New cars to watch for in 2022

by Melanie May | 3 min read   December 1st, 2021
 

From practical family cars to seriously slick saloons, there’s a whole host of new and updated models making their way to Irish shores next year.

Looking to upgrade your motor? Here are five new cars to watch for in 2022.

Toyota Aygo X

Toyota is on a roll with its current releases of rather exciting models and next year, the recently launched Yaris Cross compact crossover will be joined by the new Aygo X (pronounced as Aygo Cross). 

This is the smallest car that Toyota offers and the ‘X’ in the name refers to its new crossover look. Now wider and taller than before, it will be powered by a 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol engine and will be available with the choice of an automatic transmission. Though small, it packs a punch visually and its compact size makes this a perfect city car. 

Its small engine, low emissions (CO2 emissions range from 107 to 110g/km) and decent fuel economy (4.7 litres per 100km for the manual gearbox version), means car insurance premiums, tax and running costs should be low.

Peugeot 308

Crossovers and SUVs are the current favourite flavour of the new car market, but there’s still a healthy interest in hatchbacks and in 2022, Peugeot is launching its all-new 308 hatch. Two plug-in hybrid versions will be offered to Irish buyers alongside petrol and diesel engines too. 

This new 308 has sharper styling than before and a much-improved interior making it one of the more desirable models in the segment. A refined driving experience plus good equipment levels should make this model a smash hit for the French brand. Looking to go electric? Peugeot is bringing a fully electric model to the market in 2023.

Depending on the version, Peugeot is claiming fuel consumption figures from 4.6 to 5.6 litres per 100km and CO2 emissions from 121 to 127g/km. 

Opel Astra

The Opel Astra is another popular car that returns next year with an all-new model. The new Astra is based on Peugeot-Citroen's latest 'EMP2' platform and it shares its engines and running gear with the upcoming Peugeot 308. Now with a more modern design that follows the Mokka crossover, the Astra will be available as a five-door hatchback and an estate, with a variety of engine options including petrol and electric. 

The car has grown in all dimensions so there’s more passenger space and its 422-litre boot makes it a front-runner in the compact hatchback class for cargo space. 

Opel claims that its new generation of engines has up to 19 per cent lower CO2 emissions and low fuel consumption which make this the most efficient Astra yet.

Renault Megane E-Tech Electric

Concern about the environment is the top reason for buying an electric vehicle and therefore more consumers are changing to fully electric cars. An increasing number of electric cars are arriving in the market in 2022. One of the all-new models is the Renault Megane E-Tech Electric. This version gets a more distinctive shape, has a slight crossover look to it and will be available with the choice of a 40- or 60kWh battery, the latter providing a driving range of up to 470 kilometres. The batteries come with an eight-year warranty and Renault will replace them free of charge if they degrade to less than 70 per cent capacity within that time frame.

One of the most striking features of the Renault Megane E-Tech Electric is inside the cabin. Up front, there is a beautiful and rather large digital dash with a 12.3-inch horizontal instrument panel and a 12-inch infotainment screen that merge to create an L shape. These have 4K resolution, so the visuals should be mighty impressive.

Mercedes-Benz EQE

In the executive saloon segment, Mercedes-Benz is introducing a battery-powered alternative to its E-Class in the form of the EQE. Similar in appearance to the range-topping EQS, the EQE has a highly aerodynamic shape and boasts a 90kWh battery and a 292hp rear-wheel-drive setup that can cover up to 660 kilometres. Later in the year, 4Matic two-motor four-wheel-drive models will be introduced to the range. The EQE can be charged at speeds of up to 170kW, so once you plug it into a fast charger, it will top up by 250km in just 15 minutes.

The cabin has more shoulder and legroom than the E-Class but the boot is just a little smaller at 430 litres. The cabin also gets a massive 1.4-metre-wide dashboard panel made up of three scenes - the driver instrument panel, a central infotainment panel and a screen positioned in front of the passenger seat.

The EQE is due to go on sale in Ireland in March 2022.

And there you have it. Those are five new cars to watch for in 2022 whether you are looking for a small runaround, family car or comfortable cruiser. 

Whatever car you choose, whether you’re a first-time driver or a veteran motorist, Allianz Insurance has the right car insurance cover for you. 

So, why not get a quote online today!

Allianz p.l.c. is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland. Standard acceptance criteria and policy conditions apply.

Information correct as of date of publishing. This blog will not be updated or edited so the information may become outdated.