New mid-size SUVs worth waiting for in 2021

The mid-size SUV market is showing no signs of slowing down, and that’s something manufacturers are exploiting in 2021, with a whole brace of new cars ready to fight for your hard-earned dollar.

Mid-size SUVs make up one of the hottest categories, and there’s no shortage of new models, facelifts and updates to existing nameplates.

If you find yourself in the market, here's what's on offer for 2021.

Mitsubishi Outlander

The new generation Mitsubishi Outlander arrives in November, but the company has already announced local pricing and specifications.

It looks far more substantial than before, due to Mitsubishi's new 'i-fu-do-do' design language, which means authentic and majestic – as well as featuring the striking (and polarising) Dynamic Shield front end.

With more upmarket looks inside and out, as well as moderate price rises, the 2022 Outlander has big wheel-arches to fill.

At launch, the range will be powered by just one engine – a 2.5-litre four-cylinder which is a little bigger and more powerful than the previous model's. A plug-in hybrid version isn't expected until 2022.

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Nissan X-Trail

It’s been a while between drinks for the Nissan X-Trail, with the current generation doing service from 2013 to 2020.

The all-new third generation is just around the corner, ushering in new looks inside and out, new tech, a bunch of added safety gear and a more powerful 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine set to produce 135kW/245Nm.

The interior is one of the most impressive aspects of the new car, showing off a completely redesigned cabin which features a new dash design, centre console and – finally – a new 9.0-inch infotainment screen. Joining the updated infotainment screen is a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and head-up display.

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Kia Sportage

Kia is keeping quiet on details of its new mid-sizer for now, but a new Sportage is just around the corner and is expected to launch in Australia before 2022.

It will debut an adventurous design like its Hyundai Tucson relative, and while Kia has given us a sneak preview of what to expect we'll have to wait for more details such as specs and pricing.

Stay tuned as WhichCar brings you all the latest on the next-gen Kia Sportage.

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Tesla Model Y

It feels as though we continually say “coming soon” regarding the Tesla Model Y, but there is still hope for a touch-down date in 2021.

The Model Y is the more practical, higher-riding stablemate to the Model 3 sedan and features a conventional set of doors, unlike the Model X.

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Will the Tesla Model Y arrive in 2021?

BMW iX3

In much the same way that the SUV craze continues on, the roll-out of electric vehicles has been a big feature of 2021 so far. The BMW iX3 is a fully-electrified mid-size premium SUV rolling on the same platform as its X3 stablemate.

It’ll arrive in Australia toward the end 2021 with a starting price of $114,900, bringing an 80kWh electric powerplant to the tune of 210kW and 400Nm and a 6.8-second 0-100km/h sprint. BMW says it’ll provide an impressive 460km driving range, as determined on a WLTP test cycle. With fast-charging, the iX3 is capable of charging 80 per cent of its battery in 34 minutes.

The 80kWh battery sends power to a single motor at the rear axle for exclusively rear-wheel drive. It's a different approach to some of its competitors, which use multiple motors for all-wheel-drive.

Cabin size and appointments will be largely unchanged over the X3, while the same 510-litre boot carries across to the iX3.

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In showrooms now

Audi Q5

Audi’s best-selling SUV has received style and tech updates for the 2021 model year.

It also has a new front fascia, a tidied-up rear end with digital OLED tail-lights, a 10.1-inch touchscreen, and 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster.

The Audi Q5 began arriving in showrooms in August 2021.

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Hyundai Tucson

Hyundai’s new radically-designed Tucson, which hit the market in May 2021, marks the second-generation of the Korean carmaker's popular SUV.

Headline items for the new car include a pair of 10.3-inch screens which make up the infotainment system, a fully-digital instrument cluster, connected car-to-home technology and ambient lighting for the cabin.

There are also phone-as-a-key capabilities and Hyundai’s SmartSense safety suite – which includes highway driving assist, surround-view monitor, remote smart parking assistance and blind-spot collision warning.

Powertrains include a naturally-aspirated 2.0-litre petrol, and 1.6-litre turbo with all-wheel drive.

Variants include the Tucson 2.0, Elite, Highlander, and the sporty-looking N-Line due during the last quarter of 2021.

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Volkswagen Tiguan

While it might appear as more of a mid-life facelift rather than an all-new release like the two above, there’s some significant changes going on under the skin to make the Tiguan more appealing to the medium SUV market.

Hallmarks of the new car include; a redesigned interior to imitate the Golf Mk 8’s cabin, a 10.3-inch digital instrument cluster and 8.0-inch infotainment screen, touch-sensitive controls, USB-C ports and different upholstery designs.

It can almost drive itself too, given travel assist tech can control steering, braking and accelerating duties at speeds up to 210km/h.

The 2021 Tiguan range began rolling into the country in May 2021 with the range-topping R variants – which include the AWD 162TSI, borrowing the 235kW/420Nm 2.0-litre turbo four-cylinder from the Golf R, and the 147TDI diesel – arriving from June.

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Peugeot 3008

Out of left-field comes a new facelift for the Peugeot 3008. While definitely not in the mainstream category, the Peugeot offers a quirky alternative in the 3008, which happens to pack much of the same features as conventional SUVs.

Despite the addition of hybrid powertrains overseas, those powerplants are non-starters for Australia for now.

Tech enhancements include a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, 10.0-inch infotainment touchscreen, auto high beam assist, 360-degree camera, speed sign recognition, and active blind-spot monitoring.

Powertrains include the 121kW/240Nm 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine and a punchier 131kW version for the GT variant.

There’s also a raft of new customisation options for getting its look just right, including new colours, new trim pieces and a choice of different sized wheels.

The 2021 Peugeot 3008 launched in Australia in March 2021.

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Genesis GV70

Hyundai premium brand's long-awaited BMW X3, Mercedes-Benz GLC and Lexus NX rival arrived in Australia during the middle of 2021.

With a starting price of $66,400, the GV70 is brimming with standard features and is available with three powertrains, the 2.5-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol, V6 twin-turbo petrol and 2.2-litre turbo-diesel spread across four variants.

Like the larger GV80 it is built on Genesis’s rear-wheel-drive platform, but will be offered with all-wheel drive.

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