At least 12 new car brands are expected to arrive in Australia during 2025, many of them (but not all) from China with electric vehicles (EVs) in popular segments such as SUVs. Here is a rundown, from Cadillac to Zeekr, on what’s coming over the next 12 months.
Motoring
New cars coming to Australia in 2025
Car brands from around the world are lining up to release new models in Australia in 2025, targeting the most popular segments, including SUVs and utes with electric, hybrid and traditional petrol and diesel power.
Australian buyers' strong preference for small, medium and large family SUVs, and the ever-popular 4x4 dual-cab utes, is heavily reflected in the new cars launching here in 2025.
Among the headline acts is the long-anticipated Kia Tasman ute, which is facing a counterattack from the market-leading Ford Ranger when a plug-in hybrid powertrain becomes available in the Blue Oval’s bestseller.
This pivot to PHEV reflects how the biggest brands and some high-profile newcomers are responding to demands for more economical new cars in the most sought-after vehicle categories, with EV, hybrid and higher-tech internal combustion engines all now top priorities.
In this article we explore 10 important new cars arriving in 2025 from well-known brands, while another guide, New car brands coming to Australia in 2025, covers the all-new models coming from less-familiar names, such as Deepal, Jaecoo and Zeekr X and more.
In this article
Kia Tasman
There’s a lot riding on the 2025 Kia Tasman ute, which gives the Korean brand a long-awaited entrant into one of the most popular market segments in Australia and a challenger for the top-selling Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux.
Expected in showrooms by mid-2025, the Tasman will be competitively priced against its major rivals and measures up to the class leaders in terms of towing capacity (3500kg), payload, tray dimensions, safety specification and dual-cab interior design, space, storage and technology.
Power comes from a 150kW 2.2-litre turbocharged diesel engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, with Kia targeting fuel economy of around 7.5L/100km. An electric powertrain is also understood to be in the works.
More: 2025 Kia Tasman ute preview: price, specs and release date
The appealing 2025 Kia EV3 will bolster the Korean brand's fast-growing EV range.
Kia EV3
At the smaller end of the Kia range, the 2025 Kia EV3 will provide the Korean brand with another compelling electric car alongside the larger EV5, EV6 and EV9 – and perhaps to the detriment of the similar-sized Kia Niro EV, which continues for now.
The EV3 is a small SUV that will line up closely against the likes of the Hyundai Kona Electric. Expected to launch in the first half of 2025, the EV3 will rely solely on a 150kW e-motor that drives the front wheels and draws energy from either a 58.3kWh or 81.4kWh battery, the latter enabling a driving range of up to 600km (WLTP). A dual-motor/AWD variant will follow.
For something a little more conventional, the 2025 Kia K4 is also due to arrive during the first half, replacing the long-serving Cerato small sedan and hatch.
The 2025 Hyundai Inster will generate a lot of interest with its unique styling and affordable price tag.
Hyundai Inster
Hyundai has some excellent EVs in its range but they do not come cheap, the most affordable being the Hyundai Kona Electric small SUV starting from $59,248.60 driveaway in Victoria. Now, that’s about to change with the all-new 2025 Hyundai Inster.
A challenger for the most affordable models from brands such as MG, GWM and BYD, the Inster is classified as an SUV but is essentially a high-riding hatchback that’s a bit smaller than the Hyundai Venue. It’s due to launch in the first half of 2025, with the entry car priced from about $40,000 driveaway and using a 71kW front-mounted e-motor with 42kWh battery for a 327km range (WLTP).
A more powerful (84.5kW) model with a bigger 49kWh battery pack offering a longer range (circa 370km) will also be available.
The 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 9 is an all-electric luxury liner that's expected to be priced above $100,000.
Hyundai Ioniq 9
The 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 9 is at the opposite end of the scale compared to Inster, albeit as another demonstration of where the Korean brand is heading in areas such as design, technology and powertrain.
Due for release in Australia during the second quarter, the 5m-long Ioniq 9 is a large three-row all-electric family SUV that’s related to the Kia EV9 and is expected to be priced along similar lines – above $100,000 driveaway.
It’s spacious, luxurious, intelligent and should be available here with both single and twin e-motor options, each with a 110.3kWh battery. Hyundai claims the power pack enables the 160kW Long Range RWD model to run for 620km (WLTP) before needing to recharge.
A new Hyundai Palisade luxury SUV is also expected to reach Australia later in 2025, having been unveiled in South Korea with bold styling more akin to a Range Rover. Count on hybrid power being the centrepiece of the revised powertrain line-up.
The 2025 Ford Ranger PHEV will test whether Aussie ute buyers are ready to be weaned off diesel power.
Ford Ranger PHEV
The 2025 Ford Ranger Plug-in Hybrid is scheduled to arrive in Australia by mid-year, offering a cleaner and greener alternative to the top-selling 4x4 dual-cab ute’s diesel powerplants.
An alternative to the popular new BYD Shark 6, the Ranger PHEV retains a 3500kg towing capacity and Ford promises the switch to a plug-in powertrain (comprising a 2.3-litre turbo-petrol engine with 75kW e-motor and 11.8kWh battery) does not come at the expense of payload or off-road capability. There’s still an 800mm wading depth, for example, along with an advanced 4WD system combined with a low-range transfer case and rear differential lock.
Benefits include a claimed 45km of pure-electric driving range (WLTP), with lower fuel consumption and emissions compared to diesel, and Vehicle to Load (V2L) capability for running power tools, camping equipment, etc. There’s no word yet on pricing but expect a premium over equivalent non-hybrid model variants.
More: 2025 Ford Ranger PHEV preview: price, specs and release date
The 2025 Cupra Tavascan will offer a stylish, sporty, long-range alternative to electric medium SUVs like the Tesla Model Y.
Cupra Tavascan
Cupra has received solid support in Australia, with buyers drawn to cars that combine smart styling and unique packaging with engaging driving characteristics that are based on proven underpinnings from the Volkswagen Group.
The premium Spanish brand is now set to move to the next level as all-new models arrive Down Under, starting with the 2025 Cupra Tavascan – a sleek, athletic and practical electric medium SUV due to launch soon.
Expected to start below $70,000, the entry-level rear-drive Tavascan Endurance will use a 210kW e-motor and a 77kWh battery that enables a claimed 534km driving range (WLTP). A dual-motor/AWD Tavascan VZ will offer more power (250kW) but a slightly lower 499km range.
Also watch out in the months ahead for the 2025 Cupra Terramar SUV and the new Leon hatch and wagon, all with hybrid and/or conventional turbocharged petrol engines.
The 2025 Skoda Kodiaq marks a significant generational change for the European family SUV.
Skoda Kodiaq
The second-generation 2025 Skoda Kodiaq is due to land in Australia in the first half of the year, bringing significant improvements to the Czech brand’s seven-seater family SUV but nothing radical.
This will be fine for many buyers who have appreciated the Kodiaq's blend of European panache and undeniable value, and this new generation has distinctive looks and a redesigned cabin laden with up-to-date tech, better materials and, most importantly, more room throughout.
Kodiaq also takes a step forward with new underpinnings and upgraded, though familiar, VW Group turbocharged petrol powertrains. An RS flagship model will follow later in the year.
Skoda is also preparing to launch the new-generation Skoda Superb flagship sedan and wagon in the first half of 2025, while the all-new, all-electric Skoda Elroq small SUV is expected later in the year.
The 2025 Smart #5 electric mid-size SUV will take a premium position in the market.
Smart #5
Smart returned to Australia in 2024 with the launch of the Smart #1 and Smart #3 small SUVs and it’s now planning to expand with the 2025 Smart #5 medium SUV, which made its world debut in Byron Bay last August.
The reborn Smart operation is a global EV joint venture between Chinese auto giant Geely (with Volvo, Polestar, Lotus, Zeekr and other brands in its stable) and Mercedes-Benz, which took the lead on the Smart #5 design.
The #5 is expected to launch in the second half of 2025, adopting a premium position with pricing from an estimated $70,000. It will be brimming with tech and other quality treats inside, and while full details are still to be confirmed, expect a driving range of about 550km (WLTP) from its 100kWh battery.
The 2025 Volvo EX90 is an all-electric flagship SUV for the Swedish luxury brand.
Volvo EX90
Volvo had set an ambitious deadline to become an all-electric car brand in Australia by the end of 2025, and while that will now push out, the Swedish marque remains committed to the strategy as new-generation EVs become available here – including the 2025 Volvo EX90.
An updated XC90 (with hybrid powertrains) will also be released Down Under but the EX90 is the torchbearer that highlights Volvo’s future. Due to launch during the first half of the year, the seven-seat electric family SUV is luxurious, elegant, safe, practical, clever and high-tech – all attributes we’ve come to expect from a Volvo flagship – and it should be reassuring to drive with impeccable refinement, effortless dual-motor/AWD performance (up to 380kW) and a long range of 614km (WLTP) from its 111kWh battery.
It will be a quality entrant against new and traditional car brands, bolstering a line-up that now includes the excellent Volvo EX30 small SUV, and it will expand further in 2025/26 with the ES90 sedan.
The 2025 Mini Cooper Convertible may be the last petrol-powered model from the iconic British brand.
Mini Cooper Convertible
For some extra fun and sun in your life, the new 2025 Mini Cooper Convertible is due to touch down during the second quarter. And it’s a significant arrival, shining a light on what could be the last petrol-powered new-generation car from the BMW-owned British brand, which is planning to switch to pure-electric power across its range by 2030.
An EV cabriolet based on the new Cooper SE electric hatch is also said to be in the pipeline for launch in 2025/26. For now, however, the Cooper Convertible is a separate model line and offered with 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine power in three states of tune: C (120kW), S (150kW) and JCW (170kW). A seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission is standard.
Orders are now open for the new Mini drop-top, starting from $57,746 driveaway for the baseline Cooper C Convertible Classic.
The information provided is general advice only. Before making any decisions please consider your own circumstances and the Product Disclosure Statement and Target Market Determinations. For copies, visit racv.com.au. As distributor, RACV Insurance Services Pty Ltd AFS Licence No. 230039 receives commission for each policy sold or renewed. Product(s) issued by Insurance Manufacturers of Australia Pty Ltd ABN 93 004 208 084 AFS Licence No. 227678.
