2026 Philly Auto Show Stops In Philly
by Alex Lloyd Gross
The 2026 Philadelphia Auto Show has parked itself at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in center city Philly. It’s something to do for everyone even if some of that time is spent waiting in line. You get to see lots of new model cars and some you can even sit inside. Not exotics but new Chevy’s, Fords, Toyotas etc.
There are some changes at this years auto show. The first is that Ford did not bring their number one attraction, the racing simulator, which has drawn crowds for at least a decade. This attraction is a race car that people can get in and it simulates you driving around a race track. It was stupid to leave it out. While kids are in line, adults are looking at Ford’s. At least you can still get a test drive at a dealership and Ford will pay you a $50.00 gift card to do it.
Subaru brought back their adoptable animals. Real live dogs and cats for people to play with. Subaru donates to animal shelters when a new Subaru is purchased. Half the show floor is taken up by ridiculous tests tracks. You wait in line for about 45 minutes (depending on when you get there), for a trained driver to drive over obstacles that no human will ever drive over in real life. Or you take a ride in a car around a test track as a passenger. Some people think it’s fun, for others, it’s a waste of time. There is no place in this area for YOU to navigate the same conditions.
Alex Lloyd Gross Photo/ Delaware Valley News.com Tra Thomas, from the Philadelphia Eagles helps present Megan Spiotta, of Glen Mills with a new Toyota at the auto show.
It is not a waste of time to take a legitimate test drive where you are behind the wheel of a Jeep or other vehicle. You are on city streets and it conditions where you are the one driving. It’s a quick, controlled drive and you have a representative with you but it’ s a fun thing to do. You will take a breathalyzer before hand for liability purposes.
Downstairs cars are tricked out and vendors are selling all kinds of services to trick out vehicles. It is there that you can find someone to fix a 1986 Toyota to make it look like a show car. If you have the cash, someone there has the skill.
Photo by Alex Lloyd Gross Delaware Valley News.com. You can look but not touch at the exotic display .
Back upstairs, you can see antique cars that are in pristine condition. The auto show runs until Feb 82026.