Top 10 cars arriving in 2025

After another bumper year of new-car sales in 2024, the Australian car market looks set to go from strength-to-strength in 2025 as an influx of fresh models prepares to invade our shores. Spanning everything from new EVs to high-end performance cars with thumping petrol engines, 2025 will see hundreds of new models arrive in dealerships across the country. Here are 10 of the best that we’re most looking forward to.

Kia Tasman

Due: mid-2025

With its well-documented record of tuning cars for local conditions, Kia has become something of an honorary Australian brand over the years, so plenty of excitement surrounds the Korean brand’s first offering in the popular dual-cab ute segment. The brutish and decidedly agricultural styling proved a surprise given Kia’s recent history of handsome vehicles, as did the ageing (albeit proven) 2.2-litre four-cylinder diesel under the bonnet. But with an Aussie-sounding name, plenty of grunt (it’s rated for 3500kg towing) and Kia’s seven-year warranty, it seems to have the goods to attract the 10 per cent market share Kia is aiming for.

Hyundai Inster

Due: February

While car makers have spent the past few years proving EVs can serve as everything from a family car to a delivery van, Hyundai is going back to the EV’s urban roots with its micro-sized Inster. Available in Standard and Extended Range models, its electric motor puts out up to 84kW and 147Nm and Hyundai claims a range of 360km, with 80 per cent charge in 30 minutes using a 150kW fast-charger. Cute as a button and loaded to the gills with tech including two 10.25-inch screens, sat-nav and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity, the Inster is set to challenge the recent influx of fast-growing Chinese brands for the most affordable and desirable EV on the market.

Ford Ranger PHEV

Due: first half of 2025

The Ford Ranger has almost single-handedly kept the Blue Oval afloat in Australia, selling substantially more units than every other Ford model combined. This popular workhorse will take a step towards the future with a plug-in hybrid electric (PHEV) version that aims to improve fuel economy and make an already capable vehicle more versatile. While Ford is keeping mum about the exact specs, it has revealed the PHEV will have four drive modes (including pure EV), retain a 3500kg towing capacity, and offer a power outlet in the tray that can run tools or appliances.

Skoda Superb

Due: May 2025

It’s been a lean couple of years for Skoda in Australia, so there’s quite a bit riding on the new iteration of its flagship Superb model, which has been out for a year in its native Europe. Here, Skoda has opted to keep it to a single trim, the Sportline, and under the bonnet is a 2.0-litre engine with 195kW (a drop from the previous model’s 206kW), but cog-swapping duties now fall to a seven-speed DSG rather than the old six-speed gearbox. The Superb will still be offered in sedan and wagon forms and the styling has been given a substantial work-over inside and out for a sportier look.

Cadillac Lyric

Due: January 2025

Cadillac’s Australian story hasn’t exactly been the stuff of legend, with its last attempts to trade in our market during the 1990s and early 2000s over before they started. Its tack this time is to go all-electric with the Cadillac Lyric, a five-metre-long SUV with dual motors putting out 388kW/610Nm. Cadillac claims the 102kWh battery is good for 530km between charges or up to 690km in an urban environment. The Lyric will come in two trims, Sport and Luxury, starting at $117,000 and $119,000 respectively. Can the Caddy badge sway Australia’s luxury car buyers?

Cupra Tavascan

Due: Q2

The next move in the Cupra playbook – which typically involves taking a Volkswagen platform and giving it some Spanish flair – is the Tavascan EV mid-size SUV, based on the VW ID.4. Debuting in showrooms around March/April, the Tavascan will be offered in Endurance (210kW) and sporty VZ spec (250kW) and start at around $66k. Also mooted for a 2025 release is the Cupra Terramar, based on the popular VW Tiguan. Of particular interest will be the plug-in hybrid version that runs a 1.5-litre petrol engine and an electric motor for a combined 200kW/400Nm output and a claimed pure-electric range of 112km.

Ferrari 12Cilindri

Due: Q2

Pundits have been predicting an end to big petrol engines for years now, but the thirst for raw performance means they never quite die off. Ferrari is returning to its roots with the 12Cilindri, which as the name suggests has a spine-tingling 6.5-litre V12 engine (610kW/678Nm) under its long bonnet and a top speed of 340km/h. Starting at a lofty $803,500 before on-roads and available in coupé or retractable hardtop Spider form, it harks back to the Prancing Horse’s grand tourers of the 1950s and ’60s and revs all the way to 9500rpm.

Mazda CX-5 hybrid

Due: late 2025

It’s a testament to Mazda’s engineering that its CX-5 mid-sized SUV continues to sell in very respectable numbers even though the current generation debuted back in 2016. The long-overdue third generation is still in the works, but in the meantime it’s a sure bet Australia will get the hybrid 2.5-litre variant of the current CX-5 to help Mazda compete with the all-conquering Toyota RAV4 hybrid.

Polestar 5

Due: Q4

While its previous models have been no slouches, Polestar will enter true performance territory with the Polestar 5. This four-door GT will sport an 800-volt battery and twin electric motors for a tarmac-tearing 650kW/900Nm – Polestar is backing it against rivals such as the Porsche Taycan and Merc EQS. The eco-conscious interior is made from a mixture of natural fibres and recycled PET bottles. Australian pricing is yet to be confirmed but expect to pay well upwards of $100k.

Geely EX5

Due: mid 2025

Chinese automotive giant Geely – which owns brands like Volvo, Polestar, Lotus, Smart and Proton – is planning to establish an Australia dealer network under its own name in 2025 and the EX5 electric SUV will be salvo numero uno in its quest to conquer our shores. Running a single FWD motor that generates 160kW and 320Nm and with a claimed range of 430km, the EX5 is expected to retail for around $45,000.