It’s been a busy few weeks as the Munich Motor Show kicked off earlier this month and was preceded by a bustling Monterey Car Week.
Both had a flurry of debuts, so it’s not surprising that the Detroit Auto Show was a little lackluster. However, automakers and dealers haven’t given up on the show and it was much better than last year’s event. Below are the most notable hits and misses of this year’s show, along with over 300 live pictures.
Hit: 2024 GMC Acadia
Pictures: Michael Gauthier / CarScoops
Of the four new models debuting in Detroit, only one of them was all-new. We’re talking about the 2024 GMC Acadia, which looks primed for success.
The redesigned crossover is 10.6 inches (269 mm) longer than its predecessor and is powered by a turbocharged 2.5-liter engine developing 328 hp (245 kW / 333 PS). While its conservative design won’t get hearts racing, the Acadia Denali blurs the line between premium and mainstream as it has an elegant interior with two-tone leather seats and authentic wood trim. Customers can also get a rugged AT4 variant with a 1-inch lift and an off-road focused all-wheel drive system.
Miss: 2024 Ford F-150
Pictures: Michael Gauthier / CarScoops
The Ford F-150 is the best-selling vehicle in America, but the facelifted variant is nothing to get excited about. There’s a handful of styling tweaks, but the big news is a newly available Pro Access Tailgate. It effectively turns the bed into a walk-in bathtub and we preferred the Ram 1500’s multifunction tailgate in back-to-back testing.
The upgrades don’t end there as the truck now comes standard with a 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6. It promises to be more powerful than the old 3.3-liter V6, which had 290 hp (216 kW / 294 PS) and 265 lb-ft (359 Nm) of torque.
Buyers will also find additional equipment including a standard 12-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12-inch infotainment system. However, the base price climbs from $33,835 to $36,570.
Hit: 1962 Fiat Nuova 500
Pictures: Michael Gauthier / CarScoops
The undisputed star of last year’s show was a giant inflatable duck, so perhaps it’s fitting that the honor went to a tiny Fiat 500 this time around.
The classic car commanded attention as everyone marveled at its small size and undeniable charm. The same can’t be said about the rest of the Fiat exhibit as the 500X was more obstacle than point of interest and the 500 Bvlgari is more than three years old.
Miss: Where Was Everything?
While there were more brands in attendance this year, there were still plenty of notable absences. Cadillac had a sizable display, but the Celestiq and Escalade IQ were nowhere to be found.
Those weren’t the only MIA models as Toyota had plenty of vehicles but not the 2024 Land Cruiser. Hyundai also staged the North American debut of the facelifted Sonata and Elantra at the Miami International Auto Show, and they were no-shows in the Motor City.
Hit: Dealers Saved The Day
Pictures: Michael Gauthier / CarScoops
While it’s easy to hate on dealers for their markups and scummy behavior, they stepped up to make the Detroit Auto Show far better than last year.
In particular, organizers said there were dealer activations from Alfa Romeo, Aston Martin, Audi, Bentley, BMW, Honda, Hyundai, Infiniti, Jaguar, Lamborghini, Land Rover, Maserati, McLaren, Mercedes, Mini, Polestar, Porsche, Rolls-Royce and Volvo. While I don’t recall seeing all of those brands, dealers stepped up and brought a number of different vehicles. Some displays were small, but the Honda and Mercedes exhibits were respectable and it was also nice seeing an assortment of high-end models.
Thanks to dealers and their cars, the show felt fuller than last year. However, some of this was down to careful planning as there were four ride and drive events inside Huntington Place. These took up a considerable amount of space and helped to make the event not feel like it was taking place in an abandoned K-mart.
Miss: A Lot Of EVs, But They Faded Into The Background
Pictures: Michael Gauthier / CarScoops
If you’re an electric vehicle fan, you were likely disappointed as the closest we got to a new model was the Ford Mustang Mach-E Rally. It’s based on the Mach-E GT and features unique styling as well as a lifted suspension.
We also got to see the GMC Sierra EV, which was originally introduced last October and has been camera shy. It’s slated to arrive early next year with a six-figure price tag.
Speaking of EVs, Tesla made a rare auto show appearance as did Lucid and Rivian. Chevrolet also brought the Blazer EV, Equinox EV, and Silverado EV. Ram showcased the 1500 REV, while Ford had the F-150 Lightning Platinum Black. They were joined by a couple of Cadillac Lyriqs and GMC Hummers.
Hit: Facelifts For Everyone
Pictures: Michael Gauthier / CarScoops
Facelifts were the theme of this year’s show and Cadillac used the event to introduce the 2025 CT5. It features an all-new front end as well as a modernized interior with a 33-inch curved display.
Over at Jeep, the company introduced the 2024 Gladiator. The model follows in the footsteps of the facelifted Wrangler and adopts a revised grille, a ‘stealth’ antenna, and a revamped interior with a new 12.3-inch infotainment system. The truck also gains new Mojave X and Rubicon X variants.
Besides the new debuts, there was the facelifted Cadillac XT4. The model debuted earlier this year with revised styling and a new 33-inch display.
Miss: Stellantis’ Lineup Is Shrinking Fast
Pictures: Michael Gauthier / CarScoops
While Jeep has an expansive lineup, Stellantis’ other brands aren’t as lucky. With the 300 going away, Chrysler will be down to one model for 2024. Fiat has been scraping by with just the 500X, which no one buys, while Dodge’s lineup will soon be down to the Durango and Hornet.
Sure, help is on the way, but it can’t get here soon enough. We’ve also lived through a few too many five year plans that never panned out.
Attending The Show
Pictures: Michael Gauthier / CarScoops
The Detroit Auto Show opens to the public on September 16 and runs through September 24. Tickets cost $20 for adults, $12 for seniors (65+), and $10 for children (3-12). There’s also a $50 family pass that provides admission for two adults and three children.
The show is in the heart of downtown Detroit and your best bet for parking is on top of Huntington Place itself. If you manage to snag a spot, you can park for $20 and take an elevator down to the show.
