Humanity and automakers welcome 2021 with red-hot car sales in the first quarter and even more exciting cars to come. Chip shortages and supply-constrained delays have pushed some 2021 models back in the calendar year, but the class of 2022 is shaping up to be sharp. Popular favorites such as the Honda Civic and Jeep Grand Cherokee prepare to rub bumpers with new entrants such as the Rivian R1T and GMC Hummer. 2022 might just be the year of the electric truck. Or the year of the resurrected nameplate.
That extends to the electric version of America’s bestselling vehicle, the Ford F-150. Ford already took the crown for model year 2021, with the Ford Mustang Mach-E winning our top Best Car To Buy 2021. But Ford made important advancements across its product line, with hybrid variants of the 2021 F-150 representing a more sustainable step forward for large vehicles, and the 2021 Bronco Sport bridging the gap between off-road wants and on-road needs with a more alluring style than the multitude of compact crossovers out there. Next up is the all-electric Ford F-150 Lightning.
We’ll skip rumored but not confirmed vehicles, such as the 2022 Jaguar XJ flagship sedan, the Ram Dakota mid-size pickup, the resurrected Tesla Roadster, and the Mercedes-Benz EQS and redesigned Kia Soul EV, which have been lost at sea for a few years now. The Tesla Cybertruck won’t be here before 2022, so we’ll hold off on that, too.
Here’s what we’re looking forward to by segment.
SUVs
Expected this spring, the ballyhooed return of the storied nameplate is a legitimate off-road competitor to the Jeep Wrangler, replete with a removable roof and removable doors in two-door or four-door configurations. Available with either a 270-hp 2.3-liter turbo-4 or a 310-hp 2.7-liter twin-turbo V-6, the new Bronco and its four-wheel-drive system can ford nearly 3 feet of water while offering modern creature comforts such as a 12.0-inch touchscreen.
2021 and 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee
Prior to launching a redesigned Jeep Grand Cherokee for 2022, Jeep announced early this year a distinct model on a separate platform with almost the same name. The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L three-row SUV stretches the JGC’s attractive, timeless style, and comes with two familiar engines, including a Hemi V-8, and independent front and rear suspensions. The larger proportions can still conquer the trail, but with room for seven, it’s more about conquering the family’s to-do list.
The redesigned Jeep Grand Cherokee is expected to debut in the first half of this year for 2022, marking the first redesign of the venerable SUV since 2011. Expect it to ride the Grand Cherokee L’s new platform and use much of its design.
Back after a near 30-year absence, the Grand Wagoneer ditches the wood paneling (unless you look really closely at the teak headlight bezels) in favor of an opulent upmarket three-row SUV to compete with the Lincoln Navigator, Cadillac Escalade, and GMC Yukon. The blocky style and square rear end house a tech powerhouse that can be fitted with up to seven screens, including four up front. Engine choices will be confirmed later this year.
The redesigned 2022 Acura MDX comes on a larger unibody light-duty truck platform with a new double-wishbone front suspension, a longer nose, an upgraded interior, and the same 290-hp 3.5-liter V-6. The changes include new safety and convenience features, a standard panoramic sunroof and a 12.3-inch display screen among them.
Following on the attractive heels of the GV80 SUV, our Best SUV To Buy 2021, Genesis announced the GV70 compact crossover SUV based on the impressive G70 sedan. Details are limited to the superficial for now, with the GV70 donning the brand’s bold shield grille and an eye-catching interior inspired by aircraft wings.
More a small pickup than a crossover, the Santa Cruz shifts from concept to reality. It will be based on the Hyundai Tucson crossover SUV.
The mid-size truck segment is back and better than before. Redesigned for the first time since the 2005 model year, the 2022 Nissan Frontier sports an overhauled exterior, a new interior, new suspension components, and a V-6 powertrain that debuted in 2020 models.
Cars
Only the performance-oriented GTI and R models return are set to the U.S. for 2022 in the 8th-generation hot hatch. The lower, longer hatchback will be powered by a more potent 242-hp 2.0-liter turbo-4 with a 6-speed manual or available 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and it’ll ride with a revised independent suspension. The interior gets a much needed overhaul, too.
On sale this summer, the redesigned sedan and hatchback will be followed by the Si and Type R. The coupe will not be back. The new look comes with a larger 9.0-inch touchscreen inside, but that’s all we know for now.
The 2022 Mercedes C-Class is a four-door luxury stalwart that anchors the classic Benz lineup of rear-drive sedans. New this year, the revamped 2022 C-Class gets a stunning new cabin and even more safety technology—but loses its 6- and 8-cylinder options.
Mazda 6
Nothing has been confirmed, but patents filed by Mazda indicate a rear-wheel-drive sedan powered by an inline-6 with an 8-speed automatic transmission.
The affordable sports coupes return for a second generation with a larger 228-hp 2.4-liter flat-4, a 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic transmission, and rear-wheel drive. Subaru says the BRZ rides with a stiffer suspension for more balanced cornering when it arrives this Fall. So far, we haven’t seen the new Toyota 86, but we expect the same engine and engineering upgrades.
2022 Cadillac CT4-V and CT5-V Blackwings
Details won’t be announced until February 1, but the struggling luxury brand’s compact and mid-size sedans will get high-horsepower performance editions.
Electric vehicles
Arguably the most exciting new vehicle of this year comes from Detroit-based electric vehicle startup Rivian, which will launch the R1T mid-size pickup and R1S crossover SUV this year. Starting at $67,500, the handsome pickup uses a 135-kwh battery pack with an estimated 300-mile range, though a 180-kwh "Max pack" can provide up to 400 miles of range for an extra $10,000.
The big and bold Hummer returns as an electric pickup truck with a three-motor setup and an estimated 350-mile range from its 200-kwh battery pack. The off-road ready truck comes with all kinds of cutting-edge features, such as the ability to crab walk, as well as classic elements such as removable roof panels.
The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 is an electric compact crossover with retro style and futuristic cabin and technology. It's shorter than other electric crossovers such as the Ford Mustang Mach-E and Tesla Model Y, and has an available dual-motor all-wheel-drive system powered by a 77.4-kwh battery pack that makes 302 hp and 446 lb-ft, and a 0-62 mph time of 5.2 seconds. Range has not been confirmed.
The 2022 Kia EV6 is a battery electric crossover SUV similar to the Hyundai Ioniq 5. A performance-oriented EV6 GT with a limited-slip rear differential makes 577 hp and 546 lb-ft, and is capable of going from 0-62 mph in 3.5 seconds, according to Kia.
The 5-seat electric crossover SUV targets a 300-mile range and a $40,000 starting price when it arrives in the latter half of the year.
Volkswagen’s own 5-seat electric crossover SUV targets a 250-mile range and a $40,000 price, and a dual-motor all-wheel-drive variant arrives late this year.
Ranging in price from $77,000 to $169,000, the flagship electric sedan of the Lucid startup encounters a much more crowded market than when it was announced four years ago. Range is estimated at 400 to 500 miles, depending on the battery pack.
This article has been corrected to reflect a starting price of $67,500 on the 2022 Rivian R1T.
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