Our sneak peek of the most promising cars, trucks, and SUVs of the next few years.
CAR AND DRIVER
Even in the age of next-day delivery, self-checkout, and gigabit internet, some things can't be rushed. The cars, trucks, and SUVs seen here won't reach dealer lots for anywhere from a few months to a few years. Some of them are about to roll down the assembly line. Others haven't emerged from the design studio yet. We're telling you about them now, though, because these are the vehicles that will matter, regardless of how many boring crossovers automakers puke out. These are worth the wait.
The reporting for this story was completed before the auto industry began feeling major effects of the coronavirus pandemic. As many automakers are now delaying or pausing development programs, the debut and on-sale dates reported here may change.
CHRISTIAN SCHULTECAR AND DRIVER
1 of 25
2021 Alfa Romeo GTV
It's difficult not to love Alfa Romeo's Giulia Quadrifoglio. In spite of the sports sedan's tragic reliability record, it's still an absolute joy to drive and looks incredible. Who wouldn't want that in even sexier form, like, say, a two-door coupe? Good news! One is on its way, and it will resurrect the iconic GTV name and add electrification to the the Quadrifoglio's 505-hp twin-turbo V-6. Expect up to 600 horsepower.
WHAT WE KNOW SO FAR
ALFA ROMEO
2 of 25
2021 Alfa Romeo Tonale
The upcoming Alfa Romeo Tonalepromises to be a rare beauty in a sea of luxury-subcompact crossovers. Plus it's Alfa Romeo's first hybrid model. Previewed by a concept model at last year's Geneva auto show, the production version should arrive later this year, starting around $35,000.
WHAT WE KNOW SO FAR
ASTON MARTIN
3 of 25
2024 Aston Martin Vanquish
Aston Martin's next Vanquish will be a mid-engine supercar targeting the defining dream machines of the moment—cars such as the Ferrari F8 Tributo, Lamborghini's Huracán replacement, and the McLaren 720S and 765LT. Previewed by a concept car at the 2019 Geneva auto show (pictured), the Vanquish should start just north of $300,000 when it arrives in 2023.
WHAT WE KNOW SO FAR
JIM FETSCAR AND DRIVER
4 of 25
2021 Audi e-tron GT
Audi's electric e-tron lineup grows for 2021, with the shapely e-tron GT joining today's e-tron (no name, just e-tron) crossover. There's no dancing around it: the GT is aimed squarely at Tesla's Model S. Audi is hoping it will deliver more than 250 miles of driving range and nearly 600 horsepower from a pair of electric motors (one per axle). Underneath its Blade Runner exterior hides the same J1 architecture developed for fellow Volkswagen Group member Porsche, for its Taycan EV.
WHAT WE KNOW SO FAR
AUDI
5 of 25
2021 Audi Q4 e-tron
The Audi Q4 e-tron is smaller and cheaper that the e-tron and e-tron Sportback, and it's aimed at the core of the crossover market. The Q4 e-tron was initially previewed by a concept car (pictured) shown at the 2019 Geneva auto show. It will be the fourth electric Audi to come stateside but the first to use VW's MEB architecture designed exclusively for electric vehicles. It, too, will offer a slightly sleeker Sportback version.
WHAT WE KNOW SO FAR
ILLUSTRATION BY RADOVAN VARICAKCAR AND DRIVER
6 of 25
2024 BMW i8 M
BMW is working on a follow-up to the plug-in-hybrid i8 halo car, which in and of itself never really lived up to expectations. Previewed by the 2019 BMW Vision M Next concept car, this yet-to-be-named replacement (we've taken to calling it the i8 M) should place greater emphasis on performance than its predecessor did. It could also set the Bimmer world on fire with its retro M1-inspired style—it could have rear louvers, people!
WHAT WE KNOW SO FAR
KGP PHOTOGRAPHYCAR AND DRIVER
7 of 25
2021 BMW M3 / M4
Whenever BMW introduces a new 3-series—as it just did for 2020—you can bet that, within a year or two, it'll roll out a hotter, higher-output M version. Thenewest M3 and its two-door M4 sibling are expected to deliver more than 500 horsepower from a turbocharged inline-six engine and an altogether more hard-core experience than the regular 3- and 4-series. Leaked photos and spy shotsreveal that both will have the controversial large kidney grilles seen on the new 4-series. These new models will debut in the fall of 2020.
SEE THE LEAKED PHOTO OF THE M3
ILLUSTRATION BY BEN SUMMERELL-YOUDE/FOX SYNDICATIONCAR AND DRIVER
8 of 25
2021 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing
The CT5-V Blackwing promises be one of the hottest and most track-ready sports sedans on the market. Cadillac hopes the it will make a name for itself competing against the the most extreme AMG, M-division, and Audi RS models. To make sure the Blackwing version of the CT5 is up for the fight, Cadillac will fit an updated version of the CTS-V's 6.2-liter supercharged V-8, not the 550-hp twin-turbo 4.2-liter Blackwing V-8. We expect that engine to make 650 horsepower and it will be available with a 10-speed automatic or a six-speed manual.
CONFIRMED
ILLUSTRATION BY BEN SUMMERELL-YOUDE/FOX SYNDICATIONCAR AND DRIVER
9 of 25
2022 Chevrolet Corvette Z06
The upcoming Chevy Corvette Z06 will be the first of several upcoming ultra-high-performance variants of the C8 Corvette. We expect it to go on sale in early 2021 as a 2022 model, starting at about $85,000. It will use a naturally aspirated DOHC 32-valve 5.5-liter V-8. Plus, it has a flat-plane crank, just like a Ferrari V-8. It should rev to between 8500 and 9000 rpm, spit out 600-plus horsepower, and shriek like something from Ferrari.
CONFIRMED
ILLUSTRATION BY CHRISTIAN SCHULTECAR AND DRIVER
10 of 25
2022 Ferrari Purosangue SUV
Ferrari is finally taking the leap and building an SUV. For a brand that built its reputation on racing (cars, that is), this new project is quite the departure. For now, the creation is being referred to by the Purosangue name, which is Italian for "thoroughbred," and will go up against the likes of the Bentley Bentayga, Lamborghini Urus, and Rolls-Royce Cullinan—if not in pure performance, at least in price.
WHAT WE KNOW SO FAR
ILLUSTRATION BY BEN SUMMERELL-YOUDE/FOX SYNDICATIONCAR AND DRIVER
11 of 25
2022 Ford Fusion Active
Selling a station wagon in an American car market infatuated with SUVs is a risky play for a manufacturer. But once Ford kills off the Fusion sedan later this year or early next year, a lifted version of that stigmatized-yet-highly-practical type of vehicle will soon be as close as shoppers will come to finding a new family car in a Blue Oval showroom. Enter the Ford Fusion Active.
WHAT WE KNOW SO FAR
ILLUSTRATION BY RADOVAN VARICAKCAR AND DRIVER
12 of 25
2022 GMC Hummer EV SUT
In an amazing twist of fate, General Motors' gas-guzzling middle-finger-flying Hummer brand, discontinued in 2010, is poised to make a comeback for 2022 as an all-electric sub-brand of GMC. We know very little about the GMC Hummer EV SUT pickup truck so far. But we do know that it will offer 1000 horsepower and GMC claims it's capable of blasting from zero to 60 mph in just 3.0 seconds. GMC will release full details this fall.
WHAT WE KNOW SO FAR
ILLUSTRATION BY RADOVAN VARICAKCAR AND DRIVER
13 of 25
2023 Hyundai RM20 N
Of all the newcomers to the mid-engine segment, no vehicle highlights the current sports-car zeitgeist quite like a mid-engine Hyundai, which could be called the RM20 N. When it arrives in two or three years, expect the Hyundai to bring mid-engine dynamics to a new level of affordability. As we understand it, the decision makers in South Korea are still weighing whether their car should be a $40,000 Hyundai or a $70,000 Genesis. In our minds, there's no question. It's too soon for Genesis to challenge Corvettes and Porsches, but a proper sports car could validate both N and Hyundai.
WHAT WE KNOW SO FAR
ILLUSTRATION BY RADOVAN VARICAKCAR AND DRIVER
14 of 25
2021 Hyundai Santa Cruz
The Hyundai Santa Cruz is the automaker's foray into the pickup market. It follows Honda's approach rather than the formula that American manufacturers perfected. The unibody truck will be offered with a single bed length, a four-door crew cab, and a choice of four-cylinder engines. We expect to see the Santa Fe's 2.4-liter and turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-fours paired with an eight-speed automatic and all-wheel drive.
WHAT WE KNOW SO FAR
RADOVAN VARICAK
15 of 25
2021 Jaguar XJ
Jaguar's full-size XJ sedan is getting old, but you wouldn't know it by looking at the seductive four-door. Time marches on, however, and Jaguar is looking to replace the XJ (however handsome it is now) with an all-new model for 2021. And Jag is going bold: The next XJ will be fully electric, with some 300 miles of driving range and DC fast charging.
WHAT WE KNOW SO FAR
ILLUSTRATION BY RADOVAN VARICAKCAR AND DRIVER
16 of 25
2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee
Late this year, Jeep will launch an entirely new Grand Cherokee. It likely won't make it into buyers' hands until next year, as production has been delayed. What those new owners will get is a Jeep based on a version of the Alfa Romeo Giorgio platform found under the Giulia sedan and Stelvio SUV. The Grand Cherokee will be significantly longer than the trim little Stelvio, though. Not only will the Jeep's wheelbase surpass the Alfa's 110.9 inches, we expect it to be longer than the current Grand Cherokee's 114.7 inches. So it's a good bet that the new ute will be roomier than the outgoing model.
WHAT WE KNOW SO FAR
SIMON FOX/FOX SYNDICATIONCAR AND DRIVER
17 of 25
2022 Jeep Wagoneer / Grand Wagoneer
Jeep is bringing back the iconic Wagoneer nameplate for a new full-size SUV offering. Set to debut sometime within the next few months, the Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer will compete with the likes of the Chevy Tahoe and Suburban. They will use a version of the Ram 1500's body-on-frame platform, with the Grand Wagoneer likely to be an extended-wheelbase version. Three rows of seats will be standard, as will four-wheel drive. We expect V-6 and V-8 engine options along with hybrid and plug-in-hybrid variants.
WHAT WE KNOW SO FAR
ILLUSTRATION BY BEN SUMMERELL-YOUDE/FOX SYNDICATIONCAR AND DRIVER
18 of 25
2023 Land Rover Defender 80
The upcoming Defender 80 is a new baby Land Rover set to be positioned below the recently revived Defender in the brand hierarchy. If it reaches the U.S. market, it could provide a more affordable entry point to the off-road-oriented Defender range. U.K. media reports have named it the 80—given that Land Rover calls the two- and four-door Defenders the 90 and the 110, respectively—although there is no confirmation of that.
WHAT WE KNOW SO FAR
LEXUS
19 of 25
2022 Lexus LQ
Lexus is still lacking the modern, high-end SUV that virtually every other luxury vehicle maker has to offer affluent shoppers. The upcoming Lexus LQ, which will serve as a sleek range-topping crossover, should address that shortcoming. Previewed by the LF-1 Limitless concept (pictured), the longitudinal-engine LQ should share key structural elements with the LS sedan. It also should share its powertrains, including the a 416-hp twin-turbo V-6 and its a 354-hp hybrid powertrain. An F performance model might even pack a twin-turbo V-8 good for 600-plus horsepower.
WHAT WE KNOW SO FAR
ILLUSTRATION BY BEN SUMMERELL-YOUDE/FOX SYNDICATIONCAR AND DRIVER
20 of 25
2023 Mazda 6
For its next mid-size sedan, Mazda plans to adopt the blueprint of a full luxury model and hang a lower price on it. The next-generation Mazda 6, which should be on sale by the end of 2022, is set to get a full Bavarian, transitioning to a longitudinal-engine platform with rear-wheel drive and an inline-six.
WHAT WE KNOW SO FAR
ILLUSTRATION BY ANDREI AVARVARIICAR AND DRIVER
21 of 25
2021 Maserati MC20
The upcoming MC20 will be a mid-engine reminder that Maserati exists. Rather than a successor to the ultrarare, hyperexpensive MC12, the MC20 is a run-of-the-mill six-figure Italian sports car offered in both coupe and convertible forms. Maserati promises that the MC20 marks the start of a new phase in the brand's history, which it desperately needs if its vehicles are going to be relevant again. Maserati recentlyreleased technical details about the MC20's twin-turbo V-6 engine, which will produce 621 horsepower.
WHAT WE KNOW SO FAR
MERCEDES-BENZ
22 of 25
2022 Mercedes-AMG SL-Class
Today's Mercedes-Benz SL-class has strayed quite far from its glamorous past. Its predecessors' grace has given way to ungainly styling and a clunky folding-hardtop mechanism. The 2022 SL is Benz's attempt at reconnecting with its past, so expect this convertible to be sexier and more athletic while switching to a lighter, more regal folding soft top. It'll also be called a Mercedes-AMG SL, as the performance division has taken over development of this new model.
SL PROTOTYPE DETAILS
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23 of 25
2021 Nissan 400Z
Nissan will finally give the Z-car the attention it deserves by introducing a successor to the ancient 370Z. The new Z, code-named Z35 and likely called 400Z, won't be a ground-up rethink. It will continue on the latest version of Nissan's FM platform and share components with the Infiniti Q60 coupe. The twin-turbo 3.0-liter V-6 that makes up to 400 horsepower in the Infiniti Q50 and Q60 seems like a shoo-in. Nissan recently previewed the Z's shape in a video showing many of the company's new models.
WHAT WE KNOW SO FAR
ILLUSTRATION BY CHRISTIAN SCHULTECAR AND DRIVER
24 of 25
2022 Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS
The upcoming Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS is a lighter, more powerful, and even more track-capable version of one of the great sports cars of the moment. It is set to arrive in late 2021 or early 2022, starting around $130,000. The GT4 reintroduced Porsche's flat-six to theCayman line after the latest redesign replaced it with a turbocharged flat-four. That 4.0-liter makes 414 horsepower. The RS's six will also displace 4.0 liters, but in the vein of the 690-hp 911 GT2 RS, figure on output approaching 500.
WHAT WE KNOW SO FAR
ILLUSTRATION BY RADOVAN VARICAKCAR AND DRIVER
25 of 25
2021 Ram Dakota
Chrysler's mid-size Dakota pickup is making a comeback! This time, it falls under the Ram brand name (instead of Dodge), and it will cost less than the similarly sized Gladiator that Fiat Chrysler Automobiles sells through the Jeep brand. Unsurprisingly, the Ram Dakota will share its underpinnings with that Jeep and likely will be built in the same Toledo, Ohio, facility.
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