Mazda CX-60, Kia EV6, Ford Ranger Raptor and more: The most exciting new models for 2022 from Australia's biggest brands

Each year, car brands promise us exciting new metal that has the potential the change the game, but seldom do they actually deliver the goods.

In 2022 however, there are some genuine mould breakers coming from some of the biggest names in the industry that could actually re-write the rule book.

This is a diverse list, ranging from affordable sports cars to electric SUVs and even a off-road racing inspired ute. And that’s great news for anyone looking for an exciting new model this year.

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Toyota GR 86

Adding excitement to its line-up has been a major goal for Toyota in recent years, with the introduction of the GR Yaris and Supra models. But the car that really kicked it off was the 86 back in 2012, and now comes the second-generation of the collaboration between Toyota and Subaru.

The updated, upgraded and re-named GR 86 will arrive in 2022, after Subaru has launched the BRZ, and will complete Toyota’s trilogy of performance cars (at least for now).

The new GR 86 gets an updated version of the outgoing model’s rear-wheel-drive platform, but under the bonnet there’s a new 2.4-litre naturally-aspirated flat-four engine making 173kW/250Nm.

There’s also fresh styling both on the outside and in the cabin.

Whether or not it will remain an affordable sports car remains to be seen, with Toyota staying quiet on the price until closer to its launch later in ‘22.

Mazda CX-60

Recent history has shown that car companies can’t get enough SUVs, so Mazda’s decision to expand its line-up with the new CX-60 is an exciting move for the brand. This will be an all-new model, built on Mazda’s new ‘premium’ underpinnings that will include the option of rear- or all-wheel drive, depending on the specific model.

The CX-60 will be a more stylish take on a mid-size SUV, designed to complement the more practical CX-5 (which has been updated for ‘22). Mazda hasn’t revealed too much in the way of details, but the new underpinnings are expected to bring new engines too, including an inline six-cylinder.

What Mazda Australia has confirmed is that the CX-60 will hit showrooms before the end of 2022, so it should help provide a sales boost alongside the facelifted CX-5.

Hyundai Ioniq 6

It will be hard to top the splash made in 2021 with the arrival of the Ioniq 5 – a car that sold out in less than three-hours – but the Ioniq 6 will certainly bring some excitement to the Hyundai showrooms in ‘22.

This will be the second product of the South Korean brand’s electric push under the Ioniq sub-brand. While the 5 was an SUV, the Ioniq 6 is expected to be a mid-size sedan based on the sleek Prophecy concept.

Despite the different size and shape, this new model will be built on the same e-GMP platform as the Ioniq 5, so you can expect similar performance, range and model options (single-motor rear-wheel drive and dual-motor all-wheel drive).

Kia EV6

The arrival of the EV6 doesn’t just mean an exciting new model for Kia, but it marks a major turning point for the brand in Australia. The EV6 will be Kia’s new halo model, a technological and design statement about where the brand is now and where it wants to head in the future.

It will also be a stylish and modern EV, based on the same e-GMP underpinnings as the Ioniq 5. Kia Australia has confirmed it will offer two models – a single-motor rear wheel drive and a dual-motor all-wheel drive flagship.

With only 500 examples of the EV6 due in ‘22 it will likely be a sell-out hit.

Ford Ranger Raptor

(Image credit: Thanos Pappas)

As excited as Ford is to launch its first electric vehicle in 2022, the e-Transit is simply not exciting enough for us. Which is why we’ve opted for the more obvious choice – the flagship Ranger Raptor.

The Blue Oval is playing its cards close to its chest, but the new model should boast V6 power – whether that’s a turbo-diesel or turbo-petrol remains open for debate.

Either way, it will have more grunt than the current twin-turbo four-cylinder, whilst retaining its Baja-inspired off-road chassis upgrades, like unique shock absorbers and a special wheel and tyre package to maximise its ability to churn up desert dust.

Expect the new Raptor to hit showrooms late in the year, after the regular Ranger line-up launches in the middle of ‘22.

Nissan Z

There was a temptation to put the upcoming all-electric Aryia SUV in this spot, but given there’s no guarantee that it will arrive in local showrooms before the end of 2022 the new Z gets the nod.

Not that this is a bad second choice, which is good news for Nissan. The ‘new’ Z is actually still based on the existing model’s platform, but it does get some pretty significant upgrades to make it genuinely exciting for sports car fans.

For starters it gets an all-new look, with some nods to the past integrated into what is a fresh and modern looking car. But the big news is under the bonnet, where the naturally-aspirated V6 is replaced by a twin-turbo version making 298kW/475Nm, which should help boost its appeal.