30 new SUVs coming in 2020

If you thought the coronavirus pandemic and the plethora of new SUVs already launched in 2020 would put the brakes on new SUV releases in the second half of this year, think again.

So far this year we’ve seen the launch of the new Audi Q3 and facelifted Q7, and the new BMW X6, Maserati Levante GTS and Trofeo, Mazda CX-30, Mercedes-Benz GLS, Cayenne Coupe, Skoda Kodiaq RS and hybrid versions of the Subaru Forester and XV.

But there are even more new SUVs – across all shapes, sizes and price points – coming over the next six months, quite apart from the six new utes due here by the end of 2020.

Audi’s first electric SUV finally arrives in September, priced from under $138K – lineball with the Mercedes-Benz EQC – and available in two body styles (SUV and Sportback), each comprising three model variants initially.

Aussie pricing revealed for Audi e-tron

Audi’s hottest small SUV lobs in August, in both standard and Sportback versions, based on the redesigned Q3 and priced from under $90K.

Audi RS Q3 Aussie-spec details revealed in full

The 900Nm Audi SQ8 TDI is a fitting SUV flagship for the German car-maker, but late this year it will be superseded in that role by the 441kW twin-turbo V8-powered RS Q8 – the wildest SUV ‘coupe’ yet seen from Ingolstadt.

Audi RS Q8 2020 Review

Finally arriving here in August, the all-new Ford Escape will bring major design and tech upgrades, including the first plug-in hybrid version, making it Ford Australia’s first electrified model.

Ford Escape pricing announced

Say goodbye to the unloved Ford EcoSport and hello to the Puma, an all-new European-designed small SUV that promises to finally put the Blue Oval on the compact SYUV map Down Under from October.

New Ford Puma: Australian details

Hyundai might have launched its luxury brand in Australia with two sedans – the mid-size G70 and large G80 – but things will get serious with the arrival of the first Genesis SUV (and the first to be powered by a new inline turbo-diesel six) in the third quarter.

Genesis GV80 2020 Review

It’s yet to be revealed and might not quite make it here by the end of 2020, but the fourth-generation Hyundai Tucson will take the fight to the Toyota RAV4 and Mazda CX-5 with a fresh design and new tech including the first hybrid version.

New Hyundai Tucson shapes up

A heavy facelift for Hyundai’s evergreen large SUV, the Santa Fe, will bring a radical new front-end design, revised interior and perhaps the first hybrid version by the end of 2020.

Hyundai Santa Fe facelift revealed

The fourth-generation Kia Sorento seven-seater won’t arrive here with hybrid power, but it will be available with petrol and diesel engines and some clever new safety tech, even if it’s been delayed to August.

New Kia Sorento: Fresh pics and details

Seltos might be selling up a storm but late this year it will be joined by an even smaller and cheaper Kia SUV, the Stonic. Australia’s version is yet to be revealed, but expect a similar circa-$20K starting price and pint-size engine as the Hyundai Venue.

Kia Stonic confirmed for Oz

Britain’s born-again off-road SUV finally arrives Down Under in August, in long-wheelbase five-seat 110 form, followed in October by the short-wheelbase Defender 90 two-door, which will initially be offered only in high-spec P400 First Edition guise, limited to just 100 units.

Land Rover Defender 2020 Review

Another update for Mazda’s smallest SUV later this year will bring updates including Apple CarPlay in an attempt to stay competitive with a host of new small SUV arrivals.

This all-new seven-seat mid-size SUV from Mercedes arrives in July, priced from $60K and positioned just under Australia’s most popular luxury SUV, the Benz GLC.

Mercedes-Benz GLB priced

We’ve got the new A-Class hatch/sedan, B-Class people-mover and CLA-Class sedan; now stand by for the new GLA-Class, the second generation of Mercedes-Benz’s smallest SUV due here in September.

New Mercedes-Benz GLA revealed

It’s not all-new, but the MINI Countryman will bring a significant mid-life makeover later this year, bringing upgraded engines, designs and colours.

Updated MINI Countryman breaks cover

The second-generation Nissan JUKE might not be quite as polarising as the first, but it will continue to open Nissan’s SUV range with edgy styling, alongside thoroughly updated styling and technologies for a sub-$30K starting price from July.

New Nissan JUKE priced

The next instalment of the new Porsche Cayenne line-up will continue in October with the arrival of the performance-focussed GTS, which returns to V8 power and will be available in Coupe form for the first time. Expect a new plug-in hybrid Cayenne this year too.

Porsche Cayenne GTS returns to V8 power

The French car-maker hasn’t said exactly when it will arrive, but the second-generation Renault Captur is confirmed for Australia and, like the new Clio hatch on which it’s based, will bring big advances both above and beneath its skin.

New Renault Clio and Captur line-ups will be 'simple'

OK so it’s a crossover wagon and not strictly an SUV – and it’s also a limited-edition – but there’s a new Skoda Superb Scout 4x4 available now, ahead of the arrival of facelifted Superb sedan and wagon models in November.

Skoda Superb Scout priced at $60K

Due for launch in July is the all-new Skoda Kamiq, the Czech brand’s first small SUV, which will be available for starters in a single front-drive 110TSI auto spec.

New Skoda Kamiq: Australian details

Skoda Karoq SUV model range expands

It’s been a long wait for the new Subaru Outback – and there’s still a while to wait – but the sixth-generation crossover wagon will finally land in local showrooms late this year.

The Suzuki Ignis gets more SUV-like – and dare we say Jeep-like – with a Series II facelift that from this month brings a new-look front-end design but the same small engines and standard specs for two pricier model grades.

Suzuki Ignis gets Jeep look

We’ve seen the upgraded Toyota HiLux ute and the Fortuner wagon that shares its ladder frame is also updated for 2020, bringing new frontal styling and fresh multimedia connectivity from late August.

2021 Toyota Fortuner revealed

COVID-19 has delayed the arrival of the new Toyota Yaris hatch, but when it arrives in August it will be quickly followed by GR hot hatch and Cross crossover versions, the latter representing an all-new entry-level SUV for the Japanese giant.

Toyota Yaris Cross compact SUV revealed

Already on sale ahead of first deliveries this month, the all-new Volkswagen T-Cross is based on the Polo, powered by a 1.0-litre turbo-petrol triple and priced from under $27K.

New Volkswagen T-Cross priced from under $28K

The slightly larger, Golf-based Volkswagen T-Roc follows in August and will launch in a single 140TSI 2.0-litre turbo-petrol variant priced at around $40K.

Volkswagen T-Roc 2020 Review

Fresh from launching the Adventure special-edition and with the upcoming plug-in hybrid R version looking shaky for Australia, the new Volkswagen Touareg range will be topped by the ballistic TDI V8 in October, bringing a 310kW/900Nm 4.0-litre twin-turbo diesel V8.

Volkswagen Touareg V8 confirmed for Oz

There’s an all-electric version coming early next year but available from next month is the first electrified version of Volvo’s smallest SUV, the XC40 Recharge Plug-In Hybrid, which for $65K brings a 46km EV range and fuel consumption of just 2.0L/100km.

Volvo XC40 plug-in priced

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