Detroit Auto Show 2019 Highlights: Must-See Cars + Best Interactive Exhibits

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by A Girls Guide To Cars. All thoughts, opinions, and personal stories are my own.

It’s hard to believe, but 2019 will be the last year the North American International Auto Show (also known as NAIAS or the Detroit Auto Show) takes place in January before moving to June in 2020! With my eighth auto show (and third year covering the show with A Girls Guide to Cars) in the books, the NAIAS has become something I get excited for as each new year approaches. While the change is bittersweet, I’m excited to see what lies in store for the makeover and just as importantly, soak up all the excitement of this year’s auto show while it’s here!

Above: Big changes are coming to the North American International Auto Show in 2020, including a switch from winter to summer and more tie-in attractions across the city.

So what caught my eye during this year's auto show? Below, I've got the lowdown on which exhibits I loved and which vehicles you won't want to miss during your visit.

Detroit Auto Show 2019: Best Interactive Exhibits

Chevrolet Homerun Challenge

If you know me, you know my favorite part of the auto show is all the interactive exhibits. My first stop: The Chevy booth for the Chevrolet Homerun Challenge, a virtual experience where you can bat homeruns out of a computer-generated ballpark. This took me back to the ol' Nintendo Wii days, but with an immersive VR headset and giant screen, this is a lot more fun (and way easier to succeed than when playing real baseball ;) ).

Ford: New Explorer + Interactive VR Experience

Next up was another virtual experience, this time at the Ford booth. In this ride, you'll hop into a Ford Explorer and wear a VR headset while a Ford team member drives you around on an actual obstacle course. The combination makes you feel like you're riding in real-world scenarios (tight cliffs, steep hills, and more) and has the potential to be the best virtual experience at the auto show. Depending on the popularity of the ride, however (and how the computers are functioning when you visit), be prepared for long lines and possible unexpected stops/malfunctions with this one.

Kia: Telluride Ride-Along Demo

Kia has TWO booths at this year's auto show, both of which include AWESOME LED waterfalls (be sure to look for them!). Head to the back of the showroom for a Telluride demo, where a Kia rep will drive you along a man-made course to show off the handling of this rugged crossover. It's a quick ride, but lots of fun!

Detroit Auto Show 2019 Highlights: What's New In The Auto Industry

A few vehicles garnered a lot of buzz during this year's media preview, and are sure to be popular throughout the public show, as well. Cadillac debuted its all-new XT6, Toyota revealed the return of the GR Supra, and Lexus showed off an LC convertible concept car and gave us our first look at the RC F Track Edition. Changes were also made to the Ford Explorer and Mustang Shelby GT 500, while Dodge continues to wow truck lovers with the new heavy-duty RAM.

GIVEAWAY: Enter to Win Tickets to The Detroit Auto Show (Plus, a $100 Grand Prize)!

Detroit Auto Show 2019 Highlights: Must-See Cars + Best Interactive Exhibits

A Girls Guide To Cars is giving away TEN pairs of tickets to the 2019 Detroit Auto Show, and you can enter right here! Plus, one grand-prize winner will also receive a $100 gift card—the perfect prize to help you spend a great day out in Detroit! For your chance to win, click here to enter.

Contest rules: Entries must be completed by midnight January 17, 2019. No purchase necessary; contest open only to US residents 18 and older and subject to the laws of Michigan. Winners will be notified by email. Winners MUST pick up tickets in person at the North American International Auto Show, Cobo Center, at 1 Washington Blvd. , Detroit, MI 48226 between January 19, 2019, and January 27, 2019. Winners may be asked to provide identification to receive their prize. Prize value $30 per prize, not exchangeable for cash or other items. Grand prize value is $130. A total of 10 pairs of tickets will be awarded and a total of 1 grand prize will be awarded.