We were pleasantly surprised to find a number of new EVs on display at the 2025 New York Auto Show, which is happening this week in the Big Apple.
Auto show attendance has been on the decline since the pandemic, and now President Trump has pulled the plug on federal funds for EV adoption and imposed a 25% tariffs on car imports. It’s been a rough few years for car companies, with no end in sight.
But the industry presses on, with clear conviction that the future is electric. New EVs from Subaru, Kia, Lucid, and Hyundai are bringing more selection to dealerships later this year.
Here are the coolest cars we saw that shoppers should put on their radars, plus some wacky concept cars and electric RVs to dream about.
1. All-New 2026 Subaru Trailseeker, Updated Solterra
2026 Subaru Trailseeker (Credit: Eric Zeman/PCMag)
Subaru’s second all-electric car, the 2026 Trailseeker, debuted at the show. The Japanese automaker hasn’t come out with a new EV since the Solterra in 2022, so Wednesday’s announcement proves the company is now more seriously working toward an electric future. A company executive even hinted at a third EV reveal later this year.
The Trailseeker is engineered for outdoor adventures, with grippy traction in snow and mud. It accelerates from 0-60mph in just 4.4 seconds, has up to 375 horsepower, and can tow 3,500 pounds. The range is a respectable 260 miles, which is enough for most adventures though not on the higher end of the spectrum. It has a 14-inch touch screen, Subaru’s largest ever. We’ll know the price toward the end of the year as the launch approaches.
2026 Subaru Solterra (Credit: Emily Forlini/PCMag)
The Solterra also got some big upgrades, including 25% more range, which puts it at 285 miles, or slightly above the Trailseeker’s 260. It also has the same large touch screen as the Trailseeker. We also don’t know the price of the updated Solterra, but suspect it may be a more budget-friendly option than the swanky Trailseeker. It currently starts just below $40,000.
2. NACS Charge Ports
NACS port on the 2026 Subaru Solterra (Credit: Emily Forlini/PCMag)
Ok, so this isn’t one specific car, but it’s an important trend that promises to make EV road trips a lot easier. We’re starting to see car companies update their lineups with the Tesla-backed NACS port instead of a CCS port. This allows everyone to use the Supercharger network, not just Tesla drivers, and will open up some 20,000 more charging stations to the public.
To date, the switch has felt far away, with only Hyundai making an early move to add it to the 2025 Ioniq 5. But every new vehicle at the show had an NACS port, such as the updated Kia EV9, Kia EV4, the Subaru EVs, Lucid Gravity, and Hyundai Ioniq 9. If you’re in the market for an EV, this port type will give you the most charging options, so be sure to ask about it.
3. 2026 Kia EV4
2026 Kia EV4 (Credit: Eric Zeman/PCMag)
A new sedan in 2025? Doesn’t everyone buy SUVs now? Apparently not, Kia says. Its sedan sales are climbing, and the new 2026 Kia EV4 aims to be an affordable electric option for everyone. We don’t know the price yet, but it has an impressive, 330-mile range (more than Subaru’s new EVs), which bodes well for everyday drivers. It also comes in a version with a smaller battery and a 235-mile range. It powers up with a NACS port, and arrives in “early 2026.”
4. Genesis X Gran Equator Concept
Genesis X Gran Equator Concept (Credit: Emily Forlini/PCMag)
This one gets our award for most unexpected design at the show. It’s a combination of retro and futuristic, with a unique interior. Genesis is the upscale division of Hyundai. It offers both gas-powered and electric cars, though a Hyundai execs tells us they haven’t decided which one this concept might be—or if they will ever manufacture the car at all.
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The lack of a grill suggests it might be an EV, since they generate less heat. But what about that long nose? Since EVs have no engine, they can have smaller fronts, but maybe Genesis would use the extra space for a frunk. The idea behind the concept is that it’s an off-roading, adventurous vehicle, so perhaps it could serve as a bench for picnics or even a place to sleep when camping.
Genesis X Gran Equator Concept (Credit: Genesis)
5. Fiat Topolino
We always expect Fiats to be cute, but the Topolino takes it to a new level. It means “little mouse” in Italian, and aims to be “a joyful and cool new electric car for everyone.” Sadly, that does not include Americans. The Topolino is only available in Italy, France, and Germany, and in some places you only need to be 14-years-old to drive it, Stellantis says. Though smaller EVs haven’t taken off in the US, they continue to thrive overseas. The US is more focused on making electric cars bigger than ever, especially with 3-row SUVs, which we get into below.
Fiat Topolino (Credit: Emily Forlini/PCMag)
Fiat Topolino (Credit: Emily Forlini/PCMag)
6. Custom-Built Electric RVs
Outdoor adventurers and van-lifers are getting creative with custom-built electric RVs. This is a relatively new product category, kicked off by the Pebble Flow and Lightship AE.1 Cosmos, which hit campgrounds this summer.
At the auto show, we saw a few custom-built electric RVs that weren’t on our radar yet. A company called Grounded RVs turned a BrightDrop Zero commercial electric van from General Motors into a camper van. It has a roomy cockpit and sleeping area, plus a shower and mini kitchen.
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BrightDrop Zero EV turned into a camper van (Credit: Emily Forlini/PCMag)
BrightDrop Zero EV turned into a camper van (Credit: Emily Forlini/PCMag)
Kia also had its Weekendr concept EV van on display. A solar roof pops up to create a spacious sleeping area, and the “highly flexible and adaptable modular interior” moves around to make space for camping gear.
Kia Weekendr Camper EV (Credit: Eric Zeman/PCMag)
7. More 3-Row Electric SUV Options Are on the Way: Lucid Gravity, Hyundai Ioniq 9
Although large, 3-row SUVs are very popular, there have only been a few fully electric options available to date: The Rivian R1S and Kia EV9. But the segment is rapidly expanding, and two upcoming launches were on display at the auto show.
The Lucid Gravity is an ultra-premium option ($96,625) with some of the most advanced tech in the industry, according to a recent review from InsideEVs. It debuts later this year with a whopping 430-mile range and NACS charge port. The gigantic frunk has a comfy pad, turning it into somewhat of a couch. The dash features high-resolution graphics and a head-up display.
2026 Lucid Gravity (Credit: Emily Forlini/PCMag)
2026 Lucid Gravity (Credit: Emily Forlini/PCMag)
Credit: Emily Forlini/PCMag (Credit: Emily Forlini/PCMag)
The Hyundai Ioniq 9 debuts later this year, and while we don’t know the price yet, it’s should be far below the Gravity. But Hyundai SVP Olabisi Boyle tells us it will still have a premium interior with charge ports throughout, so buyers don’t need to compromise on tech for the more affordable price.
It has a 335-mile range and charges in 24 minutes on a faster charger through its NACS port. It will also be Hyundai’s first car to have vehicle-to-grid capabilities, meaning drivers can connect their car’s battery to the grid and sell utility companies excess stored power during peak times. Boyle says the car will store the money, and credit it toward purchases such as charging. This will not be available at launch, but will come shortly after once Hyundai assembles the right tech and public utility partners.
2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 (Credit: Emily Forlini/PCMag)
Hyundai also debuted a hybrid version of its Palisade 3-row SUV, and Kia showed off a new trim of its best-selling EV9 SUV.
The New York Auto Show is open to the public from April 18-27 at the Javits Center on 11th Ave.
About Emily Forlini
Senior Reporter
