The Wildest Builds Automakers Brought to SEMA 2025

Every year, the SEMA Show in Las Vegas, Nevada, attracts both automakers and tuners eager to demonstrate the wildest builds their imaginations can muster. This year, there appears to be one theme that dominates across the show: off-roading. The typical players (like Jeep and Ram) are naturally partaking in the off-the-beaten-path fun, but even some unexpected automakers have given their cars the off-road treatment.

Nissan Dune Patrol 2

The Patrol is essentially the name of the Armada in some international markets, and here it has been heavily modified to tackle sand dunes. The standard SUV has been modified with a raised ride height, 18-inch NISMO rims, and massive 37-inch Yokohama Geolander tires. It also gets upgraded off-road bumpers for better approach and departure angle, an externally mounted rear tire, and externally mounted storage for all your gear.

Nissan Frontier Rapid Runner 3

Following the off-road theme, Nissan also showcased the Nissan Frontier Rapid Runner3, a Frontier specifically designed for the sport of white-water kayaking. It receives the same wheel upgrades as the Dune Patrol 2, in combination with specialized roof racks to mount kayaks over the bed. The Rapid Runner 3 is painted with a special yellow and green paint job, and special tubular doors that can be removed for maximize the fresh air experience. Since kayaking is a very wet sport, the Rapid Runner comes with waterproof seats, wet suit storage, and even a shower for when you’re done rafting.

Forsberg Racing Nismo GT-Z

Proving that Nissan still thinks about on-road performance, its final concept is the Forsberg Racing Nismo GT-Z, a Nissan Z modified to tackle the track. The regular Z receives the upgrades of a Nismo exhaust, suspension and rear spoiler, all giving the Z the extra grunt and grip to be race-ready.

Toyota Tacoma H2- Overlander

Toyota showcased a very interesting concept, a TRD-developed, overland-ready Tacoma that's powered by a hydrogen fuel cell. The idea behind this concept is to make overlanding more environmentally friendly as the only emissions from this Tacoma are water. This concept is a hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV), and produces an astounding 547 hp from two electric motors. The battery receives the cooling system from the Lexus RZ, and is intended to ensure thermal stability in all conditions to improve efficiency. This specific Tacoma has been specifically designed with overlanding in mind, as it notably comes with a 15 kW generator, one designed to deliver the same level of power as a public charger. This means your friend’s EV will never be stranded in the wilderness. Naturally, this concept also receives some off-road modifications, such as reinforced shocks, improved brakes, and large off-road tires, giving this hydrogen-powered truck some real capability.

A Scion Returns

The most unexpected appearance at SEMA was the return of the Scion name, but maybe not in the way you’d expect. The Scion 01 is an off-road buggy powered by a hybrid turbocharged inline four cylinder engine making 300 hp. Despite this power, the Scion 01 comes with silent mode, an electric only mode designed for serene off-road driving, as serene as a dune buggy can get. This is a ground up concept build and is designed for all types of terrain, ranging from fast trails to rock crawling.

Toyota BZ Time Attack

One of the cars least associated with performance, surprisingly, receives the performance treatment: the Toyota BZ Time Attack. As the name suggests, this concept is engineered to tackle the racetrack. The comfortable interior of the BZ is completely stripped away, instead being fitted with bucket racing seats, a roll cage, and a racing steering wheel. The exterior also receives significant upgrades, most notably a widebody kit, spoiler, and a lowered height by six whole inches. The BZ time attack receives massive 305 mm wide tires, while the electric motors have also been retuned to now deliver 400 hp. The overall result is a Toyota BZ unlike any other, being faster and more aggressive than ever.

Hyundai Ioniq 9 off-road

Not to miss out on the off-roading theme, Hyundai also jumps in on the action with the Ioniq 9 off-road concept, which was built in collaboration with the automotive YouTube channel BigTime. The electric SUV has received some notable off-road modifications, including lifted suspension, all-terrain tires, and rally-inspired rims. Other exterior additions to the Ioniq 9 include a custom BigTime paint job inspired by the channel's vintage cab-over truck, which BigTime nicknamed “Bud”. These additions, along with a roof-mounted lightbar, transform the look of the Ioniq 9 from a family-friendly urban cruiser to a family-friendly desert dweller.

Hyundai Insteroid EV concept

Hyundai also showcased the very exciting Insteroid concept, based on a subcompact electric vehicle (EV) that’s not actually available in North America, the Inster. The Insteroid takes the relatively tame city car and modifies it to be race ready with a massive body kit and spoiler to match. The Insteroid will feature in the video game JDM: Japanese Drift Master. JDM is an open-world racing video game, and as the name suggests, the game focuses on drifting. The Hyundai Insteroid will be the game’s first EV, and is part of Hyundai’s push to expand its vehicles to the digital racing world.

Ram 1500 Dude Sport

For this year's SEMA show, Ram took inspiration from its own back catalogue. The Dude Sport Trim Package was offered in the early 1970s for Dodge pickups, and this time applied to the RAM 1500 Big Horn. This particular concept turns the Ram 1500 into a street truck, significantly lowering the ride height and adding striking green paint with contrasting black decals inspired by the 1970s trim package. Other visual additions include custom black rims, black decals, and a custom splitter, all adding to the truck's street performance look.

Dodge Moparized Sixpack Charger

Dodge also showcased the Moparized Dodge Sixpack Charger Concept. This concept also takes inspiration from Dodge’s heritage with a bold purple paint job and custom five-spoke, 21-inch rims by Brass Monkey, and bright orange brake calipers. The body also receives some performance touches by adding a carbon fibre splitter, spoiler, and wide-body panels. This, paired with the added black decals, gives the Moparized Sixpack a completely different look. Power comes from the 3.0L twin-turbo straight six engine producing 550 hp, the same as a Charger Scat Pack. The interior receives a similar treatment as the exterior, with black and tan leather seats, trimmed with purple and orange stitching, matching the exterior colour palette.

Dodge Charger Hustle Stuff Drag Pak by Direct Connection

Dodge also showed a drag racing focused Charger build called the Charger Hustle Stuff Drag Pak by Direct Connection. This is a fully drag race-built Dodge Charger designed for the National Hot Rodders Association (NHRA). 50 units of the Hustle Stuff charger will be made and feature an upgraded version of Chrysler's 5.8L Hemi V8, and capable of achieving sub-eight-second ¼ mile runs. The exterior receives some additional aerodynamic upgrades and a retro racing-inspired livery. There has been a notable weight reduction of 45 kgs (100 lbs), credit of carbon fibre hood and bumpers, all to boost the Charger’s acceleration.