Tensor, Test Drives, and Cultural Icons: Inside the 2025 LA Auto Show [40 Photos]

all photo credit: Instagram/@aussie.rob

Test drives, diverse vehicles, AutoMobility LA panels, Tensor’s Level 4 Robocar, RACER Creator Awards, and celebrities including Mike Epps made the 2025 LA Auto Show a celebration of innovation and LA car culture.

Los Angeles is as much a city of cars as it is of palm trees and city lights. LA Auto Show captures this dynamic spirit perfectly. Each year, the LA Auto Show transforms the Los Angeles Convention Center into a vibrant hub where automotive enthusiasts, industry leaders, and brand pioneers come together. From global vehicle debuts to timeless classics, the show embodies the diverse pulse of Southern California’s car culture.

The show showcased Los Angeles car culture’s full spectrum, from vintage lowriders and sleek electric vehicles to custom cars and exotic vehicles. Visitors had the opportunity to explore Kentia Hall, Showcase Hall, SPARQ Hall, and The Underground (formerly The Garage). Hundreds of new models, unveilings, and immersive experiences awaited, making the LA Auto Show a unique celebration of automotive innovation, heritage, and community.

AutoMobility LA: Setting the Stage for Innovation and Insight

Media and industry insiders kicked off the week with AutoMobility LA, a focused day dedicated to the future of the automotive industry. The gathering explored key issues reshaping transportation, including autonomous driving, artificial intelligence, and environmental sustainability. Panels such as “Are We There Yet?” provided crucial updates on the progress of autonomy. Workshops and keynotes highlighted zero-emission fleets and classic car preservation, showcasing the balance between innovation and heritage. Honda’s “Powering Dreams” presentation connected local traditions with the global stage through the Olympic and Paralympic Games Los Angeles 2028.

Networking opportunities filled happy hours hosted by Scout Motors, Revology, and SPARQ, where attendees connected with both familiar faces and new contacts. Press, professionals, and passionate fans gained early access and engaged in conversations about the car industry’s future. Test drives featuring Chevy, Honda, Kia, Lucid, Nissan, Cadillac, Jeep, and Rivian showcased the latest advancements in electric and conventional vehicles, providing hands-on experiences that brought the future of transportation into focus. This curated day set the tone perfectly, making AutoMobility LA a standout celebration of innovation, heritage, and community.

Tensor’s Leap in Autonomy

One of the standout experiences was speaking with Tensor’s team and getting a first look at their Level 4 Robocar, a vehicle purpose-built for private owners and luxury fleets. Powered by a multimodal large language model and an agentic AI framework, the Robocar perceives its environment, reasons independently, and takes autonomous actions. Self-diagnosis and maintenance features provide a level of self-reliance unprecedented in consumer vehicles, marking a major advance in personal autonomous mobility.

The vehicle incorporates over 100 sensors, including high-definition cameras, lidars, radars, and microphones. Folding steering wheel and retractable pedals free interior space, creating an unexpectedly spacious cabin during autonomous operation. Manual controls remain available outside designated zones. Tensor’s Robocar serves as a prototype for safe, comfortable personal autonomous transportation.

Reception Highlights and The RACER Creator Awards

AutoMobility concluded with the RACER Creator Awards ceremony and reception, which honored a diverse group of automotive content creators redefining storytelling. Rain may have disrupted the red carpet curated by our friends at The Meet, but industry professionals and media figures gathered regardless to make the evening lively and memorable. The ceremony successfully celebrated the creativity and impact of these creators.

Valuable connections were formed that evening, underscoring the growing role in automotive storytelling culture. Beyond trophies and recognition, the event provided a platform for creators to connect, build community, and inspire collaboration. Though our very own co-founder snagged a nomination, she did not win an award. The awards stood as a testament to how content creation is becoming a core part of modern automotive culture.

Public Days: The LA Auto Show Experience

Once media day wraps, the doors swing open wide for families, car enthusiasts, shoppers, and newcomers alike to flood the exhibits. Over ten vibrant days, including Thanksgiving, the LA Auto Show spotlighted new vehicles, cutting-edge concepts, and exclusive reveals that drew crowds ready to explore and experience what awaited them.

Attendees discovered the show was alive with electric vehicles, hybrids, race cars, performance models, trucks, SUVs, customs, modifieds, and luxury cars, each telling a story of craftsmanship. Together, these vehicles reflect Los Angeles’ rich automotive legacy and its forward-driving spirit. Test drives and interactive displays turned passive viewing into hands-on engagement. Comedian and actor Mike Epps even made a special appearance for a meet and greet before heading over to host the Angel Custom Car Awards at the show. We also saw Fast and Furious actor Sung Kang, who made his return to the Auto Show

Looking Ahead

Those who missed this year’s event should plan to attend next year’s LA Auto Show. Whether purchasing, browsing, or soaking in the culture, it merits a spot on the calendar. Auto culture fading? Not in LA, where nostalgic classics sit alongside innovative electric rides and bold concept vehicles, all pushing the boundaries of what driving can be. These moments and experiences underscore why Los Angeles remains a vibrant nexus for automotive innovation, culture, and community where dreams drive the future of mobility.