The LA Auto Show, a chance to preview next year's new-car competition in the North American market, opens on the 21st local time. Hyundai Motor will unveil sketches of a new model aimed at the U.S. off-road market long led by Jeep and Ford. Kia plans to debut the second-generation model of the Telluride, a full-size sport utility vehicle (SUV) sold in the United States.
According to the auto industry on the 20th, the 2025 LA Auto Show will run from the 21st to the 30th at the LA Convention Center in Los Angeles (LA), California.
The LA Auto Show has been gaining status in the auto industry in recent years as more global automakers participate. Although this year's number of participating corporations has not been disclosed, about 30 automakers, similar to last year, are expected to take part.
Hyundai Motor is set to unveil the real-life version of the Cretae, a compact off-road SUV concept car. According to U.S. Automotive News, the U.S. off-road SUV market, long dominated by the Jeep Wrangler, has been growing further as the Ford Bronco, Honda Passport, and Toyota Land Cruiser have recently joined the fray.
Hyundai Motor earlier released sketches and a three-dimensional (3D) modeling image of the Cretae. The vehicle stands out for what appears to be an especially high ground clearance. A body optimized for rock crawling, large and thick tires, an underbody protection system, and a four-lamp light bar on the roof also draw attention.
If the Cretae is launched, Hyundai Motor will also have a bona fide off-road model lineup. Until now, Hyundai Motor has targeted the off-road market by adding an XRT trim to models such as the Ioniq 5, Santa Cruz, and Palisade. Because XRT adds off-road performance to existing models, it has drawn criticism that it is hard to regard it as a true off-road model.
A Hyundai Motor official said, "Cretae is a model developed by Hyundai America Technical Center (HATCI) in California, inspired by extreme environments," adding, "Compared with mass-production XRT vehicles, it was engineered with a focus on further reinforcing durability."
Kia plans to unveil the second generation of the Telluride, a midsize SUV. Since its 2019 launch, the Telluride has won multiple North American "SUV of the year" awards and has been a "hidden gem" model that greatly helped Kia establish itself in the North American market.
Unlike the first generation, the second-generation Telluride emphasizes toughness with a boxy, right-angled silhouette rather than softness, and its length and height have also grown. According to Automotive News, the second-generation Telluride is also expected to add a hybrid model.
There is also a chance Kia will unveil another model besides the new Telluride. As it revealed the Telluride on Instagram, Kia placed another vehicle covered in a black cloth alongside it. Regarding the photo, Kia said, "You may think you have seen it all, but the evolution of the icon is just beginning," and tagged the LA Auto Show.
Locally, there is speculation that Kia will reveal the Weekndr (WKNDR), a special concept model of The Kia Tasman, the brand's first authentic pickup truck. Unveiled in concept form in Apr., the Weekndr is a multi-purpose electric van suited for outdoor activities.
Lucid, a U.S. electric-vehicle maker, is expected to unveil the Touring trim of its large electric SUV, the Gravity. The existing Grand Touring trim delivers 828 horsepower, a single-charge driving range of 724 kilometers, and supports ultra-fast charging, but the Touring trim to be unveiled this time is expected to have reduced output and range.
Another U.S. electric-vehicle corporation, Rivian, will preview the R2, a midsize electric SUV slated for release in the first half of next year. Jeep plans to reveal the Recon, the brand's first all-electric off-road SUV.
Japanese automakers also plan to roll out a host of new models. Nissan will unveil a hybrid version of the Rogue midsize SUV. The Rogue was Nissan's top-selling model in the United States last year, with about 246,000 units sold. Honda is said to be planning to display the CR-V e:FCEV, the first mass-produced plug-in Hydrogen Fuel Cell vehicle in the United States.