New SUVs 2013: Land Rover baby Discovery leads 4x4 boom

SUVs are big business. But what’s fascinating is how, when the competition hots up, brands find brilliant new ways to make their products stand out.

We’ve already revealed all on the new Volkswagen Tiguan, but which other SUVs are we most looking forward to? Here are 10 future models from companies on a roll (Land Rover), those trying an SUV for the first time (Bentley, Jaguar, Lamborghini) and those with proven track records who are expanding into a new niche.

Land Rover baby Discovery

Due: 2015Price: £24,000 (est)

Land Rover’s saying goodbye to the Freelander, with its 2015 replacement to be rebranded as a baby Discovery.

As the name suggests, the new car will sit below the bigger SUV and play an important role in a shake-up of the range. The plan is to divide the line-up into three clear ‘pillars’: luxury (Range Rovers), dual-purpose (Defenders) and leisure (Discoverys).

Our image shows the five-seater, but a stretched-wheelbase 5+2 model will also be offered for the first time. As you can see, it has a more rugged design than the Range Rover Evoque, plus ‘Discovery’ lettering on the bonnet, as on the 2014 Disco. We’ll see a version of the car at next September’s Paris Motor Show, with more details at March’s Geneva show, to coincide with the Discovery’s 25th birthday.

Bentley SUV

Due: 2016Price: £120,000 (est)

Bentley is the latest luxury brand to join the SUV party. This concept was unveiled at last year’s Geneva Motor Show, and the car has since been confirmed for production at Crewe in 2016, albeit with a more elegant design. From launch, there’ll be a V8 diesel (a first for Bentley), plus V8 and V12 turbo petrols. A plug-in hybrid will follow in 2017.

Lamborghini Urus

Due: 2017Price: £140,000 (est)

Having created the LM002 in 1986, Lamborghini is no stranger to the SUV sector, and it’s set to return to the class with the Urus. This’ll be based on the same platform as the next Audi Q7 and Porsche Cayenne, but will pack a supercar punch. It could offer 650bhp from a 4.0-litre V8 twinned with two electric motors.

Volkswagen Taigun

Due: 2016Price: £12,000 (est)

This is VW’s chunky new Taigun mini SUV. Its name is an anagram of the bigger Tiguan SUV, and it’s 319mm longer, 83mm wider and 81mm taller than the up! city car on which it’s based. Plus, a 50mm-longer wheelbase boosts space inside. The Taigun is aimed at those wanting the up!’s agile character in a more rugged, utilitarian form. The concept (below) had a 109bhp version of the up! GT concept’s 1.0-litre three-cylinder, but the production car’s likely to use engines already found in the up!. Under the skin, it’s expected to feature VW’s versatile MQB platform.

Fiat 500X

Due: 2015Price: £15,000 (est)

The expansion of the Fiat 500 line-up is set to continue with the launch of a rugged 500X SUV. Designers will hint at this car’s off-road ability with a higher window line and cladding around the arches. The 500X is set to take Fiat into new territory, as it’s aimed at a male audience – which the 500 has so far failed to tap into. Expect engines to be carried over from the standard city car.

Jaguar C-X17

Due: 2016Price: £30,000 (est)

We first saw Jaguar’s stunning C-X17 concept (below) at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September, but it’s not expected to go into production until 2016. The car is targeting the Audi Q5 and BMW X3 – and with a new aluminium platform, plus a wealth of 4x4 knowledge from Land Rover, it could be a thorn in their side.

Skoda seven-seat SUV

Due: Late 2015Price: £25,000 (est)

To capitalise on the Yeti’s success, Skoda’s diving head first into the SUV sector with a seven-seat 4x4. Our image shows the look of the new car – likely to be a sister model to the production version of VW’s CrossBlue concept. It’ll sit on the largest variation of the MQB platform, and get VW’s latest engines and electrical systems.

Lexus NX

Due: Late 2015Price: £23,000 (est)

One thing’s for sure about the Lexus LF-NX concept: it stands out from the crowd. The design is said to be inspired by bodybuilding, although we think it has more in common with the Batmobile. A production version of the compact crossover is due late next year, and Lexus claims it won’t stray far from these wild looks. The showroom car will get the same petrol-electric powertrain as the new IS 300h.

Audi Q1

Due: 2016Price: £16,000 (est)

Audi believes it’s found another niche in the market, aiming its Q1 at Nissan Juke buyers wanting a more upmarket car. The baby SUV – shown in our artist’s impression – is likelyto sit on a shrunken version of the MQB architecture and share engines with the next-generation A1. The range could include a three-cylinder 1.0-litre turbo at entry level, while a plug-in Q1 is also on the cards.

Volvo XC90

Due: Late 2014Price: £40,000 (est)

Having launched in 2002, the Volvo XC90 is overdue an overhaul. The new car, previewed in our exclusive image, should debut at next September’s Paris Motor Show before arriving in 2015. It’ll get sleeker looks and loads of safety tech. We’ve already seen a teaser image, showing a wide floating grille flanked by large LED headlights.