The past year has been a tumultuous one for the car industry. With supply issues and the ongoing pandemic delaying the production and development of new models, you'd expect things to be rather quiet.
However, there are actually tonnes of new and updated models on the way. From dinky city cars to giant luxury SUVs, you'll find a little bit of everything in our roundup of the best new cars in 2022.
Best cars coming soon
> Alpine A110
> BMW 2 Series Active Tourer
> Citroen C5 X
> Cupra Born
> Dacia Jogger
> DS 4
> Ford Focus
> Genesis GV60
> Lynk&Co 01
> Mercedes-Benz EQE
> Mercedes-Benz EQS
> Nissan Ariya
> Range Rover
> Renault Megane
> Skoda Fabia
> Tesla Model Y
> Toyota Aygo X
> Toyota bz4x
> Vauxhall Grandland
> Vauxhall Astra
> Volkswagen ID.5
> Volkswagen ID.Buzz
> Volvo C40 Recharge
Alpine A110
We're big fans of the Alpine A110 at Parkers, and this updated version seems to hold an even greater appeal. For a start the top S model gets a lift to 300hp and the option of an aerodynamic pack (pictured) that increases downforce and therefore high speed grip.
S models get firmer track-biased suspension too, so if you fancy something more road-biased you might prefer the entry-level Pure that gets softer suspension and a relatively tame 252hp. In the middle sits the new GT model, a car that combines the Pure's supple chassis and the S's punchier engine.
There's also more customisation choices including the option of a black roof for the first time. Crucially, there's also a new 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system that finally gets Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
BMW 2 Series Active Tourer
Meet the new 2 Series Active Tourer, which looks much the same as the old 2 Series Active Tourer. Yes, BMW’s MPV hasn’t changed much on the outside, but there are big differences under the skin. A small growth spurt means the Bavarian family bus comes with more room for passengers and there's also some fresh infotainment technology.
Prices will start at just over £30,000, and you can expect plenty of standard equipment. But because this is a BMW, there are plenty of options that will bump that price up a bit. There’s a choice of four different engines, with a single diesel, petrol and plug-in hybrid option. You also get a choice of trims, including the racy-looking M Sport.
Citroen C5 X
Big Citroens always interest but never sell in big numbers, something the C5 X hopes to change. It's an segment-busting car that combines the best attributes of a hatchback, saloon and SUV, melding them into a spacious, practical, good-looking and high-riding motor.
It's based on the same platform as the Peugeot 508 and is powered by a range of PureTech petrol engines, with plug-in hybrid models avaliable from launch – there will be no diesels. The C5 X is due for launch in the UK in 2022 and will be just about the most expensive car in Citroen’s range – the anticipated starting price will be around £27,000, above the C5 Aircross SUV.
Cupra Born
The Cupra Born is a sportier take on the Volkswagen ID.3 and is powered by the same range of battery packs and electric motors. It should deliver 160 miles' worth of charge in 30 minutes on the latest high-capacity rapid chargers.
We've already driven an early version of the Born, and found that it has all the ID.3's good points and drives subtly different. If UK pricing is competitive, it's defintely an electric car to consider.
Dacia Jogger
If you need seven seats on a shoestring budget, the Dacia Jogger should be of interest. Apparently the Jogger combines the best bits of an estate car, MPV and SUV at a price that starts at around £15,000.
For that money you won't get much in the way of luxuries, but you do get staggering practicality for the money including a ginormous 712-litre boot in five-seat mode.
DS 4
DS Automobiles is rolling out a new family car that's positioned between its 3 and 7 Crossbacks. It's aimed to appeal to buyers looking for something a little taller than a more traditional premium hatchback, such as the Audi A3 but don't want to go the whole hog with an SUV.
The DS 4 will be available in regular form and as the DS 4 Cross - an SUV-themed version with a few design tricks to make it look like it’s beefier and taller, even though it isn’t. They’re both available with a wide choice of interior and exterior finishes, plus the option of a plug-in hybrid powerplant.
Ford Focus
Revamped with a fresh face and a massive new touchscreen, the 2022 Ford Focus is an updated version of its predecessor, rather than an all-new car. Externally, the biggest change is the new grille with an integrated Ford logo, while the cabin benefits from the firm’s SYNC4 infotainment system.
Customers have a choice of estate and hatchback bodies, and the usual vast array of trim levels will also feature. We already know there will be sporty ST-Line models, rugged-looking Active versions with plastic body cladding and a go-faster ST model with bags of performance. Lower down the range, you can also expect some upgraded engines with mild-hybrid technology.
Genesis GV60
The next addition to the already burgeoning Genesis stable is the GV60 coupe-SUV. As well as being the South Korean luxury brand’s next new model, it’s also the company’s first standalone electric model, with a 77.4kWh battery pack that offers up to 280 miles of zero-emission motoring on a single charge.
Prices and specifications are yet to be announced, but Genesis has confirmed a 228hp entry-level motor, as well as a 435hp high-performance variant. The brand has also revealed the exterior and interior design, showing off a rounded silhouette and a modern, luxurious cabin with a pair of widescreen digital displays.
Lynk&Co 01
Lynk&Co does things slightly differently, with subscription-based ‘usership’ models and a handful of other innovations. But the 01 SUV looks relatively familiar, despite the Chinese brand’s insistence that it’s a revolution. Under the skin, it’s based on the Volvo XC40, but it comes with a plug-in hybrid powertrain as standard.
That will give you up to 43 miles of zero-emission driving before you need the petrol engine, and should keep emissions to a minimum, which will please company car drivers. There are no choices of trim levels or any optional extras; you just choose the colour and away you go.
Mercedes-Benz EQE
With so many Es in its name, the EQE simply had to be electric. The zero-emission version of the venerable Mercedes E-Class saloon, the new model will arrive in 2022 to rival the Tesla Model S and BMW i4. Although it’s a similar size to the E-Class, the newcomer has a more aerodynamic shape and borrows design cues from the EQC SUV and the larger EQS saloon.
When it arrives, the EQE promises a choice of two electric powertrains. The cheapest will be the 350, with 292hp and a range of up to 410 miles on a full charge. The second option is expected to be even more powerful, but there’s no word on performance figures or range. Both cars will come with batteries that can be recycled at the end of their lifecycles.
Mercedes-Benz EQS
The EQE’s bigger brother the EQS hit showrooms late in 2021 with prices starting at just under £100,000. The electric saloon, therefore, is not what you’d call cheap. But you get plenty of technology, including the new Hyperscreen infotainment system that effectively spans the full width of the EQS’s dashboard.
Customers will have a choice of five trim levels and, at launch, two electric motor setups. The basic 450+ is rear-wheel drive and offers up to 478 miles of range, although a smaller battery will arrive later, cutting the range. If you want more power, there’s an all-wheel-drive ‘580’ model, and there will be an even more potent AMG version.
Nissan Ariya
Nissan’s first all-electric SUV, the Ariya, is set to hit UK roads in 2022, when it will rival the likes of the Volkswagen ID.4 and Parkers Car of the Year the Skoda Enyaq iV. With a bold new exterior look and a fresh, minimalist interior, the Ariya will be the most modern-looking model in the Nissan range, as well as the most high-tech.
Not only will there be a choice of all-electric powertrains offering between 217hp and 394hp and between 211- and 310 miles of range, but there will also be a choice of two- and four-wheel-drive systems. Naturally you can expect plenty of Nissan’s driver assistance technology to feature.
Range Rover
The imperious flagship of the Land Rover range, the Range Rover is supposed to be the height of luxury and off-road capability. This new model will deliver with a wealth of on-board technology, as well as a smooth new image. For the first time, the Range Rover will also be available with up to seven seats.
But arguably the most important addition is the new plug-in hybrid powertrain, which offers up to 62 miles of electric-only motoring before the internal combustion engine is required. That sits alongside the mild-hybrid diesel engines and a new 4.4-litre, BMW-sourced V8 petrol engine.
Renault Megane
While the Renault Megane hatchback has become long in the tooth, the engineers at Renault have been working on a new, jacked-up crossover version. But the French hatchback hasn’t just grown; it has also become completely electric. So, the car that once rivalled the VW Golf now sits somewhere in the no-man’s land between the ID.3 hatchback and ID.4 SUV.
In essence, the chunky new Megane E-Tech Electric is Renault’s idea of a futuristic family car, with an all-electric range of between 186- and 292 miles. Customers will get a choice of battery sizes (40kWh and 60kWh), allowing them to pay less in exchange for a shorter range, and the option to choose from two electric motors.
Skoda Fabia
Despite looking like an updated version of the last one, the new Skoda Fabia sits on an all-new platform that's shared with the Volkswagen Polo and SEAT Ibiza – so you can expect it to be a class-leading supermini out of the box. It's longer and wider than before, boasts a much sleeker new body, comes with the same engines as the Polo and Ibiza plus introduces some tech and equipment new to Skoda's popular small car.
Although the styling is familiar and slightly predictable, from what we've seen so far, it's a good-looking car. It shares many styling themes with the larger Octavia hatchback front to back, with a stubby frontal area and LED headlights that look almost like a straight carry-over from the bigger model. Expect it to go on sale in early 2022 from around £14,000.
Tesla Model Y
The long-awaited next chapter in the Tesla Model story, the Model Y completes the S, 3, X, Y quartet. And yes, as keen students of private number plates will notice, the models really do spell the word ‘Sexy’. Sort of. Anyway, the Model Y is basically a mid-size SUV that sits beneath the Model X and rivals the Audi Q4 e-tron, Skoda Enyaq iV and BMW iX3.
Although some European markets have already received their first Model Ys, those in the UK will have to wait until 2022. When they finally arrive, they promise a range of up to 315 miles between charges, as well as all Tesla’s clever Autopilot driver assistance technology.
Toyota Aygo X
With the Toyota Aygo X, the brand's smallest car has been reborn as a shrunken SUV based on the latest Yaris. Compared to the old Aygo, the new version is longer to improve space and safety and sits higher on bigger wheels to make it look more rugged.
Only one engine is offered, a 1.0-litre three-cylinder with a modest 72hp. You do get the choice of a manual or automatic gearbox, but unlike the bigger Yaris Cross you don't get the option of four-wheel drive.
Toyota bZ4x
At present, the bZ4x (don’t ask) is just a concept car, but the production version is expected to go on sale sometime in 2022. In fact, Toyota itself has said production will begin in the summer, and we expect deliveries to commence soon after. When it does finally arrive, the new model will be part of a collaboration between Toyota and Subaru.
That will see two electric SUVs developed side-by-side on Toyota’s latest electric vehicle architecture. According to Toyota, the new models will come with “genuine off-road capability”, as well as plenty of interior space and an angular exterior design reminiscent of Toyota’s C-HR and RAV4 models.
Vauxhall Astra
The next Vauxhall Astra is based on the upcoming Peugeot 308, but looks very different to its French sister car. It gets the brand’s ‘vizor’ arrangement – a black panel spanning the front of the car – and a sharp, angular rear end. Regular petrol and diesel engines will be offered along with a plug-in hybrid.
Inside, you get an all-digital ‘Pure Panel’ screen layout for the instruments and infotainment, which first appeared on the latest Mokka SUV, with two 10-inch screens merged together in one solitary design element. It's as exciting as the current model is straight-laced.
Vauxhall Grandland
It’s the third model in the Vauxhall range to receive the bold new Vauxhall Vizor grille, which seems to give a shot in the arm to whaever it's attached to. The new look sees a new name – well, an altered one, as the X suffix is dropped from the Grandland name.
Vauxhall has yet to tell us too much about the Grandland but expect it to be powered by a similar engine range to the current model, which means a selection of excellent turbocharged petrol and diesel motors as well as a selection of plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) in two levels of performance.
Volkswagen ID.5
The inevitable coupe version of the VW ID.4 SUV, the ID.5, is on its way. Although it’s a sleeker and more stylish version of the rounded ID.4, the newcomer will still get a relatively generous 549-litre boot, although rear passenger headroom may not be quite as plentiful as in the ‘proper’ SUV.
Customers will get a choice of electric motors, but VW will only offer one battery: the 77kWh unit. With the entry-level 174hp motor on board, that will give you up to 323 miles of range from a single charge. However, you can also have a 204hp motor or, if you’re feeling adventurous, the 299hp of the high-performance twin-motor GTX model.
Volkswagen ID.Buzz
Another retro-styled model for the brave new world, the ID.Buzz offers a choice of passenger-carrying models, or the ID.Buzz Cargo panel van. The van is slightly longer than the bus, and it provides capacity for an 800kg payload, but both come with an ultra-modern interior with a tablet-style touchscreen and an oddly shaped steering wheel.
Heavily influenced by the ID.Buzz concept of 2017, the new van will be with us in 2022, when it will allow a range of more than 300 miles from a single charge. It’s also expected to come with ‘level three’ autonomous driving, which will allow the vehicle to drive on some roads without any input from the driver.
Volvo C40 Recharge
It might effectively be a coupe-roofed version of the XC40 SUV, but the new C40 is highly significant for Volvo because it's the company's first car that will only be available online, and it's only available as an electric car.
There’s a 78kWh battery, two electric motors (one on each axle) for 408hp and all-wheel drive power, with Volvo claiming a range of 260 miles. Volvo says the C40 can be charged up to 80% in 40 minutes with a public rapid charger.
What else will the year hold?
With 2021 cementing ever further the need for car manufacturers to look to the future, plug-in hybrids and fully electric vehicles have become staples of model line-ups, and it’s now far more of an event for a new model to be announced without one or the other than with.
>> Confirmed: Sale of new petrol and diesel cars banned by 2030
Another army that continues to march steadfastly on is the amassed forces of the SUV. Try as car enthusiasts might to dissuade the general public from these, they’re still some of the best-selling models around. Even the Volkswagen Golf, a worldwide best-seller for decades, now plays second-fiddle to the Tiguan in sales figures – a feat that would have been unimaginable a few years ago.
What else does the future have to offer? Well, it’s hard to say – the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic pushed many car manufacturer’s plans into disarray, as they postponed model launches or rethought their techniques amid tumbling sales and reduced workforces. The lasting effects of the pandemic may shape strategy for years to come, with homeworking made possible (and desirable) for vast swathes of the global workforce, and remote buying proving popular.
>> Coronavirus (COVID-19): Advice and help for drivers
Further reading:
>> What Brexit means for the car industry
>> The best products for your car in 2021
>> Buy this, not that - alternative car purchases you could consider
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