Last Updated on March 5, 2026 by Fadra Nally
If you’ve been here before, you know that I love to attend car shows (luckily, it’s usually the crowd-free media days). I love to see what’s new and dream about what to review next. But did you know that car shows can be great place to car shop!
I recently used the Washington Auto Show to do a little car shopping for myself. Although I’ve been talking about my own car recently, I think you should know…
- I’m a proud Volvo XC90 owner.
- I’m also currently looking for a new car.
Yes, both can be true. (Life is complicated. So is car shopping.)
There are a bunch of reasons I’ve decided now is the time to start looking, but the bigger point is how you look, because the process can get overwhelming fast. That’s why I decided to take advantage of my time at the DC show recently.
Believe it or not, a car show can be a shockingly good tool for finding your next car… if you know what you’re doing.
So tI’m breaking down how to car shop at a car show in five easy steps—the no-stress way.
First – Know What Kind of Car Show You’re At
Not all car shows are created equal.
Some smaller-market shows are basically dealership-run events, which can mean you’re dealing with people who are motivated to get you into something today, if you know what I mean
But major market shows (think DC, Detroit, New York, LA) are where it’s at because you’re typically not dealing with traditional salespeople on the floor. Instead you’ll meet:
- automaker reps
- manufacturer teams
- product experts
Translation: no pressure, no hassle, no pushy sales energy.
Step 1: Do Your Research (Even Just a Little)
Is it okay to walk into an auto show completely blind? Sure. But you’ll have a better time if you prepare.
Here’s what I do: I build a Google Sheet. (NERD ALERT!)
My car shopping spreadsheet includes columns like:
- Make / Model
- Drivetrain
- Trim
- Exterior + interior color options
- Horsepower / torque
- Fuel economy
And then I add the real-life stuff that actually matters:
- Third row?
- Leather seats?
- Cargo space?
- Cup holders
You get the idea. Make a list that includes the things that are important to you.
I started with eight vehicles, then narrowed it down to three once I dug into features and pricing:
- Toyota Crown Signia Hybrid (they’re all hybrid now!)
- Mazda CX-70 PHEV
- Kia Sorento Hybrid or PHEV
One quick reality check, though: some brands just don’t do shows anymore. Mazda, for example, doesn’t participate as part of their marketing strategy. So if one of your top picks isn’t on the floor, don’t panic. Just adjust.
Step 2: Walk the Floor Like You Own the Place
This is the fun part. You walk the floor, check out the cars, and when you find something you like, DIG IN:
- open and close doors
- sit in everything
- poke around the cabin
- check the cargo space
- fold seats up and down
- inspect the compartments
- and yes, evaluate the cup holders
You’re getting the feel of the car without the dealership vibes.
Ask yourself:
- Do you fit comfortably?
- Does your spouse fit?
- Your kids?
- Your dog?
- Can you actually see out of the thing?
- Does the backseat feel like a punishment?
My current #1 at the show: Toyota Crown Signia
This one really caught my attention. The Crown Signia replaced the Toyota Venza, and it’s sort of the SUV/wagon version of the Toyota Crown (which replaced the Avalon).
I love the body design. I love the wheels (this one’s part of the Limited package). And the interior? Honestly gorgeous.
Step 3: Be Open to Surprises
Walk in with a plan… but don’t be so locked in that you miss something better.
This is your chance to check out cars you think you know, but haven’t actually spent time in—like the Bronco or Bronco Sport (both fun, both budget-friendly enough), even if you’re leaning hybrid.
Because here’s the thing: you can fall in love with a car at a show, then go home and research reliability and long-term ownership reality. That’s part of the process.
Surprise contender: Ford Maverick Hybrid
This one surprised me, and it shouldn’t have.
I spent a week in a Ford Maverick before, but somehow forgot there’s a Maverick Hybrid. It’s in my price range, the fuel economy is great, and I was sitting in the Lariat thinking seriously about it.
Can you see me as a truck girl? Because I’m not sure I can, but the Maverick is making a strong case.
Step 4: Ask Questions (That’s Literally Why They’re There)
All those pretty people at the show who look like models? Some of them probably are models. But they’re also product specialists, and they take the job seriously.
For their gig at the car show, they have to learn all the manufacturer and car details like:
- specs
- trims
- pricing
- availability
- key differences between models
And they’re not there to close you on a deal. They’re there to educate and inform. Use that time and opportunity.
Step 5: Take Pictures of Everything (Your Future Self Will Thank You)
If you’re not used to looking at 40 cars in one afternoon, you’re going to get overwhelmed. Your brain will turn into mashed potatoes. That’s normal.
So take more photos than you think you need, like:
- front view
- rear view
- side view
- dashboard
- and my favorite: a shot from the front seat looking all the way back (it helps you understand cabin depth)
You don’t need to document every stitch of upholstery but photos help you later when you’re on the manufacturer website thinking:
“Wait… which one was that again? What trim was it? Was that the one with the nice interior?”
The pictures will save you.
What a Car Show Won’t Do (And What You Should Do Next)
Do I expect you to make a final decision at a car show?
No. And I don’t want you to.
What a car show does is help you create a short list so you can head to the dealerships and do the thing that actually matters:
Test drive like you mean it
And please, for the love of all things automotive, don’t let them put you on a tiny little loop where you turn around and come right back.
Take it for a real test drive that includes driving time:
- on the highway
- on back roads
- into a parking lot
- back into a space
- pull into a space
- live with it for a minute
Get a feel for the car in real life, not just “this seems fine for six minutes.”
So… Am I Buying a New Car?
Maybe.
Did I see that new car at the car show?
Also maybe.
But if you want to find out what I end up getting (if I end up getting anything at all), you’ll want to keep an eye on my car content this year because there’s a lot of good stuff out there, and I’m just getting started.
Watch the Video
If you’d rather watch this in video form (and see the cars up close), you can watch the full YouTube video here:
