Best SUVs arriving in 2023

BMW X1 – Q1

The new X1 comes with a larger body.

You could be forgiven for thinking that BMW doesn't have a rival to the Audi Q3 and Mercedes-Benz GLA small SUVs, but the aptly-named X1 fills this role.

That's all about to change in early 2023 however, as the X1 enters its third generation after seven years on the market.

And with the new-generation changeover comes wholesale updates like a larger body, more interior room and cutting-edge technologies.

Honda CR-V – 2023

The new CR-V is expected to make landfall sometime in 2023.

Honda made headlines by changing the way it sells cars to customers, shifting to an agency sales model that has seen it lose thousands of sales.

That's all according to plan, says Honda, but the true test for the Japanese marque will be the popularity of its new-generation CR-V mid-size SUV expected to make landfall sometime in 2023.

Competing against the hot-selling Toyota RAV4, Mazda CX-5, Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage and Mitsubishi Outlander, the Honda CR-V has an uphill battle to conquest customers, but new technologies and a box-fresh design are expected to help.

Range Rover Sport petrol – 2023

Already available with a diesel, the Range Rover Sport will soon come with a petrol engine.

The new-generation Land Rover Range Rover Sport might already be available in Australian showrooms, but that's only with diesel and plug-in power.

The petrol-powered versions aren't making landfall until sometime in 2023, and will all be packing a 3.0-litre turbo-petrol inline six-cylinder engine to take on luxury SUVs like the BMW X5 and Porsche Cayenne.

Like the variants already available, expect the petrol Ranger Rover Sport to offer equal measures of style, refinement and performance.

Range Rover SV – 2023

The Range Rover SV will have a 390kW 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8.

One of the OG luxury SUVs, the Land Rover Ranger Rover is now in its fifth iteration.

While the original model built Range Rover's reputation for comfort, style and off-road ability, the 2023 version also adds performance to its bow.

And that's because the flagship Range Rover SV will be landing in 2023, topped by a grunty 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 petrol engine punching out 454kW.

Jeep Grand Cherokee five-seater – May

There will be a plug-in version of the Grand Cherokee.

Though Jeep's new-generation Grand Cherokee is already on sale in seven-seat L guise, the five-seat version won't touch down until early 2023.

And if the last few years has shown us anything, it's that the off-road-ready large SUV market is an untapped one - just look at how well the Toyota LandCruiser Prado and Isuzu MU-X are doing.

Jeep's Grand Cherokee will have a marked point of difference though, thanks to an incoming plug-in hybrid powertrain dubbed 4xe that should, in theory at least, keep it pretty frugal around town.

Mercedes-Benz GLC – July

The GLC is Mercedes most popular model.

Believe it or not, the Mercedes-Benz GLC is now the brand's most popular model, outpacing even the C-Class in sales.

And in an SUV-dominate market like Australia, it's not hard to see why thanks to the GLC's blend of style, luxury and performance.

With the new-generation GLC set to reset expectations for in-cabin technology and refinement, as well as mild-hybrid engines to keep fuel consumption down, we suspect Mercedes has another hit on its hands.

Mazda CX-60 – Mid 2023

The CX-60 will be Mazda's first Plug-in Hybrid Vehicle.

The weight of expectation for the CX-60 must be immense, as the new SUV not only ushers in a new age for Mazda, but also brings along new engines as well.

Positioned to keep buyers in the Mazda family, the just-bigger-than-CX-5 CX-60 features a plug-in powertrain in flagship form, but will also be available with newly developed inline six-cylinder engines.

A petrol-powered version is a given, but it will be interesting to see how the diesel fares while the rest of the industry is on the cusp of ditching oil-burners in favour of electrification.

Lexus RX - February

The Lexus RX looks far more powerful, and cohesive, in the metal than it does in some photos. (350 F SPORT AWD pictured)

The RX might have played second fiddle to German rivals like the Audi Q7, BMW X5 and Mercedes-Benz GLE, but Lexus is set to capitalise on a hybrid-hungry market in 2023.

Launching with two hybrid powertrains, as well as a petrol-only offering, the box-fresh Lexus RX also boasts a new design and cutting-edge technologies befitting a premium Japanese vehicle.

Most interesting however, is the F Performance grade that can accelerate from zero to 100km/h in just 5.9 seconds and features dual electric motors.

Alfa Romeo Stelvio - H2

Expected to be the final update to the first-generation Stelvio, Alfa Romeo will bring new changes to its popular SUV some time in 2023.

From the outside, the new Stelvio is slightly updated, but you'll have to look really close to see the exact changes.

However, inside buyers are treated to an all-digital instrument cluster, while a new Competizione variant will also be on offer.

Nissan X-Trail e-Power - February

Nissan's new X-Trail line-up will be topped by the e-Power hybrid versions arriving early in the new year.

Pairing a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol three-cylinder engine with twin electric motors means all-wheel-drive grip and a healthy total output of 157kW.

Can it steal the thunder away from the dominate Toyota RAV4 Hybrid? Only time will tell.

Mazda CX-90 - August

Mazda's next large SUV will arrive in Australian showrooms in mid-2023.

Sharing the same platform and underpinnings as the CX-60, the CX-90 will be larger and more luxurious than the rest of the Mazda line-up - CX-9 included.

We will see the similar powertrain options in the CX-90 as the CX-60, so a choice of petrol or diesel six-cylinder engine, or a punchy plug-in hybrid.

Mazda CX-5 - Q1

Mazda has struggled to keep pace with the RAV4 since Toyota launched a hybrid version of its mid-size SUV, but an update to the CX-5 should make the fight more interesting.

Due to touch down in local showrooms early next year, the updated CX-5 will bring in higher levels of in-cabin technology across the board.

Sadly however, the entry-level manual has now been discontinued and prices are up throughout the range.

Mazda CX-8 - May

With an updated model coming in 2023, the Mazda CX-8 lives on through the introduction of the brand’s new large premium SUVs.

The entry price for the range is now $42,060, with most grades still available with either a petrol 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine or a 2.2-litre turbo-diesel four.

Arriving in May, the changes to the CX-8 include updates to the grille, bumpers at both ends, plus new headlights and tail-lights. Inside, a 10.25-inch multimedia display is now standard with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

SsangYong Torres - Late 2023

SsangYong's woes are well documented, but will the Torres finally put the brand's past behind it?

While the SsangYong name is soon to become KG Mobility, the name lives on in Australia for now, and until the Torres SUV arrives late this year to tackle big fish like the Toyota RAV4.

Larger than the existing Korando, expect the newer Torres to be more expensive - between the high $30,000 to mid-$40,000 region.

Styling is already a departure from the SsangYong we know, but expect a jump in tech and comfort features too.

Range Rover Velar - Third quarter

An updated version of the Velar is coming in the third quarter of 2023, with simplified and updated design language.

New exterior lights and ‘cleaner’ exterior elements, plus comfort elements, like noise cancelling in the cabin, differentiate it from its predecessor, and pricing is now accordingly up to a $106,150 starting point before on-roads.

The plush Autobiography variant starts from $157,900 and is powered by the brand’s ‘P400’ Ingenium 3.0-litre six-cylinder petrol engine, producing 294kW/550Nm.

Mitsubishi Outlander - January

Now ensconced in the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance, the ZM series departs from its patchy predecessors by sharing its platform with Nissan’s just-released T33 X-Trail.

A new LS ‘Black Edition’ variant is one of the key updates for the 2023 Outlander, though Mitsubishi has also bumped pricing up by about $250 across the range, now starting from $36,240 before on-roads.

Each ICE variant is still powered by a 135kW/245Nm 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, and styling remains much the same too.

Some variants lose features, like the ES’s wireless Apple CarPlay, though top-spec variants like the Exceed and Exceed Tourer gain the Mi-Pilot assisted driving feature and heated steering wheels and rear seats.

Mercedes-Benz GLE - August

The plush GLE SUV is set to launch as its updated version here in August, with mild-hybrid across the range getting a slight power bump, though pricing is yet to be confirmed.

New designs for the front bumper and wheels, as well as an increase in standard equipment and tech is expected.

In Australia, expect prices to rise north of the current $120,500 starting point.

Mahindra XUV700 - June

Mahindra backs the XUV700 with a seven-year warranty, although it is limited in distance to 150,000km.

Mahindra's re-emergence in the Australian market with the Scorpio will be followed up with the XUV700 - a monocoque mid-size SUV with seating for seven.

It promises great value thanks to its affordable pricetag, but also offers refinement, comfort and on-road dynamics that are not usually associated with the budget Indian brand.

Could the XUV700 steal the thunder away from the likes of the Mitsubishi Outlander and Nissan X-Trail? Time, and sales figures, will tell.