An exciting wave of new cars from brands all across the globe is soon to hit showrooms across North America

While some brands pivot towards EV dependence, and others focus on diversifying their lineups and available powertrain types, we can’t wait to see how the auto industry evolves and tackles challenges like tariffs and the cost of electrification. These five examples below are solid proof that, regardless of what happens in the industry over the next few years, automakers haven’t completely forgotten about the importance of playfulness in their product appeal. From electric off-roaders to turbocharged muscle cars and hybrid sport compacts, there is a lot to be excited about if you look over the horizon.

1. Honda Prelude

After we collectively lost the Honda Accord Coupe in 2017, and later the Civic Coupe after the 2020 model year, we were left without any two-door coupe offerings from the Japanese automaker. Citing a lack of interest in two-door versions of otherwise four-door sedans or five-door hatchbacks, Honda wasn’t entirely unjustified in discontinuing the Accord and Civic coupes. However, we were hopeful that it would still recognize the demand for two-door models, albeit for more thrilling and sporty ones.

In December 2024, Honda confirmed that a legendary nameplate — the Prelude — would return to the North American market sometime in late 2025. Unlike other brands who have desecrated iconic sporty coupe nameplates (we’re looking at you, Mitsubishi), the Prelude would return as a true-to-its-roots, two-door sports coupe, albeit with an interesting catch: hybrid power.

When Honda first announced that the new Prelude would pack a hybrid powertrain with around 200 horsepower, we were certainly intrigued, especially considering Honda has a strong reputation for selling hybrid compact cars, like the Insight and CR-Z. Those two were not only equipped with manual transmissions but were also incredibly economical and durable while still retaining the exciting and engaging driving dynamics buyers had come to expect from the brand. For the all-new hybrid Prelude, however, Honda has developed an entirely new type of transmission – one they’ve named Honda S+ Shift – that mimics the feel of gear shifts, despite being equipped with Honda’s Linear Shift Control system, which has no actual gears.

Honda’s S+ Shift system is the feature we’re most excited — and nervous — to test out on the upcoming Honda Prelude. Thanks to this system, Prelude drivers will still have the ability to experience the joy of manually requesting shifts through steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters, even though the transmission doesn’t actually have any gears. While we were initially very skeptical about the idea of simulated shifting in principle, Hyundai’s Ioniq 5 N proved that a system like this can actually make a vehicle more exciting when compared to not being able to shift at all. We know Honda knows how to pair a hybrid powertrain with a manual transmission quite well, so we’ll just have to wait and see how it pays off.

2. Dodge Charger Sixpack

Earlier this year, Dodge confirmed that combustion power will once again return to the famed Dodge Charger–something we’ve hoped for ever since the automaker first showed off its stunning new muscle car. Despite its mesmerizing looks, the all-new Dodge Charger has been a sales flop so far, largely due to its lackluster and oxymoronic fully electric powertrains and substantial weight. In fact, according to our very own Elijah Nicholson-Messmer, “In Q1 2025, Dodge sold more discontinued Chargers and Challengers than its new electric Daytona.” Hopefully, the upcoming Charger “Sixpack,” which is supposed to replace the Daytona’s full-electric powertrain with a 550-horsepower variant of the brand’s 3.0-liter, twin-turbocharged Hurricane High Output straight-six, can turn things around for the strikingly proportioned eighth-generation Dodge muscle car.

Rumors have also circulated based on intel from Dodge insiders that a Hemi V8 Dodge Charger is reportedly in the works. While there’s no official confirmation yet from Dodge, with Stellantis’s V8-axing ex-CEO, Carlos Tavares, finally out of the picture, it seems like a bit of a no-brainer to give the Charger back the kind of engine that made it famous in the first place. Until that time hopefully comes, we’ll have to see just how well a boosted straight-six improves the experience behind the wheel of the eighth-generation Charger compared to full-electric power, and if further integration of petrol-powered engines could redeem the model before its storied reputation is lost forever.

3. BMW Skytop

Drop-dead gorgeous, awe-inspiring luxury roadsters are deeply tethered to BMW’s long and storied heritage. Despite the brand’s more well-known popularity for precision driving instruments, such as the timeless and agile M3 and the brutish M5, traditional roadsters have been part of the brand’s lineage since long before anyone thought to add a second “M” to a BMW. Classic roadsters like the BMW 315/1, the 503, and the Z8–which was so elegant and striking that even James Bond himself chose one over the equivalent Aston in The World Is Not Enough–have long been the defining examples of BMW’s most contemporary styling languages. Soon, a new roadster will join that hallowed hall of fame–the Skytop.

Supposedly powered by the same twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 that was found in the recently-discontinued M8 Competition, the BMW Skytop will pair its uniquely sculpted convertible roof with 617 horsepower, a ZF-sourced 8-speed automatic gearbox, and xDrive all-wheel drive. Explicitly designed as a spiritual successor to the BMW 503 and Z8, this all sounds like a recipe for an extraordinary automobile, even if only 50 of them will ever be produced.

4. Jeep Recon

Although the Recon won’t be the first fully-electric SUV from Jeep, it’s undoubtedly the one we’re most eagerly anticipating. While the Jeep Wagoneer S focuses on comfort and luxury, with off-road capability being a bit of an afterthought, the all-electric Jeep Recon will be a relatively budget-friendly, off-road-focused compact SUV. We’re fans of the plug-in hybrid Jeep Wrangler 4xe, but its real-world range is often not as lengthy as advertised, and even if it were, it would be relatively meager considering how long it takes to charge. Another problem with the PHEV Wrangler is that, when you do run out of battery juice, you lose about 100 horsepower and even more torque. With a much longer range and consistent power figures, a fully electric Jeep compact SUV sounds like a better deal, given its actual range meets expectations.

Aside from our eagerness to test out the real-world capability of the Recon’s full-EV powertrain, we’re also enamoured with how it looks. The Jeep Recon adopts signature boxy proportions and incorporates styling nods to heritage classics like the Cherokee XJ and, of course, the Wrangler. Despite the Recon’s compactness, it is expected to cost over $60,000 new when it arrives in late 2025, so we look forward to seeing how well Jeep can justify the model’s imposing MSRP.

5. Honda Zero SUV

Arguably one of 2025’s most unique car designs, the Honda Zero SUV showcases a never-before-seen styling direction for one of Japan’s most iconic brands. The Zero SUV is particularly intriguing because one would typically expect an electric crossover from Honda to be one of the safest and most boring vehicles on the market, yet here we are faced with a design that looks like Cyberpunk meets Portal 2 – a far cry from sedate and mundane. We’re hoping that the Honda Zero SUV’s on-road personality matches its poised styling. If so, this could make for a seriously outstanding competitor in one of the fastest-growing automotive segments.

We can certainly see why some people might find the Honda Zero SUV’s design hard to swallow, but we’re thankful that the brand is thinking outside the box, styling-wise, for their new EV crossover. Honda could have just as easily used a pseudo-CR-V body that looks just like everything else in its segment, but instead, they’ve taken a significant risk. We’re eager to see how well that risk will pay off for Honda.

Final thoughts

Even as electrification seems to threaten the creation of fun and exciting cars, these few examples prove that not all is lost. It’s also worth noting that these five are only scratching the surface of the interesting automotive experiments coming to the market in the next few years. Don’t feel alarmed by the headlines of doom and gloom; hope is still out there. You just have to look closer.