Contributing Journalist

CarsGuide

22 May 2020 • 1 min read

Best new cars arriving in 2017 | $20,000-$40,000

Tim Robson

Contributing Journalist

CarsGuide

22 May 2020 • 1 min read

2017 Mazda CX-5.

2017 sees a slew of new cars enter the Australian market, while more than a few favourites are getting a comprehensive makeover. Here’s CarsGuide.com.au’s picks for the new year.

More of the best new cars arriving in 2017 for under $20,000

These are the best new cars arriving in 2017 for $40,000-$60,000

Here are the best new cars also arriving in 2017 for $60,000-$100,000

Ford Escape

2017 Ford Escape FWD petrol Trend. Image credit: Richard Berry.
2017 Ford Escape FWD petrol Trend. Image credit: Richard Berry.
2017 Ford Escape AWD diesel Titanium. Image credit: Richard Berry.
2017 Ford Escape AWD diesel Titanium. Image credit: Richard Berry.

A Kuga by any other name, Ford is taking advantage of a styling makeoever to rebadge the softly-selling small SUV to fall in line with a range with a lot of Es in it, including Everest, EcoSport and Edge.

A new Trend 1.5-litre petrol will open the batting a bit lower for Ford at $28,490.

Ford Escape

3.7

Ford Escape

From

$34,760

Jeep Compass

2017 Jeep Compass Trailhawk.
2017 Jeep Compass Trailhawk.
2017 Jeep Compass Trailhawk.
2017 Jeep Compass Trailhawk.
2017 Jeep Compass Trailhawk.
2017 Jeep Compass Trailhawk.
2017 Jeep Compass Trailhawk.
2017 Jeep Compass Trailhawk.
2017 Jeep Compass Trailhawk.
2017 Jeep Compass Trailhawk.
2017 Jeep Compass Trailhawk.

The reborn Compass replaces two cars (Compass and Patriot) in the Jeep stable, and it’s sized to sit below the Cherokee and above the Renegade. Expect petrol and diesel – as well as a off-road-orientated Trailhawk version – when it bounces in around in the last quarter in 2017.

Jeep Compass

3.5

Jeep Compass

From

$45,990

Based on Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP)

Holden Astra sedan

2017 Holden Astra sedan.
2017 Holden Astra sedan.
2017 Holden Astra sedan.

Holden turned off the Cruze production line late last year, and the Opel-designed Astra sedan will serve as its replacement. Due in May, the car will be sourced form Korea and be tuned more softly than its hatch counterpart. It’ll be powered by a 110kW 1.4-litre turbocharged four-potter.

Holden Astra

3.3

Holden Astra

From

$17,950

Based on 3 car listings in the last 6 months

Honda Civic hatch

2017 Honda Civic hatchback.
2017 Honda Civic hatchback.
2017 Honda Civic hatchback.

A radical reshape is the highlight for the tenth-generation Honda Civic hatch, due early in 2017. It’s gone for an overtly sporty theme this time around as it attempts to regain the ground it’s lost over the last five years.

Aussie spec cars are likely to use the same 1.8-litre naturally aspirated and 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engines as the current cars.

Honda Civic

3.7

Honda Civic

From

$49,900

Based on Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP)

Hyundai i30

2017 Hyundai i30.
2017 Hyundai i30.
2017 Hyundai i30.
2017 Hyundai i30.
2017 Hyundai i30.
2017 Hyundai i30.
2017 Hyundai i30.

The all-new i30 has already been previewed overseas, with a brand new look and more upmarket feel for Hyundai’s hottest selling hatch.

Expect the majority of the line to be powered by a new 2.0-litre direct injection four-cylinder engine, while the warmed-over SR models are set to score a 1.6-litre turbocharged donk. A single diesel variant is also on the cards when the i30 launches in the middle of the year.

Hyundai i30

3.9

Hyundai i30

From

$24,000

Based on Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP)

Mazda CX-5

2017 Mazda CX-5
2017 Mazda CX-5
2017 Mazda CX-5
2017 Mazda CX-5
2017 Mazda CX-5

Don’t call it a facelift… the newest version of Australia’s best selling SUV has scored a subtle yet comprehensive body makeover that touches every panel, while the interior has been tweaked, too.

Expect the same grades and powertrains to flow through when the CX-5 lobs in the first quarter of the year.

Mazda CX-5

3.9

Mazda CX-5

From

$36,590

Based on Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP)

Mazda MX-5 RF

2017 Mazda MX-5 RF.
2017 Mazda MX-5 RF.
2017 Mazda MX-5 RF.
2017 Mazda MX-5 RF.
2017 Mazda MX-5 RF.
2017 Mazda MX-5 RF.

While the the MX-5 soft top wins hearts, the hard-top version of Mazda's sportster will win heads and sales. A clever targa-style electric roof adds real-world practicality to the clever little rear-driver, which has just gone on sale in Australia.

Mazda MX-5

From

$41,520

Based on Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP)

Subaru XV

2017 Subaru XV teased
Subaru XV concept

The Impreza-based crossover is enjoying a late life flourish after a relatively slow start in Australia, and the updated version of the XV – based on the all-new Impreza that launched in December – won’t stray too far from the currently formula, according to Subaru insiders. This means a more contemporary look, a naturally aspirated 2.0-litre boxer engine and about the same space as an Impreza hatch.

It’ll go on sale locally in the middle of the year, after debuting in Geneva in March.

Subaru XV

3.6

Subaru XV

From

Toyota C-HR

2017 Toyota C-HR.
2017 Toyota C-HR.
2017 Toyota C-HR.
2017 Toyota C-HR.
2017 Toyota C-HR.
2017 Toyota C-HR.

Die to land in February, Toyota’s long-awaited baby crossover is expected to be a hot commodity – so much so that there are already whispers that it’ll be limited in supply locally, as worldwide demand is expected to take the bulk of production.

Toyota C-HR

3.8

Toyota C-HR

From

$42,990

Based on Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP)

Toyota Camry

2017 Toyota Camry.
2017 Toyota Camry.
2017 Toyota Camry.
2017 Toyota Camry.
2017 Toyota Camry.
2017 Toyota Camry.
2017 Toyota Camry.
2017 Toyota Camry.

Toyota turns off its Altona production line for the locally built Camry on October 3, and it’ll be replaced by a Japanese made version that will come with two distinct looks, as well as four- and six-cylinder engines as well as a hybrid version. No date has yet been given, but it’ll be around October.

Toyota Camry

3.7

Toyota Camry

From

$39,990

Based on Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP)

Volkswagen Golf 7.5

2017 Volkswagen Golf.
2017 Volkswagen Golf.
2017 Volkswagen Golf.
2017 Volkswagen Golf.
2017 Volkswagen Golf.
2017 Volkswagen Golf.
2017 Volkswagen Golf.
2017 Volkswagen Golf.
2017 Volkswagen Golf.
(From left to right) 2017 VW Golf GTE, 2017 VW Golf GTI, 2017 VW Golf, 2017 VW Golf Wagon.

It’s been a while in coming, but Volkswagen’s late-life refresh of its Golf range may be worth the wait.

A new 110kW 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbocharged engine could replace the 1.4-litre entry level motor, while the rest of the range will be imbued with a host of new safety and interior tech, like an active dash and post-collision assistance, which can steer and stop a car after a crash.

The entire range, including the wagon, the Alltrack and the hatch, will start to filter through in the middle of 2017, while updated versions of the GTI and R will land later in the year.