Many cars, trucks, SUVs, and minivans have gotten upgrades for the 2022 model year. There are a a variety of terms you’ll frequently see associated with a description of a vehicle for its annual changeover. Here’s how AutomotiveMap defines them:
- New – These models are entering the market for the first time.
- Carryover – There have been no major changes from one model year to the other. It is common that the year after a new or refreshed model is introduced, it will be a carryover.
- Refreshed – Commonly occurring three to four years after the new generation of a model is introduced, a refresh usually includes new fascia, perhaps an engine lineup change or tech upgrade, and usually the addition of safety system upgrades.
- Redesign – This term signals a generation change in the model. This usually requires an architecture change and all new body panels, engine lineup, tech offerings, and the introduction of new packages, trim levels, and pricing. Redesigns typically happens every seven to nine years.
The models on this list are new or have either been redesigned or refreshed for the 2022 model year. This list will grow as more information becomes available. Click here to see the 2021 models that were new, refreshed, or redesigned for the year.
2022 Volkswagen Tiguan
Photo courtesy of Volkswagen AG
Volkswagen announced a refreshed version of the Tiguan SUV in late 2020 but made it known that the model wasn’t going to make it stateside until late 2021. The European version (shown above) of the SUV has a new grille that combines with standard LED headlights, VW’s new logo right up front, new rear bumpers, redesigned lettering, and a pretty decent tech upgrade in its cabin.
2022 Toyota Corolla Cross
Photo courtesy of Toyota Motor Corporation
Word on the street is that the new Toyota Corolla Cross could be coming to the U.S. as a 2022 model. That’s unconfirmed at this point. If it were, the Corolla Cross could fill a gap in Toyota’s lineup between the RAV4 and CH-R, similar to where the Hyundai Kona fits between the Santa Fe and Venue. Stay tuned for more information.
2022 Nissan Ariya
Photo courtesy of Nissan North America
The 2022 Nissan Ariya is a 300-mile all-electric crossover with a $40,000 price tag. It might be replacing the Murano in the company’s lineup as the brand strategically weighs production versus an electrified business model. The Ariya has unique, minimalistic design that uber modern. Stay tuned for more information as it’s announced throughout 2021.
2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer
Photo courtesy of FCA US LLC
When the Grand Wagoneer concept debuted in late 2020, it was touted as coming soon and nearly production ready. The model fits into FCA/Stellantis’s multi-year product plans as a 2022 model with production expected to kick off in 2021. Check back for more information.
2022 Hyundai Kona
Photo courtesy of Hyundai Motor Company
The Kona is already old enough to have undergone a model refresh. They grow up so quickly! The new design infusion gives the 2022 Kona new cladding, a freshly stretched hood, new grille shape. The lower bumper has a skid plate while intakes dominate the corners of the face. At the back are new taillights with a horizontal graphic. Below is a new bumper. The revised Kona rides on updated 17- or 18-inch wheels, or the 16-inchers that have been carried over from previous model years. The model also gets Hyundai’s 10.25-inch infotainment touch screen.
2022 Audi Q5 Sportback and SQ5 Sportback
Photo courtesy of Audi AG
In their seemingly never ending move to fastback everything, Audi is making the Q5 Sportback and SQ5 Sportback a reality for the 2022 model year. The two models get basically the same equipment package as their squared-off counterparts and has about the same capability.
2022 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing
Photo courtesy of Cadillac
Cadillac will soon be introducing its new performance-centric sedan. We’ll update this information when it’s announced.
2022 Kia Carnival
Photo courtesy of Kia Motors
The Kia Sedona name is gone, replaced by the Kia Carnival moniker for the 2022 model year. That’s not as big of a deal as it sounds, the van has always been known as the Carnival to global markets. For 2021, the van got a generational upgrade overseas, but those changes won’t make it stateside until the 2022 model year.
2022 BMW 4 Series Cabriolet
Photo courtesy of BMW
The 4 Series is a distinct creature. For the 2022 model year, a cabriolet version of the car will be made available for sale that’s lighter and has more cargo space and a lower center of gravity than its predecessor. Like its hard-topped relatives, the 4 Series Convertible is available with a variety of packages but only one engine is available, a 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine that produces 382 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque.
2022 Volkswagen Taos
Photo courtesy of Volkswagen AG
Volkswagen is introducing the Taos to the U.S. market for the 2022 model year. The small SUV is akin to the Hyundai Kona in size and the Volkswagen Tiguan in styling. VW made this model explicitly for the U.S. market where SUVs are dominating the sales conversation.
2022 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross
Photo courtesy of Mitsubishi Motors
In 2020, the automaker revealed the 2022 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross, which has been refreshed inside and out. Most notably, it has a refreshed face and redesigned hatch. Minor interior improvements are designed to help make the Mitsubishi more palatable to buyers.
2022 Volkswagen Golf R
Photo courtesy of Volkswagen AG
The 2022 Volkswagen Golf R is the most powerful Golf to date and yes, it’s coming to the U.S. The performance variant of the Golf family delivers 315 horsepower, a 27-horsepower boost over the outgoing model, and 310 pound-feet of torque up from 280). Each Golf R gets a turbocharged 1,984 cc four-cylinder engine hat is paired with a standard six-speed manual transmission. A seven-speed dual-clutch transmission is available.
2022 Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing
Photo courtesy of Cadillac
Cadillac will soon be introducing its new performance-centric sedan. We’ll update this information when it’s announced.
2022 Hyundai Tucson
Photo courtesy of Hyundai Motor America
The Hyundai Tucson has been completely redesigned for the 2022 model year and it’s impressive to say the least. The upmarket two-row SUV comes with high-tech features, comfortable seats, and a seriously budget-friendly price tag.
2022 Infiniti QX55
Photo courtesy of Infiniti Motors
The long-awaited Infiniti QX55 is finally a reality. Like many of the other vehicles on this list, it’s a small SUV. The QX55 takes the place of the QX30 in the automaker’s lineup and is designed to offer a premium drive experience that’s engaging and fun, similar to the Infiniti FX of the past.
2022 Honda Civic
Photo courtesy of American Honda Motor Co., Inc
A new generation of Honda Civic is on the way. The company recently revealed a near-production prototype of the car (as seen above) and a fully operable next-gen version is planned to debut soon. Stay tuned.
2022 Subaru BR-Z
Photo courtesy of Subaru of America, Inc.
The sister of the Toyota 86 has gotten a full blown generational change for the 2022 model year. The 2022 Subaru BRZ keeps its pin-sharp handling but has gotten a significant makeover inside and out. It’s also gotten Subaru’s standard EyeSight driver assist and safety technology.
2022 Genesis GV70
Photo courtesy of Genesis Motors
The Genesis GV80 just landed on U.S. shores but its smaller brother, the GV70 isn’t too far behind it. The GV70 carries over the premium looks and features of the GV80 into this smaller, and more budget-friendly package.
2022 Acura MDX
Photo courtesy of Acura
The Acura MDX may be one of the first 2022 models to make it to market. The next-generation MDX has gotten significant enhancements to its interior quality, drivability, and comfort for the new model year. Engineers are also planning a sportier version of the MDX so stay tuned for information about that.
2022 GMC Hummer EV
Photo courtesy of GMC
The GMC Hummer EV finally debuted in mid-2020 but it won’t make it to buyers’ homes until late 2021. The first editions of the model are slated to be the most powerful and priciest with the cost of each topping $100,000. GMC’s first all-electric model combines the comfort of an SUV with the styling of a beefy truck as it attempts to become the ultimate utility vehicle.
2022 GMC Sierra
Photo courtesy of GMC
It’s been rumored since its interior design fell flat at its debut that the GMC Sierra and Chevrolet Silverado were having interior redos hustled through the design process. GMC gave the first indications that this is true when they announced that the Sierra Denali is getting Super Cruise driving tech for 2022. Stay tuned for more info.
2022 Chevrolet Bolt EV
Chevrolet teases refreshed 2022 Bolt EV, new 2022 Bolt EUV
A refreshed Chevrolet Bolt EV is on the docket for 2022. Chevy has been teasing the model left and right over the last few months so we should know more concrete information soon.
2022 Chevrolet Bolt EUV
Photo courtesy of Chevrolet
A crossover version of the Chevrolet Bolt EV called the Chevrolet Bolt EUV will be coming to market as a 2022 model as well. Information is pending on the model but several clues have already surfaced.
2022 Mitsubishi Outlander
Photo courtesy of Mitsubishi Motors
Mitsubishi is teasing the next-gen 2022 Outlander ahead of its February debut. Stay tuned for more information about the SUV.
2022 BMW iX
Photo courtesy of BMW
The 2022 BMW iX is an all-electric SUV slated to arrive in the U.S. later this year. The iX will be the first bit of BMW’s future EV plans to reach U.S. shores and bring with it the latest and greatest technology the company offers.
