The favorite cars, trucks, and SUVs of the 2022 Chicago Auto Show as picked by MotorBiscuit highlights:
- MotorBiscuit staff voted the 2023 Nissan Z and 2021 Rolls-Royce Wraith as their favorite car and exotic car, respectively
- The 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning and Bronco Raptor are our favorite truck and SUV, while the 2023 Subaru Solterra is our favorite crossover
- It was previously shown at SEMA 2021, but the Toyota Tacoma ‘Tacozilla’ Camper stood out at the 2022 Chicago Auto Show, too
The 2022 car show season is officially on, and Chicago is its opening stage. After a brief summer session in 2021, the 2022 Chicago Auto Show moved back to its usual winter slot. As of this writing, CAS is still in session, though it’s in its final days. So, you still have some time to check out MotorBiscuit’s favorite cars, trucks, and SUVs live on the show floor.
The 2023 Nissan Z is our favorite car of the 2022 Chicago Auto Show
The 2023 Nissan Z Performance’s interior | Matthew Skwarczek, MotorBiscuit
2023 Nissan Z front 3/4 | Matthew Skwarczek, MotorBiscuit
The 2023 Nissan Z is MotorBiscuit’s favorite car of the 2022 Chicago Auto Show | Matthew Skwarczek, MotorBiscuit
All the vehicles described here were determined via an office-wide vote. And the 2023 Nissan Z won the ‘MotorBiscuit favorite car’ title by a wide margin. That’s quite a feat given it shared floor space with things like the Ford GT and C8 Corvette Z06. Also, keep in mind, no one’s driven the new Z yet.
Even so, it’s not difficult to see why the 2023 Z was our favorite car at the 2022 Chicago Auto Show. It has stylish vintage design cues, a new 400-hp powertrain, an updated interior, and it still rocks a stick. And all this comes at a reasonable $40,000-ish starting price. It won’t be a GR86/BRZ rival, but the 2023 Z will likely make the Supra nervous.
Hopefully, Nissan will offer test drives for 2023 Chicago Auto Show attendees.
It’s electric and it’s MotorBiscuit’s favorite 2022 Chicago Auto Show truck: the 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning
2022 Ford F-150 Lightning front 3/4 | Matthew Skwarczek, MotorBiscuit
2022 Ford F-150 Lightning interior on 2022 Chicago Auto Show test track | Matthew Skwarczek, MotorBiscuit
The 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning is, without too much hyperbole, one of the most significant upcoming vehicles. So, it’s no surprise that it’s our favorite truck of the 2022 Chicago Auto Show.
As the electric version of America’s most popular truck, the F-150 Lightning could be some buyers’ first EV. And on paper, it has the power, torque, range, and towing capacity to stand up to the current crop of gas-powered pickups. Or, in some cases, even out-shine them. All this could genuinely improve EV presence in the US.
Plus, the F-150 Lightning has loads of nifty features, including the ability to recharge other EVs as well as power homes. And it doesn’t hurt that its electric powertrain makes it genuinely fast.
The 2022 Ford Bronco Raptor takes the ‘favorite SUV’ crown
2022 Ford Bronco Raptor front | Matthew Skwarczek, MotorBiscuit
2022 Ford Bronco Raptor rear 3/4 | Matthew Skwarczek, MotorBiscuit
Comparing the 2022 Ford Bronco Raptor’s wheel-and-tire combo to the author’s leg | Matthew Skwarczek, MotorBiscuit
2022 Ford Bronco Raptor front interior | Matthew Skwarczek, Motorbiscuit
2022 Ford Bronco Raptor underside | Matthew Skwarczek, MotorBiscuit
Almost no sooner did Ford release the Bronco than some SUV fans start wondering, ‘when Raptor?’ Well, wonder no more, because the Bronco Raptor is here. And it’s MotorBiscuit’s favorite SUV of the 2022 Chicago Auto Show.
It’s not necessarily the prettiest SUV, but the 2022 Ford Bronco Raptor’s functionality is certainly impressive. Those big fender flares house some serious off-road rubber that increases grip and ground clearance, not to mention street presence. Seriously, the 37” wheel-and-tire combination is as tall as my leg is long.
If you peek underneath, you can catch glimpses of features like the beefed-up axles, Fox Live Valve shocks, wider track, and upgraded transfer case. And if you look inside, you’ll see that the Bronco Raptor has more off-road driving modes than even the Sasquatch models. Plus, while Ford hasn’t released official horsepower figures yet, it guarantees the 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 makes over 400 hp.
Is the Bronco Raptor overkill? For many SUV buyers, yes. But that’s also its chief selling point. And it doesn’t change the fact that it’s our favorite CAS SUV.
MotorBiscuit’s favorite crossover of the 2022 Chicago Auto Show is the 2023 Subaru Solterra
2023 Subaru Solterra | Matthew Skwarczek, MotorBiscuit
Accessorized 2023 Subaru Solterra front 3/4 | Matthew Skwarczek, MotorBiscuit
2023 Subaru Solterra front interior | Matthew Skwarczek, MotorBiscuit
A 2023 Subaru Solterra interior | Matthew Skwarczek, MotorBiscuit
Voting on MotorBiscuit’s favorite car, truck, and SUV revealed some clear favorites. However, the voting was significantly closer for the team’s favorite crossover. But in the end, the 2023 Subaru Solterra took the win.
As Subaru’s first EV, the Solterra has a lot of weight on its shoulders. And it already has a rival, the upcoming Toyota bZ4X, which shares its platform. So, once these electric crossovers hit the market, buyers will likely be just as split as our office-wide voting.
Nevertheless, the Subaru Solterra’s significance isn’t the only reason for its award. It comes standard with AWD, 8.3” of ground clearance, and plenty of advanced driver-assistance safety features. Higher trims offer features like illuminated interior trim, wireless charging, and a bigger center touchscreen. And the ‘Sol’ in the EV’s name isn’t just a naming gimmick: one of the roof options has integrated solar panels. Also, the roof rack in the photos will be an official accessory by launch time.
The Toyota ‘Tacozilla’ Camper clinches the title of MotorBiscuit’s favorite CAS concept
Toyota Tacoma Tacozilla Camper | Matthew Skwarczek, MotorBiscuit
Toyota Tacoma Tacozilla Camper rear | Matthew Skwarczek, MotorBiscuit
The Toyota Tacoma Tacozilla Camper interior rear | Matthew Skwarczek, MotorBiscuit
Now, the Toyota Tacoma ‘Tacozilla’ Camper isn’t a new concept: it first debuted at SEMA 2021. But Toyota decided to bring it along for the 2022 Chicago Auto Show. And it left the MotorBiscuit staff just as smitten in Chi-town as it did in Las Vegas.
The Tacozilla is unchanged from its SEMA debut, from its teak floors to its 3D-printed table and full bathroom and kitchen. However, a Toyota rep gave us some extra context and information on this special concept truck.
For one, this isn’t a simple bed-mounted camper that Toyota modified; it’s integrated into the Tacoma’s frame. That means it lacks a bed, but it also means the Tacozilla is no less off-road-capable than a standard TRD-model Tacoma. Also, if you’re under 6’4”, you can stand straight up inside. And while the potential overlanding opportunities should provide plenty of killer views, there is a Blu-ray player inside for extra entertainment.
Unfortunately, the Tacozilla’s various modifications likely mean we’ll never see a production version. The Toyota rep at the 2022 Chicago Auto Show estimated the project cost “hundreds of thousands of dollars.” But then, no one said our favorite concept car, er, truck had to be production-ready, right?
Hollow victory: the Rolls-Royce Wraith is MotorBiscuit’s favorite exotic car of the 2022 Chicago Auto Show
2021 Rolls-Royce Wraith Black Badge is double-door opulence https://t.co/rCK4TtY2VD
— CNET News (@CNETNews) April 28, 2021
As in years past, the 2022 Chicago Auto Show hosted a Supercar Alley filled with high-end exotics from local dealers. There were several Aston Martins, including the DBX, as well as the new Bentley Continental GT Speed. Some Lamborghinis also joined in, too. But none of them earned the ‘MotorBiscuit’s favorite exotic car at CAS 2022’ nod.
Instead, the title goes to the Rolls-Royce Wraith, formerly one of the British brand’s least-expensive models. However, while you can find 2021-model-year Wraiths scattered across US dealers, you won’t find any 2022 ones. Rolls-Royce canceled the Wraith after 2021 in the US because of “regulatory issues,” Roadshow reports. Though the rest of the world won’t enjoy the Wraith for long—it’s dead worldwide after 2023.
But if you can get your hands on a Wraith—any Wraith—you’re in for a treat. You get a 624-hp 6.6-liter twin-turbo V12, impeccable build and interior-material quality, nigh-infinite customization possibilities, and a stupendously comfortable ride. Hopefully, Rolls-Royce brings out a successor at a future car show.
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Keyword: MotorBiscuit’s Favorite 2022 Chicago Auto Show Cars, Trucks, and SUVs