Browse over 9,000 car reviews
A new year brings a fresh array of vehicles for Australia — but some get us more excited than others.
We’ve trawled through the lengthy list of newcomers to share the best of the best. These are the six most highly anticipated models from some of the biggest names in the business.
Toyota HiLux
A new HiLux is more exciting than Christmas Day for most ute-loving adults around Australia. One of this country’s perennial favourites, a new-generation HiLux is due in 2025 and promises to shake-up its dual with the Ford Ranger.
Toyota isn’t saying much but we have a good idea about what to expect based on the new Prado, which it will likely share a lot of commonality. It’s expected to sit on a new platform and get new powertrains, including a hybrid option (to better compete with the incoming Ranger PHEV).
Given Toyota’s silent treatment, expect the HiLux to reach showrooms in the second half of the year. But when it does, it will feel like Christmas morning to a lot of people.
Kia Tasman
It’s safe to say the initial reaction to its first-ever ute wasn’t what Kia was hoping for. The Tasman has copped criticism online for its looks and modest performance figures, but despite all that this is still an incredibly exciting vehicle.
Firstly, looks are subjective and internet commenters have a tendency to focus on the negatives. Secondly, the Tasman ticks a lot of boxes ute buyers will be looking for in terms of its towing, practicality and (importantly for fleet buyers) safety.
The proof will be in the driving and if the Tasman can perform well and gets a competitive price, there’s no reason it can’t overcome its difficult start and have an exciting year.
MG L6 and LS6*
The asterisks is there because we don’t actually know what these new additions to the MG range will officially be called, but we do know two models from the premium IM Motors brand are headed our way in 2025.
What we do know is that it will be the L6 sedan and LS6 SUV, a pair of electric vehicles that will push MG Australia into uncharted territory in terms of price and luxury. There’s also the chance the L6 could introduce ground-breaking semi solid state battery technology to the Australian market. With this new tech the Chinese-market version of the L6 is capable of driving up to 800km on a single charge, a feat that would shake-up the local EV market.
Hyundai Ioniq 9
Speaking of shaking things up, Hyundai continues to evolve its line-up… or should that be extend its line-up?
The all-new Ioniq 9 is one of the biggest vehicles the brand has ever offered, positioning it as an electric alternative to the Palisade rather than the smaller Santa Fe. The company is optimistic it will squeeze in below the $100K mark, but even so that’s still a lot of money for a non-premium brand.
The Ioniq 9 is an exciting addition though because it pushes the boundaries of Hyundai further into a more semi-premium space. It also gives buyers of big SUVs and electric vehicles another appealing choice.
It would be a best-seller, but it will alter (potentially even enhance) Hyundai’s image in Australia.
Mercedes-AMG CLE 63
This is another car not even officially revealed or even confirmed yet, but it’s almost-certain to make waves when it does. That’s because the coupe and convertible version of the new CLE variants from AMG are expected to ditch the turbocharged/hybrid powertrain and return to the brand’s beloved V8.
The new Formula One-inspired 2.0-litre four-cylinder plug-in hybrid found in the AMG C63 may be technically superior and even more powerful, but buyers have made it clear that they miss the noise and drama of the 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8. And AMG is expected to respond with a return to brawn over brain.
Comments