SUVs are the most popular family vehicles these days, so its no wonder that you can find a huge number of three-row SUVs and crossovers on the market, as it is one of the leading segments in the automotive industry. Therefore, the next year will be very interesting. There is a lot of interesting novelties to come. Some manufacturers will offer completely redesigned versions of their well-known nameplates, such as Toyota Highlander and Ford Explorer. We also expect to see big novelties in the premium segment, as there are new versions of Mercedes-Benz GLS and Cadillac Escalade to come.
On the other side, some popular models will receive facelifts and other kinds of updates. This group includes Volvo XC90, Audi Q7, GMC Acadia and other familiar names. Finally, some models will remain competitive, despite the lack of novelties.
2020 Volvo XC90
The original version of the XC90 was in production for a full 12 years and it looks like the current generation will have a quite long production cycle as well. Given the upcoming update, we may presume that the redesign won’t happen in the next couple of years.
The 2020 Volvo XC90 is coming with a fine portion of changes. The first thing you’ll notice is a fine amount of visual changes. The most notable is the new grille design, which comes slightly reshaped, with new vertical bars. Also, there are new wheels and exterior colors.
On the inside, this updates brings optional second-row captain’s chairs, as well as some new materials, such as wool blend. Finally, the company will bring two mild hybrid powertrains, based on current T5 and T6 gasoline engines. In both cases, the system uses regenerative braking, which improves fuel economy for about 15 percents. Unfortunately, these versions won’t be available in North America, so the familiar T8 plug-in hybrid will remain the only electrified version in the offer.
2020 Audi Q7
The current generation of this mid-size crossover has been introduced four years ago, so it’s no wonder that the German manufacturer is preparing a facelift for the next year. The 2020 Audi Q7 will come with a fine portion of changes. Typically for the VW Group, they won’t be radical, but rather subtle. According to the spy shots, we are about to see modifications on the front bumper, as well as the mild reshaping of headlights. The rear end will feature notable changes as well. We are about to see a new rear fascia, as well as a new, integrated exhaust system.
Big updates are expected on the inside as well. The 2020 Audi Q7 will borrow a dual-screen dashboard design from the new Q8 and we also expect to see numerous updates and upgrades in terms of tech features and advanced driver aids. The company also prepares a performance, SQ7 model. It will come with a more powerful engine and various mechanical and visual updates. Mechanical details are still unavailable.
2020 Cadillac Escalade
The 2020 Cadillac Escalade will come completely re-engineered and redesigned. GM has prepared a whole bunch of changes that will make the legendary SUV good enough to compete with the biggest rival, Lincoln Navigator. One of the biggest changes will be a new T1 platform, which will bring improvements in various aspects, starting from a significant weight reduction, as the new model should be lighter for about 300 pounds. Besides better efficiency and driving characteristics, the 2020 Cadillac Escalade will offer a higher level of comfort, due to an independent rear suspension, which will be standard in the new model. Finally, there are novelties under the hood prepared for this redesign. Base models will carry on with a familiar 6.2-liter V8, but higher trim will get a new V8 engine. It is the Cadillac’s new 4.2-liter twin-turbo V8, which delivers impressive 550 horsepower and 627 pound-feet of torque.
2020 Kia Sorento
We have no doubt that the 2020 Kia Sorento will continue to be one of the most popular models in the class, thanks to its great balance between the price and quality. The current generation has been around for about four years, but keep in mind that we saw a facelift last summer. It has brought a fine portion of novelties, mostly in terms of aesthetics. Moreover, a new turbo engine has been added to the offer, while the driver attention warning system is now a standard feature, as well as the third row of seats.
So, the upcoming model should be pretty much a carryover. However, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t wait for the 2020 Kia Sorento, due to a fact that the company prepares a new, slightly larger Telluride, so you may choose between these two models.
2020 Land Rover Discovery
For those who prefer a combination of luxury and off-road performances, the 2020 Land Rover Discovery is a logical choice. The current generation has been around for a couple of years, which means that the company has probably removed all the small bugs if there were some of them.
This also means that you shouldn’t expect to see any notable changes. The 2020 Land Rover Discovery will come with a familiar design, which comes in a typical LR manner. You can bet on excellent off-road performances, but also on a very luxurious and spacious cabin, with the optional third row and plenty of tech goodies.
Another strong point of this SUV is peppy powertrain. Standard models come with a Supercharged V6 gasoline engine, which is good for about 340 horsepower. You can also opt for a more efficient diesel powertrain, which ensures significantly better fuel economy, but a decent power as well.
2020 Tesla Model X
The Model X has been around since 2015 and still is one of a kind. Characterized by spectacular performances and very long range, it definitely has a plethora of advantages over common internal-combustion SUVs. For the next year, the company will drop a 75-kWh battery, so even the most basic version will now be able to make more than 250 miles on a single charge.
Other than that, the 2020 Tesla Model X will remain pretty much the same, which will include the same drawback we’ve been seeing so far. This particularly refers to the interior quality, which is miles away compared to the more common luxury SUV. Also, rear seats are pretty tight for the class, so these may be the things you should consider before purchasing this amazing all-electric SUV.
2020 Lexus GX
Despite a decade-old design and numerous reports about the redesign, the 2020 Lexus GX is likely to come completely unchanged. However, the luxury SUV still a lot of things to offer. Considering that it shares a lot with the Toyota 4Runner, it’s not a surprise that off-road performances are spectacular. Also, it features class-leading towing capacity, due to a body-on-frame platform.
Unfortunately, this is where good things about this model SUV end. This model definitely looks outdated in some aspects, particularly in terms of the interior design, which doesn’t deliver refinement that is typical for the class. Also, it lacks some of the latest tech goodies, including smartphone integration and few other things. Also, keep in mind its large 4.6-liter V8 engine, which may be large, but returns disappointing 15 mpg in the city and 18 mpg on the highway.
2020 Mercedes-Benz GLS
Big novelties are coming from Germany, as the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLS is about to come completely new. This will be the second generation of the full-size SUV that was initially named as GL. The upcoming redesign will bring numerous changes, but we have no doubt that the company will stick to proven design solutions, as the current model is still among class leaders, despite the age.
The testing model has been spotted and, despite the camouflage, we can easily see that the new model will keep a familiar shape and pretty much same dimensions. On the other side, the interior will be completely new, with a huge touchscreen that dominates the dashboard. Another thing to mention is that the engine offer will start with a new inline-six engine, while V8 engines will be reserved for performance versions. A new diesel engine will be offered in Europe and few more markets as well.
2020 Ford Explorer
One of the most anticipated models for the next year is a new 2020 Ford Explorer. The sixth generation of the famous SUV will come with significant changes once again. Of course, it won’t return to a body-on-frame platform, but it is about to ride on a new CD6 architecture, the same one that will be used for the next-generation Mustang. In practice, that means that the Explorer is switching to an RWD layout, which promises better driving characteristics than before.
Another important novelty that will come with this redesign is that the new model will grow significantly, as you can count on almost 7 additional inches in the wheelbase. With such size, it’s clear that the new Explorer will be very spacious and that it will compete with Chevy Traverse, which also coquettes with the full-size segment.
The all-new 2020 Ford Explorer will hit the market this summer.
2020 Toyota Highlander
The Highlander is a quintessential family SUV, so it’s no wonder that most of us have big expectations from the 2020 Toyota Highlander. The upcoming model is about to come completely redesign. So, you can bet on numerous changes.
The first thing that comes to mind is a new TNGA platform, which will significantly improve driving characteristics, as well as efficiency. Also, the new model is about to get bigger. With a couple of more inches in wheelbase, we have no doubt that the Japanese manufacturer will solve one of the biggest issues of the current model and that is a below-average cargo volume.
Finally, count on novelties under the hood. A well-known V6 engine will carry on, though with more power and better fuel economy. Also, the hybrid version is expected to carry on with smaller modifications. On the other side, a big novelty is rumored plug-in hybrid version, which will come with a completely new powertrain.
2020 VW Atlas
The 2020 VW Atlas probably won’t feature any bigger change, as it has been on the market for only two years. However, that doesn’t mean it won’t continue to be competitive, considering a lot of strong points this SUV has. First of all, it is one of the biggest models in the segment, so it’s no wonder it is pretty generous in terms of legroom and cargo capacity. Moreover, it is one of the rare models with a third row that actually can comfortably accommodate adults.
Still, there is a couple of drawbacks as well. The biggest complaint goes to the powertrain department, as there is only one engine in the offer. It is a 3.6-liter V6 gasoline engine with 276 hp, which definitely isn’t enough power to move this large SUV in the desired way. Another complaint goes to the interior quality, as some materials feature surprisingly low quality for VW’s standards.
2020 GMC Acadia
The current generation of this mid-size SUV doesn’t mark expected sales numbers, so a facelift is coming only two years after the complete overhaul. The 2020 GMC Acadia is about to come with a fine portion of changes and that won’t include just visual updates, but novelties under the hood as well.
First of all, this will be a typical facelift. You can count on a revised front end, which will come with a front fascia, new grille, and bumper. Some reports even suggest revisions on headlights. Furthermore, changes on the rear end are expected as well. Moreover, the 2020 GMC Acadia will come with big changes under the hood, as a 2.0-liter turbo-four unit will be offered along with the current engines. Also, expect to see a new 9-speed automatic transmission in the offer. The updated model will probably hit the market sometime in the third quarter of the year.
2020 Buick Enclave
Considering that the second generation of this crossover is on the market for less than two years, we are pretty sure that the 2020 Buick Enclave will carry on without bigger changes. The Enclave is a spacious and comfortable crossover, which has a lot of things to offer. It walks on a fine line between mainstream and premium segments, so it’s no wonder that the interior quality is amazing, while the list of standard features is very long. The third row is also quite comfortable, while the cargo space is generous as well.
Of course, there are few drawbacks as well. This crossover does feature a powerful V6 engine, but handling and driving dynamics simply aren’t at the level you would expect from a modern crossover that intends to be a premium model.
2020 Toyota 4Runner
The 4Runner is one of the oldest models in the class. However, it looks like the current generation is about to carry on without changes for an additional year or two. Therefore, the 2020 Toyota 4Runner is about to come without more important changes.
This is a body-on-frame SUV, a rare bird on today’s market. Therefore, its main strength is excellent off-road capability, arguably unparalleled in its class. Also, it one of the most reliable vehicles you can find these days. Finally, this SUV can tow more than most other models in the class.
On the other side, the interior definitely shows its age. The dashboard looks outdated, while the ride is pretty stiff. However, the cargo area is pretty large. As we already mentioned, the next year won’t bring more important changes. So, count on a familiar 4.0-liter V6 engine.