As the first major event of the year, the Detroit auto show has historically marked the start of the auto show season. But in 2020, the show will move to June, which likely means 2019 is the last year the Motor City gets to kick things off for the auto industry. It’s the end of an era for the North American International Auto Show, and it went out with a bang by hosting big debuts like the Ford Mustang Shelby GT500, sixth-generation Ford Explorer, and the highly anticipated return of the Toyota Supra. Keep reading to see which cars MotorTrend editors liked most from this year’s Detroit show.
2020 Ford Explorer
Yes, the Mustang Shelby GT500 is hundreds of horsepower sexier, but the importance of a new Explorer cannot be understated. It’s one of those bread-and-butter vehicles. The 2020 looks better inside and out, feels much roomier inside with a wheelbase that grew 6.3 inches, and adds two key new models: an ST and the first new Ford hybrid in six years. But the main reason we want to drive it is because it has moved to Ford’s new rear-wheel-drive platform with available all-wheel drive. And with the 3.0-liter twin-turbo V-6 in the ST tweaked to get 400 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque, Ford promises it will be the fastest SUV under $60,000. -Alisa Priddle
2020 Toyota Supra
Toyota’s fifth-generation Supra is my car of the show for two simple reasons. First and foremost, it led all 2019 NAIAS coverage for MotorTrend, likely for reason two: It sparked some huge debates on social media. Purists, it seems, are not impressed with the BMW partnership, specifically that the flagship sports car has the I-6 heart from BMW. I addressed this in my column, but was not prepared for the depth of purist rage. Some feel Toyota, with its deep pockets and huge resources, should have invested in a new inline-six, or wackier, used the 5.0-liter V-8 from Lexus or even the Yamaha-built V-10 from the Lexus LFA supercar. This is not as ludicrous as it sounds when you probe these true believers; that Supra apparently is not set up to deliver world-beating performance on the order of what the Nissan GT-R did back in 2007 is galling to these super fans. This wasn’t a perspective I had considered, but it’s interesting and, in many ways, understandable. -Ed Loh
Infiniti QX Inspiration Concept
Infiniti’s electric crossover concept was damaged in transit and could not drive onto the stage for its big moment in the spotlight. I’m OK with that because it speaks to the fact that it is a true concept, not a production-ready car gussied up for a show. Real concepts are becoming a rare breed. This baby FX is the design direction for the brand’s future crossovers while playing with ideas like a suede flat tile floor that looks like tile, a lattice glass roof, a marble center console that extends to the second row, Orient Express-type gold table lamps, and a shark nose with no grille up front. -Alisa Priddle
2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500
As one of MotorTrend‘s chief numerologists, I’m going with the big-number intros. OK, “700-plus” horsepower may not earn absolute segment bragging rights in the crazy/wonderful world we’re living in, but after my tech deep dive with the new Shelby GT500’s chief program engineer Carl Widmann, I’m willing to guess that the Ford’s savvier tire, brake, and chassis tuning will more than compensate for any deficiencies it suffers in outright brute strength relative to the ultracharged Mopar rivals for overall track dominance. Its aero tweaks and giant grille also seem better integrated than those on previous “road kings” from Shelby. –Frank Markus
2019 Ram HD
The other big number on everyone’s lips in Detroit was 1,000—as in the peak twist, in lb-ft, that Ram’s reimagined Cummins 6.7-liter cranks out in pursuit of its other crazy numerical statistics—35,100 pounds of towing (which the adaptive cruise control will brake to a stop and restart for you when traffic clears) and 6,910 pounds of payload (which actually jumps to 7,680 if you choose the gas V-8). We’re also pretty geeked about the number 12.0, which is the diagonal dimension of the Tesla-esque touchscreen handed up from our reigning Truck of the Year, the Ram 1500. Make mine a Power Wagon, please. -Frank Markus
Lincoln Continental 80th Anniversary Coach Door Edition
Just a few short years ago, the industry was talking about Lincoln’s product line struggles, which was heavy on uninspiring, mustachioed sedans. The Germans and Asian luxury brands were eating their lunch, and Cadillac looked to be miles ahead. But now, after a strong Navigator launch, a shockingly sweet follow-up in the Aviator, Lincoln is back. Adding coach doors to the flagship Continental sedan is another neat, super-smart party trick. It automatically moves the brand upmarket (a real consideration for the chauffeured set) thanks to the massive rear cabin created by stretching the wheelbase 6 inches. The world needs more coach doors. -Ed Loh
The Entire GAC Lineup
This isn’t a best-in-show nomination, but it is an honorable-mention round of applause. The GAC GA4/GA6/GA8 sedans, GS3/GS4/GS7/GS8 crossovers, and GM8 minivan are potent commodity entries in every potential U.S. market segment. Unlike past almost-comedic displays by Chinese automakers, across the board the styling may be anonymous, but it is sufficiently attractive. The interiors are laid-out well with intuitive, not-too-plasticky controls and sharp details like the Judas Priest-esque leather-stitched floormats. The doors close with a reassuring “thunk.” Important packaging elements—legroom, foot room, shoulder room—tick all the boxes. There are no glaring errors. We still have no idea how well the GAC vehicles drive (or crash), but if you peeled off the labels and put them next to a fleet of top-end Kias or Chevrolets, on initial impression you might not be able to tell them apart. If GAC arrives in the dawn of a recession with a strong value play on price, they could do some damage. —Mark Rechtin
2020 Cadillac XT6
I really don’t know how well Cadillac’s new three-row crossover will sell, but it’s 100 percent a car you have to see in person. In photos, it looks pretty boring. In person, it actually has some real presence. -Collin Woodard
Lexus LC Convertible Concept
I am absolutely not a convertible guy, so for me to call out the LC Convertible concept is significant. Just look at it; it’s an absolute stunner. Mystifying to me is why it’s a concept. Build it, Lexus. Right now! –Ed Loh
Mahindra Roxor
How can you not love this silly little side-by-side? Sure, there’s that legal issue with Jeep, but come on. It’s super cool! How can I convince someone to let me do an off-road adventure in this thing? –Collin Woodard
2020 Kia Telluride
Holy moly, what an interior! And the exterior ain’t bad, either. Kia continues to make huge strides, and many in the industry have taken notice. We heard murmurs from other car brands, a few from luxury marques, who were suitably impressed. –Ed Loh
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