5 New-Car Debuts at the 2023 Detroit Auto Show

Automakers showed off bigger screens and more driver-assistance tech in the Motor City.

Andrew Ganz | 

Sep 22, 2023 | 5 min read

Cadillac

It may have been a shadow of its former self, but Motown's biggest new-car show still played host to a handful of debuts this year. Automakers introduced updated versions of two popular pickups, a redesigned three-row SUV, a sporty version of an electric car, and a compact sedan with an especially big screen.

Officially called the North American International Auto Show, the event runs through late September and kicks off a season of major new-car shows in the U.S. that includes events in cities such as Los Angeles and Chicago.

Here's what happened in Detroit.

Cadillac

2025 Cadillac CT5

The 2025 Cadillac CT5 compact sedan gets a head start on its mid-cycle update with its tweaked exterior and huge, 33.0-inch, high-resolution touchscreen inside. That big screen stretches from in front of the driver all the way across the dash, and it includes Google built-in infotainment. Reports indicate it will also stick with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity, even though Cadillac plans to phase out this tech.

New for the 2025 CT5 is the automaker's Super Cruise system, which allows for stints of hands-off driving on hundreds of thousands of miles of pre-mapped highways.

The lineup retains a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder rated at 237 horsepower at its entry point, with a 335-hp 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 as an option. Shoppers can choose between rear- and all-wheel drive.

Cadillac has yet to say if higher-performance versions, including the 668-hp CT5-V Blackwing, will be renewed.

Ford

2024 Ford F-150

Further blurring the boundary between pickup trucks and family-oriented vehicles, the 2024 Ford F-150 will offer a new tailgate with a hinged center door that can open at three specific positions. The door allows smaller access to the bed while eliminating the big reach over a deployed tailgate.

Otherwise, the F-150 range sees mostly incremental updates. Inside, look for a 12.0-inch touchscreen in the center of the dash with wireless smartphone mirroring and over-the-air updates. The Limited trim level gives way to a new Platinum Plus with earth-tone interior trim. And the base version drops a naturally aspirated V6 in favor of a more powerful 2.7-liter turbocharged V6.

The off-road F-150 Raptor gains new Fox shocks underneath, while the ferocious Raptor R trades the standard 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6's 450 horsepower for a 5.2-liter supercharged V8 rated in excess of 700 horsepower. As of the 2024 F-150's September 2023 debut, the automaker is keeping its lips sealed on final power output.

Ford

2024 Ford Mustang Mach-E Rally

With rally-inspired looks including striped paint, a big rear wing, chunky wheels wearing tires with a tread pattern unlike other electric vehicles (EVs), and a raised ride height, the Ford Mustang Mach-E rally is decidedly unique.

At its September 2023 debut, Ford said the Mach-E Rally will offer at least 480 horsepower and 650 pound-feet of torque via twin electric motors fed by a 91-kWh lithium-ion battery pack. The high-riding suspension means a 10-mile hit to its range estimates, though, as the taller stance results in more drag. But if you're looking to take your EV on a rally course, this new version of the Mach-E stands ready.

GMC

2024 GMC Acadia

GMC's new three-row midsize crossover wears slick styling outside over a screen-heavy cabin. It's also much larger than before, stretching the better part of 11 inches longer than the outgoing 2023 model. That stretch results in what GMC says is 80% more cargo space behind row three and 36% more room behind the second row.

It's not just bigger, it's also far more high-tech. A 15.0-inch touchscreen arranged in a portrait configuration stands in marked contrast to last year's widescreen setup. Like some other recent General Motors products, the Acadia adopts Google built-in infotainment, with tablet-like Google Maps. Unlike the newer Cadillac Escalade IQ, the Acadia retains wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility.

The Acadia will also offer GM's Super Cruise hands-free driving assistant.

In Detroit, GMC said the 2024 Acadia will be offered in mainstream Elevation trim, off-road-styled AT4, and range-topping Denali, each with its own interior and exterior accents.

Jeep

2024 Jeep Gladiator

Following the all-terrain-tire tracks of the 2024 Jeep Wrangler, the automaker's crew-cab pickup truck bowed in Detroit with updated styling outside, a new interior, and standard curtain side-impact airbags that deploy from the roll bar.

The Gladiator's new front end sees a blacked-out center grille insert, and its radio antenna is relocated to the windshield. Many trim levels gain new wheel designs, too. Inside, a new 12.3-inch touchscreen takes center stage on the dash. Its operating system now features over-the-air updates plus the ability to be simultaneously connected to two phones via Bluetooth. Higher-trim versions are available with power-adjustable seats up front, too.

Don't look for a Gladiator 4xe immediately, though, as the automaker's hybrid system has yet to make it to its pickup truck. A 3.6-liter V6 rated at 285 horsepower is the sole engine choice, and it can be paired with a six-speed manual transmission or an eight-speed automatic. Last year's turbo-diesel option hasn't been renewed for 2024.

The Gladiator faces steep competition in the form of new-for-2024 Ford Ranger and Toyota Tacoma rivals, plus the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon that were redesigned for 2023.

Andrew Ganz

Andrew Ganz has had cars in his blood ever since he gnawed the paint off of a diecast model as a toddler. After growing up in Dallas, Texas, he earned a journalism degree, worked in public relations for two manufacturers, and served as an editor for a luxury-lifestyle print publication and several well-known automotive websites. In his free time, Andrew loves exploring the Rocky Mountains' best back roads—when he’s not browsing ads for his next car purchase.