The 2025 Canadian International AutoShow in Toronto is filled with a lot of new cars you can see on the street today. But then there are some that are more rare. Here are fives rides that stood out for being wild, off-beat or ugly:
Maserati Barbie Grecale SUV
This is no ordinary Maserati Grecale SUV – this is a limited-edition “Barbie” Grecale, an odd collaboration between the Italian auto maker and Mattel. But I don’t blame Maserati for wanting to be a part of the Barbie trend by offering this not-so-pretty-in-pink paint colour. This Grecale has sunshine yellow accents at the front and rear and Barbie badging on its body. Even the interior isn’t exempt from the weird colour combo – there’s pink stitching on the seats, side doors and centre console. This Grecale can hit 100 kilometres an hour in 3.8 seconds with its 530-horsepower V6 engine, but you wouldn’t want to try it because cops would nab you in a minute with this iridescent pink shade. Designed to showcase Maserati’s Fuoriserie customization program, only three Barbie models exist in the world.
The Maserati Barbie Grecale SUV on display at the entrance of the 2025 Canadian International AutoShow in Toronto on Feb. 13.Chittley, Jordan/The Globe and Mail
Nissan Project Trailgater
Hot off the heels of the Superbowl comes the Nissan Project Trailgater – a truck designed for never missing the big game or to enhance a parking lot tailgate party before going to the stadium. Based on a 2025 Nissan Frontier PRO-4X pickup, it has everything for camping and tailgating including two 43-inch weatherproof TVs and a soundbar mounted to a NISMO off-road overlanding rack in the bed. It has a folding solar panel, a custom lithium battery pack, an integrated cooler and fridge, a paper-towel rack, a fold-out kitchen with sink and a built-in propane grille that folds out from the CargoGlide slide-outs on the custom-fabricated hinged mount and fire pit. It even has extra off-roading accessories including a lift kit and high-performance suspension, bed rack, cargo cases, off-road lighting and 17-inch wheels.
The Nissan Frontier Trailgater with dual 43-inch TVs and everything you need for tailgating or watching the big game outside on display at the 2025 Canadian International AutoShow.Chittley, Jordan/The Globe and Mail
Mercedes-Benz G 580
Mercedes-Benz’s iconic G Wagen can do some funky moves – and not just when it comes to off-roading. At the show, Mercedes showed off the electric G 580 SUV and its G-turn manoeuver. AMG performance driver Daniel Morad performed the G-turn feat behind the wheel of the G 580, which has four motors, four transmissions and four-wheel drive. G-turn drives the motors on either side of the SUV in opposite directions to turn on its axis. Engage the G-turn button on the centre console, pull the shift paddle in the direction you want to turn, nail the throttle, keep the steering wheel straight and the G 580 spins two full rotations. It’s intended for tackling tight terrain when you’re surrounded by trees in the forest and don’t want to hit and damage your expensive SUV.
Dodge Charger Daytona
The all-electric Dodge Charger Daytona is the star of those odd commercials about a car that is going to save our planet from “all those lame, soulless, weak-looking, self-driving sleep pods everyone else keeps pollutin’ our streets with.” At the top of the line, is the world’s quickest and most powerful muscle car. The top Daytona Scat Pack trim with its dual electric motors produces a whopping 670 horsepower and 627 lb-ft of torque and can accelerate from 0 to 100 kilometres an hour in 3.3 seconds. And if you miss the sound of an engine, this Charger has speakers inside and outside that you can turn on to hear the growl. While the base model starts at $57,790 before freight and pre-delivery inspection, this one rings in closer to $110,000. It’s made in Canada, rolling off the assembly line in Windsor.
The made-in-Canada Dodge Charger Daytona on display at the 2025 Canadian International AutoShow.Chittley, Jordan/The Globe and Mail
Tesla Cybertruck
Any way you slice it, the Tesla Cybertruck is an eyesore. Its menacing body and sharp angles, especially at the front end, are poorly constructed and not to mention potentially dangerous and deadly in the event of a collision. Bikers or pedestrians alike wouldn’t have a fighting chance against this ugly beast in a head-on collision. While it may look like it’s a tank that can tackle anything, we’ve spotted several Cybertrucks on Canadian streets struggling in the snow with spinning tires attempting to get out of the simplest parking spots. Even a Honda Civic with good winter tires could tackle similar snow banks without any issues.
The Tesla Cybertruck on display at the 2025 Canadian International AutoShow.Chittley, Jordan/The Globe and Mail