Best new cars coming in 2022 – Maserati to Porsche
Maserati Gran Turismo
- Price: £100,000
- On sale: 2022
A new Maserati Gran Turismo is on the way, and it will feature an all-electric powertrain.It’s set to take on the Porsche Taycan and Tesla Model S as a fast, sporty and luxurious electric car.
The next Gran Turismo should retain Maserati’s classic styling traits; it’ll have a long bonnet, despite there being no engine under there, and will share a family resemblance with the upcoming Grecale SUV, too. Expect a three-motor, all-wheel-drive layout with 300kW charging capability and an output of around 680bhp.
We expect that the latest Maserati coupé will offer 300 miles of range, plus driver-assistance tech including autonomous driving in some capacity.
Maserati Grecale
- Price: £40,000
- On sale: 2022
Maserati is preparing a new BMW X3-rivalling SUV called the Grecale, which should arrive in 2022.
It’s a smaller sibling to the firm’s Levante SUV, a model with which it will share design traits, and it has already been spied in testing. It appears to mix a boxy SUV look with a more coupé-like shape at the rear, similar to a BMW X4, as you might expect of a sporty brand like Maserati.
It’s likely to use the same turbocharged V6 engine as the new MC20 supercar, detuned for the SUV model. It should still offer plenty of performance, though, and there will also be a pure-electric version with 300kW rapid charging capability.
MG E-Motion
- Price: £30,000
- On sale: 2022
MG is preparing a production version of the E-Motion concept car that it exhibited at the 2017 Shanghai Motor Show, in a long-awaited attempt to tap into the brand’s proud heritage as a sports car maker.
So far, the revived company has made a strong name for itself at the affordable end of the electric car market under Chinese SAIC ownership, but the E-Motion could help it branch out. The concept car had a range of 310 miles on a charge and was claimed to sprint from 0-62mph in less than four seconds, but those figures could be toned down if the model is to fit into the brand’s budget ethos. Indeed, it could cost around £30,000.
Mercedes A-Class facelift
- Price: £25,000
- On sale: 2022
Mercedes will soon launch an updated version of the A-Class hatchback, as seen in our spy shot below. It’s likely to be a relatively minor update, but there should be a handful of cosmetic tweaks to the bumpers and lights, as well as spec changes and tech improvements. Key areas of focus will be the infotainment, which should get the latest version of MBUX with a portrait-orientated central display screen, plus a new steering wheel with touch-sensitive buttons.
A revised version of the AMG A 45 could also be on the way, although we don’t expect it to get any performance upgrades; it’ll probably just get these small visual improvements. Expect the new models to go on sale in 2022.
Mercedes EQE
- Price: £60,000
- On sale: 2022
Mercedes has six all-electric models on its books, including the EQE. On paper it’s the brand’s battery-powered E-Class, but with a bespoke platform and sleek looks it’s actually a completely different machine. In fact, it’s better to think of it as a scaled-down EQS, because it uses a slightly shorter version of that car’s EVA2 architecture.
Despite its rakish, coupé-like looks, the four-door saloon EQE actually has more space inside than its E-Class sibling. Not only is it taller and wider, it has a longer wheelbase. Yet the real interior highlight is the optional Hyperscreen infotainment system. Carried over from the EQS, it features two 12.3-inch screens and a vast 17.7-inch central display.
Initially, the EQE will only be available in 350 guise, which means a rear-mounted 288bhp electric motor and 90kWh battery for an impressive 410-mile range. Later there will be more powerful, 4MATIC all-wheel-drive versions, plus a muscular AMG model is highly likely. All, however, will have the ability to charge at up to 170kW, meaning the Merc can quickly be back to an 80 per cent charge when using a suitable DC rapid charger.
No details on pricing have been revealed, but expect to pay at least £80,000 when sales start in the summer.
Mercedes EQE SUV
- Price: £65,000
- On sale: 2022
Mercedes is using its forthcoming EQE range to take on Tesla, because it will include an SUV to rival the Tesla Model X.
We expect the styling to bear some resemblance to the EQE saloon, given that both cars will be based on the same underpinnings. In fact, the interior and technical parts will be near-identical as well, so you can expect a range of 300-370 miles in the main line-up. Rapid charging is expected, possibly at up to 350kW, which would allow an 80 per cent battery top-up in about 20 minutes.
The EQE SUV won’t be the largest model in the range, because the EQS SUV will be larger still, but this model will offer more practicality than the EQE saloon, thanks to a hatchback boot, albeit at a higher price.
Mercedes EQS SUV
- Price: £110,000
- On sale: 2022
The Mercedes electric SUV range is expanding fast, and part of that will be an all-electric version of the EQS, which will take on the BMW X7 and Range Rover.
It’ll be able to do so by offering a huge battery pack of over 100kWh, meaning a range of at least 400 miles. This is because, while it will use the same tech as the EQS saloon, which has a maximum range of 478 miles, the weight and efficiency penalty of a big SUV will impact overall range.
Expect plenty of performance too, with four-wheel drive plus up to 516bhp and 855Nm of torque in the most powerful version. An AMG model could even produce up to 751bhp. You can also expect to see the new “Hyperscreen” interior from the EQS saloon make it into this large SUV.
Mercedes G-Class 4×4²
- Price: £150,000
- On sale: 2022
The Mercedes G-Class is already a formidable off-roader, but it’s set to become even more focused when the new 4×4² model arrives next year.
This new version features bigger wheelarches, sturdier alloys and off-road tyres, plus beefier suspension and brakes. We expect the mechanical parts to be toughened up and protected from bashes and scrapes to boost the car’s all-terrain prowess even further. It’s set to use the same 4.0-litre V8 engine as the G 63 model, which produces 577bhp, although it may be detuned for better usability off road.
A nine-speed automatic gearbox will send power to all four wheels, but we expect different calibration and driving settings to boost traction.
Mercedes-AMG GT 4-door E Performance
- Price: £170,000
- On sale: 2022
The Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door 63 S E-Performance is AMG’s first plug-in hybrid model and a direct rival for the Porsche Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid.
It uses a twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 engine which, when combined with the electric motor, delivers 831bhp and 1,400Nm. Thanks to four-wheel drive and a nine-speed automatic gearbox, it’ll do 0-62mph in 2.9 seconds and hit 196mph.
In addition to the searing performance, the car has an official fuel economy figure of 32.8mpg and CO2 emissions of less than 200g/km.
Adaptive air suspension and upgrades to the brakes and engine management mean this hybrid edition of the GT 4-door should be just as good to drive as the normal version.
Nissan Ariya
- Price: £41,845
- On sale: 2022
Nissan’s 2011 Leaf was the first family EV for the masses. Yet despite that head start, it’s taken until now for the firm to launch a second electric car. Still, the signs suggest that the Ariya has been worth the wait.
Featuring smart coupé-crossover looks, the high-riding machine is clearly aimed at a much more upmarket audience than previous Nissans. It’s a similar story inside, where clean lines, classy materials and the latest tech help the Ariya stand out. Two 12.3-inch screens can work as one giant display, while the ProPilot driver-assistance system also delivers the latest semi-autonomous safety aids.
Underpinning all this is the same CMF-EV platform as the Renault Mégane E-Tech Electric, but the Nissan comes with a wider variety of powertrains, from a front-wheel-drive 215bhp model through to a blisteringly quick 389bhp, twin-motor all-wheel-drive version.
Buyers can choose from a 63kWh or 87kWh battery, with the latter capable of a range of up to 310 miles depending on spec. The availability of 130kW charging also means you needn’t hang around for too long at rapid chargers.
Nissan has recently confirmed pricing and opened order books; the car starts from £41,845, rising to £58,440 for the flagship Performance version.
Nissan X-Trail
- Price: £27,000
- On sale: 2022
The next version of the Nissan X-Trail was revealed at the Shanghai Motor Show earlier this year, but it’s not coming to the UK until next year at least. The car is based on the CMF-C/D platform used by the Qashqai, and as before it’ll offer seating for seven.
It’s been designed with hybrid power in mind, and from launch the SUV will be available with Nissan’s e-Power hybrid system. This drivetrain features a 1.5-litre petrol engine and an electric motor, plus a small battery pack. The engine doesn’t drive the wheels but merely tops up the battery to keep down running costs.
More driver-assistance kit is a given, and the X-Trail will receive an upgraded interior and dramatic new styling to help it stand out.
Ora Cat
- Price: £25,000 (est)
- On sale: 2022
High prices can make switching to an EV tricky, but that could all change with the Ora Cat 01. The distinctive-looking Chinese all-electric family hatch is the same size as VW’s ID.3, yet at around £25,000, it undercuts its German rival by roughly £5,000.
What’s more, on paper you won’t have to make any sacrifices on specification. The Ora features a punchy 169bhp motor driving the front wheels, and there’s a choice of either a 48kWh or 63kWh battery pack. The latter delivers a competitive 261-mile range.
There is all the latest connectivity, too, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus over-the-air software updates. And despite the budget price, the interior looks neatly designed and seems to have a premium finish.
It’s not all good news, though, because currently the car can only accept a maximum charge of 80kW, meaning that even with rapid charging you’ll need nearly an hour to achieve 80 per cent capacity.
Polestar 3
- Price: £70,000
- On sale: 2022
With its third new model in as many years, Polestar continues its ambitious EV plans in 2022. Fittingly called the 3, the newcomer is pitched straight into the fiercely competitive premium SUV class against rivals such as the Jaguar I-Pace and Audi e-tron.
Using the all-new SPA2 architecture from parent firm Volvo, the Polestar 3 blends rakish style with off-roader cues. We’ve yet to see the finished interior, but expect a mix of minimalism and luxury, plus the latest iteration of the Google-powered Android Automotive infotainment, and advanced semi-autonomous driving tech.
Bosses say the 3 is a high-performance SUV that will offer poised and precise handling, as well as excellent comfort and refinement. Flagship cars are likely to have a similar twin-motor, four-wheel-drive set-up to the Polestar 2. However, it’s likely the larger 3 will have even more power than this model, while engineers are also aiming to deliver a range of at least 300 miles on a full charge.
Porsche 911 GT3 RS
- Price: £150,000
- On sale: 2022
The new Porsche 911 GT3 has already wowed us on the roads, but there’s more in the tank for the 992-generation car: a more hardcore RS model aimed at track-day fans.
The next 911 GT3 RS has been spied testing at the Nürburgring racetrack and we expect it to be revealed this year, before going on sale in 2022. The prototype we spotted featured a huge rear wing that could even include an active element a bit like a Formula 1 car’s DRS set-up.
The GT3 RS will use a 4.0-litre flat-six engine with between 520 and 530bhp, which will ensure superb performance. The car will also probably use a PDK automatic transmission and be rear-wheel drive only.
Porsche Macan
If there’s one car that will have some big boots to fill in 2022, it’s the all-new Macan. The original high-performance compact SUV was an instant hit for Porsche when it made its debut in 2014, and nearly a decade later it’s still the benchmark by which all of its rivals must be judged. Yet there’s no denying that Porsche is going for bold with its replacement, which will become the brand’s second EV, after the talented Taycan.
Underpinned by the same Premium Platform Electric (PPE) architecture as the forthcoming Audi Q6 e-tron, the next-generation Macan has been designed from the ground up to be battery-powered only.
However, bosses have been keen to emphasise that it will still set the standard for performance and driver engagement in the class, with a range of high-power motors and different battery sizes available.
As with the Taycan, the Macan will come equipped with a powerful 800V electrical architecture, and the ability to charge at up to 270kW, while the bespoke platform has been designed to accept a large battery, meaning a claimed range of at least 350 miles is likely.
Although no prices or technical specifications have been revealed, Porsche has confirmed that when the electric Macan arrives later this year, it will be sold alongside the recently facelifted ICE sibling.