The hottest and most competitive segment in Malaysia is about to get even more intensive, as 2022 will witness roughly 11 new SUV model launches, from budget-friendly B-segment sub-compact ones to massive 7-seater D-segment models.

In fact, Malaysians can also expect the return of Chery and Haval in Malaysia next year, with both Chinese brands brandishing their respective crossovers.

Let’s dive in.

Chery Tiggo 4 Pro – A cheaper rival to Proton X50?

The first SUV from Chery’s product offensive is the Chery Tiggo 5X. In other countries, the model is also known as the Tiggo 4 Pro. This B-segment SUV has been spotted on Malaysia soil since March, and spyshots of the model continued on for the subsequent months.

Also Read: Spied: Chery Tiggo 4 Pro spotted in Malaysia, another Chinese X50 rival arriving here?

The Tiggo 4 Pro made its right-hand drive debut in South Africa back in November. 

Also Read: Ahead of Malaysia, Chery Tiggo 4 Pro makes RHD debut in South Africa - Comes with 1 mil km warranty

Buyers in South Africa get the choice between a naturally-aspirated 1.5-litre petrol engine that does 115 PS and 143 Nm, or a turbocharged 1.5-litre that does 156 PS and 230 Nm.

Also Read: Chery returning to Malaysia in Q3 2022 - Jaguar Land Rover tech, rivalling Proton X50 / X70

While the Tiggo 4 Pro may not have any ADAS features, it does, however, offer support for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

Chery Tiggo 7 Pro – Watch out Proton X70

While the Proton X50 needs to watch out for the Tiggo 4 Pro, its larger sibling, the Proton X70 needs to pay heed to the Chery Tiggo 7 Pro.

According to Chery, right-hand drive versions of the Tiggo 7 Pro are expected to launch in international markets next year, so this arrangement could be extended to Malaysia.

Power comes from the aforementioned range of 1.5-litre turbocharged port injection (156 PS, 230 Nm) engine CVT combo, or a 1.6-litre turbocharged direct injection (197 PS, 290 Nm) engine 7-speed dual-clutch automatic combo.

Also Read: Chery returning to Malaysia in Q3 2022 - Jaguar Land Rover tech, rivalling Proton X50 / X70

Chery Tiggo 8 – Alternative to forthcoming Proton X90?

Part three of Chery’s attack on the SUV segment in Malaysia is the Chery Tiggo 8. It is a big 7-seater SUV that has its sights set on the upcoming Geely Haoyue-based Proton X90.

Compared to the Haoyue (and the X90), the Tiggo 8 boasts a more powerful turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol engine that does 254 PS and 390 Nm. This engine is mated to a wet-type, 7-speed dual-clutch automatic that sends drive to the front wheels.

Chery also offers a more premium version called the Tiggo 8 Plus that swaps out the three-seater second-row seats for a pair of captain seats.

Other powertrain choices include a 1.5-litre turbocharged port injection engine (156 PS, 230 Nm) paired to a 6-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, or a 1.6-litre turbocharged direct injection (197 PS, 290 Nm) engine paired to a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

GAC Trumpchi GS3 Power – Yet another Chinese B-segment crossover that’s worth waiting for

The GAC Trumpchi GS3 Power was spotted on Malaysian soil earlier this year, alongside the Chery Tiggo 4 Pro.

Like the Tiggo 4 Pro, the GS3 Power is a B-segment SUV that wants a slice of the Proton X50’s pie. 

Also Read: What is the GAC Trumpchi GS3 Power, and when is it launching in Malaysia?

Two powertrains are offered on the GS3 Power: a turbocharged 1.5-litre three-cylinder engine (163 PS, 235 Nm), and a turbocharged 1.5-litre four-pot unit (168 PS, 265 Nm). The former is paired to a 6-speed manual, while the latter gets a 6-speed automatic.

Also Read: Spied: First glimpse at the GAC Trumpchi GS3 Power’s interior in Malaysia!

Currently, the only market GAC Motor is serving in the ASEAN region is the Philippines. Malaysia could very well be the first right-hand drive market for GAC Motor.

Also Read: Spied: GAC's Trumpchi GS3 Power spotted in Malaysia - new X50 rival coming soon?

While the Malaysian distributor for Chery models remains unknown at this point of time, sources familiar with the matter has confirmed that Tan Chong Motor Holdings Berhad (TCMH) will set up a new subsidiary to represent GAC Motor in Malaysia.

Also Read: Should the X50 be worried? GAC SUVs coming to Malaysia soon, Tan Chong’s second Chinese marque

Kia Sorento – The beauty contest winner

During a recent media gathering, Kia’s new custodian Dinamikjaya Motor, a subsidiary of Bermaz Auto Bhd, has confirmed that the latest MQ4-generation Kia Sorento is earmarked for a 2022 debut in Malaysia.

Also Read: 4 new Kia models to Malaysia, EV included - CKD Kia Carnival, Sportage, Sorento, Niro

The new D-segment SUV from Kia will be locally-assembled (CKD) at the Inokom plant in Kulim, Kedah, with exports in the pipeline.

Also Read: Kia Malaysia targets 30k units of CKD cars by 2026, exports to make up 60 percent

Kia Malaysia has also confirmed that they will be offering the Sorento in both regular petrol variants, with hybrid variants to follow in later years.

Definitely interesting times ahead for those shopping for a large-sized Korean SUV; there's the massive Hyundai Palisade. as well as the Hyundai Santa Fe. The upcoming Kia Sorento would definitely complement its stablemates. 

New 2022 Proton X70 1.5T – Farewell 1.8-litre turbo?

The end is near for the Proton X70’s turbocharged 1.8-litre engine. Come mid-2022, Proton will phase out this engine in favour of the Proton X50’s more modern 1.5-litre unit.

Also Read: New 2022 Proton X70 to launch with X50's 1.5 turbo engine, 177 PS and 255 Nm

Currently, the 1.5-litre Proton X70 is exported to Pakistan, Kenya, Nepal, and Bangladesh.

The outgoing Proton X70's larger 1.8-litre engine does 184 PS and 300 Nm, while the smaller 1.5-litre engine for the new 2022 Proton X70 should mirror the X50's output - 177 PS and 255 Nm - down 7 PS and 45 Nm, but fuel consumption might improve (details pending).

Road tax for the 1.5-litre engine is also cheaper (RM 120 vs RM 360).

The 7-speed dual-clutch transmission should remain unchanged from before, with drive most likely routed to the front wheels. All-wheel drive variants of the Proton X70 have already been discontinued in Malaysia due to slow sales.

Apart from the new engine, one can also expect the updated Proton X70 to get some minor styling enhancements as well.

2022 Peugeot 2008 – Now CKD, can the French pull you away from the X50?

Next year, those shopping for a B-segment SUV will be spoilt for choices, ranging from Chinese to Japanese.

After a brief period of being absent, Peugeot will be re-entering the segment with the all-new locally-assembled (CKD) Peugeot 2008.

Also Read: Hold that X50 booking: 2022 Peugeot 2008 set to launch in Malaysia, as soon as Q1 2022

This suave SUV already made its debut in Thailand earlier this month, ahead of Malaysia. The Thailand Peugeot 2008 gets a turbocharged 1.2-litre PureTech three-cylinder petrol engine that does 130 PS and 230 Nm. The sole transmission option is a 6-speed automatic transmission.

Also Read: Launched ahead of us, Malaysia-assembled 2022 Peugeot 2008 arrives in Thailand

On the safety front the Thailand-spec 2008 comes with active blind spot monitoring, brake warning, driver attention warning, lane keep assist, and cruise control.

Our Malaysian-spec Peugeot 2008 should mirror those specs.

2022 Honda HR-V – The reigning champ returns with a new generation

As the successful RU-generation Honda HR-V bows out in Malaysia, it’s only a matter of time before the all-new RV-generation 2022 Honda HR-V lands in Malaysia.

Also Read: Up close with the 2021 Honda HR-V SE, the final hurrah to the B-SUV that started it all

The slick new 2022 Honda HR-V was launched in Thailand in early November and is sold there exclusively with a petrol-electric hybrid i-MMD powertrain.

Also Read: All-new 2022 Honda HR-V launched in Thailand, hybrid only, from RM 123k

Honda’s e:HEV's i-MMD full hybrid system combines two electric motors with a 1.5-litre Atkinson cycle i-VTEC petrol engine which is good for 106 PS/127 Nm. Power is sent to the front wheels via an E-CVT automatic.

Also Read: Originally planned to launch in Malaysia on Q1 2022, all-new Honda HR-V gets pushed back

We don't know if this hybrid-only arrangement will be mirrored in Malaysia, so watch this space.

Haval H6 – The SUV king that outsold Geely in China

Ever since Great Wall Motors (GWM) launched the new generation Haval H6, it shot up to overtake the Geely Boyue (Proton X70 to us) in terms of sales.

Also Read: The Haval H6 sells 54k units more than Geely Bo Yue (Proton X70) in China, why?

After all, it has proved to be a crowd favourite in Thailand, overtaking the Honda CR-V and Mazda CX-5 in terms of sales.

Also Read: A Chinese hybrid SUV outsold the Honda CR-V to become Thailand’s best-selling C-SUV in Aug 2021

Set to be fully imported (CBU) from Thailand, the Haval H6 is available with a range of powertrains, including a petrol-electric hybrid that does 243 PS and 530 Nm. A plug-in hybrid version of the Haval H6 also made its debut in Thailand late last month.

Also Read: For Haval, Thailand is more important than China, hosts debut of Haval H6 PHEV

It remains to be seen if the Haval H6 can be priced competitively enough to challenge the Proton X70 in Malaysia.

Haval Jolion – Should the Corolla Cross and HR-V be worried?

Apart from the aforementioned Haval H6, Great Wall Motors (GWM) has also mentioned that they will be introducing the Haval Jolion in Malaysia.

Also Read: Malaysia-bound Haval Jolion launched in Thailand – Hybrid only, priced from RM 111k

Powertrain options of the Haval Jolion mirror the larger H6, including the petrol-electric hybrid system with 243 PS and 530 Nm.

Also Read: Haval Jolion debuts in Thailand, CKD at Rayong, export to Malaysia on the cards

This sub-compact crossover is aimed right at similarly-sized rivals like the Honda HR-V, Subaru XV, and Toyota Corolla Cross.

Like the Haval H6, the Haval Jolion will most likely be imported (CBU) from Thailand.

2022 Hyundai Tucson – The most eye-catching SUV yet?

2021 was a very busy year for Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors (HSDM), launching not one, but two SUVs: the Hyundai Kona and Hyundai Palisade.

Also Read: Premium SUVs can move aside, the all-new 2021 Hyundai Tucson will be the best SUV on sale

Next year, we can expect HSDM to introduce the new-generation 2022 Hyundai Tucson in Malaysia.

Codenamed NX4, the 2022 Hyundai Tucson is available with a long list of powertrains, making it hard to pinpoint which exact one will be offered on the Malaysian-spec car.

Even after deducting the two diesel powertrains, the Tucson can be had with 7 powertrain options, spread across regular petrol engines as well as petrol-electric hybrids.

Also Read: Hyundai has 10 SUVs on sale globally and 3 of them are in the same segment, here’s a guide

Powertrain aside, the Hyundai Tucson is set to be one of the most eye-catching SUVs to grace our roads.

Wapcar’s comment:

Spoilt for choices? No doubt about that as it will be an extremely busy year ahead.

With 11 new SUVs coming next year, spread across practically every segment, from French to Chinese manufacturers, there’s no shortage of choices for buyers.

Question is, which SUV have you been eyeing?