SUVs, electricity and fun: the most important new cars for 2022

BERLIN: What new cars will 2022 bring? One thing is clear, a lot of electric SUVs are on the way because this segment combines the two most important current trends.

Audi's Q6 e-tron is scheduled for the end of the year while Ford is also launching a compact SUV electric vehicle at the same time, one which will use technology from the ID3 of its cooperation partner VW.

Meanwhile in the luxury class Mercedes is bringing out the EQS and EQE with SUV bodywork while Nissan is launching the Ariya in the summer. The Polestar 3 will also hit the market.

The second half of the year will see Toyota and Subaru presenting the almost identical, slightly jacked-up bZ4X and Solterra e-compacts.


As well, Skoda will present a coupe version of the Enyaq, and Kia the second-generation Niro, which comes either as electric or with an internal combustion engine. There will also be updates for Tesla’s Model Y and Model X.

Ssangyong is also coming to the charging station with an electric Korando. This spring will see Hyundai’s upmarket brand Genesis release the electric GV60, which is based on the Ioniq 5 and the EV6.

Electric cars in other forms

Those who want to run on electricity, but don’t want to follow the SUV trend will find numerous conventional e-models in all classes.

For example, Renault is launching the Mégane E-Tech in the spring as an overdue counter to the ID models of the VW Group and will be putting out an electric Kangoo this summer.

The Kangoo is only one of several electric vans on the way. Ford has announced an electric Transit, Mercedes is making families mobile with the EQT and company bosses with the EQE, and VW hopes to win over retro fans with the ID Buzz electric van.

Not all new SUVs are electric

Among the non-electric SUVs on the way this year, Alfa Romeo is expected to launch the Tonale, the Stelvio's little brother, this summer while BMW introduces the 550 kW/750 hp XM.

Dacia is launching the Jogger, a cheap seven-seater SUV. At the upper end of the market there’s the Grecale from Maserati and a new GLC from Mercedes.

Classic car types still in vogue

Not everyone is ready for the all-electric mobility revolution, and some prefer a classic body style. For those people there are still plenty of conventional small cars, compacts, and sedans in the premiere range. Most are available at the very least as a plug-in hybrid.

Probably the most important innovation in this league is the new Opel Astra, which will be available as a hatchback in the spring and as a station wagon in the autumn. Honda meanwhile is bringing out the new Civic generation.


BMW is tempting executives with a new 7 Series and families with the next generation of the 2 Series Active Tourer. The German car maker is also launching a 2 Series Coupé.

Ford is turning the VW Caddy into the next Tourneo Connect while Mercedes converts the Citan into the more elegant T-Class.

Citroën is making a comeback in the mid-size segment with the C5 X and Toyota wants to prove with a new Aygo that even subcompact cars have a future.

New sports cars

For sports car fans, 2022 will see semi-affordable models such as the Toyota GR 86 and the BMW M2, and so-called hyper-cars such as the Pininfarina Battista and the Aston Martin Valkyrie.

McLaren is launching the Artura super sports car as a plug-in hybrid while Mercedes will be celebrating the rebirth of its open-top legend, the SL.