Funky New SUVs To Buy

August 3rd, 2022

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Here’s some new SUVs that have already arrived or will be arriving in Australia over the next little bit.  Many of them are new Hybrid, PHEV or EV SUVs.  There’s something for everyone, so keep your eyes out for the following:

SsangYong Torres

An exciting vehicle to arrive in Australia early 2023 will be the new SsangYong Torres.  Those of us who like to find places off the beaten track will enjoy the Torres off-road capable models.  A turbocharged petrol ICE will be mated to a 6-speed Aisin automatic transmission, and there will be FWD and AWD versions available.

Ssangyong will offer the Torres with 17-inch alloy wheels on lower grades through to 20-inch wheels on higher trims. Safety features include 8 airbags, adaptive cruise control, cross-traffic alert, autonomous emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and safe exit warning.

The new Torres is similar in size to a Mitsubishi Outlander.  703 litres of boot space is available when all 5 seats are up, or there’s a decent 1662 litres available when the second row is folded flat.  A huge central 12.3-inch touchscreen rules the dash space, and drivers get a great looking digital display.  Functions like the climate control and ventilation modes are found on an additional 8.0-inch touchscreen fitted below the prominent 12.3-inch screen.

Mazda CX-60

Mazda has another new SUV.  Now that might sound as if I’m pulling your leg, with Mazda already providing a great line-up of SUVs across the board.  However, the new CX-60 will be a luxury SUV competing directly against other big luxury names – like luxury SUVs from Audi and BMW.  So, you should start getting the idea that the CX-60 is an SUV of a much higher standard than Mazda’s existing CX-5, CX-8 and CX-9 models.

The Mazda CX-60 will be comfortable and offer an impressive array of features and safety.  With its 2.5-litre plug-in hybrid powertrain, the new Mazda CX-60 SUV will also offer the most powerful 4-cylinder engine Mazda has produced – the 241 kW of power and 500 Nm of torque is set to impress.

Suzuki S-Cross

Suzuki has their new small S-Cross SUV available for order.  It is built in Hungary.  The design is pleasant and practical, with plenty of comfort and space in its offering.  Inside the latest S-Cross is a new 9.0-inch touchscreen display, and there’s a strong suite of driver-assistance features available as standard for all models – things like blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping aids, adaptive cruise control, and AEB to name a few.

Under the bonnet you’ll find a turbocharged 1.4-litre petrol ICE.  An ‘AllGrip’ AWD system means that you can get yourself out to some pretty remote places, and Australia hopefully will get the European version’s 48V mild-hybrid system –but we’ll wait and see on that one.

BYD Atto 3

No, BYD isn’t a new take on BYO (Bring Your Own).  BYD stands for Build Your Dreams, and BYD Auto has delivered on the name because they are the largest EV manufacturer in the world.  BYD Auto is the automotive division of the Chinese multinational manufacturer BYD Company.  BYD has designed and developed many new ‘green’ products enjoyed by many around the globe – such as LED technology, solar farms, battery energy storage stations, and, of course, EVs.

The new BYD Atto 3 is an EV SUV.  Pricing is very good, especially when you compare it with other EV SUVs – BYD now making an EV SUV much more affordable and accessible to the masses.  The new BYD Atto 3 offers great EV SUV transport that, in normal everyday driving, will perform well, having a real world driving distance of between 350 and 400 km on a full charge.  The quiet and comfortable electric progress makes for easy driving, and it’s pretty practical as well, with 434 litres available behind the back seats or 1330 litres when the back seats are folded flat. 0-100 km/h can be all over in a little more than 7 seconds.

Chery Omada 5

Chery is delivering the Chery Omada 5 Crossover SUV.  Boasting peak output figures of 150 kW of power and 400 Nm of torque, and a 64 kWh battery that provides a WLTP-rated range of 450 km, these performance figures are stacking up nicely.  The FWD Chery Omada 5 SUV also promises competitive pricing for an EV, plenty of practical space, and all the modern technology you’ll need for EV communications while at work and at play.

Genesis GV70 and GV60

GV70

GV60

Genesis’s luxury GV70 is a pure electric SUV.  The GV70 electric versions have been adapted to take a 77.4kWh lithium-ion battery pack and a pair of electric motors that combine to produce up to 360 kW of power and 700 Nm of torque.  The resulting 0-100k/h sprint time is a cracking 4.2 seconds.  Genesis quotes a WLTP range of 450 km-plus.

For something a little funkier, Genesis also brings us the new Genesis GV60.  The GV60 shares its platform with the Kia EV6 and Hyundai Ioniq 5.  You’ll also note that the interior of the Genesis GV60 appears familiar with an EV6 or Ioniq 5, but just a whole lot more luxurious.

Two models of the new Genesis GV60 are available: the standard GV60 AWD (234 kW), and the GV60 Performance (360 kW).  The Performance variant of the GV60 raises the power output of both electric motors to 180 kW for the rear and 180 kW for the front.  This results in a total output of 360 kW enabling the GV60 Performance AWD to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.0 seconds (4.6sec without Boost Mode).  A rear limited slip differential (E-LSD), black monobloc front brakes, and an adaptable electronic suspension that reads the road are part of the impressive GV60 Performance features.

Buy a standard Genesis GV60 AWD, and you get a 160 kW motor for the rear axle and a 74 kW motor for the front axle, totalling 234 kW for peak output and a maximum torque of 605 Nm.

Nissan

New Qashqai, X-Trail, and Pathfinder

Qashqai

X-Trail

Pathfinder

More muscular, sharper in detail, and definitely a little suaver, the new Nissan Qashqai looks fantastic.  With prominent shoulder lines, a new enlarged Nissan V-motion grille, and slim, full LED advanced matrix headlamps with boomerang signature daylight running lights, the Qashqai is impressive.  Nissan certainly makes the Qashqai an attractive SUV for buyers wanting a capable and practical smaller SUV.  With all the latest technology and luxury, the new Nissan Qashqai also offers its buyers an ePower powertrain in the full Qashqai line-up, meaning that the ePower system offers full electric driving where the wheels are completely driven by electric motors.

Nissan’s new X-Trail has similarly striking looks, new technology, and lots more to offer with its pleasant drive, comfort, and safety features.

Then there is the latest Nissan Pathfinder, delivering the ultimate family SUV 4×4 Crossover experience.  The latest 9-speed automatic transmission delivers quick response and enhanced traction.  With the all-new Intelligent 4×4 system a very capable one, you can select 1 of 7 available drive modes for on and off-road work.

Ford Everest

Ford claims the new big Ford Everest SUV has strong capability across all facets, especially when it comes to power, safety, and comfort.  A very complete and likable SUV, the Everest is built tough, and yet delivers a nice and serene haven for its occupants on the inside.  You can be sure that the 2022 Ford Everest is ready for everything your travels entail, including towing with a full load and the entire family.

Ford’s new Everest SUV has a strong on-road presence with a very horizontal fascia at the front that creates a rugged, tough look. The new grille with its distinctive C-Clamp LED headlamps showcases Ford’s tough design.  Ambiente, Trend, Sport, and Platinum models are available for buyers.

The Everest houses the new 3.0-litre turbo diesel V6 motor, which is offered alongside the existing 2.0-litre twin-turbo 4-cylinder diesel engine.  The V6 boasts 184 kW of power at 3250 rpm and 600 Nm of torque from 1750-2250 rpm.  These two engines are also available in the new Ford Ranger ute, which is what this Everest SUV is built upon.

Alfa Romeo Tonale

Alfa Romeo’s Tonale is set to arrive early in 2023.  As an entry-level model, the Tonale Super competes against Lexus, Mercedes Benz, BMW, Audi, and Volvo.  The Tonale Ti is the top of the range model, easily rubbing shoulders with the best from out of these other luxury brands.

Plenty of the modern electronic technology is present, with 4G connectivity and voice-activated Amazon Alexa built into the new Tonale.  It will be powered by a petrol–electric hybrid powertrain which is based around a new 1.5-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder ICE.  Its pleasant Italian looks won’t go unnoticed.

BMW X1

One of the Tonale’s competitors will be BMW’s new X1 SUV.  The X1 is a nice small SUV cruiser – larger than before though – and the exterior looks great, even a bit smarter than the outgoing models.  Thus, with the increase in size, the luggage capacity has also grown from 505 to 550 litres and will expand to a maximum of 1600 litres when the 40/20/40 split-folding rear seats are folded flat.  LED headlights and tail-lights are fitted as standard, with Matrix LED headlights available on higher trims.

Inside the new BMW X1 there is a re-designed and remodelled interior to enjoy.  BMW also provide buyers with a fully-electric X1 – known as the BMW iX1.  The third-generation BMW X1 covers all the bases with diesel, plug-in hybrid, petrol, and now electric variants being available for the global market.  So far, petrol and electric models have been confirmed for the Australian market.