Want to know about the new SUVs launching in New Zealand this year? That's a really long story... there's a lot happening.
So let's get started.
ALFA ROMEO
This famous Italian brand now has its first-ever SUV, the Stelvio. It initially arrived here in 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol and 2.2-litre turbocharged diesel forms, both the Q4 all-wheel drive.
Now there's one of the fastest SUVs ever – the Stelvio Quadrifoglio, powered by a 375kW600Nm biturbo six and capable of blasting to 100kmh in just 3.8 seconds. Some SUV!
AUDI
First we had hot hatches – now we have hot SUVs.
Next month the new Audi SQ2 is scheduled to arrive and will take its place as one of the performance models in the compact SUV class.
That will be followed by a significantly updated Q3 in June. This SUV, which is regularly one of the most popular Audis, hasn't been fully facelifted for some years, and insiders say the new version looks very much like a mini version of the new Q8 that arrived late last year.
The brand's first-ever fully electric vehicle, the e-tron, will also join the SUV fleet in June, and shortly after that a turbodiesel version of the SQ5 will arrive.
BMW
BMW's latest X5 has been on the market here since late last year and it is going great guns as the German brand's biggest-selling vehicle. Later in the year it will be joined by the X5 45e plug-in hybrid. Previous X5 PHEVs had four cylinder engines – this new one will be six cylinder.
An M35i version of the X2 has just been launched, and it is the first BMW M Performance vehicle to be powered by a four-cylinder engine. It's got 225kW and 450Nm and can blast to 100kmh in just 4.9 seconds. Also slated for arrival this year are M versions of the X3 and X4.
During the second quarter of this the biggest BMW, the X7, will be launched. While the actual range (and prices) have yet to be announced, it is expected engine choices will be similar to those of the X5. This big seven-seater luxury SUV isn't a stretched X5, but very much its own vehicle.
Talking about big, word has it that BMW New Zealand is discussing whether or not the X7 will fit in the company's basement carpark...
CITROEN
Citroen's first bespoke medium-sized SUV, the C5 Aircross, will be launched here some time after the middle of the year.
The model for NZ will be powered by a 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine mated to an eight-speed automatic, and suspension will be the flash new Progressive Hydraulic Cushion setup that's said to be returning Citroen product to the sensational ride of old.
FORD
The big event for Ford this year is arrival of the latest Endura SUV, which replaces the pre-facelift ST-Line model that was launched last year in a limited run of 300 to tide things over until this new version arrived.
Powered by a 2.0-litre turbodiesel that produces 140kW and 400Nm mated to an eight-speed automatic, the Endura is available in FWD/AWD Trend, ST Line and Titanium formats.
HOLDEN
Holden's major aim for 2019 is to move away from being known as the Commodore Company and get itself recognised more for what is a comprehensive range of SUVs – the small Trax, compact Equinox, large Acadia and Trailblazer, and the AWD Commodore wagon it is marketing as an SUV called Tourer.
It's aiming for more than two-thirds of Holden sales this year to be these SUVs.
HONDA
No new models are planned for Honda's SUV lineup for 2019, but there has been an addition to the popular medium-sized CR-V.
The brand's advanced safety technology called Honda Sensing is now standard on two AWD grades via arrival of a CR-V AWD Sensing, which has joined the existing top model the AWD Sport Sensing.
HYUNDAI
Hyundai's medium-sized Tucson was facelifted late last year and features a revamped interior plus an eight-speed automatic transmission. It and the larger Santa Fe, which was also launched last year, are running alongside the Kona in what is essentially a three-horse SUV popularity race.
By the end of the year those three models might be joined by another Hyundai SUV. It's a small model which is said to be built on the platform of the little i20, and which is scheduled to appear at the New York Auto Show in April.
At this stage the vehicle, which will be less than four metres long, goes by the code name QX, but word is it might be named Styx. Hyundai NZ confirms it will take it.
INFINITI
Infiniti,which is essentially Nissan's luxury brand, dipped its toe into the New Zealand market in 2017 with a small selection of various models.
Now it's re-dipping that toe via the arrival of some new models. First up is a new version of the QX80, which is a big 5.7-litre SUV based on the Nissan Patrol.
Then it will be the new medium-sized QX50 which is due in the third quarter. It promises to be an interesting SUV, because its 2.0-litre turbocharged engine will feature a variable compression ratio system to aid performance and efficiency.
JAGUAR
A high-performance SVR version of the F-Pace is due to land in New Zealand in April, and Jaguar NZ reports there's already there's strong interest in the $159,900 SUV with its 5.0-litre supercharged V8 engine.
There's also very strong interest in the coming pure electric I-Pace, with its range of 470km on a single charge, which will become fully available from about June. At one stage there were more deposits placed for this SUV in NZ than Australia.
JEEP
This American brand's big event of 2019 will be arrival of a new fifth-generation JL series Wrangler. It's expected to arrive towards the end of the second quarter.
It will offer roughly the same look as the JK Wrangler it will replace, but it will be lighter, with new engines and a lot of tech.
KIA
This year is a busy period for the Korean brand. Its most popular SUV, the medium-sized Sportage, has just been facelifted and now has a refreshed look, more standard safety equipment, and diesel models have an eight-speed auto which replaces the previous six-speed version.
A fully electric version of the Niro will also be launched, joining existing hybrid and plug-in hybrid models.
And right at the end of the year a brand-new small SUV is expected to arrive, which will fit under the Sportage on the Kia fleet . Based on the Rio floorpan, it is being developed off an SP concept that was unveiled in India last year.
LDV
When this Chinese brand launched its D90 SUV last year, it was available in 2WD only. That's now become available in 4WD as well, which will broaden the appeal of the vehicle.
The LDV van selection continues to be the smaller G10 and larger V80, and an electric version called EV80 is also now on the market. In addition, there's another model called RV80 which is a factory-built motor home.
LAND ROVER
The big event for Land Rover is arrival of a new second-generation version of the Evoque, the SUV that has accounted for one in every four Land Rovers sold over the past eight years. Five variants are being offered in NZ, all of them with enhanced standard specification when compared to global markets.
The Discovery Sport is also being upgraded to give more of a luxury feel, and plug-in hybrid P400e versions of the Range Rover and Range Rover Sport are also arriving – some have been sold already.
Land Rover NZ also reports a lot of inquiry regarding when the new Defender will arrive. The good news is that when it is finally launched, NZ will take it – the bad news is that it probably won't be until the first quarter of 2020 at the earliest.
LEXUS
Lexus has just launched its first-ever compact SUV. It's the UX, which enters to Kiwi market with seven variants on offer, including hybrid versions with what is known as "E-Four" AWD in the top model. The vehicle is targeting the fashion conscious urbanites who need to be seen in fashionable SUVs.
Lexus reports that already 70 per cent of all its sales in New Zealand are SUVs. Arrival of this compact model will simply add to that.
MAHINDRA
At present Indian brand Mahindra is armed with entry W6 and top W10 versions of the seven-seater XUV500 SUV, and three versions of the Pik-Up ute.
From next year it looks all on, with a full range of new models scheduled for launch – including the possibility of fully electric vehicles retailing for less than $40,000.
MASERATI
The most popular model offered by this Italian luxury marque is an SUV – the Levante, which is currently available in New Zealand in 350 V6, S and diesel forms. Last year 57 of the SUVs were sold.
These Levantes are powerful enough – but in the fourth quarter a V8-engined GTS model will arrive, offering 410kW and 730Nm, and the ability to get to 100kmh in just 4.3 seconds. Little wonder it is being described as a modern supercar masquerading as an SUV.
MAZDA
This year will be one of consolidation for Mazda, after a very busy time introducing various SUVs.
All of them are now available as classy Takami models, which have superseded the Limited as the top versions.
Internationally, there's a new Mazda crossover called CX-30 which has just been unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show. It has a sporty look, fits in between the CX-3 and CX-5 and will be available with the company's hi-tech SkyActiv-X engine.
MERCEDES-BENZ
This year is a big one for the German luxury brand, with a number of new SUV models set for release in NZ. First up will be a new GLE, which will arrive during the second quarter, and initially available in turbo-diesel 2.0-litre 300d and 3.0-litre 400d forms.
The third quarter will see launch of the G350d which will be a diesel version of the G-class, then late in the year the popular GLC will be facelifted, and an all-new GLS will arrive.
On top of all that, 2019 is also the year Mercedes-Benz will launch the EQC, a fully electric SUV of a similar size to the GLC.
MG
This iconic British brand, now owned by massive Chinese company SAIC, has up until now been represented in NZ by Christchurch-headquartered British Motor Distributors. But now the distribution rights for Australasia have been taken over by SAIC itself via a fully-owned subsidiary.
It's initially offering two SUVs – the GS which was already available in NZ, and the slightly smaller ZS which will be available in 1.5-litre Excite and 1.0-litre three cylinder Essence formats.
MITSUBISHI
At the recent Geneva Motor Show, Mitsubishi unveiled its latest ASX compact SUV, and it is expected to arrive here late in the year as a 2020 model. That will be welcomed – last year the ASX was this country's biggest-selling small SUV, and so far this year it has contributed to record sales for the brand.
In the middle of the year the Outlander PHEV will be upgraded. The model for New Zealand will be changed to a European specification vehicle which will mean the petrol engine will become 2.4 litres instead of the current 2.0 litres.
NISSAN
The Navara ute and Qashqai and X-Trail SUVs remain the brand's biggest sellers in NZ, and no major changes are scheduled for any of them this year. Instead, Nissan NZ will be focussing on launch of two important non-SUV models – the Leaf EV and a new French-built Micra.
From an SUV perspective 2020 will be a big year though – because that's when new generation Qashqai and X-Trail models are expected to be launched. Will the Qashqai and its smaller sibling the Juke continue to be sourced from England's Sunderland plant post-Brexit? We'll have to wait and see.
PEUGEOT
The big Peugeot news will happen during the fourth quarter when a performance-oriented hybrid version of the 3008 is scheduled to arrive. It'll be a proper GT version of the medium SUV – all-wheel drive, and the petrol-electric powertrain is expected to develop around 223kW power.
There's also a a brand-new 2008 in the wings, but it probably won't arrive until next year.
PORSCHE
Porsche's medium-sized Macan has just been facelifted, the process involving a cosmetic refresh inside and out, various technical updates, and new engines for the Macan and Macan S. Later in the year - probably the fourth quarter – the Macan Turbo will also get an updated powertrain.
Later in the year a coupe will be added to the larger Cayenne range.
RENAULT
Renault's Koleos medium SUV underwent a facelift late last year, and its smaller Captur is due for a facelift early next year, so from an SUV perspective there's a bit of a holding pattern in 2019.
However, Renault NZ is looking closely at importing the Kadjar, which shares the same platform as the Nissan Qashqai. Look to see it arriving during the fourth quarter.
SEAT
Life will get exciting for the Spanish brand from the end of next month when a performance version of the Ateca arrives.
Produced by Seat's performance offshoot Cupra brand, it will be powered by Volkswagen Group's turbocharged 2.0-litre engine that is also under the bonnets of the likes of the VW Golf R.
Then in May the Seat Tarraco will arrive. This seven-seater, which is built on the same platform as the VW Tiguan Allspace and Skoda Kodiaq, will be powered by 1.4-litre and 2.0-litre engines.
SKODA
There's a strong possibility that before the end of the year Skoda will introduce a third SUV with a name starting with a K and ending with a Q – this time it will be a small model called Kamiq, which was unveiled at this month's Geneva Motor Show. The name comes from the language of the Inuit people of northern Canada and Greenland.
Right now an RS version of the Kodiaq is arriving in NZ, to take its place as a genuine performance SUV via a biturbo diesel engine that generates 176kW and 500Nm.
Later on in the year – probably around the time of Feildays in June – we'll also get to see a SportLine version of the Karoq.
SSANGYONG
This Korean brand's selection of Rexton SUVs has been realigned, with the big news being introduction of 2WD entry Teammate models which are available in petrol and diesel.
SUBARU
The end of 2019 is looming large as a significant time for Subaru New Zealand as it prepares for arrival of petrol-electric hybrid versions of its Forester and XV models.
The company has been rationalising its model range in preparation for this, which may happen before the end of the year, but more likely in early 2020 as the Japanese brands struggles to cope with demand for the vehicles with their e-boxer hybrid powertrains, particularly in America.
SUZUKI
Suzuki's volume-selling Vitara is celebrating 30 years on the market by receiving a facelift. It's received quite a few cosmetic changes inside and out, and there's added standard safety right through the range, particularly on the top Turbo version.
Also just launched is a brand-new Jimny, the pint-sized SUV that has been on the Kiwi market in various forms since 1970. The new model is so popular internationally that Suzuki NZ is on limited allocation, and this is meaning customers are having to wait several months for them.
TOYOTA
Toyota's big event this year will be the April arrival of a brand-new RAV4, the world's most popular SUV with 837,624 sales last year .
It's also New Zealand's most popular, with close to 5000 sold last year. The new RAV4 will come in six grades covering 2WD and AWD, three hybrid models will join the petrol selection, and a feature will be introduction of a more rugged Adventure grade for tougher off-road work.
Later in the year the larger Fortuner SUV will receive the Toyota Safety Sense suite of safety specification, and a hybrid powertrain will be added to the C-HR small SUV.
VOLVO
The third quarter of the year will see arrival of a refreshed version of Volvo's oldest SUV, the XC90.
It's getting a visual makeover inside and out, and from a technical point of view the most significant upgrade will be installation of Volvo's kinetic energy recovery braking system which is claimed to be able to improve fuel economy by up to 15 per cent.
VOLKSWAGEN
Last year Volkswagen NZ imported a limited run of 150 of the Golf-based SUVs called T-Roc, and they quickly sold out. It was planned that more would arrive this year, but it doesn't look like this will happen until 2020.
The better news is that VW's smallest-ever SUV, the Polo-based T-Cross, will arrive in October. No specifications or pricing have been settled, but it's understood there will be more than one variant.
Right up at the other end of the size scale, a V8 version of the Touareg is scheduled to be launched in October, joining the existing V6 and V6 S models.