These affordable SUVs are coming in 2023

All SUV or what? Automakers looking to put a near-guaranteed bestseller on the road today rely on versatile vehicles that are still in vogue. As in previous years, nearly every second car we sold in 2022 was a sports all-terrain vehicle – Swiss European champion! Chinese newcomer Airways finally wants a bigger share of the SUV pie, and is actually launching the U6 SUV coupe, scheduled for 2022, at the start of the year. The prices of the 190 hp crossover, which can travel 400 kilometers, start at 47,490 francs.

Alpha with First Stromer

There is no such concrete data from Alfa’s newest compact SUV, the Brennero. The 4.20 to 4.30-metre-long model should sit below the Tonale, launched in 2022, and be offered not only as a petrol and diesel engine, but also as an all-electric version – the first pure Alfa Stromer! Prices are likely to exceed 30,000 francs by the end of the year. The electric version of Citroën’s SUV coupe C4 X will launch in the spring for less than 40,000 francs. The ë-C4 X is 24 centimeters taller than the similarly styled C4 (also available as ë) and will be on the same platform as its tech sibling, the Peugeot 408, due to launch in January.

Finally a new Fiat

Next innovation, next SUV coupe: Seat sports subsidiary Cupra continues to deliver high-voltage electricity and will launch the Tavascan towards the end of the year, following the successfully launched e-city car Born. The technology brother of the VW ID.5 has an output of up to 306 hp and is said to have a range of about 450 kilometers. Prices: probably a little over 50,000 francs. The next innovation deserves drumming: Fiat – yes, you read that right! – According to the latest information, a new model will actually be launched in 2023. It should – because nothing has been confirmed yet: the city SUV based on the Stellantis trio Citroën C4, Peugeot 2008 and Opel Mokka could even be called the legendary Uno (or Uno Cross) and is likely presented as its tech brethren as the internal combustion engine and the Stromer. Unfortunately there are no photos of the new Uno yet.

Hyundai brings Kona number two

There’s also almost no information, but the first preview images of Honda’s next electric model, the e:Ny1 crossover, already exist. By the end of the year, the compact SUV should start as an electric version of the HR-V. Even before that, in the summer, Honda is closing the gap between the compact HR-V and the larger CR-V. Space-filling will be the beautiful ZR-V hybrid model. The new version of the compact SUV Kona is also included in the summer program of Korean automaker Hyundai. The futuristic-style second generation reaches 4.36 meters in length with an impressive growth of 15 centimeters and will be offered with internal combustion engines as a hybrid and all-electric version. Price: probably around 30,000 francs.

electric land

The Jeep off-road brand also sailed into the electric future. As early as the spring, the ultra-compact Avenger (4.08m long) will be the first all-electric model to hit the market. With its catchy name, range of over 400 kilometers and prices starting at 33,600 francs, Jeep is increasingly looking to score goals with the female audience. Also this year, the all-electric twin to the Jeep classic Wrangler, the Recon, will be launched. To put it mildly, Mazda’s first pure Stromer MX-30 has so far been only partially successful with us. Reason: Contrary to Mazda’s assessment, a maximum range of 200 kilometers is not enough for most customers. That should change with the MX-30 R-EV due to launch in the spring: The vehicle is equipped with a serial plug-in system where the Wankel engine acts as a range extender for the compact battery. Price, performance and range are still unknown.

The Chinese are coming

Chinese brands were also unknown to us for a long time – but that is now changing. Mega group Great Wall has announced the Wey Coffee 01 plug-in hybrid SUV, starting at around 55,000 francs for 2023. Former traditional British brand MG is also entering the market this year with the compact MG4 Electric under the Chinese flag. Depending on the version, the compact SUV with a maximum of 204 hp with a range of 350 to 450 kilometers should start at just under 30,000 francs.

However, there is a sign of life from Mitsubishi: the Japanese will release the new version of the ASX in the spring. Alliance partner Renault’s compact SUV not only looks like the Captur, but in principle it is! The only difference is the logo: instead of the Renault rhombus, the Mitsubishi logo shines. Available as petrol, light, full and plug-in hybrid, the ASX should start at just under CHF 25,000. Taking over the recently launched and partially successful Kadjar, the new Renault Austral will be one size larger (4.51m long) and more expensive (starting at CHF 37,600). Equipped with up to 32 assistants, the SUV is offered as a 158 or 200 hp mild or full hybrid.

Smart grows

At the start of the year, Smart had a full reboot with the brand new #1. The electric SUV, developed by Mercedes together with Chinese automaker Geely, has nothing to do with previous mini two-seaters. With a length of 4.27 metres, the #1 is almost as big as the current VW Golf, and as a Brabus version it goes up to 428 hp! The entry-level model with 272 hp and a range of 440 kilometers starts at CHF 37,490. There will also be an all-new, but initially only available with a 170-hp petrol engine, the 4.70-metre-long Torres SUV from Korean automaker SsangYong in crisis. An electric version will follow later. Suzuki may have a real surprise later in the year: There are rumors of a five-door version of the iconic mini Kraxler Jimny. However, we have not received any general information or prices yet.

VW brings the new Tiguan

We’re getting closer to 2023’s affordable SUV highlights – bringing us to industry giants Toyota and Volkswagen. Japan, the world’s most valuable automaker in 2022, will launch the second-generation compact SUV coupé C-HR at the end of the year. In addition to the brand-specific hybrid version, a plug-in version is also planned. Price: %s? Still unknown, but should start at just over 30,000 francs. Toyota’s biggest rival, VW, is also launching a new version of its best-selling SUV model, the Tiguan, towards the end of the year. Almost no information has been leaked yet; What is clear, however, is that the Tiguan will continue to be offered with petrol and diesel engines, as well as as a plug-in variant. Prices should start at just over 40,000 francs.