2015 - 10 New Cars You Must See at the 2014 Chicago Auto Show

Chicago’s auto show isn’t close to the biggest event on journalists’ automotive calendars, but tons of consumers flood the place once we leave, most of who will skip over the concept cars and pie-in-the-sky supercars and instead focus on stuff they might actually buy. Indeed, we’ve heard the show is a huge generator of sales referrals for the Chicagoland region, which last time we checked, isn’t exactly a small podunk town in the middle of nowhere. So, dear buyers, here are the 10 cars you must look at when you hit up the show; while you’ve probably seen these cars in photos, this is your chance to see and touch them in person. Appropriately, of course . . .

2015 BMW M3

Any new M car is a big deal, and as BMW’s bread-and-butter performance sedan, the latest M3 is an especially big deal. It’s also right at home here in Chicago, where BMWs, Audis, and Lexuses sometimes seem to outnumber Corollas. Of course, we’re inclined to declare the M3 universally cool enough to grab eyeballs outside of Chicago—it looks awesome and has a 425-hp twin-turbocharged inline-six. If the M3’s too rich for you, BMW also is displaying the sweet M235i coupe.

2015 Chevrolet Colorado / GMC Canyon

Believe it or not, but insiders know the Chicago show as the “truck show,” as it’s traditionally a hugely popular event among truck buyers and enthusiasts. In the spirit of Chicago’s truck love, we must include GM’s all-new mid-size pickup twins, the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon, on our must-see list. We’d suggest visiting the show to check out the trucks’ looks and interiors before committing to one, however; gather impressions now, and if you dig the trucks, wait for the optional diesel four-cylinder engine to be released next year.

2015 Chevrolet Corvette Z06

Okay, so we admit that not many people are in the market for a near-$100,000 borderline supercar Corvette, but the Z06 is worth checking out regardless. Why? Because it is unbelievably awesome, and we maintain that the car needs to be seen in the metal to appreciate the myriad modifications the Corvette team made to elevate it far, far above the pedestrian-in-comparison Stingray. As a bonus, Chevy also brought a Z06 cutaway model so Chicagoans can look inside the thing, too.

2015 Chrysler 200

Skip past Chrysler’s “Imported from Detroit” hyperbole when studying the new 200, and you’re still left with desirable-looking goods. For starters, this is the first attractive 200 since, well, before the model was parlayed from the ashes of the Sebring lineup. But the real reason to check out the 200 in Chicago is its interior. The cabin is adorned with handsome and fresh materials, but you can’t fully appreciate the level of attention paid to it until you see with your own eyes the skyline of Detroit embossed on a rubber mat lining a storage compartment

2015 Ford F-150

Remember how Chicago’s the “truck show?” You can’t get much truckier than an F-150, and especially not any truckier than a new F-150. Curious about the sound an aluminum body panel makes when you rap your knuckle on it? Go to the Chicago auto show and you can find out. If you’re feeling especially weird, you can even experience what a 2015 Ford F-150 tastes like. 

2015 Ford Mustang

Few people have sat in a new Mustang, which should be reason enough to check out the fleet of them sitting at McCormick Place. On top of that, though, seeing the Stang in person really is the only way to do its shape justice. Photographs fail to recreate the car’s sharp lines and muscular appearance. Besides, there are Mustang-inspired pinball machines waiting to be played, and high scores set by a professional pinball player waiting to be broken at Ford’s stand.

2015 Honda Fit

We’ve noticed that, lately, when we post stories or photos of the Fit, there’s an outpouring of haters in our comments section or on Facebook dinging the car’s goofy looks, lack of power, or its propensity for clubbing baby seals to death. Okay, so that last one might be an exaggeration, but still. The 50,000 or so people who bought the outgoing (and 10Best-winning) Fit last year prove there is some love out there. We haven’t driven the new one yet, but after fiddling with its versatile interior, it’s clearly still the car to buy if you must have a small footprint and maximum cargo-hauling ability.

2015 Hyundai Genesis

Even though Hyundai’s second-generation Genesis luxury sedan hasn’t made quite the same splash as its predecessor, it’s still a key model for the brand. And it’s a whole heck of a lot nicer than the first-gen Genesis. For an indication of the state of all things Hyundai, circa 2014, you must see the 2015 Genesis in person, sit in it, and marvel at the company’s relentless progress.

2014 Maserati Ghibli

America recently was introduced to the 2014 Ghibli in Maserati’s first-ever Super Bowl commercial. (Come to think of it, that might’ve been the brand’s first U.S. commercial, period.) And now, if you’re in Chicago for the next two weeks, you can see it in person. We’re only pretty sure it won’t sneak up on you . . . and strike.

2015 Porsche Macan

Porsche Cayennes are a fairly common sight on Chicago’s battered roads, probably because the occasional pothole to China would swallow the SUV’s Boxster and 911 siblings. Now Chicagoans have a second option that’s smaller and less expensive: the Macan. If you’re in the market for something with all-wheel drive, space for some stuff, and sporty and unique looks, Porsche’s baby Cayenne is certainly worth a look.