Last year was a huge one for new-model launches in Australia, with 2016 seeing the heroic new Ford Mustang land in January, before rolling through to the impressive new Subaru Impreza that made its media debut in late December.
Of course, many, many more new offerings appeared between.
What can we expect for the remainder of 2017, and what’s arrived so far? Catch our list below of newly launched models and everything that’s still to come. Everything we know about right now, that is!
We’ll update this page as the weeks and months roll by, with many models still to be given firm launch dates. And, while the details here have been confirmed by each brand, there are no doubt many models still to be announced – and don’t be surprised if launch dates shift over time.
The list below begins with month-by-month confirmed launches, before spreading out to the more vague ‘quarter’ and ‘half’ confirmations that each brand has offered.
Here’s what we know, so far!
LAUNCHED
January
Holden’s limited-edition Commodores (launch review)
Toyota Corolla sedan facelift (review)
Volkswagen Tiguan 162TSI (launch review)
February
Alfa Romeo Giulia (launch review)
Audi S4 sedan and S4 Avant wagon (launch review)
HSV GTSR W1 and 2017 HSV range (launch review)
Maserati Levante (launch review)
Mercedes-AMG E43 (launch review)
Mercedes-Benz E350e (review soon)
Nissan GT-R Nismo (launch review)
Porsche 911 GTS (launch review)
Porsche Cayenne Platinum editions
Porsche Panamera (launch review)
Skoda Superb Sportline (launch review)
Toyota Kluger facelift (first drive review) (comparison)
Volkswagen Amarok update (launch review)
March
Audi A5 (launch review), Audi S5 (launch review)
Hyundai Santa Fe Active X V6 (review soon)
Mini Countryman (launch review)
Nissan Navara Series II (launch review)
Nissan Pathfinder (launch review)
Porsche 911 S, wider range updates
Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo (deliveries due November) (first drive review)
Toyota HiLux TRD (launch review)
Volkswagen Passat Alltrack Wolfsburg
April
Ford Everest (pricing announced)
Ford Mondeo (pricing announced)
Hyundai Tucson (pricing announced)
Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV (launch review)
Volvo S60, V60 Polestar (review soon, pricing announced)
Infiniti Q60 3.0t Red Sport (launch review)
May
Audi A5 Sportback, S5 Sportback (launch review)
Audi Q5, Audi SQ5 (launch review) (SQ5 review)
Holden Trailblazer Z71 (pricing announced)
Honda Civic hatch (pricing announced)
Honda HR-V update (pricing announced)
Hyundai i30 (launch review, SR review, range review)
Jaguar F-Type V6 and V8 models (review soon)
Maserati Ghibli Sport (pricing announced, review soon)
Mercedes-AMG E63 S (launch review)
Mini Cooper Seven (pricing announced)
Nissan X-Trail (launch review)
Renault Clio update (pricing announced, review soon)
Renault Trafic (pricing announced)
June
Audi RS3 sedan (launch review)
BMW 4 Series (pricing announced), M4 (pricing announced)
Ferrari 812 Superfast (ahead of 2018 deliveries) (pricing announced)
Ford Mustang Performance Pack (review)
Holden Astra sedan (launch review)
Honda HR-V Limited Edition (pricing announced)
Hyundai Accent Sport (pricing announced)
Jeep Grand Cherokee (launch review)
Mercedes-Benz E-Class All-Terrain (launch review)
Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe (pricing announced) (review soon)
Mercedes-Benz GLA (launch review)
Porsche 911 Turbo S Exclusive (pricing announced)
Renault Megane sedan, Renault Megane wagon (pricing announced)
Toyota 86 Limited Edition (pricing announced)
Volkswagen Golf 7.5 (hatch & wagon pricing, Alltrack pricing, drive-away launch pricing) (first drive review)
Volvo S90 R-Design (pricing announced)
Volvo V90 Cross Country (launch review)
July
BMW 530e iPerformance (review soon)
BMW M4 CS (pricing announced) (first drive review)
Ford F-250 Super Duty (Performax)
Land Rover Discovery (launch review)
Mercedes-Benz C-Class update (review soon)
Subaru WRX (pricing announced) (review)
August
BMW M2 LCI (pricing announced)
Citroen C4 Cactus petrol auto (pricing announced)
Honda Jazz (pricing announced) (review soon)
Hyundai Santa Fe (pricing announced) (review soon)
Mazda CX-9 (pricing announced)
Mercedes-Benz G300 CDI Professional (review)
Nissan Navara N-Sport Black Edition (pricing announced)
Renault Clio RS (pricing announced) (review soon)
Skoda Kodiaq diesel (pricing announced)
Skoda Octavia RS (pricing announced) (review soon)
Skoda Rapid facelift (pricing announced)
Subaru Levorg (pricing announced) (review soon)
Volkswagen Golf 7.5 GTI update (review soon)
Volkswagen Golf 7.5 GTI three-door (review)
Volkswagen Golf 7.5 R update (review)
Volkswagen Tiguan Adventure (pricing announced)
September
Abarth 595 (pricing announced) (launch review)
Audi A5 Cabriolet (pricing announced) (launch review)
Audi R8 Spyder (pricing announced)
BMW 1 Series (pricing revealed) (launch review)
BMW 2 Series (pricing announced) (launch review)
Holden Captiva (pricing announced)
Hyundai Accent (pricing announced)
Lamborghini Aventador S Roadster (pricing announced)
Lexus CT200h (pricing announced)
McLaren 720s (pricing announced)
Mercedes-Benz G-Class Professional Wagon (pricing announced)
Mini Clubman (pricing announced)
Mitsubishi ASX (pricing announced)
Range Rover Velar (pricing announced) (launch review)
Renault Captur (pricing announced) (review)
Renault Clio RS Trophy (pricing announced)
Renault Koleos diesel (pricing announced)
Skoda Fabia 1.0 TSI (pricing announced) (review)
Skoda Superb (pricing announced)
Subaru Forester (pricing announced) (review)
Toyota HiLux (pricing announced)
October
Alpina B3, B4 (pricing announced)
BMW 5 Series Touring (pricing announced)
Citroen C3 (pricing announced) (launch event postponed, review timing unclear)
Holden Astra Sportwagon (pricing announced)
Honda Civic Type R (pricing revealed) (launch review)
Hyundai Kona (pricing announced) (launch review)
Hyundai Sonata facelift (pricing announced) (launch review)
Kia Sorento (pricing announced) (launch review)
Kia Stinger / Stinger GT (REVIEW) (track drive video) (pricing announced)
LDV T60 ute (pricing announced) (launch review)
Mahindra Genio (pricing announced)
McLaren 570S Spider (pricing announced) (first drive review)
Mercedes-AMG GT R (previously July) (pricing announced)
Mercedes-AMG GT Roadster (pricing announced)
Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet (pricing announced) (launch review)
Mercedes-Benz GLC350d (pricing announced)
Nissan Patrol (pricing announced)
Nissan X-Trail TL diesel (pricing announced)
Peugeot 308 and 308 GTi (pricing announced)
Renault Clio RS Trophy (pricing announced)
Subaru Impreza (pricing announced)
Toyota Fortuner (pricing announced)
Toyota RAV4 (pricing announced)
Volkswagen Amarok (pricing announced)
Volvo XC60 (pricing announced) (launch review)
November
Audi Q2 2.0 TFSI (pricing announced) (launch review)
Audi RS3 Sportback (previously October)
BMW 3 Series (pricing announced)
BMW 6 Series Gran Turismo (pricing announced) (launch review)
BMW X3 (pricing announced) (launch review)
Ford Focus RS Limited Edition (launch review)
Infiniti Q50 (pricing announced) (launch review)
Jaguar F-Type four-cylinder (first drive review)
Jaguar XF Sportbrake (pricing announced) (first drive review)
LDV D90 SUV (pricing announced)
Lexus NX (pricing announced) (launch review)
Maserati Levante S (details) (first drive review)
Mitsubishi Outlander (pricing announced)
Skoda Octavia RS245 (pricing announced) (first drive review)
Toyota Camry (pricing announced) (launch review)
Toyota LandCruiser Prado (pricing announced) (launch review)
Volkswagen Arteon (pricing announced) (launch review)
Volkswagen Tiguan 162TSI Sportline (pricing announced)
December
Audi RS5 (first drive review) (pricing announced) (launch review coming)
Holden Equinox (pricing announced) (launch review)
Mahindra Pik-Up (pricing announced)
Mercedes-AMG E63 (pricing revealed)
STILL TO COME
December
Aston Martin DB11 V8 (pricing announced) (first drive review)
Ford EcoSport (details announced)
Jeep Compass (first-drive review) (Australian details)
Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk (details)
Mercedes-Benz S-Class (first drive review) (S63 first drive review) (pricing announced)
MG ZS (pricing announced) (quick drive review)
Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross (pricing announced) (prototype review)
Porsche 911 GT3 (pricing announced)
THE YEAR AHEAD
Models not listed above, but queried by you, our readers, in the comments section below.
Alpine A110 – second half of 2018, confirmed.
Audi A7 – mid-2018 launch expected.
Audi A8 – mid-2018 is currently the official word. (Revealed in July.)
Audi Q3 – We’d been expecting to see a new Q3 this year, but as time moves on, it’s starting to seem unlikely.
BMW i3 and i3s – January. (Pricing announced) (i3s review)
BMW i8 Roadster – local timing still to be confirmed, but BMW is expecting a mid-2018 launch.
BMW M3 CS – local availability not yet confirmed.
BMW M5 – Second quarter, 2018. (Pricing announced)
BMW X2 – “mid first half” of 2018.
BMW X3 M40i – Should join all-new X3 range in mid 2018.
BMW X5 – no confirmation, but likely to be revealed in 2017.
Citroen C4 Picasso facelift (no longer coming, removed from Oz line-up)
Citroen C5 Aircross – under consideration for Australia, but not confirmed.
Fiat 500X – Facelift revealed, due here in first quarter 2018.
Ford Fiesta – no confirmation, this looks like a tricky one…
Ford Mondeo facelift – no word, but it’s only been revealed in North American ‘Fusion’ form, so far.
Ford Mustang – Revealed in January, the new-look ‘Stang will be here in 2018.
Ford Transit Custom – Ford says we won’t see this update “in the near future”.
Haval H2 update – No longer set for 2017. Pushed back to sometime in 2018, timing still to be confirmed.
Haval H7 – Chinese SUV brand’s latest offering will be here next year.
Holden Acadia – the new Captiva-replacing Acadia goes on sale next year.
Holden Commodore – the new-generation Commodore will go on sale next year.
Honda Accord – Honda’s playing quiet on this one. No word yet on local timing.
HSV SportsCat – February launch for tricked-up Holden Colorado. (Prototype review)
Genesis G70 (Australian details) (REVIEW)
UPDATE: The G70 was originally due here in the second half of 2017. As of August 15, the G70 is no longer scheduled for 2017. Hyundai Australia is anticipating a January/February 2018 launch, but a specific explanation for the delay has not been offered.
Hyundai i30 Fastback – regular models a no-go for Australia, but N variant likely.
Hyundai i30 N (prototype drive review) (i30 N revealed at last) (FIRST DRIVE)
UPDATE: As of August 15, the i30 N’s Australian launch is now delayed to 2018, currently expected for February or March. Hyundai has declined to offer details on the delay.
Hyundai Ioniq – Original plan was for hybrid model to launch in December 2017, but has now been pushed back to second quarter of 2018. PHEV and EV models even further out, with no clear timing or certainty.
Infiniti QX50 – Late 2018 launch expected.
Infiniti QX80 makeover – First half of 2018 expected.
Jaguar E-Pace – April launch confirmed. (Pricing announced)
Jaguar XJ – updated range, with XJR575 hero, lands in early 2018. (Pricing announced)
Jeep Wrangler – all-new generation revealed, but don’t expect it here until mid- or late 2018.
Kia Carnival – Significant update due late in the first quarter of 2018.
Kia Niro – local arm is hopeful, but no confirmation yet.
Lexus LS – Australian launch of new model set for sometime in 2018. Timing to be confirmed.
Lexus RX L – Australian launch due in February.
Maserati GranTurismo update – 2018 launch confirmed.
Mazda 6 – Second half of 2018 for updated and turbo’d up 6 sedan. No word on turbo petrol wagon.
Mazda MX-5 RF LE – Pricing revealed, but won’t hit showrooms until March 2018.
McLaren Senna – Sometime in 2018, but timing still to be determined.
Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 (pricing announced) (first drive review) – deliveries to begin in mid 2018.
Mercedes-Benz CLS – Second quarter, 2018.
Mercedes-Benz E-Class updates – Australian timing still to be confirmed.
Mercedes-Benz X-Class (pricing announced) (first drive review) – April 2018 launch.
Nissan Leaf – late 2018, although exact timing still to be confirmed.
Nissan Qashqai – 2018 launch confirmed.
Peugeot 5008 (first drive review) (pricing revealed) – February launch.
Porsche 911 Carrera T – Australian launch due in second quarter, 2018.
Range Rover (the big one) – Facelifted line-up due here in March, 2018.
Range Rover Sport – Due in April 2018, with new PHEV variant.
Skoda Karoq – Unveiled in May 2017, but won’t hit Australia until the second quarter of 2018.
Subaru Ascent – no Australian launch planned, developed with US market as the focus.
Subaru Liberty – January.
Subaru Outback – January.
Suzuki Swift Sport – Due in first quarter, 2018.
Tesla Model 3 – not expected to land until 2019, but we’ve now driven it.
Volkswagen Caddy Runner manual – First quarter 2018.
Volkswagen Crafter – previously due late 2017, Crafter will now roll out from Feb/March 2018, and then through 2019 with around 20 variants.
Volkswagen Golf GTE – Still no confirmed launch, but company “working hard” on 2018.
Volkswagen Golf GTI Original – Early 2018 for new more affordable three-door.
Volkswagen Golf R Grid – Originally set for December 2017, now moved to January.
Volkswagen Passat – MY18 had been hoped to have an Australian production slot this year, but it is now understood to have been delayed to early next year.
Volkswagen Polo – revealed in June, won’t arrive until early 2018.
Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace – first-half 2018.
Volkswagen T-Roc – Global debut confirmed for August 23, but Australia likely a no-go until 2019.
Volkswagen Touareg – spied testing in August ’16, we expect a Frankfurt motor show unveiling in September. A 2018 debut looks likely.
Watch for further updates to come in the weeks and months ahead.
Reckon we’ve missed any new models? Sing out in the comments below!
Now that you know what’s coming, how do you decide which car is best for you?
In terms of model and manufacturer choice, Australia has one of the biggest new-car markets in the world.
It is also one of the most sophisticated car markets in the world, with all manufacturers offering several variants of each model. At the time of writing, there are 67 manufacturers offering 205 models, divided into 23 different categories.
These categories include micro, light under $25k, light over $25k, small under $40k, small over $40k, medium under $60k, medium over $60k, large under $70k, large over $70k, Upper large under $100k, upper large over $100k, people movers under $60k, people movers over $60k, Sports cars under $80k, Sports cars over $80k, Sports Cars over $200k, small SUVs under $40k, small SUVs over $40k, medium SUVs under $60k, medium SUVs over $60k, large SUVs under $70k, large SUVS over $70k, upper large SUVs under $100k, upper large SUVs over $100k.
Just reading the list of new-car categories gives you an idea of how confusing it can be to select the right car for you. After all, not all buyers are checking in with CarAdvice every morning and night. Even within these categories of new cars you have the option of hatches, coupes, sedans, convertibles and station wagons.
When you have decided on the body style, you need to consider how many people you are going to be carrying on a regular basis. Does your new car need to have two, four, five, seven or even eight seats? If you need more than eight seats, you should start looking in the mini-bus people-mover category, which is a whole other world. Will your new car need to carry child seats, and how many? Does it need to have a big luggage capacity? Obviously, these factors will have a bearing on which new car suits your needs.
And all of this is before you even consider the engine size or type! Do you want your new car to be powered by a petrol or diesel engine, or are you looking for something greener like a hybrid or even electric? Where is the car going to be driven, and how many kilometres are you going to be driving each year? Will you take it off-road or even out of the city limits?
It’s no wonder so many find buying a new car a daunting task. So, how do you find the best new car for you, or even keep up with all the latest models hitting the market virtually weekly? Right here, CarAdvice provides a great record of all the latest models due to be released and when. It also is a great source of all the latest news in the lead up to the release of these new model.
If the manufacturer is planning to fit a new engine, new technology – either safety or for entertainment, CarAdvice will provide comprehensive coverage of all those changes. But, most importantly, CarAdvice prides itself on driving every new car so it can provide you with all the information you will need when it comes your turn to make a new car purchase.
Whether you are looking for a small and cheap hatch to simply get you to the shops and back, or for a large SUV capable of towing a boat, caravan or horse float or a people mover that will carry a growing family you will find all the information you will need on CarAdvice.
We don’t just test new cars, we put them into real life situations so we can tell you how they perform, towing or tackling the toughest outback tracks. We also take them shopping, use them to drop the kids off at school, and when the right vehicle arrives we even take them out on a racetrack to see just how well they perform.
Just as importantly, we pit them against their closest competitors so you can see how they stack up in regards to features, new technology, driveability, useability and, one of the most important considerations when it comes to purchasing your new vehicle, price.
So, no matter what type of new car you are looking for, or are interested in, CarAdvice can provide you with all the relevant information you need to help you make the right choice for you and your family.
And, right here on this page, our new car listing is also a great way to keep an eye on the latest models coming onto the market and what new cars manufacturers are planning to launch in the future.
So, whether you’re looking to buy your first or tenth new car, or you’re simply a motoring enthusiast who wants to keep up with all the latest cars coming onto the market, the CarAdvice New Car Calendar will keep you up to date with every new car from every manufacturer.
