Browse over 9,000 car reviews
Conventional passenger cars such as hatchbacks, sedans and wagons used to be the default choice for Aussie families but have since be usurped by SUVs and utes.
Despite their waning popularity, 2025 promises top be a big year for new passenger cars with fresh metal from long time favourites joining some potent performance models and all-new players.
Here's what's coming in 2025.
Various visual and performance updates usher in Audi's new-look A3 range, though the mid-spec 40TFSI has been culled.
Now S Line only and with bigger screens inside, the freshened up Audi A3 is arriving in early 2025 as a base 35TFSI in sedan or hatch, or up-spec S3 in the same body styles. No word yet on the new RS3.
Kicking off in January from $263,900 before on-road costs, the first BMW M5 Touring ever officially sold in Australia blends ballistic performance and family practicality thanks to that square load space out back that expands from 500 litres to 1630L.
At the other end of the beefed-up body is a 430kW/750Nm 4.4-litre V8, paired to a 145kW/280Nm electric motor and an 18.6kWh lithium-ion battery, for total outputs of 535kW and 1000Nm. Drive is delivered via an eight-speed auto and active rear differential to all four wheels.
The upshot is 67km of EV-only range, or a 0-100km/h sprint time of 3.6s on the way to a 305km/h top speed – though not simultaneously. If it matters, BMW also quotes 10.9L/100km, post-battery-discharge.
Launching in the first quarter of 2025, the K4 usurps the Cerato, that has been Kia’s small-car alternative to the Toyota Corolla and Mazda3 for more than 20 years.
Two largely carryover four-cylinder petrol engines will be offered – a naturally-aspirated 2.0-litre unit driving the front wheels via a new continuously variable transmission (CVT), as well as a turbocharged 1.6, likely paired to a dual-clutch automatic.
Now almost midsized, the almost Stinger-esque looking K4 four-door sedan will be followed by five-door hatchback later in 2025. Both feature styling cues found in Kia’s progressive EV models. More details will be divulged early next year, with entry pricing likely to be north of $30,000.
The Toyota Corolla GR will gain an eight-speed torque-converter automatic option before the new year, dramatically broadening the all-wheel-drive super hot-hatchback’s appeal.
Shared with the smaller GR Yaris, the GR Corolla auto features a manual override via steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters, as part of a makeover that also ushers in an extra 30Nm of torque for the 221kW 1.6-litre G16E-GTS three-cylinder turbo petrol engine, matching the Morizo special edition’s 400Nm output.
Additionally, a revised suspension tune promises improved handling control, while a redesigned front bumper with larger air intakes improve cooling and aerodynamic efficiencies.
Joining the new-generation three-door hatch, the rag top Mini is coming back to liven up the dwindling small convertible segment.
Naturally, Mini offers an unbelievable number of paint colours, upholstery options and trims to make the Mini Convertible 'yours'.
With a 2.0-litre petrol engine developing 120kW (Cooper) or 150kW (Cooper S) driving the front wheels, this drop-top should be suitably hot. A spicier still JCW version is on the way.
Here in early 2025, the Porsche ‘992.2’ 911 ushers in a minor facelift largely contained to bumpers, lighting and dashboard, as well as a major new era of hybrid tech.
Available in GTS guise from $381,200 before on-road costs, the T-Hybrid system consists of a 398kW/610Nm 3.6-litre flat six with an electric turbo, 40kW/150Nm electric motor and eight-speed ‘PDK’ dual-clutch auto. Top speed is 312km/h and 0-100km/h takes 3.0 seconds, while a 1.9kWh battery allows some low-speed EV-only drive.
A base, non-hybrid 911 Carrera PDK continues, with an evolved 3.0L twin-turbo flat six, now making 290kW/449Nm. From $280,500, it hits 0-100km/h in 4.1s, or 3.9s with Sports Chrono, and costs $100K less than GTS. As before, 2+2 coupes, convertibles and targa are offered.
Due in the first half of 2025, the Cupra Leon is a sporty, premium-priced small-car series from Volkswagen-owned Spanish brand SEAT.
The facelift brings a different nose and improved dashboard among other changes, while a revised 2.0-litre plug-in hybrid powertrain is expected. It is set to be joined by a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol base grade.
High-performance wagon models, dubbed Sportstourer, are also anticipated to bolster the Leon range, sometime during the second half of 2025.
Longer, sharper and more aerodynamic, the fourth generation Skoda Superb is set to hit Australian shores in about March next year, in liftback and wagon body styles as before.
A redesign inside including a new dashboard highlights the family-friendly packaging the series is renowned for, though only the up-spec Sportline grade will be made available this time round.
And forget about hybrids for the time being, since Volkswagen has already confirmed that a 195kW/400Nm 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine will be the sole powertrain on offer, driving all four wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.
Entering its 51st year globally, the Golf for 2025 has also undergone a facelift designed to counter criticisms of the current version.
Known as the MK8.5 and due in Australia from about March next year, it includes subtly revised styling front and rear (centred on lights and bumpers), improved safety and a comprehensively updated dashboard featuring updated software for better performance.
Speaking of which, the petrol engines remain largely the same, so expect a 1.4-litre four-cylinder turbo/eight-speed torque-converter auto in lower grades, and 2.0-litre turbo/dual-clutch transmission specs for the GTI and R hot-hatches, with the latter again eschewing front-drive for all-wheel drive. No signs of hybrids, then.
Look out, BMW M5. Mercedes-AMG has you and other high-performance sports sedans in its crosshairs with the E53 and closely-related CLE53 four-door coupe range.
Combining a 330kW/560Nm 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder petrol engine and 120kW electric motor integrated into a nine-speed dual-clutch transmission, this 430kW/750Nm plug-in hybrid all-wheel drive powerhouse can rocket from 0‑100km/h in 3.8 seconds on one hand, yet manage around 100km in pure EV mode in the other, thanks to a 21.2kWh battery.
An active rear axle, adaptive dampers and a monster brake package, along with a reinforced body and suspension strut braces, help things under control. The 53s will be on sale sometime early next year.
Due in the second half of 2025, the PRO 4MATIC+ is a track-focused version of the second-generation, Porsche 911-rivalling, Mercedes-AMG GT63 coupe series released in Australia last August. You can spot it by its bigger front nostrils.
Using the famous M177 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 but uptuned to 450kW and 850Nm of power and torque respectively, it drives all four wheels via a nine-speed Speedshift multi-clutch technology (MCT) auto and trick rear differentials. Aided by better cooling and more-efficient aero, 317km/h is possible while 0-100km/h takes 3.1 seconds.
To refresh, the C192-series GT63 is larger, roomier and heavier than before, with a composite body structure offering exceptional rigidity. Related to the latest SL convertible, it is a 2+2-seater that balances blistering performance and high-end luxury. Look out, Aston Martin.
Slightly larger than a Mazda6 but smaller than the latest Toyota Camry, the MG7 fastback is a sporty midsized sedan earmarked for Australia sometime during 2025.
Two four-cylinder turbo petrol front-wheel drive choices are expected: a 132kW/300Nm 1.5-litre paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission or a 184kW/405Nm 2.0-litre matched with a nine-speed auto. There’s also a hybrid version said to be waiting in the wings.
A striking design inside and out, the MG7 includes a massive, 33.0-inch multimedia/instrumentation combination display, backed up by augmented reality features for its head-up display.
Comments