Future Cars Worth Waiting For: 2022–2025

Even in the age of next-day delivery, self-checkout, and gigabit internet, some things can't be rushed. The cars, trucks, and SUVs seen here won't reach dealer lots for anywhere from a few months to a few years. Some of them are about to roll down the assembly line. Others haven't emerged from the design studio yet. We're telling you about them now, though, because these are the vehicles that will matter, regardless of how many boring crossovers automakers puke out. These are worth the wait.

Much of the reporting for this story was completed before the auto industry began feeling major effects of the coronavirus pandemic. As many automakers are now delaying or pausing development programs, the debut and on-sale dates reported here may change.

The upcoming Alfa Romeo Tonale promises to be a rare beauty in a sea of luxury-subcompact crossovers. Plus it's Alfa Romeo's first plug-in-hybrid model. Initially previewed by a concept model at the Geneva auto show, the production version has finally been revealed and will go on sale in 2023 starting around $38,000.

What We Know So Far

Aston Martin's next Vanquish will be a mid-engine supercar targeting the defining dream machines of the moment—cars such as the Ferrari F8 Tributo, Lamborghini's Huracán replacement, and the McLaren 720S and 765LT. Previewed by a concept car at the 2019 Geneva auto show (pictured), the Vanquish should start just north of $300,000 when it arrives in 2023.

What We Know So Far

BMW is working on a follow-up to the plug-in-hybrid i8 halo car, which in and of itself never really lived up to expectations. Previewed by the 2019 BMW Vision M Next concept car, this yet-to-be-named replacement (we've taken to calling it the i8 M) should place greater emphasis on performance than its predecessor did. It could also set the Bimmer world on fire with its retro M1-inspired style—it could have rear louvers, people!

What We Know So Far

This wild-looking BMW will sit above the X7 in the automaker's SUV lineup and will be offered only as an M model. Previewed by the concept pictured here, the XM will have a plug-in-hybrid powertrain with a whopping 750 horsepower. Not much is likely to change for production, although some of the stranger interior materials may disappear.

What We Know So Far

Cadillac's new EV lineup will start with the 2023 Lyriq SUV and will continue with a flagship sedan called the Celestiq, set to arrive in 2025. So far, we know that it will have an all-wheel-drive electric drivetrain and boast a driving range of more than 300 miles. It's likely to command a six-figure price and have the technology and luxury to match.

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The upcoming Chevy Corvette Z06 will be the first of several upcoming ultra-high-perform­ance variants of the C8 Corvette. It will go on sale in summer 2022 as a 2023 model, starting at about $85,000. It will use a naturally aspirated DOHC 32-valve 5.5-liter V-8. Plus, it has a flat-plane crank, just like a Ferrari V-8. It revs to between 8600 rpm, spits out 670 horsepower, and shrieks like something from Ferrari.

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Ferrari is finally taking the leap and building an SUV. For a brand that built its reputation on racing (cars, that is), this new project is quite the departure. For now, the creation is being referred to by the Purosangue name, which is Italian for "thoroughbred," and will go up against the likes of the Bentley Bentayga, Lamborghini Urus, and Rolls-Royce Cullinan—if not in pure performance, at least in price.

What We Know So Far

Selling a station wagon in an American car market infatuated with SUVs is a risky play for a manufacturer. But now that Ford has killed off the Fusion sedan, a lifted version of that stigmatized-yet-highly-practical type of vehicle will soon be as close as shoppers will come to finding a new family car in a Blue Oval showroom. Enter the Ford Fusion Active, which we've seen in spy photos and leaked images so far.

What We Know So Far

The Mustang is preparing to celebrate its 60th anniversary, and the latest generation, codenamed S650, could debut as soon as April 2023. We're expecting significant chassis enhancements, a modernized interior, and upgrades to the current turbo-four and V-8 engine options. A manual transmission is sure to stay, and a hybrid variant may join the lineup.

What We Know So Far

Ford has already revealed the next-generation version of the global Ranger pickup truck, and we expect the U.S. model to look similar. It features a new design inside and out, although we expect it to use the same turbo 2.3-liter inline-four as the current model. The interior updates are notable and include a large portrait-style touchscreen. Expect to see the U.S.-spec truck to arrive sometime in 2022 as a 2023 model.

What We Know So Far

In an amazing twist of fate, General Motors' gas-guzzling middle-finger-flying Hummer brand, discontinued in 2010, is poised to make a comeback for 2022 as an all-electric sub-brand of GMC. The GMC Hummer EV SUT pickup truck offers up to 1000 horsepower and GMC claims it's capable of blasting from zero to 60 mph in just 3.0 seconds. The first models were delivered to customers in late 2021 in loaded First Edition form, with less expensive models and an SUV version set to follow.

What We Know So Far

Honda confirmed that a new Civic Type R is on the way, and it should have a more mature look as previewed by a photos of a camouflaged prototype model. The second red-badged Civic to arrive in the U.S. will have a more powerful turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder under the hood—hopefully with a better soundtrack—mated to a six-speed manual gearbox, and Honda didn't rule out a quick-shifting dual-clutch transmission, either. We've heard rumors about a hybrid all-wheel-drive powertrain, but we think it's unlikely—at least at launch, which should be sometime in 2022.

What We Know So Far

Honda has confirmed that it will introduce a new electric crossover for the U.S. market called the Prologue. It will arrive in 2023 for the 2024 model year and will use GM's Ultium battery platform as part of a joint agreement between the two automakers. We think it may look similar to this concept car, and there will also be an Acura version, possibly called ADX, with more luxurious appointments and a different design.

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Of all the newcomers to the mid-engine segment, no vehicle highlights the current sports-car zeitgeist quite like a mid-engine Hyundai, which could be called the RM20 N. When it arrives in two or three years, expect the Hyundai to bring mid-engine dynamics to a new level of affordability. As we understand it, the decision makers in South Korea are still weighing whether their car should be a $40,000 Hyundai or a $70,000 Genesis. In our minds, there's no question. It's too soon for Genesis to challenge Corvettes and Porsches, but a proper sports car could validate both N and Hyundai.

What We Know So Far

The upcoming Defender 80 is a new baby Land Rover set to be positioned below the recently revived Defender in the brand hierarchy. If it reaches the U.S. market, it could provide a more affordable entry point to the off-road-oriented Defender range. U.K. media reports have named it the 80—given that Land Rover calls the two- and four-door Defenders the 90 and the 110, respectively—although there is no confirmation of that.

What We know So Far

For its next mid-size sedan, Mazda plans to adopt the blueprint of a full luxury model and hang a lower price on it. The next-generation Mazda 6, which should be on sale by the end of 2022, is set to get a full Bavarian, transitioning to a longitudinal-engine platform with rear-wheel drive and an inline-six.

What We Know So Far

Mazda is preparing two new SUV models that will push the brand upmarket thanks to the same new platform and inline-six engine slated to be in the next 6 sedan. The CX-90 (illustrated here) will be a three-row model to replace the CX-9, while the CX-70 will be a mid-size two-row SUV to slot in above the CX-50. The 90 will arrive first, with the CX-70 following sometime in 2023.

What We Know So Far

The top-dog AMG version of the latest Mercedes C-class won't have a V-8 engine anymore. That may sound blasphemous, but the powertrain that's replacing the old twin-turbo 4.0-liter V-8 is a hybridized turbocharged four-cylinder that's slated to produce at least 500 horsepower.

What We Know So Far

Nissan is finally giving the Z-car the attention it deserves by introducing a successor to the ancient 370Z. The new Z, code-named Z35, isn't a ground-up rethink. It continues on the latest version of Nissan's FM platform and shares components with the Infiniti Q60 coupe. A twin-turbo 3.0-liter V-6 that makes 400 horsepower is under the hood, and a six-speed manual transmission will be standard. It will reach production soon, going on sale in 2022.

What We Know So Far

Chrysler's mid-size Dakota pickup is making a comeback. This time, it falls under the Ram brand name (instead of Dodge), and it will cost less than the similarly sized Gladiator that Stellantis sells through the Jeep brand. Unsurprisingly, the Ram Dakota will share its underpinnings with that Jeep and likely will be built in the same Toledo, Ohio, facility.

What We Know So Far

A hot-hatch version of the Corolla is coming soon wearing a GR badge (for "Gazoo Racing"). It'll be Toyota's first sporty compact since the high-revving Corolla XRS from the mid-2000s. The GR Corolla also will serve as an apology to Americans who are upset that we're not getting the awesome rally-inspired GR Yaris. The GR Corolla should land in 2022, with a starting price around $30,000. It will use the mighty turbocharged hamster wheel from the GR Yaris that pumps out 257 horsepower from just three cylinders displacing 1.6 liters.

What We Know So Far

Toyota is on a bit of a sports-car kick of late, having remained committed to the 86, a rear-drive two-door co-developed with Subaru, and having introduced a new Supra (co-developed with BMW). Next, Toyota is looking at resurrecting the midship runabout two-seater known as the MR2. Unlike previous iterations of this mid-engined sports car, the new MR2 likely will be electrified. Toyota even previewed a possible sports car as part of its recent EV plans.

What We Know So Far

The highly anticipated revival of Volkswagen's iconic Microbus is really happening. VW has confirmed that it will be sold in the U.S. starting in 2023 as a 2024 model. An all-electric van, the Buzz will be part of the company's expanding ID EV lineup. The version sold here will be a long-wheelbase passenger configuration, while Europe will get commercial versions as well. It should offer around 200 horsepower in rear-wheel-drive base form and 300 horsepower in a more expensive all-wheel-drive configuration.

What We Know So Far

These electric vehicles aren't for sale yet but are in various stages from concept to production—and perhaps a few may never see the light of day.

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