The last time I set foot in DC for an in-person event was March 2019 to speak at the Travel and Adventure Show just 5 days before the pandemic made everything come to a halt. I thought of the irony of this yesterday as I set foot in the DC Convention Center again to attend the 2022 Washington DC Auto Show. I’ve been cautious about my return to in-person events, but I figured the auto show might be a good place to start, especially during media days. The truth is, I’ve missed being outside the house and going to events.
6 Reasons to Attend the 2022 DC Auto Show
If you’ve been reluctant like me, strict COVID protocols and mask requirements, the latest electric vehicles, Toyota’s display of race cars, a droolworthy exotic car display, adoptable rescue dogs, and more make this year’s auto show worth attending. The Washington, DC Auto Show runs from Friday, January 21-Sunday, January 30. Tickets are on sale now so you’ll want to read on for the scoop on this year’s show plus a preview of the car eye candy you’ll see once there.
Strict COVID Protocols & Innovative Safety Measures
Per mandates set by Mayor Muriel Bowser and the District of Columbia, all convention center guests ages 12 and older must show proof of vaccination and corresponding ID to enter. Helpful security direct you to a table where ID and proof of vaccination are checked before issuing you a wristband so you can move on and present your ticket for entry.
We appreciated the staff’s friendly but thoroughness in checking our documentation before entering and ensuring everyone was wearing a mask. A woman ahead of us in line had her documentation but forgot her mask. She was not permitted to enter.
While inside, the DC Auto Show is committed to increased sanitation. They’ve provided additional hand washing stations and are regularly cleaning and disinfecting high touch areas. The convention center is the first in the nation to use a HVAC solution called Synexis to purify the air inside while a new Adibot robot disinfects using ultraviolet UV-C lighting. Despite these increased safety measures, it’s always a good idea to bring your own hand sanitizer and wipes.
Learn About Electric Vehicles at the EV Pavilion
If you’ve been considering an electric vehicle, the EV Pavilion is a must-visit. Sponsored by Electrify America, the nation’s largest open ultra-fast DC charging network for electric vehicles (EV), this pavilion is designed to educate consumers about the future of mobility. Stop by to learn about electric vehicles and check out 2022 models such as the 2022 Karma GS6, 2021 Bentley Bentayga Hybrid, McLaren’s Artura, Ford Mustang Mach-E, Nissan Leaf, and Jeep Wrangler 4xe.
If your first stop is Toyota, you won’t miss the 2023 bZ4X located right inside the doors to the upper level hall. The fully electric bZ4x has a range of 250 miles per charge and is a beauty!
A Vehicle for Everyone at Toyota
Toyota has an impressive lineup of vehicles in the upper hall that will please every member of your family. Once you get past the 2023 bZ4X electric, the gorgeous blue hydrogen powered Mirai will make you curious about this new technology behind zero emission vehicles.
In case you’re wondering, Mirai runs on hydrogen and its only by-product is water. If you’re not sure how you fill up a car with hydrogen to power it, don’t worry! We didn’t either so we asked. It turns out you fill up on hydrogen just like you do gas!
Across the aisle is Tacozilla, a retro custom camper based on a Tacoma TD Sport. Built at Toyota’s Motorsports garage, the outside features retro 70s stripes while the inside looks like a more compact version of an RV that serves as your home away from home.
I let my friends at Toyota know I’d like to put my name on the list for one of these when they take this vehicle from concept to reality! It could be the perfect vehicle for me and my husband to take on adventures when we’re empty nesters in just a couple years. It’s just the right size for two of us and Goldie the Dog!
Look across the aisle and you can’t miss Toyota’s display of race cars that will make you channel your inner Ricky Bobby. My 15 year old son spent a lot of time checking out the features of the racing Supras that you usually only get to see racing around tracks at high speed.
He loved getting a look under the hood of the GT4 prototype and yes, there were plenty of photos taken so he could flex through his InstaStory!
Adopt a Pet from Subaru Loves Pets
As dog lovers, we’re suckers for the Subaru ads featuring dogs and Subaru brings their commitment to pets to the DC Auto Show. Located at the end of Hall A, you’ll find the Subaru Loves Pets exhibit where you can browse latest vehicles and meet, play with, and even adopt one of the shelter dogs at certain times of the day.
From Friday, January 21 until the show closes on Sunday, January 30, local animal shelters like Lucky Dog Animal Rescue, Homeward Trails Adoption Center, K9 Life Savers, Humane Rescue Alliance, and SPCA of Anne Arundel County will bring dogs for your family to give a forever home to. Subaru Loves Pets adoption times can be found here.
Droolworthy Exotic Cars
If exotic cars are more your thing, you will want to head downstairs to the Exotic Car Display Featured brands include Aston Martin, Bentley, Ferrari, Lamborghini, McLaren, Rolls Royce, and Bugatti.
The Bugatti Chiron that sits at the end of the aisle will stop you dead in your tracks. The midnight blue luxury car features gorgeous rose gold exterior details. Perhaps the 16 on the grill signifies that this is the 16th vehicle out of the 60 made. I wish we could have gotten a look at the interior of this breathtaking beauty but unfortunately, it’s behind ropes and off limits. With a price tag of nearly $4 million, I suppose I can understand why.
Discounted Parking from SpotHero
If you’re like us and not quite ready to take the yellow and green line to travel to and from the DC Auto Show, SpotHero is offering discounted parking reservations with rates up to 50% to show attendees. We used SpotHero to book convenient parking in advance through SpotHero, the nation’s leading parking reservations app. To reserve your parking spot, visit the Washington Auto Show SpotHero parking page.
About the 2022 DC Auto Show
The Washington, DC Auto Show runs from Friday, January 21-Sunday, January 30. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased on the Auto Show’s website at www.washingtonautoshow.com.
Full show hours are as follows:
- Friday, January 21, 12:00 noon – 10:00 pm
- Saturday, January 22, 10:00 am – 10:00 pm
- Sunday, January 23, 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
- Monday, January 24 through Thursday, January 27, 12:00 noon – 9:00 pm
- Friday, January 28, 12:00 – 10:00 pm;
- Saturday, January 29, 10:00 am – 10:00 pm
- Sunday, January 30, 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
I attended the Washington, DC Auto Show as a member of the media during Public Policy Day. No compensation was received for this post and all opinions are my own.
