Medium SUV is Australia’s biggest-selling new vehicle segment. From value and family to electric and performance, here are the best medium SUVs on sale in 2024.
Motoring
New car brands coming to Australia in 2025
At least 12 or so new car brands are expected to arrive in Australia during 2025, including a variety of EVs from China in the popular SUV segment. From Cadillac to Zeekr, here is a rundown of what’s coming over the next 12 months.
There are already more than 50 automotive brands selling new cars in Australia, but this is about to increase dramatically as carmakers from China and other markets including the United States set up here with their latest models.
Cadillac is perhaps the most familiar name among the 12 or so new entrants that are either now taking orders ahead of first deliveries soon or are preparing to launch Down Under over the next 12 months.
Less recognisable are names such as Deepal, Denza, Leapmotor, Skywell, XPeng and Zeekr, although some have close connections with well-established auto groups and all of them will arrive with offerings in popular categories – including EVs, SUVs and utes – that are designed to lure buyers away from better-known brands.
Are you tempted? Let’s take a look at what’s landing right now and what’s expected in the months ahead…
The 2025 Cadillac Lyriq will rival the BMW iX, Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV and other luxurious and powerful electric SUVs.
Cadillac
Cadillac is officially back in Australia, with General Motors finally building a solid business case for the American luxury brand and opening its ledger with the 2025 Cadillac Lyriq electric SUV.
Orders are now being taken for the Lyriq ahead of its arrival in the first quarter of 2025, priced from $122,922.50 driveaway. The highly specified medium-large five-seater SUV is built in right-hand drive at GM’s factory in Tennessee – not converted to RHD in Australia like some other GM models – and will feature a 388kW dual-motor powertrain and 102kWh battery pack with a claimed 530km range (WLTP).
A range of Cadillac EVs are expected to become available in Australia, with the Lyriq in line to be bookended by the smaller Optiq and larger seven-seat Vistiq SUVs.
The sleek 2025 Deepal S07 is now available to order, priced from $58,402 driveaway.
Deepal
Deepal is a subsidiary of Chinese carmaker Changan and has partnered with the local distributor of Subaru and Peugeot cars, Inchcape Australasia, to launch the 2025 Deepal S07 electric medium SUV.
Orders are now open for the S07, which starts from $58,669 driveaway. Power comes from a 160kW electric motor driving the rear wheels and drawing energy from a 79.97kWh battery that enables a 475km range (WLTP).
Other models are anticipated later in 2025, such as the Deepal G318 hybrid off-road SUV and possibly even the Deepal E07 SUV-cum-utility. A small SUV that would take on the likes of the forthcoming 2025 Kia EV3 is also under consideration.
BYD is preparing to take its EVs upmarket courtesy of the Denza brand, including the N7 medium SUV.
Denza
BYD is growing fast in Australia, with its EVs and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), and 2025 BYD Shark 6 dual-cab ute, upsetting established brands, and now the Chinese carmaker is preparing to move upmarket with its premium Denza brand.
Denza was part of a joint venture between BYD and Mercedes-Benz (Daimler), but the German manufacturer has now cut ties with the brand, leaving BYD to go it alone and focus on an export program to Australia and other markets.
From the broad Chinese portfolio, the 2025 Denza N7 medium SUV and the Z9 GT shooting brake are likely candidates for Australia as BYD aims directly at big-name brands like BMW and, yes, Mercedes-Benz. Launch timing and further details are still to be locked in.
The big, bold 2025 Foton Tunland V7 (left) and V9 utes are due to arrive from mid-2025.
Foton
Chinese brand Foton, which is a subsidiary of the large BAIC Group, is returning to the Australian market with the new 2025 Foton Tunland V7 and V9 4x4 utes. After five years in the wilderness, Foton has appointed Inchcape Australasia (Subaru, Peugeot, Deepal) as its local distributor and expects to launch its new-generation utilities around mid-2025.
Local pricing and specifications for the Tunland V7 and V9 are still to be released, but these are bigger utes than the previous Tunland dual-cab sold in Australia, and they sit between popular mid-size utes like the Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux and full-size American pick-ups such as the Ford F-150 and Ram 1500. A 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engine with mild-hybrid assistance is expected at launch, with a plug-in hybrid powertrain also believed to be in the pipeline.
The Foton Aumark S light truck is also now available for order.
The 2025 GAC Aion V small SUV will line up against the likes of the MG ZS EV and the BYD Atto 3.
GAC Aion
Guangzhou Automobile Group, or GAC Motor as it’s better known, has appointed a local distributor (AGA Auto) and is preparing to launch into popular segments such as SUVs and hatchbacks during 2025 with its Aion electric car brand.
Full details are still to be released but the 2025 GAC Aion V small SUV is due mid-year and should be followed in the second half by the 2025 GAC Aion UT hatchback. These will line up closely with offerings from MG (ZS EV and MG4), BYD (Atto 3 and Dolphin) and others, so expect competitive pricing combined with a high specification.
Larger SUVs with hybrid and plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) powertrains are expected to become available under the GAC banner only.
The 2025 Geely EX5 could prove a hit in Australia, trading on its affiliation with SUVs from brands like Volvo and Polestar.
Geely
If you’re unfamiliar with the Geely name, you’ll know some of the brands in which it has an ownership stake, including Volvo, Polestar, Lotus, Smart and newcomer Zeekr. Not stopping there, the Chinese auto giant is also preparing to launch cars under its own brand in Australia, starting with the 2025 Geely EX5.
The EX5 is yet another EV that will line up in the popular medium SUV segment when it arrives here in the coming months. The launch model range is expected to open with a 160kW e-motor that drives the front wheels and draws energy from a 60.22kWh battery, offering a range of about 450km (WLTP).
Whereas related brands have a premium focus, including the just-launched 2025 Polestar 4 and the forthcoming 2025 Smart #5, Geely-branded EVs are expected to be more affordable, undercutting volume sellers such as the Tesla Model Y in the case of the EX5.
The 2025 GMC Yukon Denali luxury SUV will use old-school V8 power and carry up to eight occupants.
GMC
Not content with simply bringing Cadillac back, General Motors is bolstering its range of specialty vehicles further in Australia with the 2025 GMC Yukon Denali full-size SUV.
Due to launch in the first half of 2025, the Yukon will tap into the popularity of big American towing rigs, seating up to eight occupants and favouring an old-school 6.2-litre petrol V8. Like the Chevrolet Silverado pick-up truck, the Yukon will be imported from the US and converted to right-hand drive by Melbourne-based Walkinshaw Group.
It doesn’t come cheap, starting from $169,990 before on-road costs are added, but GM promises there’ll be nothing else like it on the market.
The Jaecoo J7 mid-size SUV is due to launch in Australia early next year with turbo-petrol power.
Jaecoo
Jaecoo is a new Chinese SUV brand that’s part of the bigger Chery Automobile empire, so it will have the backing of the fast-growing Chery enterprise in Australia when its first global model, the 2025 Jaecoo J7 medium SUV, launches here early next year.
Jaecoo is positioned upmarket from Chery as a “rugged urban SUV brand”. Pricing is still to be announced, but the J7 will kick off with a 137kW 1.6-litre turbo-petrol engine mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch auto transmission with 2WD and 4WD driveline options.
A PHEV powertrain could also become available later next year.
The order book has opened for the 2025 Leapmotor C10, priced from $47,500 driveaway.
Leapmotor
Chinese EV carmaker Leapmotor was established in 2015 but only became a global player in 2024 when it formed a joint venture with the Stellantis group, the parent company for brands such as Alfa Romeo, Fiat, Jeep, RAM and Peugeot.
Its first global model, the 2025 Leapmotor C10 medium SUV can now be ordered ahead of first deliveries in the coming weeks, starting from $47,500 driveaway. It uses a rear-mounted 160kW e-motor and 69.9kWh battery that offers a 420km range (WLTP).
The C10 is in line to be followed by a small electric SUV, the Leapmotor B10, later in 2025.
The local importer of the 2025 Skywell EVA 5 says the electric SUV will start below $50,000 driveaway.
Skywell
Yet another fledgling Chinese EV brand is on track to launch in Australia in 2025 with a battery-powered medium SUV that will attempt to lure buyers away from the Tesla Model Y, Kia EV5 and a host other new and established rivals – including many you see on this page.
Established in 2017 by consumer electronics giant Skyworth and the Nanjing Golden Dragon Bus Company, Skywell has struck a partnership with Queensland-based EV Automotive to import the 2025 Skywell EVA 5 alongside the light commercial EVs it already offers.
Sold as the ET5 and EV6 overseas, the SUV is expected to rely on a 150kW front-mounted e-motor that draws energy from either a 72kWh or 86kWh battery for a claimed driving range of 400/490km respectively. EV Automotive says pricing will start from less than $50,000 driveaway.
The 2025 XPeng G6 is priced competitively against the top-selling Tesla Model Y medium electric SUV.
XPeng
Another little-known Chinese brand with another all-electric medium SUV priced from around $50K: there is certainly a pattern emerging among many of the new brands and models landing in Australia, including the 2025 XPeng G6 that’s distributed locally through Sydney-based TrueEV and is now available to order.
Priced from $57,990.05 driveaway, the entry-level XPeng G6 uses a 190W e-motor driving the rear wheels and drawing from a 66kWh battery for a 435km range (WLTP). A Long Range G6 is offered from $63,200.05 driveaway, adding more power (210kW) and a bigger battery (87.5kWh) for a claimed 550-570km range.
Based in Guangzhou, XPeng was established in 2014 with backing from current chairman, former Alibaba Group executive He Xiaopeng (hence the name), and is focusing heavily on western export markets. The larger G9 SUV and X9 people mover are also expected to launch in 2025.
The 2025 Zeekr X shares its underpinnings with EVs from Volvo, Smart and other Geely subsidiaries.
Zeekr
Zeekr is another member of the growing Geely stable and has a premium focus, treading carefully in Australia to avoid encroaching too much on affiliate brands such as Volvo, Polestar and Smart.
Sharing its platform and components with the Volvo EX30 and Smart #1, the 2025 Zeekr X is an all-electric small SUV that’s now available to order ahead of first deliveries in the weeks ahead. Pricing starts from $63,052.20 driveaway for the 200kW single-motor/rear-wheel drive model with a 66kWh battery that enables a 445km range (WLTP). A more powerful 315kW dual-motor/AWD model is also available, from $71,388.20 driveaway.
The 2025 Zeekr 009 electric people-mover is also coming soon, priced from $135,900 plus on-road costs.
Read more: 2025 Zeekr X price, specs and release date
More to come in 2025…
A number of other brands are also in contention to launch in Australia during 2025. These are still to be confirmed, but watch out for:
Jetour – another member of the Chery Automobile stable, with an off-road SUV focus.
Lynk & Co – yet another Geely-owned brand targeting young and young-at-heart buyers.
Nio – fast-growing EV brand with broad range of premium models, particularly SUVs.
Radar Auto – more Geely metal, but with a focus on the Radar (or Riddara) RD6 electric ute.
Seres – Chinese EV brand eyeing Australia with SUVs after launching in the UK.
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