22 all-new cars coming our way in 2022

Published on 6 February, 2022

Overview

Despite ongoing supply constraints, long waiting times and rapidly rising fuel prices, 2022 looks set to be a bumper year for new car models.

Alfa Romeo Tonale

Alfa has high hopes for the long-overdue Tonale, a plug-in hybrid compact SUV that will arrive here later this year. The new crossover joins the larger Stelvio in the Alfa line-up, and combines a turbocharged 1.3-litre petrol engine with an electric motor to give it an all-electric range of around 50km. Given Alfa has committed to selling only electric cars by 2027, it is likely that a fully electric version will launch at some later stage. First shown as a concept at the Geneva Motor Show in 2019, a production version of the Tonale will be officially unveiled on February 9th.

Audi A8

An updated version of the luxury A8 saloon is on the way, and while there is little in terms of exterior changes to distinguish it from the outgoing model, it comes with new innovative technology. The flagship model for the brand will be available in standard and long-wheelbase versions.

 BMW i7 

A zero-emission version of the BMW 7 Series will launch toward the end of the year, along with a new 7 Series saloon. Having undergone intensive testing of drive and suspension systems at the BMW Group winter test centre in Lapland, the i7’s electric drive, high-voltage battery and charging technology will use BMW’s fifth-generation eDrive technology that is already in use in the iX. While it is not likely to go on sale until late in 2022, we expect the Tesla Model S and Mercedes EQS rival to be officially unveiled in the spring.

Citroen C5 X

Based on the same platform as the Peugeot 508, Citroen’s new flagship D-segment model, the C5 X, will hit Irish forecourts this March and is an intriguing hybrid of an estate car, crossover and SUV with an emphasis on space, comfort and practicality. Inspired by the CXperience Concept unveiled at the 2016 Paris Motor Show, it will be available with petrol and Phev drivetrains, while a fully electric version will complete the range at a later stage. Citroen has long been synonymous with comfort and all models come with the Advance Comfort suspension. In terms of size, the C5 X is longer than the C5 Aircross; in fact, it’s almost the same length as the Skoda Superb. Prices will be announced closer to the launch date.

Cupra Born

Cupra, the high-performance SEAT brand, will launch its first all-electric car to the Irish market in the spring. Based on the hugely popular Volkswagen ID. 3, the Born will be priced from €31,440 (including the SEAI grant and VRT relief). Available with three battery options – 45kWh, 58kWh and 77kWh – delivering ranges of 350km, 424km and 540km respectively. On the road, the sporty hatchback drives well and it’s spacious and practical inside and we were impressed with how it drove.

Dacia Jogger

Dacia is promising a new take on the seven-seat family car with the Jogger. A versatile family car, it will be powered by a 110hp TCe petrol engine. A hybrid option is likely to follow. Dacia reckons the Jogger will blend the practicality of an estate car, the spaciousness of an MPV and the styling of an SUV. Available in a choice of three well-equipped trim levels – Essential, Comfort, and a special edition Extreme SE – and priced from €23,290, the Jogger is likely to be a big hit with families looking for an affordable seven-seater when it arrives here in April.

DS9 saloon

Due here in July, the DS9 is the largest car yet from the French company. Large French saloons have traditionally been a very hard sell in Ireland but the DS9 hopes to change this. The car is 4.93m long, so there is plenty of rear legroom. Several powertrains will be offered, including two E-Tense PHEV systems with a maximum electric-only range of 53km. With lots of style and space, the DS9 will certainly broaden the appeal of the brand.

FIAT 500 electric

Electrification has finally come to the Italian carmaker’s range in the diminutive shape of an all-electric 500. With classic good looks outside, there is a new platform underneath that’s designed from the outset to be an electric car. Available in both hatchback and convertible, there are two battery choices and a range of either 185km or 320km. The new Fiat blends vintage chic with technical sophistication and it is still one of the best examples of Fiat’s fine small car heritage. Prices start from €24,995.

Honda Jazz Crosstar

Honda’s Jazz is getting a rugged SUV-style makeover, created to broaden the appeal of the model. The new Jazz Crosstar sits slightly higher off the road and sports protective body moldings. Enhanced kerb appeal comes from a bold front grille design, black trim and stylish side sills and roof rails. Aimed at those with active lifestyles, it will be in Honda showrooms nationwide in early 2022 and will come as a hybrid with i-MMD technology.

Hyundai IONIQ 6

The Korean carmaker has ambitious electric car plans and will add 20 new EV models to its range by 2025. Hot on the heels of the Ioniq 5, Ireland’s best-selling electric car in January, the Ioniq 6 is the next model in the range and will be followed by a larger Ioniq 7 SUV. Expect styling to be based on the Prophecy concept first shown in 2020. As with the rest of Hyundai’s electric cars, a long-range and excellent reliability will make the Ioniq 6 a very tempting prospect.

KIA Sportage

With a sportier look, new powertrains and an improved chassis, Kia’s fifth-generation Sportage goes on sale in Ireland this month with prices starting at €34,300. Inside the plush interior features two high-definition 12.3-inch screens, advanced technology and luxury features. Powered by a diesel engine a range of ‘hybrids’ will follow including plug-in hybrid powertrains. The popular SUV has not only been Kia’s best-selling model for over 10 years but it is also the best-selling Kia model in Europe and globally. The Korean marque’s family SUV is now in showrooms while the plug-in hybrid option will follow later in the year.

Lexus RZ

Late last year Lexus shared a teaser of its all-new RZ Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV), which will be their first all-electric vehicle on a dedicated BEV platform. Due at some stage this year, the new EV will share a platform with the new Toyota bZ4X and the Subaru Solterra, but the styling is likely to be sharper and more aggressive. Little else is known about the car at this stage but it is expected to share elements with the LF-Z concept car.

Mazda CX-60

The next model to join the Mazda SUV line-up is the CX-60. It will have two rows of seating and will be followed by a three-row Mazda CX-80. The CX-60 will mark the introduction of petrol-electric plug-in hybrid powertrains to the Mazda range. Along with PHEVs, there is also a new-generation Skyactiv-X petrol engine and a Skyactiv-D diesel with 48V mild hybrid systems. There is little more in the way of details, but the CX-60 will hit showrooms in 2022.

Mercedes-Benz Electric EQE

The E-Class-inspired, fully electric EQE which premiered at the IAA Show in Munich will launch here in the second quarter of the year. The 350 version is due first and comes with a 215kW engine and a 90kWh battery with a range of 660km, while high-performance Mercedes-AMG EQE 43 and Mercedes-AMG EQE 53 versions will join the line-up later in the year. The EQE is also one of the first vehicles to be built with steel which is 100pc recycled, and this reduces the CO2 emissions in rolled steel production by more than 60pc.

Nissan Ariya

Probably one of the most important electric cars coming our way in 2022, the Ariya is Nissan’s first all-electric crossover. It will be available in five versions and with a choice of two batteries – a 63kWh (delivering an estimated 360km range) and 87kWh (delivering an estimated 500km range). Both battery options will come with a choice of two-wheel-drive and e-4ORCE, Nissan’s most advanced all-wheel-drive technology. It will be available for pre-order early in 2022 with the first models arriving in June. Full pricing and specifications will be announced in April.

Opel Astra

Summer sees the arrival of the all-new Astra. With a sportier look and an upmarket interior, it will be offered in petrol, diesel and, for the first time, as a plug-in hybrid. A fully electric version will join the line up next year. Packed with safety features including front collision warning with automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, speed sign recognition and drowsiness detection, an estate or Sport Tourer will also join the range. Prices and equipment levels to be revealed closer to launch.

Renault Megane E-Tech

Renault will be blazing a trail this year with the launch of their all-electric Megane in the autumn. Sporting a coupe/SUV-styling, the new family-sized electric car will be offered with two power levels and two battery options – a 40kWh or 60kWh battery giving a range of up to 450km. Renault has focussed on optimizing aerodynamics while minimizing weight, and the result is an electric car that is not just efficient but promises impressive handling and performance.

SsangYong Korando e-motion

SsangYong is investing significant efforts into the electrification of its current and future products, with a plan to offer three electric vehicles by 2025. First to launch is the Korando e-Motion, a compact crossover with a range of up to 435km on the WLTP combined cycle. Due here early in the year, the e-Motion will be an interesting addition to the EV market.

Subaru Solterra

Subaru’s first EV goes on sale in 2022. A joint venture with Toyota, the Solterra is very closely related to the new Toyota bZ4X. With a range of up to 530km, the Solterra is the first AWD electric vehicle to feature Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, Subaru’s all-weather, all-terrain traction system. According to Subaru, it is their most technologically advanced vehicle yet and comes with 8.3 inches of ground clearance, a 12.3-inch touchscreen and a host of active and passive safety features. It will be in showrooms later in the year.

Tesla Model Y

On sale in the US for over a year, the Model Y is now available to order in Ireland. Sharing much in common with the Model 3, it is longer and taller and will be offered with a seven-seater option. Prices start from €69,800 for the Long Range AWD and the first deliveries will start in early 2022. With a 507km range, the Model Y Performance starts at €79,478, with Irish deliveries expected in mid-2022.

Toyota bZ4X

The bZ4X, Toyota’s first electric vehicle and the first model in the new bZ – Beyond Zero – series is on the way. It is expected to have a range of more than 450km and buyers will have the option of the bZ4X Motion with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive with Toyota’s new electric X-MODE system, which promises class-leading off-road driving capability. The bZ4X will go on sale from June 2022. In the meantime, you can register your interest to keep informed of pre-launch activity, availability and pricing on the Toyota website.

Volkswagen ID. Buzz

For those wanting to wallow in delicious nostalgia, the VW camper van has to be one of the most characterful vehicles. Long associated with hippies and surfers alike, today these vans are being reimagined in the form of the funky all-electric ID.Buzz.  First shown at the Detroit Motor Show 2017, the new Buzz will be available in Cargo and Passenger variants and will be officially unveiled on March 9.