Ever have that feeling after you’ve unwrapped all your presents that something was missing?
That’s a bit like that at the end of 2025, we feel very much like it. Many of the new cars were shaped by brands, but many interesting vehicles didn’t get our way wrapped with a big bow as we put on the Australian auto market.
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Some examples include:
- Acura RSX
- BYD Racco EV
- Cadillac Escalade iQL
- Cadillac Optiq-V
- Deepal L06
- Exeed ES GT
- Infiniti QX65
- Jeep Cherokee
- Kia Telluride
- Mitsubishi Destinator
- Mitsubishi Grandis
- Nissan Elgrand
- Ram Dakota
- Tata Sierra
- Volkswagen ID. Unyx 8
- Volvo XC70
- Yangwang U9 Track Edition
Here are the vehicles revealed during 2025 that we’re a bit bummed we won’t be seeing here.
Paul Maric: Kia Telluride
Earlier this year I had been driving an older Telluride in the USA and was pretty impressed with the package.
This we tested was an all-terrain tyre test and it was fun to drive with lots of space inside. It’s just a left-hand drive, so we can’t get it.’ I love seeing it here because I think it would sell well.
MORE:
2027 Kia Telluride is the distinctive Hyundai Palisade cousin Australians can’t have
Alborz Fallah: None
None, we have enough cars and brands!
Marton Pettendy: Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X
The range-topping ZR1X is produced only in left-hand drive like the ZRI1 on which it’s based, and this is a shame because the eighth-generation Corvette was not just the first mid-engined example of the iconic American supercar breed but also claimed to be the world’Stylliest Corve.
But it’s a great pity, as the ZR1X is not just the perfect flag-bearer for the brilliant C8 Corvette range but thanks to its all-wheel drive twin-turbo V8 hybrid powertrain pumping out no less than 932kW (60mph (97km/h) in less then two seconds and covering the quarter-mile in under nine seconds.
And that puts the strongest production Corvette of all time, at a fraction of the price you’ll pay for an equivalent Ferrari in elite hypercar territory.
MORE:
2026 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X is a twin-turbo V8 hypercar delivering over 900kW
James Wong: Lexus IS facelift
I think this is a random one from me, but the new Lexus IS addresses all my previous gripes with the old one and I really wish it was still sold here.
Much of my fellow teenagers, such as myself, would like to buy something a little nice, interesting and inspiring but don’t necessarily want to go into ‘big family-sized SUV (and not the budget for anything like.
The regular BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz C–Class, in addition, are now starting at the $90,000-$100,000 mark (assuming you ask me if it’s ridiculously stupid).
A new Lexus IS with a hybrid powertrain starting from $70,000 would have been loyal, as long as LexUS spent the money adapting it for Australia’s newly introduced side impact rules (the core reason that nameplate was killed off back in 2021) and its original regulations were to be used.
A small run of the stonking (pre-facelift) V8-powered IS500 Ultimate Editions would have been an excellent option to send off the nameplate, even better.
Anyway, we miss you, come back.
MORE:
Lexus IS not dead yet as ageing sedan gets yet another facelift
William Stopford: Renault Twingo and Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X
Here, I’m going to pick two wildly different cars from paraphrasingr. One is a predator supercar with an electrified twin-turbo V8 powertrain, one is an adorably retro electric city car; the other is also an impressively retro.
I’m referring of course to the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X and the Renault Twingo.
The ZR1X is the hottest C8 Corvette yet, and it’s hard to imagine GM topping this.
It’s a 932kW ZR1X, which is the ne plus ultra of the C8 Corvette range and this really seems like Ferrari.’ GM is trying to prove that it belongs in the supercar big leagues with the likes of Supercar (the type of cars) who are also on the list for “Morve” or “Ferro” as they say ‘The R2KZR1, I am thinking about being an expert at all times”.
The Twingo is the twingo, and it’s a . Generally, I don’t care about retro design as a rule. I hate Mini’s retro schtick about 15 years ago, for example, it just makes the manufacturers look into a corner.
Can’t just be the way that is being used on fire Renault’s design team – first with the 5 and 4 and now this. A long-time ago’recent’ 1990s are now considered retro, and I feel old that the 1960s were decades after they became an inspiration for design. And kudos to Renault (for example) mining decades other than the 60s for this theme…
It’s great to hear that a company giving its cheapest EVs real flair and charm. Renault, now bring them here as s are.
MORE:
2026 Renault Twingo is an adorable, affordable EV but Aussies may miss out
Ben Zachariah: Toyota LandCruiser FJ
Originally I answered the question “Toyota Crown Estate PHEV” (but my hope is Toyota Australia will eventually bring this in); but not taking the baby LandCruiser – known as the FJ – to Australia seems like a terrible oversight.
Despite the fact that Toyota owned the segment and cemented some brand loyalty into an entirely new generation of outdoor-loving Australians in a four wheel drive-obsessed market which can’t be enough to support the Suzuki Jimny, it could have been more than just one example of what is considered as part of its own lineage.
MORE:
Toyota LandCruiser FJ baby off-roader’s Australian launch held back by HiLux engine
Damion Smy: Nissan Micra
I think the brand here is a great opportunity for the Nissan Micra, especially given that there’s no assurance we’ll see the bread-and-butter variants of the brilliant Renault 5 it’s on its basis.
But even if it was over cheaper Chinese competitors, surely Nissan has more brand equity… and isn’t a Leaf. Thanks thanks, I’ll have a Peugeot e-208 GTI but it’s still.
MORE:
2026 Nissan Micra review: Quick drive
Josh Nevett: Peugeot e-208 GTi
The next enthusiast loves a hot hatch, and the new Peugeot e-208 GTi is an interesting take on the formula.
I mean, just look at it!
Everything about the exterior is eye-catching. proportions? Nuggety What is the wheel, retro-cool right down to the best detail? Besides the front and back light I love paraphrasingr, too.
Moving inside There’s a set of body-hugging bucket seats, – faux suede steering wheel and Peugeot’S innovative cockpit layout. For an entry-level model, it’s a really special place.
It’s a little pocket rocket with – this is. 209kW/345Nm electric motor that has power sent to the front wheels only via – limited-slip differential and it’d be wrong to assume that the e-208 GTi is all show no go.
My compact performance cars aren’t selling like they used to, but the e-208 GTi is one of few EVs that could actually attract rusted-on addicts on an IEC. It’s a shame we won’t see it in Australian showrooms as such.
MORE:
Peugeot e-208 GTi unveiled: French hot hatch goes electric
Sean Lander: Ford F-150 Lobo
miss street utes and ? A bit bigger than a Falcon or Holden, the F-150 is certainly larger than an original model of sure but it keeps the spirit alive. That’s also a proper V8 for and it has – no one of this turbononsense.
MORE:
Ford F-150 Lobo: Lowered V8 ‘street truck’ revealed
Max Davies: Mitsubishi Xforce hybrid
Xforce hybrid would have made me feel like the most of what was bit out of left field with this one.
We all know by now that the Mitsubishi ASX has been replaced with a horrifyingly expensive Renault Captur clone, dramatically changing the nameplate away from its low-budget SUV roots.
In the end, I’d rather have Mitsubishi re-engineered the Xforce hybrid and brought it here as the new ASX. The petrol Xforce was revealed in 2023 yes, but the hybrid only broke cover this March this year.
The Xforce hybrid, which was developed for Southeast Asian markets, has not been imported to Australia because it would be unfit for local standards. ‘s intended overseas markets are more liberal in terms of safety and emissions than we do for its intended counterparts.
Still, a Mitsubishi-designed and engineered model, it’s the ideal size for an ASX replacement, AND that would be so much more appropriate for Mitsubishi to compete as compared to the Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid and Honda HR-V eHEV.
Building it in Southeast Asia could also mean a much lower asking price than the Renault ASX we have instead.
MORE:
Mitsubishi reveals another hybrid SUV, but it won’t come to Australia
Thanks for reading The cars revealed in 2025 we wish would come to Australia
