23 New models to look forward to in 2020, CKD Proton X70 and new Honda Civic coming soon!

As 2019 draws to an end, let us take a look at what 2020 has in store for us in terms of new car launches.

Here's a quick summary of what's coming over the next 12 months.

2020 BMW 320i 

The BMW 3 Series line-up in Malaysia will soon be supplemented by a new 320i variant.

The upcoming 320i shares its 2.0-litre B48 turbocharged 4-cylinder engine with the 330i, albeit with a different state of tune. In the 320i, the B48 does 184 PS and 300 Nm, sent to the rear wheels via an 8-speed automatic.

UPDATE: BMW Malaysia has introduced the 320i, priced from:

• 320i M Sport: RM 243,800

2020 Honda Accord

The all-new 10th generation Honda Accord is expected to be introduced here sometime next year, taking over from the previous generation model that has been around since 2013.

However, when the all-new Accord arrives, don’t expect it to be cheap.

The drop in our Ringgit against other regional currencies have exaggerated the marginal increase in prices of the all-new Accord.

Putting aside the difference in tax structure between Thailand and Malaysia, prices of the all-new Accord in Thailand start from RM 203,000 for the Turbo EL variant, while the Hybrid Tech variant costs RM 247,000.

UPDATE: Honda Malaysia has introduced the all-new Accord, priced from:

• Accord 1.5 TC: RM 185,900
• Accord 1.5 TC-P: RM 195,900

2020 Honda Civic

Honda Malaysia previewed the facelifted Civic way back in September, giving us a good look at the popular, updated model.

However, current delay in price approvals by the government for many locally-assembled cars has postponed the debut of the new Civic.

Changes to the new Civic include Honda Sensing suite of ADAS features and subtly updated styling.

UPDATE: Honda Malaysia has introduced the facelifted Civic, priced from:

• Civic 1.8 S: RM 113,600
• Civic 1.5 TC: RM 129,600
• Civic 1.5 TC-P: RM 139,600

2020 Honda City

Apart from the updated Honda Civic, we expect Honda Malaysia to introduce the all-new City some time next year, likely in late-2020/early-2021. 

The all-new Honda City made its global debut in Bangkok, back in November. The long-serving naturally-aspirated 1.5-litre 4-cylinder petrol engine has been phased out, replaced by a new, turbocharged 1.0-litre 3-cylinder unit.

When it arrives in Malaysia, we expect the all-new City to soldier on with the existing 1.5-litre unit, as Malaysia does not have any measures for CO2 regulations or related tax benefits. 

As for pricing, the outgoing models' pricing has benefited from Energy Efficient Vehicle (EEV) incentives, reducing several thousand Ringgits since it was introduced in 2014. 

However, due to our Ringgit's poor performance against the US Dollar, Thai Baht, and Japanese Yen, coupled with the unannounced EEV incentives, it's hard to say if the all-new City will be priced favourably against its rivals. 

2020 Honda BR-V

The updated Honda BR-V first made its debut at the 2019 Indonesia International Motor Show, before making its way to Thailand in July. 

Updates to the new Honda BR-V are mostly cosmetic, including a refreshed exterior and interior. Powertrain and safety equipment remain unchanged. 

Here's to hoping that 2020 will be a busy year for Honda Malaysia, considering that the company only had one debut in 2019. 

UPDATE: Honda Malaysia has introduced the facelifted BR-V, priced from:

• BR-V 1.5 E: RM 89,900
• BR-V 1.5 V: RM 96,900

2020 Mazda CX-30 

Bermaz Motor has confirmed that the new Mazda CX-30 will be introduced soon - prices are out and the SUV can now be viewed at showrooms.

Engine options include a 1.8-litre SkyActiv-D turbodiesel and a 2.0-litre SkyActiv-G petrol engine. Both engines are mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission.

Read more about the Mazda CX-30 here.

UPDATE: Bermaz Motor have introduced the Mazda CX-30 in Malaysia, priced from:

• CX-30 2.0L Petrol: RM 143,059
• CX-30 2.0L Petrol High: RM 164,059
• CX-30 1.8L Diesel High: RM 172,943

2020 Mazda 2

First shown to the public back in July and subsequently making its ASEAN debut at the 2019 Thailand International Motor Expo in November, the updated Mazda 2 is mostly a visual update from the predecessor model.

Changes include a revised exterior design that looks like a shrunk down Mazda 6 and some equipment upgrade, including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support.

Expect the 1.5-litre SkyActiv-G 4-cylinder petrol engine to soldier on.

UPDATE: Bermaz Motor have introduced the Mazda 2 in Malaysia, priced from:

• Mazda 2 Sedan: RM 103,670
• Mazda 2 Hatchback: RM 103,670
• Mazda 2 Sedan (Soul Red Crystal): RM 104,170
• Mazda 2 Hatchback (Soul Red Crystal): RM 104,170

2020 Mercedes-Benz CLA

Mercedes-Benz's product offensive has grown massively - starting with the debut A-Class hatchback in 2018, followed by the A-Class Sedan in 2019.

As we enter 2020, we can expect Mercedes-Benz Malaysia to continue its momentum with the all-new CLA, which is the A-Class Sedan's more stylish, more chic sibling. 

But don't let its cutesy demeanour fool you, as Mercedes-AMG has already sent the CLA to a work-out, resulting in the mental CLA 45S (420 PS and 500 Nm, not bad eh?)

2020 Mercedes-Benz GLA

The all-new Mercedes-Benz GLA is no longer a jacked-up A-Class - instead, it is now more closely related to the GLB and B-Class.

This is despite the fact that the all-new GLA shares most of its underpinnings with the A-Class, as the GLA's body closely resembles that of the GLB and B-Class.

When it arrives here, the all-new Mercedes-Benz will challenge the Audi Q3, BMW X2, and MINI Countryman.

2020 Mercedes-Benz GLB

Mercedes-Benz has added a new member to its alphabet soup of models.

Say hello to the brand-new Mercedes-Benz GLB, positioned between the Mercedes-Benz GLA and GLC.

It is available as a five-seater or seven-seater, marking the first time Mercedes-Benz is offering its compact SUV with a three-row seating option. 

Equipment include the now-customary Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) infotainment system, a heads-up display, and even adaptive suspension. 

2020 Mitsubishi Xpander

Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia has confirmed that they will be introducing the Xpander in 2020.

The Mitsubishi Xpander will be challenging the Toyota Rush, Perodua Aruz, and Honda BR-V when it goes on sale.

Power comes from a 1.5-litre naturally-aspirated petrol engine, sent to the front wheels via a 4-speed automatic.

Expected to be priced at the RM 100,000 range, the Mitsubishi Xpander will be locally-assembled at contract assembler Tan Chong Motor Assemblies’ plant in Segambut.

2020 Nissan Almera

2020 will be an interesting year for Nissan Malaysia, as it has been quite a while since the company has introduced a brand-new model.

The first model set to excite buyers is the all-new Nissan Almera, which made its regional debut in Thailand back in November.

In an effort to meet Thai Eco Car Phase 2 scheme, Nissan has ditched the old 1.2-litre naturally-aspirated three-cylinder petrol engine, replacing it with a modern, more powerful 1.0-litre turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine.

Unlike the all-new Honda City, selected variants of the all-new Almera are equipped with a host of ADAS features, such as Intelligent Forward Collision Warning (IFCW), Intelligent Emergency Braking (IEB), Intelligent Around View Monitor (IAVM), Moving Object Detection (MOD), Blind Spot Warning (BSW), and Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA).

2020 Nissan Grand Livina

The all-new 2020 Nissan Grand Livina is a rebadged version of the Mitsubishi Xpander, albeit with its own styling cues.

Powertrain options mirror that of the Mitsubishi Xpander, which includes a Mitsubishi-sourced 1.5-litre 4A91 4-cylinder petrol engine that does 105 PS and 145 Nm, sent to the front wheels via a 4-speed automatic.

Just like the Mitsubishi Xpander, the Nissan sibling will be contract assembled at Tan Chong Motor Assemblies’ plant in Segambut.

2020 Nissan Kicks

Talks of Nissan introducing the new Kicks in Malaysia have been ongoing ever since the model was introduced way back in 2016. 

Originally slated for a Malaysian debut in 2017 (which clearly did not happen), it appears that the model has been pushed back to a possible 2020 debut. 

When the Nissan Kicks arrives here, it will be a new rival in the expanding B-segment SUV segment, which is currently occupied by the Honda HR-V, Mazda CX-3, Renault Captur and Peugeot 2008. 

2020 Nissan Slyphy

Apart from the Nissan Almera, Grand Livina, and Kicks, Nissan Malaysia is also expected to introduce the all-new Sylphy. 

The futuristic-looking model made its global debut at the 2019 Auto Shanghai, before finding its way to North America a few months later. 

A late-2020 debut is possible, though we won't rule out a more probable 2021 debut. 

2020 Perodua Bezza facelift

Considering that Proton just introduced the updated Saga a couple of months back, it’s no secret that Perodua is readying the updated Bezza to fend off its competition.

Just like the updated Axia, the new Bezza is expected to feature mild styling updates and include Perodua’s Advanced Safety Assist 2.0 (ASA 2.0) on selected variants.

Mechanical bits are expected to remain unchanged, which includes a 1.0- and a 1.3-litre Dual VVT-i petrol engine mated to a 4-speed automatic or 5-speed manual transmissions.

UPDATE: The new 2020 Perodua Bezza has been launched. Priced from:

• Bezza 1.0 G MT: RM 34,580
• Bezza  1.0 G AT: RM 36,580
• Bezza 1.3 X AT: RM 43,980
• Bezza 1.3 AV AT: RM49,980

2020 Perodua D55L SUV

Next year will be a year filled with SUVs, as car manufacturers are on an onslaught to introduce a slew of new SUVs.

Perodua is no different, as the company is underway to introduce a brand-new SUV in 2020.

Codenamed D55L, the new SUV was first previewed as the Daihatsu Rocky at the 2019 Tokyo Motor Show.

For the Japanese market, the Daihatsu Rocky is powered by a 1.0-litre turbocharged 3-cylinder engine that outputs 98 PS at 6,000 rpm and 140 Nm from 2,400 – 4,000 rpm. A CVT-type automatic is the sole transmission option.

When the Perodua D55L arrives, it is possible that the new model could feature a number of Perodua-first features, such as a CVT-type automatic and possibly a more sophisticated ADAS suite of features, as evident on this Daihatsu Thor.

2020 Perodua D27A MPV

Apart from the D55L SUV, Perodua is also said to be working on the Alza replacement. 

It's high time for Perodua to replace the Alza, as the model is already 10 years old. 

Little is known about the D27A MPV, though some have speculated that the Alza and Toyota Avanza could be streamlined into one model.

2020 Proton X70

Initially slated for a late 2019 debut, the introduction of the locally-assembled Proton X70 has been postponed a bit more.

There are rumours that the locally-assembled X70 will be fitted with a newer 1.5-litre turbocharged 3-cylinder engine mated to a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic, but this is not true.

The 1.5-litre engine is meant for markets where cars are taxed based on their CO2 output, such as Thailand, Australia, and Singapore.

However, it is possible that the locally-assembled X70 could receive an updated infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, as well as a power tailgate.

UPDATE: Proton has introduced the X70 CKD, priced from:

• Standard: RM 94,800
• Executive: RM 106,800 
• Premium: RM 119,800 
• Premium X: RM 122,800

2020 Proton X50

This is probably one of the most highly-anticipated models for 2020, if not the most. 

The Geely Binyue-based Proton X50 has a lot of hype surrounding it, and it is not hard to see why - the Proton X70 already paved the way for Malaysians to accept Geely products, and the response has been positive so far.

If Proton plays their cards well, the new X50 will be another model that will continue Proton's momentum.

Expect the Proton X50 to make a local debut some time in 2020, but it could be delayed till 2021 depending on the market's reception of the locally-assembled Proton X70. 

Read our review of the Geely Binyue here. 

2020 Toyota RAV4

2020 will see the return of the Toyota RAV4 to Malaysia, as part of a region-wide campaign which includes Thailand and Indonesia.

While sources at Toyota indicated that Thailand could assemble the model there, it does not necessarily mean that units for the Malaysian market will come from Thailand as the ASEAN Free Trade Agreement requires a minimum 60 percent of regional content to qualify for import duty exemptions.

As such, it is possible for UMW Toyota Motor to import the RAV4 from Japan instead.

UPDATE: Toyota has launched the RAV4, priced from:

• 2.0: RM 196,436
• 2.5: RM 215,664

2020 Volkswagen Passat

The B8-generation Volkswagen Passat received its mid-life update back in February, and the updated model is headed our way real soon, as Volkswagen Malaysia has opened bookings for the new model.

A quick check on Volkswagen Malaysia’s website confirmed that the updated B8 Passat will be available in a single trim level – 2.0 TSI Elegance.

UPDATE: Volkswagen Malaysia have introduced the updated Passat, priced from:

• Passat 2.0 TSI Elegance: RM 189,012

2020 Volkswagen Arteon

Is the Volkswagen B8 Passat too boxy for you?

Good news, as Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia will be introducing the Arteon soon, as the company already previewed the sleek fastback in the past.

However, the sleek Arteon won't come cheap, as VPCM has hinted at a possible RM 300,000 price point for the new model.