At the Chicago Auto Show, our favourite rides are all about adventure

Despite freezing rain and wild winter weather, the 2025 Chicago Auto Show was all about adventure and embracing the great outdoors. Here are five of our favourite rides for getting away:

Kia PV5 WKNDR

Most Canadians can’t wait for a weekend getaway, but you’ll probably have to wait for this PV5 WKNDR electric vehicle to hit our back roads. First unveiled at the 2024 Speciality Equipment Market Association, or SEMA, show in Las Vegas last fall, it’s a lifted van that rides on massive off-road tires to conquer any trails. It has a funky look and a functional interior with a modular flexible design so you can customize the inside to fit all your needs from an elaborate bedroom to a handy workshop. The pop-up tent also does double duty protecting the interior from the outdoor elements while adding light and fresh air. There’s no word yet on whether this concept EV will go into production.

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2025 Chevrolet Trailblazer ACTIV

This is no ordinary Chevy Trailblazer SUV – it’s a tricked out Trailblazer trim that’s dubbed ACTIV. With skid plates and roof rails securing a retro bike, it’s made for athletes and adventurers, young and old. Inside, the seats are covered in Evotex – a durable material that’s resistant to stains and spills and can be cleaned easily. While the driver’s seat is 10-way power adjustable, the front passenger seat moves four ways manually. But it’s flexible, the front passenger seat can fold flat to carry longer items. Drop the 40/60 split rear bench seat and you can fit a surf board inside with space to spare for other goodies in the cargo area. The vibrant nitro yellow metallic colour and contrasting white roof adds some sunshine on dreary days. This 2025 ACTIV trim with all the fixings, including a panoramic sunroof, rings in around US$35,000.

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Dodge Charger Daytona

Even muscle cars, like this Dodge Charger Daytona, can partake in outdoor adventures. The top trim of this two-door all-electric vehicle produces 670 horsepower and 627 lb-ft of torque and can accelerate from 0 to 100 kilometres an hour in 3.3 seconds. While there’s not much room in the rear seats, there’s plenty of space on the roof rack for snowboards. Unlike on some cars, the roof rack blends nicely into the overall design. And with no engine under the hood, there’s extra space in the front trunk, too. This Canadian-made car rolls off the assembly line at Stellantis’s Windsor, Ont. manufacturing plant.

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2025 Nissan Rogue

Thanks to Nissan there’s no reason to leave your four-legged friends behind, even if they are too heavy for you lift, when embarking on a weekend getaway. This 2025 Nissan Rogue Platinum trim offers optional pet accessories for your fur babies – the items are custom designed, tested for durability and under warranty for three years or 60,000 kilometres. But they aren’t cheap – the dog harness is US$60, the pet carrier is US$140 and the pet ramp is US$325, which rings in at US$525 for the complete set. At least, you can finance the accessories at the time of purchase.

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Ford Bronco

For overlanding or camping excursions, this Ford Bronco is fitted with all the comforts of home including the kitchen sink. Besides the tiny portable sink and cooktop burners, this SkyRover pop-up tent offers private, convenient and affordable accommodations. The tent accessory, designed for SUVs and trucks, can sleep up to three people. It has a hard shell with a remote control feature that enables easy and quick set up or tear down with the push of a button. A curtain also adds privacy and lets in light. The fabric is also durable, waterproof and breathable.

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