Watchonista’s Top Picks from the 2025 New York Auto Show

Watchonista hits the streets of Manhattan for the 2025 New York International Auto Show, rounding up the most exciting debuts both on and off the show floor.

From cutting-edge electric crossovers to rugged off-roaders, futuristic concepts, and bold muscle cars, Watchonista brings you our picks for what to drive into the future.

Making its splashy debut, dazzling VIP guests at Mercedes’ swanky new Hell’s Kitchen showroom, the all-new Mercedes-Benz CLA represents Mercedes’ most advanced new all-electric model, blending sleek aerodynamic design with cutting-edge technology and electric performance. At launch, the US lineup will include the CLA 250+ with EQ Technology and the CLA 350 4MATIC, both of which offer impressive electric range and power.
 

The CLA 250+ stands out with up to 492 miles of range (using the European WLTP testing metrics) and a super-fast 800-volt charging system that can add over 200 miles in just ten minutes. Meanwhile, a 48-volt hybrid version will also be available for those wanting a high-tech, but more traditional setup.

What really makes the 2025 CLA special is that it’s the first model running on Mercedes-Benz’s new in-house software, MB.OS, which aims to deliver a fully connected, highly personalized digital experience.
 

More than just a car, the new CLA represents Mercedes’ vision for the future of mobility, where smart tech, electric power, and beautiful design come together effortlessly.

The all-new Dodge Charger Daytona R/T storms into 2025 as a true game-changer: the world’s first all-electric, all-wheel-drive muscle car.
 

Packing 496 horsepower, it is built for year-round performance, whether you’re carving up dry roads or powering through snow-covered streets. Dodge tested the two-door Charger Daytona R/T (and the 670-hp Scat Pack version) in Michigan’s frigid Upper Peninsula, dialing in a Wet/Snow drive mode that balances torque 50/50 between front and rear for maximum grip.

The Daytona’s rear electric drive module features a mechanical limited slip differential for improved cold-weather traction. Meanwhile, the Drift and Donut Mode lets drivers switch to rear-wheel drive for playful sideways action – a rare blend of muscle car attitude and winter-ready tech.
 

The Charger Daytona R/T is a muscle car evolved for a new era, and a standout on Watchonista’s list of our favorites from the New York Auto Show

Korean luxury carmaker Genesis wowed auto show visitors with the debut of its X Gran Equator Concept, the brand’s first overlanding vehicle concept. Built for off-road adventure, the X Gran Equator seamlessly blends rugged capability with the signature luxury and refinement that define the Genesis brand.
 

With its sleek, reductive design, the X Gran Equator features a long hood, fast-sloping C-pillar, and minimalist surfaces that defy the typical chunky SUV aesthetic. Dark wheel-arch cladding, 24-inch beadlock wheels, and geometric auxiliary lamps signal its off-road readiness. Meanwhile, Genesis’ Two-Line headlamps maintain a familiar nighttime signature.
 

Inside, the cabin blends analog charm, highlighted by four circular dials inspired by vintage camera lenses, with modern technology and swiveling front seats, crafting a space that feels both functional and deeply evocative.

Although the X Gran Equator is not yet confirmed for production, you can bet that many of its design elements will end up in future Genesis products. After all, this car’s name draws from the legendary Arabian stallion Equator, which has come to symbolize endurance, agility, and power – the very traits Genesis channeled into this best-of-show concept car.
 

The X Gran Equator will be on display at Genesis House in New York through July.

The new Land Cruiser from Toyota has been a huge success, capitalizing on the brand’s exceptional reliability and rugged off-road chops. At this year’s New York International Auto Show, Toyota showcased several Land Cruiser models, including a tricked-out off-road concept: the Land Cruiser Calty Cruiser ROX (or, “Recreation Open eXperience”).
 

This rally-inspired reimagination of the iconic SUV features lifted suspension, exposed tow hooks, and a bold retro color scheme — a tribute to Toyota’s storied off-road heritage, designed for the next generation of adventurers.

While the Calty Cruiser ROX dazzled enthusiasts, the consumer-ready Land Cruiser brings that same rugged DNA to a wider audience. This iconic SUV blends serious off-road capability with premium touches, making it just as refined on city streets as it is tough on remote trails.
 

Built on Toyota’s robust TNGA-F global truck platform, the 2025 Land Cruiser delivers impressive strength, handling, and comfort, powered by a 326-hp i-FORCE MAX hybrid powertrain with 465 lb-ft of torque and full-time four-wheel drive. Off-road fans will appreciate standard center and rear locking differentials, a stabilizer disconnect system, Multi-Terrain Select, and CRAWL Control.

For everyday luxury, the 2025 Land Cruiser has heated and ventilated seats, a massive 12.3-inch touchscreen, JBL audio, and wireless Apple CarPlay. Starting at $56,700, the Land Cruiser is a living legend.

The new all-electric EX90 from Volvo made a splash at the auto show, delivering a bold statement about the brand’s fully electric future. A seven-seater SUV, the EX90 blends Scandinavian design with cutting-edge technology, and Volvo says it is the safest car to ever hit the road.
 

Sleek and versatile, the EX90 offers up to 300 miles on a single charge and features an “invisible shield” of advanced sensors, lidar, and cameras to keep constant watch over you and your family. The result is a system designed to work together to anticipate and prevent collisions (be it with other vehicles or unexpected obstacles) before they even happen.

Inside, the EX90 is a luxurious, high-tech haven, with a stunning 14.5-inch center screen, Google built-in, a Dolby Atmos audio system, and over-the-air updates that make the car smarter over time.
 

Best of all, every EX90 headed to American drivers is proudly built in Charleston, South Carolina — a nod to Volvo’s global reach and local investment. And thanks to domestic production, owners can smile knowing their EX90 comes with world-class safety, cutting-edge tech, and what Volvo hopes is a final price blissfully free of any tariffs.

Like the Genesis House, Lexus opened a pop-up showroom in New York City, called Curated by Lexus, to celebrate the New York International Auto Show season. Nestled in the heart of the Meatpacking District, this immersive space blends automotive luxury with art, culture, and design, offering guests an elevated experience far beyond a typical car display.
 

Our favorite vehicle on display is Lexus’s new GX 550, the redesigned luxury SUV built for both rugged adventures and refined city driving. With its powerful 3.4-liter twin-turbo V6 engine, striking exterior, and a tech-packed interior featuring the latest Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, the GX 550 proves that off-road capability and urban sophistication go hand in hand.

Inside the Curated by Lexus space, visitors can explore not only the GX 550 but also the craftsmanship and innovation that define the Lexus brand through the multi-sensory experience dubbed “Boundless Beauty,” where guests enter an interactive installation transporting them to a serene bamboo forest in Japan. Local artists and designers are also showcased alongside the vehicles, including the LX 700h, IS 500, and the sporty LC 500 Convertible.
 

While Lexus’s presence on the official NYIAS show floor was more subdued this year, the Curated by Lexus house ensured the brand made a big impression, proving you don’t always need the Javits Center to steal the spotlight. Curated by Lexus is located at 401 W 14th Street through July 6, 2025, and is open daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.