With today being a snow day for so many throughout the DC area, it’s the perfect day to hop on the Metro and head to the Washington, DC Auto Show which opens today at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. The 2024 DC Auto Show features more cars on display than in the past, including a couple manufacturers who haven’t previously showed their vehicles in DC.
You’ll see the latest electric vehicles, cool concept cars, droolworthy exotic cars, and sick customs (according to my 17 year old). There are also rescue dogs from local shelters hoping you’ll give them a forever home, opportunities to get behind the wheel for ride and drives, inflatables for kids to play on, and more which make this year’s auto show worth attending. The Washington, DC Auto Show starts today Friday, January 20 and runs through Sunday, January 29.
11 Reasons to Attend the 2024 DC Auto Show
Here’s what you need to know about this year’s show including a sneak peek at the eye candy you won’t want to miss.
See New 2024 Models
If you want to see the latest and greatest vehicle manufacturers are offering for 2024, the DC Auto Show is a great way to see these models in one place. Be on the lookout for the Kia EV9, Corvette E-Ray, Chevy Blazer EV, Lexus TX, Toyota Land Cruiser, Nissan Z Nismo, Volvo EX30, Alfa Romeo 100th Anniversary Giulia Quadrifoglio, and more!
Check Out Concept Cars
I’m still waiting for Toyota to bring back TacoZilla but this year’s concept cars didn’t disappoint. Climb in the Nintendo Switch themed Toyota Grand Highlander and you’ll find the middle row has been taken out.
Red leather seats emblazoned with the Nintendo Switch logo provide enough leg room for your tallest friends to game comfortably at a console that features Switch blue lighting.
If you love making your own music and sharing it, you won’t want to miss the Sienna: Remix.
Built off a Sienna XSE, this vehicle features a fully functional DJ booth that has been cut out in the center of the vehicle. It contains a 43” flat screen television, 64 speakers, four 12” subwoofers, and 16 amps that draw 25K watts of power.
To celebrate being named the official automotive partner of the National Football League, Toyota has an NFL themed Tundra TRD Pro in the Upper Hall. You can’t miss this astroturf green vehicle striped with yard lines and a gorgeous red interior.
Plan Your Next Adventure
During the pandemic, time in the great outdoors served as a safe way to get out of the house. This year when you step into the Upper Hall, the lineup of Toyota trucks highlight the brand’s adventurous spirit. The Tundra, Tacoma, Sequoia, Land Cruiser, and 4Runner are built for exploring and encourage customers to get out their via longtime slogan, Let’s Go Places.
Last year the Toyota Trailhunter was a concept car and this year it’s a prototype that will be available soon. This rugged vehicle is designed to go straight from the showroom floor to any adventure you can dream of. It’s perfect for outdoor enthusiasts who love overlanding and long for off-the-grid expeditions.
Overlanding? According to MotorTrend this activity has been around since the 1900s but has become recently trendy. Think of it as off-road in-vehicle camping that allows you to explore new destinations in remote areas off the grid.
In addition to their trucks, Toyota has an impressive lineup of vehicles to explore that will prompt you into thinking about your next road trip. Cars, minivans, crossovers, SUVs, electrics, and hybrids are all on display. We never get tired of seeing the Supra!
Check out the Best Cars for the Money
If you’re in the market for a new car but your goal is to stick to a budget, look for the U.S. News 2024 Best Cars for the Money award winners at the 2024 DC Auto Show. This award highlights cars, SUVs, and minivans that provide long term value plus top ownership experience.
Each year U.S. News and World Report aggregates data from a variety of sources to determine winners. With winners in 11 different automotive classes, chances are you’ll find a model that works for you and your budget.
This year’s award winners are listed on page 25 of the DC Auto Show Guide and most manufacturers have placed the awards on top of the winning vehicles on the show floor. year’s show. provides you with an opportunity to see these vehicles up close so you can be sure you like the car you buy.
Explore Electric Vehicles
The future is electric! Throughout the Upper and Lower Halls vehicle manufacturers are showcasing electric and hybrid models to demonstrate they continue to be dedicated to moving towards a carbon neutral future.
Electric mobility also includes eBikes. Strictly EBikes is back at the 2024 DC Auto Show in a bigger space than last year and has brought a diverse selection of 12 ebikes from top-selling brands that cater to riders of all kinds. It’s a great time to test any and all models if you’re considering an eBike purchase in the future.
See the Tesla Cybertruck
If you want to see the Tesla Cybertruck in all its stainless steel glory, this futuristic looking vehicle can be found on the lower level of the Convention Center along with the Model Y. I was hoping to see the refreshed Model 3 but unfortunately you won’t find it at the 2024 DC Auto Show. To me, this was a huge miss especially since CNET reported just last week that it is available in the United States.
Go for a Test Drive at the 2024 DC Auto Show
It’s one thing to sit in a car at the DC Auto Show, it’s another to drive one. Nissan, Hyundai, Tesla, and Pepco are showcasing electric vehicles through ride n’ drives on indoor tracks and outside on DC streets.
Hyundai and Nissan are offering visitors the opportunity to experience their electric vehicles on indoor tracks while at the show. You can’t miss the Hyundai Test Track that is part of Hyundai’s booth in the Lower Hall where you can register to experience the Kona EV, IONIQ 5, and IONIQ 6.
You’ll find Nissan at the back of the Upper Hall. Their indoor EV track features the Nissan Ariya Platinum+.
Tesla is providing 2024 DC Auto Show attendees a chance to get behind the wheel of the Model Y, Model S or Model X and experience it outdoors. Pepco’s EVSmart program is providing guests with the chance to DC streets in hybrid or fully electric vehicles from Ford, Kia, and Hyundai.
Channel Your Inner Race Car Driver
You may be good at Forza Motorsport and great at Mario Kart but how good will you be when you get behind the wheel of the racing simulators at the 2024 DC Auto Show? Test your driving skills with racing simulators that can be found at the Subaru, Kia, and Ford booths.
Subaru features a 3 screen rally simulator with a sequential shifter and a handbrake. Using top of the line components, my 17 year old says it’s as close as you can get to racing without all the risk. Look for it at the edge of their booth by the Subaru Loves Pets corral.
Kia has the EV6 GT Driving Experience at the corner of their booth. This 3-screen simulator also features a seat that’s mounted on hydraulics for a more immersive driving experience where you can feel the gravel under the tires and a crash feels like a crash. This is a timed driving experience so even if the line seems long, it could move faster than you might think.
GIVE A DOG A FOREVER HOME BEFORE LEAVING THE 2024 DC AUTO SHOW
As rescue dog owners, we’re suckers for the Subaru ads featuring dogs and love that Subaru is back with Subaru Loves Pets at the 2024 DC Auto Show.
Located in the middle of the Lower Hall, you’ll find the Subaru Loves Pets exhibit. Browse latest vehicles and meet, play with, and even adopt one of the shelter dogs from local rescue organizations.
I love that since the Subaru Loves Pets auto show adoption events began in 2018, more than 850 pets have been adopted and Subaru, its retailers and auto show attendees have donated nearly $450,000 to local pet organizations. They’ve made such an impact locally too!
Swoon Over Exotic Cars
The Exotic Cars display features luxury, speed, and power in gorgeous packages. There are over 30 vehicles at the 2024 DC Auto Show including Maclaren, Bugatti, Lamborghini, Aston Martin, Maserati, and more.
If you’ve been to the Auto Show the past couple years, chances are you’ll recognize some of the vehicles from years past but it’s still fun to see this collection. Here’s a sneak peek of some of what’s on display.
Get Nostalgic with Classic Cars
The Classic Car Club section pays tribute to the classics. This year’s collection includes models from the Cadillac & LaSalle Club Potomac Region and Corvette Club of America.
I was also really pleased to see the National Capital Region Mustang Club in attendance this year. My dad had a Mustang when I was growing up and the collection of Mustangs brought back memories!
About the 2024 DC Auto Show
The Washington, DC Auto Show runs from Friday, January 19-Sunday, January 29. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased on the Auto Show’s website at www.washingtonautoshow.com. Visit the DC Auto Show web page with Tips for Visiting the 2023 Show for more helpful information before you go.
Full show hours:
- Friday, January 19— Noon-9 pm
- Saturday, January 20— 10-9 pm
- Sunday, January 21— 10-6 pm
- Monday, January 22-Thursday, January 25— Noon-8 pm
- Friday, January 26— Noon-9 pm
- Saturday, January 27— 10-9 pm
- Sunday, January 28— 10-6 pm
Admission:
- Children under 6— Free
- Children 6-12— $7
- Adults weekdays— $15
- Adults Saturday & Sunday— $20
Discount Admission Days:
- Military Tribute Day (Tuesday, January 23)- Free for those with a proper Military ID
- Student Day (Friday, January 26)- Students with ID can save $7 off admission
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.
