The Best Cars at the Chicago Auto Show

The Chicago Auto Show is in town through Sunday. Here’s a short guide to what you can see, from cool cars to a glimpse into the future of transportation.

The Wildest Cars on Display

Concept cars are where manufacturers get to dream big and showcase some of the technology that could be coming to the market. Perhaps the best embodiment of a concept car is the Chrysler Halcyon, an electric luxury sedan with a bonkers door design and nearly 360 degrees of visibility.

Fellow racing enthusiasts will get a chance to see Toyota’s GR86 Legacy concept, a modern take on the manufacturer’s iconic Celica GT-Four — just in time for a rumored return of the World Rally Championship to the United States.

Go Electric

This year’s lineup features 59 electric vehicles, including the Ford E-Transit, a plug-in cargo van akin to the Rivian model that Amazon has been using for deliveries. I, for one, envision it as a “van-life” starter kit.

While it’s not yet available in the U.S., it’s worth checking out the adorable Fiat Topolino and dreaming of how easy it would be to park it anywhere. The updated Fiat 500e is available stateside and now has an estimated range of 149 miles per charge. It’s one of my favorite cars of all time.

If you’re new to EVs, the Chicago Drives Electric program has great educational resources and offers test drives with a designated driver on select cars.

Reasonable Performance

There’s plenty for the sporty bunch to admire this year, including poster-worthy models from Lamborghini, Ferrari, and McLaren. But my favorite of the bunch is the Lexus IS — a nearly perfect package of performance and comfort that tops out at a reasonably attainable $63,670 for the V8 version.

Find Your Next Car

While aspirational vehicles are often the main attraction at car shows, the economy section is a great place to see what manufacturers are currently offering to the general car-driving consumer. I’m actually looking forward to the new Honda HR-V. My wife and I owned a 2016 model for several years and while it wasn’t particularly exciting, it remains the most reliable car I’ve ever owned.

We want to hear from you! If you attend the Chicago Auto Show this year, send us an email and tell us about your favorite car.