Continuing its streak of reveals, Dodge is showcasing the Challenger “Black Ghost,” the sixth out of seventh “Last Call” models to be introduced for the Challenger’s (and Charger’s) twilight year.

The 2023 Challenger Black Ghost pays homage to a similarly named model of Woodward Avenue legend. Owned by Godfrey Qualls, the original Black Ghost was a 1970 Challenger RT SE powered by a 426 HEMI. It went on to earn a spot in the National Historic Vehicle Register in 2020, and remains in the Qualls family.

The OG famously flexed its muscle before driving off into the night, gone without a trace; the new one should be equally stealthy thanks to the black and chrome appearance dressing the SRT Hellcat Redeye Widebody. Under the hood is something less inconspicuous; the Hellcat Redeye’s supercharged 6.2-liter V8 beefed up to 807 horsepower.

Some of the more standout appearance features include the bright Dodge badging upfront and the “gator skin” roof vinyl. Less noticeable is the Midnight Metallic SRT grille badge, black MOPAR hood pins and six-piston Brembo brakes. The undercover interior is wrapped in a mix of Alcantara and leather, broken up by the red SRT logo on the wheel and carbon fiber bezels.

The sad news is that only 300 of these will be made, allocated to specific dealerships. As with all “Last Call” models, pricing and ordering details will be shared once ordering opens later this fall.

While American auto shows aren’t as charged as they once were, the annual Los Angeles Auto Show usually brings us a number of anticipated new products, and this year is no different. We have a number of reveals to cover, starting with a one debuted just ahead of the event.

2025 Volkswagen Tiguan

The Tiguan is Volkswagen’s best selling nameplate in the U.S., and it’s been redesigned for 2025 with new style and tech. Aesthetically, it falls in line with VW’s current design language, with bodywork and LED elements akin to what’s been seen on the recently refreshed Taos and ID.4, for example. Built on the MQB evo platform, the Tiguan hasn’t seen a major size overhaul, though the wheelbase is said to have grown slightly while the rear overhang has been shortened.

The interior is also very much VW; the standard 12.9-inch infotainment screen can be supersized to a 15-inch unit, while the 10.25-inch digital gauge display is standard across all models. It’s embedded into the dash, unlike the steering column-mounted gauge readouts seen on VW’s electrics; however, what is column mounted is the new gear selector, moved from the center console to open up space.

The EA888 engine, a 2.0-liter turbo-four, has returned to power the Tiguan, now rated at 201 horsepower– 17 more than the outgoing gen. We’re expecting slightly better off-the-line acceleration and fuel efficiency, thanks to both the improved engine and a 170-pound weight reduction, made possible by the high-strength steel used in the body structure and various suspension components made of aluminum.

You can read up on all the details in our previous report; though, don’t expect to find any pricing and availability details yet, as Volkswagen is yet to confirm either.

2026 Hyundai IONIQ 9

Hyundai is adding a new entry to their all-electric IONIQ portfolio, the three-row IONIQ 9. 

Like other IONIQs, the 9 is built on Hyundai’s E-GMP platform, outfitted here to carry a large 110.3-kWh lithium-ion battery. The most energy efficient model will be rear-wheel driven, riding on 19-inch wheels, reaching a projected 335 miles (that’s for the EPA; the WLTP cycle is projected at 620 km, or 385 miles). If configured for all-wheel drive, the rear 160-kW electric motor is paired with a front-mounted 70-kW motor; Performance AWD models are said to reach 60 mph in 4.9 seconds.

The IONIQ 9 is just shy of 200 inches in overall length, supported by a 123-inch wheelbase, very similar to Kia’s EV9 three-row EV utility. The overall design is, as expected, sleek enough to be indiscernibly EV, featuring smooth surfaces and defining LED elements, including a front brow lightbar between the headlights. Minimalism has been taken a step further by the deletion of the roof antenna, the first Hyundai model to do so, integrating functions into the windshield cover, instrument panel and tailgate glass.

The cabin is large enough for six or seven people, configuration dependent; most interesting are the seats themselves, with the fully-reclining Relaxation Seats mounted in the first two rows, and those second row seats being a new Swiveling Seat design. As the name suggests, these can be turned so that second- and third-row occupants can converse or awkwardly stare at each other when the vehicle is stationary. As we’ve seen before, the IONIQ 9 offers more open floor space thanks to a sliding console and an overall minimalist design. A curved display, consisting of a pair of 12-inch screens, is mounted on the dash.

The 2025 Hyundai IONIQ 9 is set to arrive in the first half of 2025, pricing to be confirmed.

2026 Genesis GV70 and Electrified GV70

The GV70, according to Genesis, is the brand’s most popular North American model, having sold over 85,000 units in its three years on dealer lots. Despite the success, Genesis saw fit to update their two-row luxury utility for the 2026 model year.

At first glance, you’d be hard pressed to see any major differences between the current and incoming models. The 2026 refresh sports a redesigned grille and headlights, while the Electrified GV70 has a redesigned charge port with new lighting elements. A “bolder” skid plate is mounted upfront, joined by extended air intakes and new wheel designs. The rear sees new turn signals, following their defining two-line headlight motif seen across the Genesis portfolio. Inside, a 27-inch OLED display creates a continuous display for information and entertainment.

Powertrains remain the same, including the standard 2.5-liter turbo-four and the 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6, still rated at 300 and 375 horsepower respectively. The Electrified GV70 still packs the same 429 HP dual-motor setup, now powered up by a larger 84-kWh battery and recharged through a North American Charging Standard (NACS) port; the Combined Charging System (CCS) style of plug is still supported with an included adapter. Drivers who find themselves in less than optimal conditions (snow, mud or sand) will benefit from a new Terrain drive mode.

With more retail locations opening soon, Genesis is looking to expand their availability. The refreshed 2026 Genesis GV70 and Electrified GV70 are both expected to arrive at locations in the first half of 2025.

Kia

Kia has unveiled a number of products this year, including updates to the 2026 Sportage, Sportage HEV, Sportage PHEV, and 2025 EV6, and a new 2026 EV9 GT.

The 2026 Sportage faces a noticeable redesign, including styling changes inside and out, new trims and options, and even powertrain enhancements for the upcoming model year (2025’s are available now). 

Kia has gussied up both front and rear bumpers, accented by tweaked lighting elements; the front sees stacked LED headlights with optional “cube-style” projection, joined by amber LED daytime runners, defined by a “Star Map” motif also seen in the rear. New wheel designs are a staple of vehicle refreshes, and the Sportage is no exception with new 17-, 18- and 19-inch alloys. The off-road-geared X-Line models get their own styling cues, too, including the new HEV X-Line configuration. The HEV also gains a new S grade.

The internal-combustion Sportage stays the course with a 2.5-liter inline-four firing under the hood, paired to an eight-speed auto and your choice of front- or all-wheel drive. The HEV’s 1.6-liter turbo and electric motor combo has been revised, now rated at 231 horsepower, an increase of 4 ponies. The PHEV variant also sees an increase of 7 HP, now 231 total, sent to the standard all-wheel drive system. Any AWD Sportage gains its own “Terrain” drive mode.

Anyone familiar with Kia interiors has likely seen their curved panoramic display in action, featuring a duo of 12.3-inch displays. That setup comes standard on all grades now, with wireless smartphone integration included; a 10-inch head-up display is available. 

The 2026 Kia Sportage will arrive in the second quarter of 2025, with certain trims to be assembled at their manufacturing plant in West Point, Georgia.

The 2025 Kia EV6 has been cosmetically updated with the same “Opposited United” language seen in the Sportage and other models, featuring the aforementioned “Star Map” lighting. Additional changes have been made to the hood lines, side cladding and bumpers; and although overall length has grown about half an inch, the most important growth is under the skin.

The 2025 EV6 will benefit from larger battery options. Standard is a 63-kWh pack, upgradable to a larger 84-kWh battery. Naturally, this will tack some additional miles onto the range estimate, currently estimated at 319 miles on rear-driven models with the 84-kWh battery; towing on long range, 84-kWh models has been upped to 2,700 lbs. The insanely fast and fun EV6 GT is back, now rated up to 641 horsepower and 568 lb-ft of torque with GT mode activated.

And speaking of GT, the 2026 EV9 GT debuted at this year’s show. Like the EV6 GT, this is a souped up variant of the base model, packing more speed than you really need in a three-row electric utility… not that we’re complaining.

Destined for the ‘26 model year, the EV9 GT boasts a total system output of 501 horsepower, derived from a pair of electric motors mounted front and aft. A 0-60 mph time of 4.3 seconds is being targeted, about .7 seconds faster than the current GT-Line. Virtual Gear Shift, simulating the shift pattern and rev limiting of an automatic transmission, works in tandem with an in-cabin active sound system to partially mimic the sensory experience of driving an internal-combustion performance car (like previously seen on the Hyundai IONIQ 5 N). As seen on the EV6 GT, this big brother will sport the same brightly colored front brake calipers.

Another performance add-on, and a first for a Kia three-row, is an electronically controlled suspension setup, allowing the driver to adjust ride harshness at the touch of a button, steering and brake feedback adjusted accordingly. An electronic limited-slip differential should help maintain grip, as will the squared setup of 285/45R21 Continental tires. When it’s time to recover some spent electrons, a newly adopted NACS charge port, found on all new EV9s in the first half of 2025, should open up charging options.

Fiat

The Fiat 500e, the all-electric incumbent of the Italian compact, can be had in a number of flavors, each with a different inspiration behind the theme. The base “INSPI(RED)” is, believe it or not, very red; the “Inspired by Beauty,” “Inspired by Music” and “Inspired by Los Angeles” are a little less obvious, but feature their own spin on this BEV.

Showcased at this year’s show was a new addition, inspired by a fashion icon. The 2025 Fiat 500e Giorgio Armani Collector’s Edition is a collab between the titular Italian designer and this very Italian automaker.

The exterior can be had in one of two monochromatic looks, green or “ceramic Greige,” the latter a mix between gray and beige. They’re complemented by unique two-tone wheels, displaying the Giorgio Armani “GA” logo while, according to Fiat, remaining aerodynamically efficient. As expected, the interior matches the exterior with fashion-inspired upholstery, specifically the Armani/Casa collection. The seats sport chevron stitching with three-dimensional patterns. The headrests adorn the Giorgio Armani logo, and a matching signature is found on various interior components including the dash, which is accented by a laser-cut, woodgrain-appearing insert.