Fort Lauderdale Auto Show to feature latest EVs, SUVs and more

Electric vehicles will play a starring role when the 2023 Fort Lauderdale International Auto Show revs up for its annual four-day run this Thursday through Sunday.

The event, now in its 31st year, will again be held at the Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center, at 1950 Eisenhower Blvd., Fort Lauderdale.

Interest in electric vehicles and hybrids has picked up, thanks to high gas prices and renewed federal subsidies, and auto show organizers are making sure plenty of the latest models will be on display.

Models on display will include Hyundai’s 2023 IONIC 5, Kia’s 2023 NIRO EV WAVE and its 2023 EV6 GT-LINE AWD AUTO, Volkswagen’s 2023 ID.4 EV SUV and Cadillac’s 2023 Lyriq. Hyundai will have its Tucson Hybrid SEL Convenience AWD, Sonata Hybrid LTD and Santa Fe Hybrid Limited.

Plenty of traditional gasoline-powered new cars, trucks, SUVs, and crossovers will be available as well, as will auto companies to answer questions and provide guidance. Attendees are encouraged to open doors, hoods and trunks, sit inside the cars and get a feel for the controls and upholstery.

Automakers will again have vehicles available for test drives on a short track near the convention center. This year, vehicles will be made available by Kia, Cadillac and Chevrolet, including Kia’s Sportage X-Pro Prestige AWD Auto, Telluride SX-Prestige X-Pro V6 AWD Auto, Niro EV Wave and EV6 GT-Line AWD Auto.

Cadillac is offering test drives of its Escalade, XT5, XT6, CT5, and Lyriq while Chevrolet will feature its Silverado, Traverse and Malibu.

Also on tap are exotic and high-performance vehicles from brands like McLaren, Ferrari, Bentley, BMW, Land Rover, Chevrolet and Mercedes-Benz.

Classic car enthusiasts will enjoy a display of vintage vehicles presented by the South Florida chapter of the Antique Automobile Club of America.

Some of the classic cars planned are a 1928 Model A, 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air Convertible, 1967 Corvette Stingray, 1967 Mustang GT and a 1969 Camaro Z28.

The show is sponsored by the South Florida Auto Dealers Association, which is comprised of nearly 200 new car dealers in Broward, Palm Beach, Miami-Dade and Monroe counties.

As when late auto dealer Rick Case began the event on the parking deck of The Galleria in 1991, proceeds will benefit the Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County. Since its founding, the show has raised more than $5 million for the club.

Founded in 1965, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County operates 13 chapters that serve an estimated 13,000 at-risk children each year.

Admission to the auto show is $8 for adults and $3 for children ages 6 to 12. Children 5 and under get in free.

Show hours are Thursday from 2 to 9 p.m., Friday from 2 to 10 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

For more information, visit www.ftlauderdaleautoshow.com.

Ron Hurtibise covers business and consumer issues for the South Florida Sun Sentinel. He can be reached by phone at 954-356-4071, on Twitter @ronhurtibise or by email at [email protected].