The 10 Coolest Cars of the 2025 L.A. Auto Show: A Glimpse Into Automotive Passion and Innovation

Top 10 coolest cars from the 2025 L.A. Auto Show

The 2025 Los Angeles Auto Show wasn’t just a gathering of manufacturers showing off their latest SUVs and sedans — it was a playground for visionary concepts, wild custom builds, and vehicles that tell emotional stories. From electric hypercars to retro survivors, the show underlined a simple truth: car culture is alive and evolving.

Here are ten standout cars from the event — not ranked, but each remarkable in its own way — and what they reveal about where automotive design, performance, and storytelling are headed.

1. Chevrolet CX Concept – A Futuristic Electrified Icon

The Chevrolet CX Concept reimagines what Corvette’s future could look like. This isn’t just a performance EV — it’s a radical design study, developed by GM’s global design studios, that blends extreme power with aerodynamic innovation.

• Powertrain & Performance: It’s envisioned to run on four electric motors, delivering over 2,000 horsepower.
• Aerodynamics: Rather than relying on large rear wings, the CX uses underfloor fans that pull air through the body, increasing downforce and traction.
• Design: The cockpit-carrying canopy lifts in a “fighter-jet” style, underlining the concept’s futuristic and aggressive vision.

Why it matters: This concept isn’t just about raw speed — it's a bold statement that Corvette’s DNA could carry into a fully electric future. It challenges how performance EVs can generate downforce and how design can push functionality.

2. Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X – Power Unleashed with Hybrid Engineering

In contrast to the ethereal CX, the Corvette ZR1X is visceral, real, and unrestrained. This powerhouse pairs a mid-mounted, twin-turbo V‑8 with a hybrid system and adds all-wheel drive to the mix.

• Output: A staggering 1,250 horsepower — enough to catapult the car to 60 mph in under two seconds (as claimed by Chevrolet).
• Drivetrain: Hybrid AWD gives it traction and stability, pushing the performance envelope far beyond what a traditional Corvette offers.

Why it matters: The ZR1X exemplifies how traditional performance brands can embrace hybrid technology without compromising on raw speed. It’s a statement piece that bridges old-school muscle with modern engineering.

3. Hyundai Crater Concept – Off‑Road EV with Bold Intent

Hyundai’s Crater Concept is a rugged, electric off-roader that hints at the company’s growing commitment to adventure EVs, especially under its emerging XRT subbrand.

• Design: Chunky, aggressive styling, a minimal overhang for better clearance, integrated roll cage, and a clean cockpit with a windshield-spanning head-up display.
• Vision: It’s not just a concept — it foreshadows Hyundai’s ambition to make serious off-road EVs that don’t just mimic ICE SUVs but redefine them.

Why it matters: The Crater concept signals a shift: automakers are no longer imagining EVs just as city cars. Off-road electrification is becoming a serious frontier.

4. 2027 Kia Telluride – Modern Comfort Meets Efficiency

At the show, Kia teased the 2027 Telluride, its three-row SUV, now getting a hybrid version for the first time.

• Evolution: While the Telluride has been a fan favorite and a practical family vehicle, the upcoming generation introduces larger dimensions, refreshed styling, and hybrid powertrain options.
• Significance: This marks Kia’s push to make its large SUVs more efficient without losing utility and appeal.

Why it matters: The Telluride hybrid could appeal to families who want performance and space, yet demand better fuel economy. It’s a smart, strategic move.

5. Larry Chen’s 2020 Toyota Supra Camera Car – Creativity Meets Drift Culture

Photographer Larry Chen transformed his 2020 Toyota Supra into a drift-ready camera car, rigging it to capture high-action footage while keeping its performance chops.

• Build: Beyond having extra power, the Supra is outfitted with a specialized rig so Chen can film drifting sequences in real time.
• Story: It’s a creative testament to personal passion — showing how influential creators in car culture are shaping builds, not just companies.

Why it matters: This car blurs the line between creator and racer. It’s not just a showpiece — it’s a working tool for media, built by someone who lives the car life.

6. David Coulthard’s McLaren MP4/11 – Racing Heritage That Still Resonates

The McLaren MP4/11, driven by Formula 1 legend David Coulthard, was a nostalgic highlight on the auto show floor.

• Legacy: Though the MP4/11 never won a race, it’s remembered for its iconic Marlboro livery and the names behind the wheel — Coulthard and Mika Häkkinen.
• Emotional value: For racing fans, this car is not just about stats; it’s about story, history, and the romance of F1.

Why it matters: Its presence at the show highlights how auto shows remain platforms for celebrating motorsport heritage — not just future tech.

7. Ayrton Senna’s Williams FW16 – A Legacy Reborn

Perhaps the heaviest emotional weight belonged to Ayrton Senna’s 1994 Williams FW16. The blue-and-white Rothmans livery and Senna’s yellow-green helmet are instantly recognizable.

• Historical significance: This was the car Senna drove before his tragic final race, marking it as one of the most powerful symbols in F1 history.
• Restoration & display: Displaying this car isn’t just about aesthetics — it’s about preserving a piece of racing history.

Why it matters: Its inclusion reminds us that auto shows are also about reverence — honoring the figures and machines that shaped motorsport.

8. Subaru WRX Project Midnight – Lightweight Track Demon

The Subaru WRX Project Midnight stole attention with its ferocious performance and carbon-fiber construction.

• Specs: Produces 670 horsepower and weighs just 2,469 pounds, making it incredibly nimble.
• Design: Built for speed over asphalt, not rally — a deliberate shift in Subaru’s performance philosophy.
• Driver pedigree: It was piloted up the Goodwood Festival of Speed by Scott Speed, a former F1 and rallycross professional.

Why it matters: This car underscores that performance brands can still surprise — lightweight, track-focused builds like this fuel the excitement for purists.

9. Fiat Topolino – Miniature Marvel With Heart

The Fiat Topolino might be tiny, but it made a huge impression. Described as the size of a mouse, this EV tops out at just 28 mph and doesn’t even have doors.

• Charm over practicality: This little EV isn’t built for highway speed — it’s about whimsy, design, and evoking nostalgia.
• Statement car: It may not make sense for many drivers, but its presence at the show reminds us of the joy cars can bring beyond utility.

Why it matters: The Topolino reflects how the auto world values personality — especially when EVs offer new canvas for creativity.

10. 1977 Volkswagen Type 2 Bus “Azul” – A Survivor’s Story

Nicknamed “Azul”, this 1977 VW Type 2 Bus survived a devastating wildfire in Malibu. Volkswagen restored it and put it on display at the show — a powerful symbol of resilience.

• Backstory: The bus was badly burned on one side, but the owner's photo of its intact white-and-blue side captured global attention.
• Restoration & meaning: VW invested thousands of hours in restoring Azul, turning a tragic relic into an inspiring piece of living history.

Why it matters: More than a vintage vehicle, Azul tells a story — about hardship, survival, and hope. Car shows are about innovation, but sometimes the most moving pieces are those with real personal and cultural history.

Key Takeaways: What the 2025 L.A. Auto Show Really Showed Us

Reflecting on these ten vehicles, a few overarching themes emerge:

1. Performance & electricity are not mutually exclusive
The CX Concept and ZR1X make it clear: the future of high-performance cars is increasingly electric (or hybrid) — and manufacturers are experimenting boldly.

2. Off-road EVs are gaining real traction
The Hyundai Crater Concept signals an exciting shift in EV design — toward rugged, utility-oriented, and adventure-focused electric vehicles.

3. Passion projects and storytelling still matter
Larry Chen’s Supra camera car, the McLaren MP4/11, Senna’s FW16, and the VW Bus “Azul” remind us: auto culture is more than specs. It’s about heritage, creativity, and emotional connection.

4. Design is becoming a form of expression
Whether cute (Topolino), aggressive (CX), or nostalgic (Azul), these cars show how automakers and builders are using design to communicate identity.

Practical Tips for Car Enthusiasts & Industry Watchers

If you’re someone who follows cars — whether as a buyer, creator, or simply an enthusiast — here are some reflections and actionable takeaways inspired by the L.A. Auto Show:

• Stay curious: Auto shows remain a powerful way to spot emerging trends — especially in EV design and performance — so follow major events like the L.A. Auto Show or AutoMobility LA.
• Think long-term: For buyers, the direction automakers are heading now (hybrid hypercars, off-road EVs) may influence your next purchase.
• Build or document: If you’re a creator (photographer, YouTuber, engineer), consider how your passion project could become a showpiece — just like Larry Chen’s Supra.
• Celebrate history: Cars like the MP4/11 or the VW Bus Azul teach us that heritage is not just for museums. They remind us of the emotional and cultural impact of vehicles.

Conclusion: More Than Metal and Motors — A Tapestry of Innovation, Emotion, and Vision

The 2025 Los Angeles Auto Show wasn’t simply a display of new models — it was a showcase of creativity, history, and ambition. From electric fantasy with the Chevrolet CX Concept to the deeply personal restoration of “Azul,” the event proved that the world of cars remains as rich and varied as ever.

For anyone who loves cars — whether as a driver, designer, or storyteller — there is inspiration to be found. These ten vehicles remind us that the future of mobility isn’t just about horsepower or range. It’s about connection: the stories we tell, the heritage we preserve, and the imaginations we fuel.

Actionable thought: If a car show is happening near you or going online, don’t just browse listings — choose a few cars that resonate emotionally, research them, and reflect on what they say about the direction of automotive culture. Because in the world of cars, what truly drives us forward is not just speed, but meaning.