Prepare for a 2026 filled with fresh platforms, revived nameplates and strategic repositioning of the ever-popular SUV class. The familiar premium brands are updating their core models – Toyota is tapping into nostalgia to strengthen its off-road offering, Nissan is reshaping its SUV identity from both ends of the market, while Audi and BMW continue their simple, classy approach to market demand. Porsche cruises along in a comfortable niche, while Jeep aims to shake up its local offering. What emerges is a year that blends electrification, heritage and affordability – an SUV market evolving in multiple directions at once but always anchored in the preferences of SA buyers.

BMW iX3

South Africans have always responded strongly to BMW’s midsize SUVs, and the arrival of the new iX3 marks a significant next step for the brand. This second-generation model is the first mainstream SUV to adopt BMW’s Neue Klasse design language, giving it an angular, modern presence that sits closer to the next X3 in size and stance. The iX3 is more than just an electric version of a combustion model, serving as a statement of where BMW sees its future, even in a market still grappling with the realities of charging infrastructure. ‘Practically everything about it is new, yet it is also more BMW than ever,’ said BMW chair Oliver Zipse.

Although EV adoption remains slow in SA, BMW’s strategy leans on familiarity. The previous X3 has long been one of the brand’s best sellers here, and the new iX3 will be positioned as the technologically advanced companion to the combustion and hybrid X3 derivatives that follow. This dual-track approach is likely to appeal to buyers who like the idea of electrification but still rely heavily on long-distance travel and proven fuel options. The iX3 provides BMW with the flexibility to innovate without alienating its core customer base – an important balancing act in this segment.

Audi Q5 and Q3

The next-generation Q5 is the anchor to Audi’s 2026 SUV strategy and arguably its most important local launch of the year. The outgoing model has always been a quiet success in SA – never the most flamboyant option but consistently one of the most composed, balanced and premium-feeling SUVs in its class. The 2026 version adopts sharper lines, a cleaner cabin and more efficient engines, all aimed at reclaiming territory in a segment fiercely contested by the Mercedes-Benz GLC, the BMW X3 and increasingly polished newcomers from Lexus and Volvo.

Its arrival coincides with a structural shift in Audi’s lineup. Production of the A1 and Q2 ends in 2026, moving more responsibility onto the Q-range models to carry volume and identity for the brand. The Q5 becomes the centre of gravity, the SUV that stabilises the range as Audi moves towards a more integrated design and drivetrain philosophy.

Flowing naturally from this are the new Q3 and Q3 Sportback, which follow close behind. The Q3 has always been Audi’s dependable compact SUV locally – sized and priced to appeal to a broad premium audience. The 2026 model brings updated interiors aligned with the modern A5 family and a sleeker exterior treatment. In many ways, it becomes the gateway to the Q5 experience – smaller, more youthful and perfectly positioned to catch customers who want the Audi feel without stepping into the mid-size price bracket.

Porsche Cayenne

While much has been said globally about Porsche’s shift towards electric SUVs, in SA the Cayenne remains the bedrock of the brand’s performance-luxury identity. The latest evolution of the Cayenne arrives in 2026 as a comprehensive refresh rather than a reinvention – a continuation of a formula that has consistently resonated with SA buyers for two decades.

The updated Cayenne sharpens its exterior design, modernises the interior and introduces revised engines that focus on smoother power delivery and improved efficiency. For a market that values long-distance usability as much as performance branding, the Cayenne’s refinement and breadth of ability remain central to its appeal. With Porsche choosing to focus on combustion-driven models for the foreseeable future in SA, the Cayenne is set to maintain its position as the brand’s most relevant SUV – the product that bridges everyday luxury with unmistakable Porsche character.

Land Cruiser FJ

Toyota’s revival of the Land Cruiser FJ brings back a nameplate that resonates deeply with SA’s off-road culture. Compact, square-edged and purposefully styled, the new FJ sits neatly beneath the Prado and potentially takes Toyota into new territory in the SUV market. Sharing its IMV underpinnings with the Hilux, the  FJ measures about 4.5 metres long and will be powered by a naturally aspirated 2.7-litre petrol engine paired with a six-speed automatic gearbox.

Its part-time four-wheel-drive system and traditional layout speak directly to buyers who appreciate simplicity and durability, two features SA motorists historically value in Toyota’s off-road products. The FJ’s reintroduction is perfectly timed: the market’s appetite for compact adventure SUVs is growing, and the blend of retro appeal and Toyota reliability positions it to attract nostalgic buyers and new entrants to the 4×4 lifestyle.

Nissan Tekton

The Tekton will be an important vehicle for Nissan, signalling a return to value-driven engineering anchored in proven alliance platforms. Built on Renault-Nissan’s CMF-B architecture shared with the modern Duster, the Tekton enters a space where practicality, toughness and affordability matter as much as brand heritage. In SA, where the Duster has earned a strong reputation for reliability and honest performance, the Tekton’s foundation could serve as a strategic advantage.

Nissan’s task is to elevate that formula through a more refined cabin and updated safety technology, creating a compact SUV that appeals to cost-conscious buyers without sacrificing build quality. Positioned beneath the X-Trail and above the Magnite, drawing design inspiration from the famous Patrol, the Tekton gives Nissan a product capable of competing with the Jimny, Urban Cruiser, WR-V and other increasingly adventurous compact crossovers.

Supporting this repositioning is the 2026 return of the Patrol, now powered by a 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6 that produces significantly more torque and improved efficiency over the outgoing V8. The Patrol’s fanbase in SA is small but fiercely loyal, and the new engine should ensure its relevance in the premium 4×4 space. But the price point will be high, which, combined with the decision not to release the new Navara locally, makes the Tekton’s success vital for Nissan, adding a realistic vehicle to their SUV offering while the Patrol serves as the aspirational halo.

Jeep Avenger

Jeep’s Avenger adds an interesting flavour to SA’s compact SUV market. Upright and distinctly styled, it embodies Jeep’s ability to package attitude into small proportions. While final local specifications are still being decided, the Avenger’s global reception has been strong, praised for its manoeuvrability, interior packaging and youthful character.

Jeep’s presence in SA has fluctuated over the years, but the brand continues to hold a unique emotional appeal for buyers who want something that feels different from the mainstream. The Avenger may be the model that reconnects Jeep with younger urban customers, while the updated Wrangler and Gladiator continue to serve the brand’s traditional core. If priced and specced correctly, the Avenger could quietly become one of Jeep’s most relevant products locally.

By Oliver Keohane
Images: BMW, Porsche, Audi, Toyota, Jeep