Now that we’re more than halfway through 2021, we’ve seen most of the vehicles that are going to come out this year, though there are quite a few stragglers still working their way to market. As autumn approaches, I find myself wondering, “What will 2022 bring?” as I start looking ahead to the 2023 models that we’re going to see when we get into the New Year. I know it can feel a little weird looking at 2023 cars, trucks, and SUVs in the summer of 2021, but I’m not the one who came up with the naming conventions for model years, so don’t blame me.
Since these vehicles are a year away from release, we don’t have all of the details on them just yet – many of these have not even been fully revealed by their manufacturers. I’ll do my best to give you a good idea of what they’ll offer, but a lot of this stuff is going to come out through announcements and major unveilings over the next six months or so. But by knowing what’s on the horizon, it’s easier to keep your ear to the ground and watch for those big reveals from the major brands. Plus, you know you can always check back here for the latest info and more details whenever new models are announced and revealed.
Aston Martin Vanquish
Although high-performance sports cars that border on supercars might be out of reach for most of us, that doesn’t mean they’re not fun to dream about. One such model that I’m particularly excited for is the Aston Martin Vanquish, which is a mid-engine masterpiece currently being designed by the legendary British car company. Current estimates and rumors are that its engine will deliver 700hp with a mid-engine design that’s going to offer incredible performance. It’s possible this beauty will slip to 2023 as a 2024 model, but we’ll have to wait and see.
Audi A6 e-tron
The next vehicle coming to Audi’s lineup of all-electric models is the all-new A6 e-tron, and it is going to be something special. Right now, it looks like this sports sedan will perfectly blend incredible performance, dazzling style, and a spacious interior into one luxurious package. It will feature a dual-motor configuration for all-electric all-wheel drive, and Audi is targeting a range of more than 400 miles from a full charge. This model is expected either in late 2022 or even early 2023, depending on production times.
Cadillac Lyriq
Cadillac is well known as a leader in the luxury market, but the one thing it’s been lacking is an EV model in its lineup; until now. The 2023 Lyriq is Cadillac’s first all-electric luxury model, and it’s clearly been designed to make a powerful first impression. It will be available with either a single-motor rear-wheel drive configuration or a dual-motor all-wheel drive setup, with impressive performance and a range of more than 300 miles from a full charge. With a massive 33-inch curved OLED display across the front dash and exquisite luxury details throughout the interior, the Lyriq is blazing a trail for Cadillac EV luxury.
Chevy Corvette Z06
Although early reports stated we’d get the latest Corvette Z06 sometime this year as a 2022 model, certain global issues have resulted in this becoming a 2023 model set to release next year. For a lot of people, the revelation of an actual mid-engine Corvette was enough to get excited about, but others were waiting for something more. The Z06 is an absolute legend, and seeing this level of supercar performance with a mid-engine design from Chevy is definitely something to look forward to when we get more details later this year and early next.
Ferrari Purosangue
While they might have fought against it and denied it for years, it’s finally happening: Ferrari is releasing an SUV model. The Purosangue might be the last of the great import sports-car company SUVs to be released (after the Porsche Cayenne and the Lamborghini Urus), but it’s clear that Ferrari is looking to catch up in a major way. Details are still sketchy, but expect either a turbocharged V8 or even a monstrous V12 under the hood, with all-wheel drive and an incredible combination of power and luxury throughout. I expect the Purosangue will go on sale in 2022, but this one could also slip into 2023.
Ford Transit EV
This one might actually come out this year, but for most people, it’s really going to be a 2022 release due to production realities. While this certainly isn’t as sexy as something like the Aston Martin Vanquish or the Corvette Z06, it’s an important step forward toward an all-electric future. This is a series of powerful EV models designed for commercial use, including several different sizes of cargo vans, a cutaway model, and a chassis cab. Commercial use for EV models has been slow to get rolling, so this marks an important milestone from a major manufacturer.
Land Rover Defender (Compact)
If you like the capability of the standard Land Rover Defender but you’re interested in something a bit smaller, then the all-new smaller version of the Defender is perfect for you. This is designed as a compact SUV, compared to the midsize Defender, with a lower starting price that makes it a lot more accessible. The official name for this model hasn’t been revealed yet, though some have taken to calling it the “Land Rover Defender 80” compared to the Defender 90 and 110 designations of the larger one. Regardless, if you’re looking for an amazing compact SUV to take off-road, then this is one to watch next year.
Ram Dakota (Maybe?)
At the moment, Stellantis only offers full-size trucks under their Ram badge: the light-duty 1500 and the larger 2500 and 3500 models. For years now, however, there have been rumors that the much loved Dodge Dakota of the early 2000s is going to make a return as an all-new Ram Dakota, a midsize pickup. Unfortunately, there is no confirmation on this, but rumors continue to swirl that something is in the works. If true, we might see a Ram Dakota announced early next year as a late-2023 model – or it could be several years away (or not happen at all), we’ll see.
Rivian R1T
Technically, the first Rivian R1T models will likely be delivered later this year (it was recently delayed from July to September, though, so we’ll see), but realistically, most people interested in this impressive new all-electric truck are going to see it in 2022 at the earliest. So I’m willing to call this a 2023 model because that’s really what it represents for most drivers – unless you’ve already reserved one of the first Launch Edition models. Will Rivian give Tesla and Ford a real run for their money with a bold and impressive EV pickup? It sure looks that way, and I hope so – more competition is always a good thing.
Even More to Come
Of course, this is only a small selection of the exciting new vehicles coming in the next year or so. I didn’t even mention the major competitors to Rivian’s R1T: the Tesla Cybertruck and the Ford F-150 Lightning. While the Cybertruck is supposed to start showing up for people later this year, there’s a fair amount of uncertainty there, so we’ll see what happens. No matter what, however, it’s clear that the next 12+ months of auto releases, announcements, and reveals is going to include some of the best vehicles ever made.
