the latest EVs firsthand at the show’s multi-brand EV Ride & Drive Test Track, featuring models from Cadillac, Chevrolet, Dodge, Ford, Jeep, Kia, Nissan, Toyota, and Volkswagen. In conclusion, the 2025 New York Auto Show served as a compelling showcase of the present and future of electric mobility, highlighting the industry’s accelerating transition towards electrification with a variety of innovative and appealing vehicles.