Highlights from the 2026 Detroit International Auto Show

On Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, the RealSource™ media crew traveled to Huntington Place — formerly the Cobo Center — in downtown Detroit for Media Day at the annual Detroit Auto Show. We made it to the big time: the Motor City, home to the Big Three. The 2026 show was dominated by GM, Ford & Stellantis, with a smattering of foreign automakers, and a whole lot of sideshow-style festivities. The event also marked America’s 250th anniversary and the 100th anniversary of Route 66.

I made the trip to Detroit from Ann Arbor, where RealTruck’s corporate offices are located, after flying in the day before from Philadelphia. When we arrived in the frigid Motor City, few were aware of the impending storm set to unfurl later in the week, as weather reports were only predicting snow for Friday. I got to the convention center parking garage just in time, as an attendant was putting up a new surge-price sign. The rate was increasing from $30 to $40.

I walked into Huntington Place on the far side of the building, closest to Hall D, where “The Drive Home VII: Route 66” cars were staged. In the days and weeks leading up to the auto show, national news and social media were filled with coverage of the six classic cars making a nine-day trek from the end of Route 66 at the Santa Monica Pier in California to Detroit. It was the perfect warm-up to the day. The aroma of “old-car” made my eyes water with delight. I knew I was in for a treat. I spoke with Geoffrey Tully, a privateer in the rally, who said he and his daughter drove his 2005 Thunderbird all the way from the pier. The snowstorm made him decide to tow the car home and fly back — a decision I completely understand.

After checking out the Drive Home vehicles from America’s Automotive Trust, I headed down the hallway toward the main entrance, passed through the metal detectors at the main hall, and immediately noticed a bomb-sniffing dog. Initially, I was surprised, but I soon recognized the strong safety measures in place. It was obvious the event required extensive planning and preparation, spanning Jan. 14–25.

The 2026 event was Executive Director Sam Klement’s first solo run organizing Detroit’s show after spending 18 months learning the ropes. He’d spent 12 straight months preparing for this week. I know the Philadelphia Auto Show well, and I had just returned from the Arizona Auto Show. However, Detroit’s 2026 auto show was the most impressive by far.

The photographers and I started on the left side of the giant room, Hall A. This is where Camp Jeep was staged — essentially a real-life JL or JT roller coaster. After signing up for the ride and completing waivers, guests walked down a winding path lined with specialty-trim Jeep products like the Honcho, Recon, and Jeep Rewind concept.

I made it to the front of the line and hopped inside a 2026 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon with the Pentastar V-6. At first, I thought the color was West Chester University purple, but it’s called Reign, an homage to Prince’s “Purple Rain.” The ride was supposed to be recorded by the vehicle’s front and cabin-facing cameras; however, the clip emailed to me was only a second long, so I don’t think my session was recorded properly. Fortunately, I had my iPhone 17 Pro Max mounted in a DJI Osmo 8 stabilizer and was able to film the experience myself. 

It was one of the best auto show attractions I’ve ever done. The Gladiator’s old-school tech handled every obstacle with ease. Its forward-facing camera and electronically disconnecting sway bar end links were handy features for off-road treks. Stellantis occupied all of Hall A with Mopar displays, including the new Pacifica Grizzly Peak Overland concept, multiple Hemi Rams, and the 2027 TRX, REV, and RHO trims. They even suspended a Ram 1500 crew cab with a Hemi V-8 high above the floor so viewers could examine its blacked-out undercarriage.

Behind Stellantis and Camp Jeep was a concession stand where I later ate lunch with the crew, followed by the Michigan Overland Adventure section. This was a highlight for me, showcasing an impressive collection of snorkeled trucks, Jeeps, and SUVs — including a pair of Ineos Grenadiers. The entire back corner of Hall A had a true overlanding vibe, especially for fans of outdoor-ready, high-end modified rigs.

Just outside the Michigan Overland Adventure section, the U.S. Army and Marine Corps displayed several military vehicles, including two versions of the new GM Defense Infantry Squad Vehicle: utility and troop-carrying.

RTR’s booth was next, featuring a custom Mystichrome Mustang RTR Spec 3 and Bronco, a civilian 2027 RTR Bronco, and several additional Mustangs — including one of Vaughn Gittin Jr.’s race cars.

Just past RTR sat the Bronco Built Wild driving experience, featuring Bronco Mountain. I rode in a full-size Bronco with the 2.7-liter EcoBoost. At first, I thought I smelled coolant. When I asked the driver about it, he told me it was a gasoline-powered vehicle. After all my years in the car business, I thought I could distinguish the scent of ethylene glycol from anything else; however, when I reached out to Ford, a representative said it likely wasn’t coolant but trapped CO2 in the catalytic converters due to the Bronco running at low RPMs. They also use CO2 monitors and extensive ventilation to ensure the indoor course is safe.

The course included off-kilter turns, a teetering tilt bridge, a 40-degree incline and decline up the “mountain,” and a final party trick that showcased the Bronco’s integrated front and 360-degree camera systems and its suspension articulation. Its tech far outshone the Jeep’s, especially the split-screen trail view for navigating narrow or blind sections.

After leaving Bronco Mountain, I explored the rest of Ford’s booth to see the 2027 Bronco RTR again and the new Ford Maverick Lobo, which won North American Truck of the Year. Ford also displayed a blue livery-wrapped Bronco R and a red Google Maps Bronco used to map the TransAmerican Trail system. The Expedition Tremor was decked out with crossbars, a Yakima roof rack, and running boards.

Beyond the Ford booth was General Motors with the Corvette ZR1X Stars & Steel edition display, celebrating America’s 250th birthday. The Corvette CX concept offered a glimpse of a potential all-electric hypercar for the future C9 generation.

GM’s lineup of trucks from Chevrolet, GMC, and Cadillac gleamed under the show lights. A black Colorado Trail Boss special edition with a chase rack caught my eye across from the new GMC Canyon AT4X AEV edition in a vivid orangy-yellow Desert Sun paint color. The 35-inch tires looked massive on the midsize truck, and the full-size spare mounted behind the bed bulkhead obstructed visibility. It seemed like the perfect opportunity for a chase rack with a tire mount — or even a RealTruck-designed swing-mounted rear bumper carrier, though it might affect weight distribution.

Cadillac’s Elevated Velocity concept was one of the most bespoke EVs at the show. With 24-inch wheels, gullwing doors, stainless steel accents, red leather and fabric interior, a yoke-style steering wheel with LED buttons, and butterfly doors, it even came with a matching polo set complete with helmet, gloves, and mallet.

Next up was Toyota with its full lineup, including the Land Cruiser, Tacoma, Tundra, Sequoia, and RAV4. Honda displayed the Pilot and Ridgeline. Hyundai featured the North American Utility of the Year–winning Palisade. Kia showed the Telluride X-Pro. Subaru had dogs.

There was truly something for everyone at the Detroit auto show.

The exotic gallery included Aston Martin, Ferrari, Pagani, Pininfarina, Lamborghini, Rolls-Royce, and Bentley. This is also where I saw the yellow Ford Mustang GTD and a liveried Ford GT.

After browsing more classics in the Vanguard Motor Sales booth, we b-lined it out toward the entryway to see the handcrafted neon 1967 Shelby Mustang. Masterfully created by artisan Kory Sherer of Bent Custom Neon, this is what you get out of 400 feet of tubing, 700 hours of labor, a little neon gas, and a whole lot of love.

Farther down the hallway, we saw the “Fall Guy” truck, the “Bullitt” Mustang, and the “Starsky and Hutch” Gran Torino.

Across the aisle, Ram had another display of trucks with American flag decals celebrating the nation’s 250th birthday.

Down the steps, a children’s area included an inflatable planetarium and the Modded Detroit exhibit. Modded Detroit was a nice change of pace — quiet, tucked away, and easy to miss.

Inside were tchotchke vendors and rows of classic cars from the 1980s to today. We also watched the military unveil its brand-new Abrams M1E3 tank, significantly improved from the prior version thanks to its SAPA transmission with an electric drive unit. The hybrid military tank boasts increased capability while maintaining the original footprint, despite being approximately 20 tons lighter. The M1E3 is equipped with a Caterpillar C13D diesel engine and operates on either diesel fuel or JP-8. The tank’s top speed is electronically limited to 45 mph; however, representatives hinted that removing this governor would allow it to achieve a higher speed.

Modded Detroit also featured squatted trucks, a Lada Niva, and an AMC Eagle that reminded me of cars from my family’s lot growing up. The photographers and I got a kick out of the “Budstang,” complete with a bumper-mounted winch and exhaust flapper. A Race Red regular-cab, short-bed F-150 with a one-piece hard tonneau cover even gave me the itch.

All in all, the 2026 Detroit auto show was an experience I won’t soon forget. From the adventurous trek of “The Drive Home VII: Route 66” to the pulse-pounding thrill of Camp Jeep and Bronco Mountain, and the quiet appreciation for automotive history in Modded Detroit, the event offered a comprehensive look at the past, present, and future of the automotive world. The Big Three’s expansive displays, the stunning exotic gallery, and the military unveilings underscored the show’s scale and significance. It was a well-organized exhibition that cemented Detroit’s role as a powerhouse of automotive culture and innovation — and a fitting celebration of America’s 250th anniversary. I’m already looking forward to next year.