Gear up your next ride with one of these teched-out beauties.

One thing was perfectly clear after kicking tires at the 2025 Canadian International AutoShow (CIAS)—‘auto-tech’ is here to stay. Whether it’s for safety’s sake, entertainment, connectivity, or convenience, virtually every vehicle on display at this year’s event was packed with technology.

Featuring more than 40 brands, CIAS covered more than 650,000 square feet of show floor space and boasted the official launch of more than a dozen new vehicles. A growing number of cars, SUVs and trucks were electric vehicles (EVs), but there are still plenty of gas-based ICE rides (“internal combustion engine”) or hybrids, for those who still prefer them.

Hardly a complete list, but here’s a brief look at some of the more impressive vehicles with exciting features that definitely caught my eye.

Plug-in hybrids + Off-roading

If you’re not sure about a full electric vehicle, a plug-in hybrid might be for you. It can be recharged using an external power source, such as a home outlet in the garage or a charging station, but unlike regular hybrids, plug-in hybrids can travel a significant distance on electricity alone before the gasoline engine kicks in.

And should you want to climb behind the wheel of one you can take off road, you’ve got options.

Designed and built in the UK, the 2025 Range Rover Sport Autobiography (from $156,100) is packed with a ton of tech, including: the Connected Navigation Pro system (which learns your preferred routes and suggests faster alternatives should there be delays); a heads-up display that projects relevant info onto your windshield (such as speed, gear position and navigation directions); support for Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and wireless device charging (so you can leave your charging cable at home); and 22-way heated, ventilated and massage front seats with winged headrests.

Options for upgrades include a towing pack, 23-inch gloss black wheels, a Land Rover dashcam, and an attractive basket of other accessories.

And then there’s the 2025 Lexus LX700H, starting at $147,332.70, a full-size luxury SUV featuring a hybrid powertrain: a twin-turbo V6 engine paired with an electric motor, providing a combined 457 horsepower and 583 lb-ft of torque.

Along with trims like Luxury, Ultra Luxury, and Executive VIP, the Overtrail+ trim features 33-inch all-terrain tires mounted on 18-inch wheels, ideal for off-roading.

Other techy features include a 12.3-inch touch display and digital display rearview mirror, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, and remote parking capabilities.

Bye-bye range anxiety

If you’re like other buyers who’ve been holding off on that fuel saving EV because you’re concerned about the range consider the 2025 Escalade IQ. It’s the first-ever all-electric model that can travel 740 kilometres on a full charge. That’s the equivalent of driving from Toronto to Montreal—and still having roughly 200 kilometres left to run errands.

Starting at $160,833, this 7-seater luxury electric SUV can go from 0 to 96 km/hour in less than five seconds. The 24-inch wheels are the largest ever offered on Escalade.

Inside the cabin, a pillar-to-pillar 55-inch LED display spans the entire front row, with integrated Google apps and services (and the option to download others), along with available Wi-Fi hotspot connectivity (data plan required) and a 19-speaker AKG audio system.

As with other GM vehicles, this Cadillac EV also supports Super Cruise, an advanced driver-assistance system that lets you take your hands off the wheel while on compatible highways and other roadways.

Speaking of range, the 2025 Chevrolet Silverado EV pickup features up to 792 km on full charge. Note: this is for the “Work Truck” trim level, with the “Max Range” battery pack option (with prices starting at $85,099 for this trim).

What’s more, the RST (Rally Sport Model), starting at $116,599, includes a built-in external charging port and with up to 10.2 kW of power (with required powerbase) – a work horse that allows you to use the truck’s battery to power tools, equipment, or other devices.

The Silverado EV RST model also supports “Sidewinder” steering, a kind of “crab walk” feature where all four wheels turn in the same direction to move the truck diagonally at a speed of up to 32 km/h. Ideally for sneaking into tight parking space or better maneuver over rugged terrain.

Game on! And a self-healing grill

A centerpiece at the ever popular BMW booth, the upcoming all-electric 2026 BMW iX (from $88,900) offers increased power and range (up to 547 km per charge in the xDrive60 variant; starting at $94,900). A nicely done sleek yet simplified design language refresh promises to be popular.

Next up—the BMW iX M70 xDrive, a high-performance SUV that fuses M-specific design with impressive performance and range. Pricing starts at $129,000.

Plus, BMW has added something to pass the time while juicing up at an electric charging station. While stationary, BMW iDrive’s AirConsole platform still lets drivers and passengers play casual games on the curved infotainment display—alone or in multiplayer mode—by using a smartphone as a controller. Some titles include Starlit Kart, Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?, and UNO Car Party!

And if you didn’t know this was available for the past couple of years, here’s a piece of cool tech: a “self-healing” grille. Yup, the digital kidney grille on the BMW iX not only integrates technology—a 360-degree camera (with its own cleaning system), radar, and other sensors—but an additional polyurethane coating can actually repair minor scratches. Yes believe it or not, within 24 hours at room temperature (or via a five-minute supply of warm air, says BMW), you’ll be good as new.

Production began in March at Plant Dingolfing in Germany, with deliveries expected the first half of 2025.

Screen dream, making scents

Speaking of screens, I couldn’t help but notice the sleek Mercedez-Benz booth. The show stealer is the 2025 AMG E 53 Hybrid (from $136,500). Slipping in to gawk at its MBUX Superscreen ($1,800 for the package). Of course, the pricier 2024 Maybach EQS 680 SUV (from $295,000) and its MBUX Hyperscreen is worth the visit alone. Stunning

Available this spring and starting at $123,500 (for the Reserve trim level), the 2025 Lincoln Navigator was turning heads. Inside the revamped Lincoln Digital Experience comes to life through a 48-inch panoramic display.

Powered by Google, the Ford and Lincoln Digital Experience was designed to be an intuitive and versatile touchscreen experience—and supported by buttons on the steering wheel to keep your eyes on the road—that combines navigation, entertainment, information, and safety. Along with customizable widgets, features include real-time traffic and weather alerts, podcast and music, and access to more apps via the Google Play store.

While parked, the integrated 5G (plan required) also lets you access a full web browser, play interactive games (by pairing a wireless controller), or stream videos from YouTube or Prime Video (first year free).

This vehicle also boasts Lincoln Rejuvenate, dubbed your “spa on wheels,” a “multi-sensory experience of sight, sound, temperature, and massage”—and yes, even smell, to give you some moments of Zen when the vehicle is stationary. And, finally, there’s the “BlueCruise” hands-free highway driving technology which comes standard on all models for the first four years.

See you next year

I’m still hoping for in-car tech makes my coffee rather than just keeping it warm and keeps my groceries at the perfect temperature on a hot summer day. Guess I’ll have to keep my fingers crossed and return to check out the latest CAIS again in 2026.

At time of writing the sector is challenged with tariffs, which we’re obvious all hoping will be a thing of the past in short order for those affected.

For the past 30 years, Marc Saltzman has been a recognized expert in consumer electronics, business tech, and automotive trends. Marc is a keynote speaker across North America and hosts the weekly Tech It Out podcast. You can follow Marc on X @ marc_saltzman.