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New autos: What’s coming to showrooms in 2021
Posted by Talbot Payne on January 5, 2021
The year ahead is still uncertain as to when auto shows and other new-vehicle introductions will return to pre-COVID normal. But that won’t slow the flood of new vehicles heading to showrooms. Buyer demand has remained unexpectedly strong despite the economic downturn and the uncertainty of the times.
Manufacturers are rolling out pickups and refreshed SUVs. There are fewer choices for those looking to buy sedans. But never have there been more electric vehicles to choose from.
Here’s what to look for in the next 12 months:
SUVs
Acura MDX
Acura’s flagship SUV is remade and will arrive early in 2021. Rising on a new platform, the MDX is longer and wider with a higher $47,925 starting price thanks to increased standard content like a panoramic sunroof. Amidst all the change, the V-6 carries over. But for those who want to rock, a 355-horse turbo V-6 will soon arrive in the Type S model.
Alfa Romeo Tonale
Fiat Chrysler’s struggling luxury brand needs more sport utilities and the gorgeous Alfa Romeo Tonale may be just the tonic. The $35,000 Italian stallion takes aim at other entry-level SUVs, such as the BMW X1, and should arrive as Alfa’s first hybrid vehicle.
BMW iX
The new flagship for BMW’s i-electric division after the lukewarm reception for the BMW i3 hybrid and scissor-door i8 sports car. The $70,000 all-wheel-drive iX SUV comes with a footprint similar to the gas-powered X5. An all-new interior has a huge, curved screen that incorporates both instrument and console displays.
Buick Envision
Regal? Tour X? Buick sedans and wagons are gone. This is an all-SUV brand now, completing a transformation that began with the big Encore crossover in 2008. The Envision compact ute will get a remake early in the year.
Chevrolet Bolt EUV
Much-ballyhooed as GM’s first Tesla-fighter, the Bolt hatchback beat the Model 3 sedan to market but failed to blunt Tesla’s momentum. The Bolt’s bigger brother, the Bolt EUV crossover, steps up Chevy’s game to take on Tesla’s Model Y crossover. It comes with Super Cruise, GM’s answer to Tesla’s semi-autonomous Autopilot system. The EUV gains 6 inches of length and 3 inches on interior over the Bolt.
Ferrari Purosangue
The Purosangue is Ferrari’s first SUV. Heresy! But that’s what customers want. Sports car makers are ringing the cash register with insanely powerful SUVs. Porsche started the trend with the Cayenne. Now there’s the Maserati Levante and Lamborghini Urus, so it was inevitable that Ferrari followed. The Purosangue is expected to ride on a new all-wheel drive chassis with a hybrid turbo-V-8 stuffed under the hood. Expect at least 650 horsepower and an asking price in the mid-$300,000s.
Fisker Ocean
Henrik Fisker wowed the auto world with his Fisker Karma back in 2012, promising an electric future alongside Musk’s Tesla Model S. The Karma, however, faded from view and the Fisker Ocean is Henrik’s reboot as a more affordable all-EV brand.
Ford Bronco
Not OJ-era Bronco of the ’90s, the reinvented modern Ford Bronco goes toe-to-toe with the Jeep Wrangler. The throwback look is there, but the Bronco takes a more high-tech approach like an electronic drive-mode selector. With two engine options and six trim levels, all the off-road goodies are here — from locking differentials to detachable sway bars to huge 38-inch tires on the Badlands trim.
Ford Fusion Activ
The Fusion sedan is dead, but the badge will find new life as a Subaru Outback-fighting crossover. Spy shots suggest a sleek, station wagon-like bod raised up for trips to the mountains.
Genesis GV70
The Genesis GV80 wowed with its Bentley-like style and quiet ride. Next up: the GV70 aimed at the high-volume compact SUV market. Hyundai’s luxury brand has taken a while to move toward in-demand utes, but its intentions are now clear: re-create the Lexus model of offering premium style at an affordable price.
Hyundai Tucson
The Korean brand’s mainstay compact model gets a sexy makeover. In addition to its hot new bod, the Tucson may get a sporty 300-horse N-line performance model to go with 2.5-liter inline-4 and hybrid powertrains.
Infiniti QX55
Infiniti gets into the coupe-like SUV arena. QX55 channels the brand’s memorable FX looker and will complement the square-back QX50. Standard all-wheel drive and a more aggressive face separate it from its cheaper brother.
Infiniti QX60
While the QX55 rounds out Infiniti’s compact portfolio, the best-selling QX60 is an all-new three-row SUV flagship for the brand. With a stylish new interior, Nissan’s luxury brand hopes the QX60 can get the attention of a more upscale clientele.
Jeep Grand Cherokee
The Grand Cherokee gives up its status to the new Wagoneer as the top-line Jeep SUV, but not its swagger. Based on the same chassis as the Alfa Romeo Stelvio SUV, the Grand will reportedly be longer and more luxurious than the current model.
Jeep Wagoneer/Grand Wagoneer
Jeep goes after the truck-based Chevy Tahoe and Silverado with these twin three-row SUVs. The Grand Wagoneer concept suggests that Jeep may even have Cadillac Escalade in its sights. The concept’s interior boasted not one but three digital touch-screens, including one for the front passenger. A hybrid model might be coming, too.
Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392
The Wrangler muscle car. The 392 means the Jeep will share one of the Dodge Challenger’s 6.4-liter, 470-horse V-8 so that you can go 0-60 in under 5 seconds. The 392 will be an off-road beast, too, as it is based on the dirt-kicking Wrangler Rubicon with 33-inch tires.
Jeep Wrangler 4xe
Jeep has a Wrangler for everyone. If the 392 is about blinding speed, then the 4xe (you’ll know it by the blue accents) is about preening green with a plug-in hybrid powertrain that offers long-range, a stump-pulling 470 pound-feet of torque — and an eSave mode so you can save battery power for when you want it. Like a quiet cruise through the forest.
Land Rover Defender 90
The Defender 90 is the two-door version of Land Rover’s iconic off-road warrior, the four-door 110. Offered with the same turbo-4 and V-6 engine offerings as big brother — but with fewer doors and lower sticker price.
Lexus LQ
Lexus has lacked a three-row, range-topping competitor to the BMW X7 and Audi Q7. The LQ — teased as the LF-1 Limitless concept at the 2018 Detroit auto show — will fix that. Expect multiple drivetrains including a hybrid model — and a giant spindle grille, of course.
Mercedes EQC
Delayed in the U.S. market, the EQC should be the German luxury brand’s first EV when it arrives in 2021. It will headline a full electric stable to parallel Mercedes’ gas-powered lineup. EQC will be a compact SUV sandwiched between a smaller EQA and bigger EQE.
Nissan Ariya
Nisan’s first EV was the Leaf, and the stylish Ariya really takes it up a notch. Aimed at the Tesla Model Y with a cheaper sticker price (Nissan’s signature value play), Ariya will offer 300 miles of range in its top big-battery trim. Nissan has been aggressive in driver-assistance systems so expect capable semi-autonomous driving as well.
Toyota Sienna
Toyota’s minivan gets a major makeover inside and out. The exterior follows the Highlander SUV’s head-turning wardrobe. Under the skin, the Sienna will be offered standard as a sippy hybrid. The second-row seats aren’t stowable like a Chrysler Pacifica — but they can be moved 25 inches for maximum legroom.
VW ID.4
VW promises an all-electric future and its first U.S. entry is a compact crossover. ID.4 will start as a rear-wheel-drive ute with optional AWD coming later. Expect a minimalist interior and $7,500 tax break for early buyers. Once the tax break runs out, the $40,000 ID.4 will face stiff competition from VW’s $26,000 gas-powered Tiguan SUV.
VW Taos
Making life even tougher on the ID.4 will be VW’s first entry-level subcompact SUV priced in the low $20,000 range. The Taos will share the Tiguan’s familiar boxy shape with lots of interior room for its class.
Volvo XC40 Recharge P8
Volvo’s electric brand, Polestar, debuted in 2020 with a sleek, Polestar 2 crossover. The Volvo XC40 Recharge P8 is Volvo’s first EV and — while built on the same platform as the Polestar — looks very similar to its gas-powered XC40. Expect 200 miles of range and standard AWD.
Cars
Audi A3
Audi’s entry-level sedan gets a makeover for the 2022 model year with sharper looks and the brand’s typically snazzy interior digital displays. With competitors like the BMW 2-series and Merc A-class, A3 stakes its claim with a peppy turbo-4 and AWD.
Audi e-Tron GT
Tony Stark’s gorgeous EV ride finally comes to the showroom. The e-tron looks like a Audi A5 with its sleek fastback, but it’s based on the same architecture as Porsche’s Taycan EV. Expect dual motors and 250 miles of range.
Audi Q4 e-tron
The Audi adds a starter EV to its electric lineup. The Q4 e-tron is slotted below the compact e-tron SUV and e-tron Sportback. Q4 e-tron will be the first Audi ute on the brand’s electric MQE platform.
BMW M3/M4
Here come the giant kidneys. The ferocious M-badge will reportedly bring 500-horsepower to the new 3-series sedan and coupe — and the first look at BMW’s controversial “buck-tooth grille.”
Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing
Cadillac’s BMW M-fighting compact sedan packs heat with Corvette’s 6.2-liter, 650-horse V-8 under the hood. Note: Blackwing signifies Cadillac’s performance badge — not the 550-horse Blackwing V-8 that briefly appeared in the CT6-V Blackwing sedan.
Chevy Corvette Z06
Corvette can’t make the red-hot, mid-engine C8 fast enough. Now comes the first track model — the Z06 version sporting the ‘Vette’s first overhead-cam, flat-plane crank, 8,000-rpm engine. The Ferrari-like, 5.5-liter V-8 will shriek like no other ‘Vette engine you’ve heard.
Honda Civic
The best-selling retail compact car in America gets an extreme makeover. Civic adopts a more sophisticated, conservative body style after its last wild-child generation. Expect the same expanded model lineup, however, with Si and Type-R performance variants. All Civics will from here on be four-door sedans.
Lucid Air
Championed by former Tesla designer Peter Rawlinson, the stunning Air goes after Tesla’s top-line Model S for EV pre-eminence. Boasting over 500 miles of range and executive rear seats, expect the EV to start at around $80,000 and push north of $150,000 on upper-trim models.
Jaguar XJ
Not your grandpa’s Jag. The Jaguar XJ gets a radical makeover. Radical as in all-electric. With 300-mile range and fast-charging capability, the XJ will be Jag’s second EV after the iPace crossover.
Maserati MC20
The Italian performance brand finally gets the mid-engine supercar the brand has desperately needed. With 621 horsepower and stiff carbon-fiber tub, the Maserati MC20 should be a rocket.
Mercedes S-class
Mercedes’ flagship sedan is all-new for 2021. Starting at $109,800 you’ll get space-age tech like: Augmented reality head-up display that projects images directly in the driver’s field of vision. A micro-sleep warning that uses an infrared interior camera to monitor driver drowsiness. And 10 massage programs with two levels of intensity and a duration from 8-18 minutes. Ah, Elysium.
Nissan Z
Nissan finally replaces the ancient 370Z sports car. Likely called the 400Z, the new variant should get a twin-turbo V-6 and the sleek looks previewed by the Z Proto concept.
Porsche 911 Turbo
As night follows day, so does the latest 911 get its supreme, AWD Turbo variant. The jaw-dropping numbers tell the story: A whopping 640 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque — improvements of 60 horses and 37 torque over the last gen. Zero-60 goes by in just 2.2 seconds. Keep it floored and you’ll hit 180 mph in 21.4 seconds.
Subaru BRZ
Rejoice, motorheads seeking an affordable, sub-$30,000 sports car. The nimble BRZ gets a major makeover and a new 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine making about 10% more horsepower — addressing the biggest drawback of the last model.
Toyota GR Corolla
Still a rumor, the GR Corolla should at last offer a hot hatchback for the Corolla lineup. Aimed at the VW Golf GTI and Hyundai Veloster, GR follows the Supra sports car in bringing more excitement to the Japanese brand.
Toyota Mirai
The auto industry continues to predict a hydrogen future, and this is Mirai’s second crack at it. With a $50,000 price tag $9,000 lower than before, the Mirai moves to a rear-wheel-drive platform with expected 400 miles of range. Due to limited hydrogen fueling infrastructure, Mirai will only be offered in California.
VW Golf GTI
The original hot hatch will carry on (along with the pricier AWD Golf R) as the only variant of VW’s hatchback. The GTI gets a power boost with over 240 horsepower — but the big news here is a much more stylish, digital interior.
Trucks
Bollinger B1/B2
The electric Bollinger pickup (B1) and cousin SUV (B2) will be made in Detroit. The simple design is meant to maximize utility with a front as well as rear tailgate so you can pass long objects through the cabin. The $125,000 Bollingers have a claimed towing capacity of 7,500 pounds.
Ford F-150 EV
America’s best-selling pickup gets into the all-electric game. The EV follows the first hybrid F-150 that debuted in late 2020. While startup EV makers like Rivian and Lordstown have stolen the headlines, Ford has offered teasers like, for example, the EV prototype pulling 1 million pounds: 42 F-150s loaded on 10 double-decker rail cars.
GMC Hummer EV
The legendary Hummer military vehicle is resurrected as an electric pickup truck. Hummer debuts at $112,000 and features rugged off-road ability, including something called crab mode which allows the truck to maneuver sideways in tight terrain. Based on GM’s all-new Ultium battery platform, the Hummer boasts a 0-60 mph sprint in just 3.0 seconds when equipped with three electric motor.
Hyundai Santa Cruz
Remember Hyundai’s pickup truck concept at the 2015 Detroit auto show? Hyundai hasn’t forgotten. Based on a unibody platform like the Honda Passport, Santa Cruz will be a mid-size truck for folks who want their Hyundai with a bed.
Lordstown Endurance
Aimed at service fleets, the Endurance claims to the working man’s EV pickup. It will feature a motor at each wheel. The truck starts at $52,500 with 250 miles of range.
Ram Dakota
The long-rumored mid-size Ram pickup cometh. Based on the same ladder-frame as the Jeep Gladiator pickup, the Dakota will likely get a cheaper starting price.
Rivian R1T/R1S
The Plymouth-based EV maker brings its upscale, adventure-oriented electric pickup and SUV to market. With its batteries in the floor, the Rivian truck offers excellent cargo space in the bed, frunk — even a tunnel space behind the rear seats.
Tesla Cybertruck
Tesla stunned the world in November 2019 with its futuristic pickup. The stainless-steel bodied truck aims to be the Ford F-150 of electric trucks with a price starting at under $40,000 and one, two and three-motor variants ranging from 250-500 miles of range.