Canadian International AutoShow 2025 once more comes to Toronto
This year’s Canadian International AutoShow at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre was a more subdued affair, foregoing the once common march of journalists from one vehicle company’s booth to the next, to witness cleverly staged managed unveilings of new vehicles.
While the show may have lacked in dramatic light and sound presentations, it made up for with some subdued new vehicle announcements and the return of several automakers who have been missing from the show’s post-Covid return.
As with every Canadian International AutoShow the Canadian Car of the Year Awards (CCOTY), were announced by the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC), with the Honda Civic being named the 2025 Canadian Car of the Year with AJAC members identifying the Honda's ergonomics and handling as key to its appeal. The 2025 Canadian Utility Vehicle of the Year was the Hyundai Santa Fe. The BMW i4 was names as the 2025 Canadian Electric Car of the Year while the 2025 Canadian Electric Utility Vehicle of the Year Went to the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N.
Some 650,000 sq.-ft of floor space showcasing a range of vehicle makers and their products several stood out this year. Returning to the show this year was the Audi Haus that allowed media to experience several of Audi’s new vehicles in a space reminiscent of an art gallery. On display was the Audi’s limited edition R8 GT heritage car and its Audi R6 Avant GT, another limited-edition vehicle with only seven to be made available in Canada. Others on display were the company new Audi A5 and S6 e-tron, along with the Audi RS Q8 and RS 6 Avant GT.
BMW returned to the show this year and took over Level 600 of the South Building of the convention centre that featured an immersive visitor experience for tis M-Class vehicles, such as its new M5 Touring that the automaker said was making its Canadian debut at the show. Other vehicles that visitors could get up close to were BMW’s X3 M50 and the M4 CS.
Mercedes-Benz also returned to the show where it premiered its G 580 with EQ Technology, a fully electric version of its well know G-Wagon along with new G-Class vehicles, the G 550 and the AMG G 63.
MINI Canada used the show to give enthusiasts of the MINI a look at its fifth-generation MINI Cooper 3 Door, a MINI Cooper Convertible and the MINI Countryman ALL4 SUV. Subaru also took to the show floor to introduce its 2025 Forester e-BOXER Hybrid.
With electric vehicles continuing to make gains in the Canadian market, Polestar, the Swedish electric performance car makers showcased three of its Polestar models: the Polestar 2, Polestar 3 and its Polestar 4 and Lucid Motors debuted its high-end luxury all-electric Gravity SUV for Canada.
