CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) – Once upon a time, NBC’s Thursday night lineup was called “Must-See TV,” featuring ratings juggernauts including “Seinfeld,” “Friends,” “Will & Grace” and “ER.”
In the spirit of “Must-See TV,” we’ve scoured the floor at McCormick Place to bring you the three must-see cars and SUVs at the Chicago Auto Show, which runs through Feb. 17 at McCormick Place.
#3: 2025 Ford Explorer
Our #3 pick is the only car on the floor that’s actually built in Chicago. The 2025 Ford Explorer is built at Ford’s Torrence Avenue plant in Hegewisch, which first opened in 1924 to build Model Ts.
This year’s Explorer is offering new front and rear styling and a freshened interior compared with the ’24 model. Of course, some drivers may recognize the Explorer’s sister model from its appearance in their rear-view mirrors: the Ford Police Interceptor Utility, which is the most popular car for law enforcement agencies across the U.S. The civilian version of the Explorer starts at about $40,000.
#2: 2025 TOYOTA 4RUNNER
The car at #2 on our must-see list is the 2025 Toyota 4Runner, which is at the Chicago Auto Show for the first time in production form.
It’s the first all-new 4Runner since 2009, and it rides on the same platform as Toyota’s Tundra and Tacoma pickup trucks and Land Cruiser and Sequoia SUVs. This new edition ditches Toyota’s well-known V6 engine for a turbocharged four-cylinder engine with or without hybrid assist.
It also brings back established design cues from previous generations, including rear-quarter windows that wrap into the roof and the power rear window that slides into the liftgate. There are nine trim levels, starting at $42,000.
#1: 2025 DODGE CHARGER DAYTONA
Straight in at #1 on our list is the first appearance at the Chicago Auto Show of the all-electric 2025 Dodge Charger Daytona. This replacement for the Dodge Charger and Challenger models has muscle-car looks and great retro design cues on top of a modern electric propulsion system.
In addition, its two-door coupe design hides a hatchback rear, which makes it perfect for runs to Costco, followed by doughnuts in the parking lot (we do not condone parking lot doughnuts).
The Charger Daytona EV is on sale now starting at $57,000, and visitors to the show can drive one on the Chicago Drives Electric experience at the south end of the hall.
The 2025 Chicago Auto Show runs through Feb. 17th at McCormick Place. You can find more information about the show, including details about tickets and parking, on the Auto Show’s official website: chicagoautoshow.com .
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