The 2026 Electrify Expo is now part of the Demo Days Festival. You still get all the electrified vehicle goodness, just with the bonus of other cool cars. However, we come to see all of the electrified goodness, and like last year, that’s what we did. Held at the Rose Bowl Stadium from June 27 to 28, the Los Angeles stop features all the usual OEM suspects, including Toyota, Tesla, Lucid, and Kia. Notably absent this year are Volvo, Hyundai, and Lexus, all brands with significant lineups of hybrids, plug-in hybrids, and battery-electric models.
So, what did we see this year? A lot of good stuff. Like before, the Demo Days Festival and Electrify Expo are a great way for consumers to educate themselves on electrified vehicles. From hybrids to full EVs, it’s all there in one place, ready for you to poke and experience. It’s not just crawling around a static car either. You can test drive certain models, allowing you to get a good sense of what they’re like on the move. Perfect for car shoppers curious to see how it feels to drive something with an electric motor, whether it’s a car, an e-bike, or everything in between.
Electrify Expo 2026: Two Automakers Understood the Assignment Best
Although the lineup of automakers isn’t as extensive as last year, we still had standouts. Toyota came out guns blazing, showing off the capability of its body-on-frame trucks and SUVs on an off-road course. Best of all, every single vehicle driving around the Terrain Park area offered a hybrid powertrain as an option or came with it standard. Yup, all of the TRD Pro models and the Land Cruiser had electrified powertrains.
On the other hand, Toyota’s booth showed off its electrification expertise. Hybrids? Check. Plug-in Hybrid? Got the RAV4 GR Sport for that. EVs? Yup, all three on sale are on site. The bZ, bZ Woodland, and C-HR stood front and center, all highlighting their improved performance, driving range, and incredible value for money. This is proof of Toyota’s commitment to EVs. With these three SUVs, Lexus’ offerings, and soon the new Highlander and TZ, it’s ready to take that market and dominate it.
Across from Toyota, Kia also did the same thing. The Sportage, Telluride, and Carnival represented the hybrid and plug-in hybrid contingent. Meanwhile, the EV3, EV6, and EV9 highlighted Kia’s battery-electric leadership. To us, the EV3 was the star of the show: a relatively attainable electric subcompact SUV with over 300 miles of driving range on certain models and cutting-edge tech that’s projected to start in the low $30,000 range. It has a performance-oriented GT model too! Perfect for driving enthusiasts.
Electrify Expo is also a great place to see what’s at the cutting edge. Over at Tesla, a Cybercab and a robot were on display alongside the Model 3, Model Y, and Cybertruck. You can also experience Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (Supervised) for yourself! Meanwhile, Lucid had a plethora of Air sedans and Gravity SUVs for display and test drives to show off its technologies.
Yes, We Have Misses
This year’s Electrify Expo had some new faces, thanks to it being integrated into the Demo Days Festival. Local dealers brought Subaru, Volkswagen, and Ford vehicles. However, they made several mistakes. Ford only came with the Mustang Mach-E, Bronco, F-150, and a gas Maverick. While interesting, they could’ve done better at choosing which variants to bring. Next time, replace the gas Maverick and F-150 with hybrid models. Additionally, bring some of the badass gas cars too, like the Raptor models of a Mustang GT.
Volkswagen of Pasadena did well in bringing the ID. Buzz in. That vehicle commanded attention, and interest in it was high. Next to it was the Tiguan SEL R-Line Turbo in two-ton Avocado Green. It wowed with its premium appointments and surprisingly reasonable price tag for something so well-equipped. Unfortunately, the ID. 4 and GTI they brought did not stand out with their neutral exterior colors. Additionally, the GTI isn’t the most exciting hot hatch. On the other hand, the ID. 4, while a solid EV, needs a refresh ASAP and a heat pump.
Last but not least is Subaru, represented by what could be the worst of the brand’s retailers: Subaru of Glendale. They failed the assignment and left their booth unattended. Yes, they brought the Outback and the Crosstrek Hybrid, but where are the EVs? Even with the presence of their Toyota twins, this dealer should have brought examples of the Solterra, Trailseeker, and Uncharted, since Subaru buyers are extremely EV-hungry. In fact, a couple got angry at the dealer representatives for having EVs on display or for offering test drives! We hope next time that Subaru corporate brings their own display to future Demo Days Festivals instead of a dealer. This would generate more interest in the brand and satisfy loyalists.
Still Consumer Focused
Overall, a good Electrify Expo for 2026 with plenty to see and drive. Like most auto shows, it’s all about the consumer. The Demo Days Festival drives it home: see, touch, and experience cars. Most importantly, no salespeople bugging or pressuring you. However, unlike most auto shows, Demo Days and Electrify Expo only last through a weekend. On the bright side, they have multiple stops across the U.S., including new cities this year like San Diego. Check them out and get behind the wheel of some cool electrified rides!
