Vision of Mercedes is to help Americans explore a slightly smaller version of van life than we're used to these days. Definitely, aftermarket Mercedes Sprinter Van conversions are readily available, Mercedes introduced its first modern pop-up camper designed for the U.S. market at the Chicago auto show. Called the Weekender and based on the 2022 Mercedes Metris, the new van brings European-style van camping to the U.S. with plenty of options to customize.

Mercedes calls the Metris a "right size" van, smaller than the Sprinter but still large enough to fit what you need. In the U.S., the 2022 Mercedes Metris is currently sold as a passenger and utility van, and Mercedes isn't doing the conversions to camper mode itself. Instead, the automaker is partnering with Driverge Vehicle Innovations and Peace Vans to install a raft of standard and optional camper features at Driverge's facility in North Charleston, South Carolina, which is adjacent to the new Mercedes factory there.

2022 Mercedes Metris Exterior and Interior

Let's start with what's standard: an elevating roof that creates a sleeping area for two people with a two-inch memory foam mattress, three windows, and USB ports. A rear bench-slash-bed for two and 180-degree swiveling front seats are also standard, as is a second battery to charge devices and run the interior lights.

It's in the options that things get more fun. Integrated solar panels will be key for anyone planning on taking one of these vans on an extended trips, as is the pullout rear kitchen. Depending on where you fall on the camping vs. glamping divide, you can also have an eight-foot awning, insect nets for the rear hatch and sliding doors, and a extension tent that covers the rear liftgate. Utility roof racks are also available.

Non-camping specific upgrades include getting your Weekender wrapped in one of 200 available colors and choices of better audio and navigation features. One thing to note is that the Weekender seats five but only sleeps four, so packing a tent might still be required in some situations.

In Europe, Mercedes sells that market's version of the Metris camper van as the Marco Polo. This Euro-spec model comes in three variants, including the base Marco Polo, the Marco Polo Horizon, and the Marco Polo Activity, which offer different levels of luxury and ruggedness.

The Mercedes R&D department has been working especially hard for the last six months to get the Weekender ready for the latest Chicago auto show. 

Seattle-based Peace Vans restores old campers vans and converts new ones, but it was the rental market that influenced some of the design choices that went into the Weekender. Now, each person on the trip has an average of two devices, he said, which is why the Weekender has extra USB ports built in and the second battery to provide more power.

2022 Mercedes Metris Release date and Price

The Weekender is converted from a passenger model Metris, which starts at around $40,000. The base conversion costs a little over $25,000, so the cheapest you will be able to get a 2022 Mercedes Metris Weekender is just under $70,000.

Official Mercedes-Benz van dealers will start taking orders in about two weeks, and the first deliveries should happen at the beginning of 2021 (delay based on situation worldwide considering Coronavirus – Covid-19).

If all of this strikes your fancy, get your name in early. The first 100 customers will get their Weekender with a free National Parks Pass attached, which means there will be no excuses to not get out into the wild as soon as possible.

Hyundai has announced promotion of all-new 2021 Hyundai Palisade that debuted at the begging of 2021 model year. With the 2021 Palisade being just its second model year, we expect no significant changes to it.

2021 Hyundai Palisade Interior and Exterior

The Hyundai Palisade is a new styling direction for the brand with its striking front end that includes vertical LED daytime running lights, a sharp grille, and slim headlights. Down the sides, it takes on a more upright stance that gives it an SUV-like look. Around back, the taillights take on a similar vertical orientation as the front lighting while a “PALISADE” logo crosses the rear liftgate adds a premium touch. While its looks may be too much for some, we expect 2021 Palisade to hit showrooms boasting the same design.

Inside, the new Hyundai Palisade boasts a clean dash with a large center console housing the push-button transmission and audio controls, and a small center stack carrying the climate controls. The dash takes on a more horizontal design, which visually widens the cabin and gives it a more upscale feel. Speaking of an upscale feel, buyers can upgrade the cabin to include posh leather upholstery, a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, and a 10.3-inch infotainment screen in place of the standard cloth upholstery, analog gauges, and 8-inch infotainment screen. With this all still so new, there are no anticipated changes inside the 2021 Palisade.

2021 Hyundai Palisade Engine

We expect the 2021 Hyundai Palisade to rumble on with the same powertrain it has today: a 291-horsepower 3.8-liter V6 paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Power will flow to the front wheels as standard, but all-wheel drive will remain an option.

The current Hyundai Palisade is an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ thanks to its “Good” ratings in all crash tests, “Good” headlight rating with the LED projector units, and a “Superior” rating in crash avoidance with its standard automatic emergency braking. With no changes to this crossover’s safety equipment, we expect the same ratings from the 2021 Palisade.

The main competitors are: Kia Telluride, Ford Explorer and Toyota Highlander.

2021 Hyundai Palisade Price and Release date

Hyundai has not announced when the 2021 Palisade will hit showrooms, but we expect a first part of 2021 release based on the current model’s release date.

Pricing for this model remains unclear, but with no changes coming, we expect only mild tweaks relative to today’s prices, which range from $32,645 to $47,495 (destination fees included).

The new 2021 KIA TELLURIDE arrived as a bold, new three-row crossover. Regarding changes compering with previous model, we expect no significant changes to the 2021 Telluride.

Exterior of new 2021 Kia Telluride

The all-new Kia Telluride is a brand-new take on the automaker’s crossover design, as it boasts a bold and almost luxurious look with its upright stance, vertical headlights, large mesh grille, and large wheels. Though this look may be a little too striking for some buyers, it has received glowing reviews from critics and fans of the brand alike, so we expect no notable changes to the 2021 Telluride’s looks.

2021 Kia Telluride Interior

Interior of new Telluride takes on a more car-like look with its low instrument panel, spread out buttons, standard 8-inch touchscreen, standard leatherette upholstery, and premium trimming and materials in higher trim levels. Buyers seeking a more premium ride can move into the higher-grade Telluride models and get a 10.3-inch touchscreen, leather upholstery, and more. With no changes in the works for the 2021 Telluride, we expect the cabin to carry on unchanged.

Engine options for new Telluride

The current Telluride boasts a 291-horsepower 3.8-liter V6 under its hood paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. This setup ships its power to the front wheels as standard or all four wheels with optional all-wheel drive. We expect this to remain the only engine option in the 2021 Kia Telluride.

The Telluride is an IIHS 2019 Top Safety Pick thanks to its “Good” ratings in all crash tests, “Acceptable” headlight rating with the LED projectors, and a “Superior” rating in the front-crash prevention with its standard automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection. Other standard safety features include adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitors. We expect the safety equipment and ratings to roll into the 2021 Kia Telluride unchanged.

The main competitors are: Ford Explorer, Honda Pilot and Hyundai Palisade. 

Price and Release date for new 2021 Kia Telluride

Kia hasn’t officially announced the 2021 Telluride’s release date, but we expect that will be in first part of 2021 year.

Pricing also remains unconfirmed for this three-row crossover, but with no notable changes, we do not expect any major pricing shifts relative to this year’s MSRP range of $32,785 to $44,585 (destination fees included).

When we speak about Honda Pilot, then we spoke about the largest and most capable SUV. It fits in the midsize three-row crossover category, but it offers slightly more rear-seat room than many rivals. There's plenty of cargo room too, with enough space behind the third row to carry a weekend trip's worth of luggage for every passenger. We're also impressed by the Pilot's fuel-efficient but powerful engine and exceptional ride and seat comfort.

The main competitors of the new 2022 Honda Pilot are: Hyundai Palisade, Kia Telluride, Volkswagen Atlas, Chevy Traverse, Ford Explorer. If we expire the parameters and then we should pay intention on Mazda CX-9 as well.

The current generation of Honda Pilot debuted back in 2016 and went through a light freshening in 2019 that included updated front and rear designs, a revamped cabin, a new infotainment system with a real volume knob, and more. This look has remained the same since, and we expect it to stay unchanged when the 2022 Pilot hits showrooms.

We expect no design changes when the 2022 Honda Pilot rolls into showrooms, so look for it to continue with the same revamped look it gained in 2019. This updated look included a new trapezoidal grille, revised fog lights, updated headlights, repositioned reverse lights, and a new rear garnish on higher trims. Inside, the update included a new steering wheel, updated gauge readouts, and more. The refreshed tech included the addition of 4G Wi-Fi, enlarged rear-seat entertainment screens, a physical volume knob, and an in-cabin PA system.

2022 Honda Pilot engine

Under its hood, we expect the 2022 Honda Pilot to retain its 3.5-liter V6 engine with 280 horsepower. This engine will continue to pair with a six-speed automatic transmission that’ll deliver power to the front wheels or all four wheels with optional all-wheel drive.

Like many Honda models, the current Pilot is among the safest vehicles in its class, and the IIHS solidifies this with a Top Safety Pick rating. It received “Good” crash-test ratings in all tests other than the passenger-side small-overlap test, which is received an “Acceptable” rating in. It also received a “Good” rating for its LED headlights in the Touring and Elite models. Rounding out the ratings is its “Superior”-rated standard automatic emergency braking system. Other standard safety gear includes adaptive cruise control and active lane control. We expect the safety equipment and ratings to remain the same in the 2022 Pilot.

2022 Honda Pilot Price and Release date

There is no official on-sale date for the 2022 Honda Pilot. Considering situation with Coronavirus (Covid-19), we anticipate the release date should be at summer 2021.

Pricing is also unconfirmed, but with no changes coming, we expect it to remain close to the current MSRP range of $32,770 to $50,840 (destination fees included).

According company information this the new 2021 Lexus UX 300e as a little battery-powered crossover probably won’t be coming to America, instead sticking to China and Europe for its initial 2020 roll-out, before hitting Japan in 2021.

The new UX 300e is the beginning of what the Japanese brand calls “Lexus Electrified”, the UX300e is an important signal of what’s to come.

If we compare the new 2021 Lexus UX 300e VS 2021 Lexus UX – the regular UX, the hourglass grille is the same; the rear end, complete with those unique, three-dimensional taillights, is the same; the faux-off-roader body cladding is the same. Only a small “electric” badge along the rear doors and the unique wheel design marks this out as the plug-in. Sneak a peek underneath and a new underbody cover might be hard to miss too, we suppose.

The biggest competitors will be Audi Q3, BMW X1 and Jaguar E-Pace.

Lexus UX battery and engine option

The UX 300e have the floor is a 54.3 kWh lithium-ion battery pack. It connects to a front-mounted motor capable of 201 hp and 221 lb-ft of torque. That out-flexes the existing UX250h, though the 300e sends all its power through the front wheels alone.

Lexus quotes a range of 248 miles on the older NEDC test cycle, which is typically more optimistic than the newer WLTP standards. The UX300e will be capable of DC fast-charging up to 50 kW however, meaning a full charge will take a little over an hour. The standard AC rate is 6.6 kW, which translates to around eight hours from empty.

The interior features a new shifter design, operating via shift-by-wire system. Paddle shifters have sprouted up behind the wheel too, allowing drivers to select up to four levels of brake regeneration.

The „regular one“ 2021 Lexus UX will have a standard 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 169 horsepower. This engine will come exclusively with a continuously variable transmission and front-wheel drive – there is no all-wheel-drive option with the gasoline-only model. We also expect the UX 250h to continue with a hybrid powertrain that pairs a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with an electric motor for 176 hp. The hybrid model will also come with a CVT and standard all-wheel drive.

2021 Lexus UX/UX300e Price & Release Date

Release date for the new 2021 Lexus UX as well as UX300e will be in second part of 2021.

With no changes expected, we anticipate the 2021 Lexus UX’s pricing to remain close to the current model, which ranges from $33,325 to $40,725 (destination fees included).

Already in the US Europe dealerships promote rumors regarding new Sportage. Based on forecast the 2022 Kia Sportage will make a great success on the market. The model presents several novelties in its interior and exterior. 

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Main competitors of the 2022 Kia Sportage are:

Hyundai iX35; Mitsubishi ASX; Fiat Freemont; RAV4; Subaru Forester.

The next-generation 2022 Kia Sportage will have completely new exterior

With the last generation marking only a superficial change for the model, the next generation is likely to bring about a more radical redesign. We’ve seen Kia’s next-generation SUV design/engineering methods in action with the 2020 Kia Telluride and upcoming 2022 Kia Seltos so we think the next 2022 Kia Sportage will look more like these and less like the older wave of Kia SUVs.

According our oppinion a sportier and more athletic exterior appearance with fewer curves and more ridges. We expect to see a boost in the ground clearance as well as the Sportage leans into its name and becomes Kia’s nameplate for off-road and overland adventuring.

The updated interior for 2022 Kia Sportage

Regarding Interoor of new 2022 Kia Sportage will be floating touchscreens, with safetz and tech benefit for drivers.

They’re also in line with modern automotive design that sees the dashboard stretched horizontally rather than vertically. We fully expect the interior of the next-generation Kia Sportage to look more like the Chinese Sportage – the Kia KX5 – and less like the current model.

2022 Kia Sportage Exterior, Price and position on the Market

Kia’s SUV lineup is in a strange spot at the moment. The introduction of the Kia Seltos, which is larger than many expected, has put some strain on the Kia Sportage which only exceeds the front-row legroom of the Kia Seltos by one-tenth of an inch, the rear legroom by two-tenths of an inch and is actually rated for less maximum cargo volume with all seats down (60.1 cubic feet in the Kia Sportage vs. 62.8 cubic feet in the Kia Seltos).

While the Sportage enjoys a longer wheelbase, and consequently a smoother ride (presumably), it’s going to have to make a stronger appeal to drivers who may be inclined to choose the upcoming Kia Seltos and its sub-$22,000 starting MSRP (which includes AWD) over the compact SUV.

We think the Kia Sportage will move up in overall size, allowing Kia to position it as a ruggedized compact SUV that is more poised to go up especially against the likes of the new RAV4 and Subaru Forester.

While the current Kia Sportage emphasizes its luxurious amenities and quirky styling, we think Kia will direct drivers who want a luxurious SUV to find it in the Kia Sorento.

The Acura ILX boasts an impressive power-to-weight ratio. Which means that, for its size, it’s one of the most powerful cars in its class. ILX is equipped with a powerful 201-hp82 i-VTEC engine and is engineered for top notch agility. Monthly and annual sales figures for the Acura ILX in the US.

Acura ILX is very competitive considering the other models in the US premium compact car segment.

If we look the sales figures for the Acura ILX in the U.S automotive market, we can conclude that Acura have good market share.

Monthly Vehicle Sales

2022 Acura ILX Changes

The new 2022 Acura ILX  isn’t expected to arrive until at least the 2021 model year. The current car was last updated with a refresh for 2019 that introduced a new A-Spec trim with sportier styling, plus a diamond-shaped grille up front to match the rest of the Acura lineup.

While Acura’s SUVs have been considerably more popular by comparison, the brand hasn’t given up on passenger cars just yet. Last year, Acura debuted the Type S Concept featuring noticeably sharper lines and a bolder stance compared to past Acura sedans.

Engine specs for the next ILX still not confirmed, although we think it’s likely that the car may employ turbocharging like the Honda Civic to achieve peppier performance and better fuel economy. The current ILX comes with a 2.4-liter naturally-aspirated engine making 201 hp and 180 lb-ft of torque, while a 1.5-liter turbo in the Civic produces 180 hp with up to 35 mpg on the highway. Will the next ILX offer a new level of performance? That remains to be seen.

2022 Acura ILX Release date

Acura has not yet announced a release date for the next ILX. Having said that, our records indicate that the model typically begins arriving at dealers in the fall. If that proves to once again be the case, we think it’s reasonable to expect an on-sale date sometime in the fall of 2020. This page will be updated as information becomes available.

2022 Acura ILX Competitors

The biggest competitor is Buick Regal who is slated to be discontinued, there are very few direct competitors to the ILX when it comes to price. The closest rivals currently include the Audi A3 and Mercedes A Class.