Head of Editorial

CarsGuide

25 May 2020 • 1 min read

Best SUVs arriving in 2020

Justin Hilliard

Head of Editorial

CarsGuide

25 May 2020 • 1 min read

The Toyota Yaris Cross will be one of the most important new models released in 2020.

Love them or hate them, SUVs are here and they’re here to stay. So, it’s no surprise that an array of them are due to launch in 2020.

Australians have gone mad for SUVs, so it only makes sense that carmakers have put the pedal to metal to produce more for the market.

And as far as the 2020 releases themselves go, there are more than a few big ones, including one key one that is overdue.

Ford Puma – Second half

Ford will have a more competitive small SUV on its hands when it launches the new Puma in the second half of 2020.

The EcoSport will be phased in preference for the Fiesta-based crossover, which features European exterior styling.

Better yet, the Puma will be brimming with standard equipment and powered by a peppy EcoBoost three-cylinder engine.

Kia Sorento – Mid-2020

There’s no doubting that when it comes to large SUVs, the Kia Sorento is a heavy hitter, and its punch will only become stronger when its next-generation model arrives in the middle of 2020.

Not only will the new Sorento adopt an evolution of Kia’s new SUV design language that debuted alongside the recently launched Seltos, but it will up the safety ante with an expanded suite of advanced driver-assist systems.

As such, the Sorento will look to raise the bar in the highly competitive seven-seater segment. We’re very interested to see how it performs.

Kia Sorento

3.9

Kia Sorento

From

$50,680

Based on Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP)

Mazda CX-30 – February

While it would be logical to assume Mazda would simply make the next-generation CX-3 larger to increase its family appeal, it surprised us all by revealing the awkwardly named CX-30 that is due Down Under in February.

Predictably, the CX-30 slots in between the CX-3 and the mid-size CX-5 and shares all of its key bits with the latest Mazda3, so it should be up there with the class leaders. Time will tell.

Mazda CX-30

From

$33,940

Based on Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP)

Nissan Juke – June

Some will say the Nissan Juke was fairly criticised for its outlandish exterior design that only a mother could love, but that didn’t stop it finding favour with buyers. In fact, some loved it more because of how different it did look.

That said, Nissan has responded to that criticism with the second-generation Juke that adopts much more conventional styling. That said, it’s still edgy.

Due in June, the new Juke is our first look at the next generation of Nissan models, so no matter your opinion of its design, it will be a telling drive.

Nissan JUKE

3.6

Nissan JUKE

From

$28,890

Based on Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP)

Toyota Yaris Cross – late 2020

Move over, C-HR, there's a new Toyota SUV in town, and it's called Yaris Cross. And yes, as its name suggests, the crossover is based on the Yaris.

Set to go on sale in late 2020, the Yaris Cross will be available with a self-charging hybrid powertrain as well as front- and all-wheel drive.

The Yaris Cross will compete in the burgeoning light-SUV segment, against the likes the Mazda CX-3 and Hyundai Venue. Game on.

Toyota Yaris Cross

From

$30,900

Based on Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP)

Volkswagen T-Cross – April

The success of Volkswagen in Australia is staggering when consider it won’t have a small SUV in its line-up until 2020. Yes, you can count the original Tiguan as such, but it’s a mid-sizer these days.

Anyway, the Polo-based T-Cross is on the way, launching in entry-level 85TSI form in April and flagship 110TSI guise in June.

Granted it won’t be arriving alone (the Golf-based T-Roc small SUV is due from May), the T-Cross is already shaping up as one of Volkswagen’s most important models, with incremental sales volume on offer.

Volkswagen T-Cross

From

$33,990

Based on Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP)

Kia Stonic – Fourth quarter

Kia may have only recently launched the Seltos small SUV to high demand, but a new entry-level crossover, the Stonic, is already on its way, albeit fashionably late.

Set to tackle the Mazda CX-3 in the emerging light-SUV segment from the fourth quarter, the Stonic will probably start from around $20,000 plus on-road costs.

That said, the Stonic made its international debut in June 2017, so it’s the yet-to-be-revealed facelifted version that’s actually expected in Australian showrooms.