The best new cars Australia misses out on: The models giving us FOMO, from 2026 Hyundai Tucson PHEV and Toyota Prius to new Ford Explorer and more

Australia is the most competitive new-car market in the world, with more than 60 brands fighting for just over a million sales with hundreds of models. So surely we have enough choice, right? Right?

We may already have a plethora of new cars to choose from, but more choice is always better than less. And with that in mind we have scoured the world looking for the cars we’re missing out on.

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All of the entrants on the list below are already available in right-hand drive and most are already on sale in the UK market, meaning there are less barriers for local sale (unlike left-hand-drive-only models that are focused on the North American and European markets).

Ford Explorer

Ford has a popularity problem. The Ranger is very popular and its Everest SUV spin-off is also a big hit - and both are powered by diesel engines. Which isn’t ideal at a time when the Federal Government is cracking down on emissions and incentivising electric vehicles.

The Mustang Mach-E is struggling to find buyers thanks to its high asking price and confusing branding - is it a Mustang or is it an electric SUV? 

What Ford has great success with is big name models, with Ranger, Mustang and Transit at the heart of its Australian line-up. Which is why it would make sense to add the Explorer, which is both a well-known nameplate but also a mid-size electric SUV that has better potential than the Mach-E.

While a direct like-for-like comparison is difficult and more nuanced, in the UK the Mach-E is priced from £42k while the Explorer starts at £35k, which means it has potential to be a more affordable EV option for Ford Australia.

This would make more sense than the similarly-priced but smaller Ford Capri or the smaller Puma-E, which Ford Australia had previously considered but ruled out when it ran the numbers.

The continued lack of Explorer in Australian showrooms, coupled with the reports that Chinese-made Bronco Basecamp hybrid/EV is headed our way, suggests that the numbers simply don’t add up (probably due to its German production). Which is a shame for both the brand and local buyers looking for a family-friendly electric SUV from a proven brand. 

Hyundai Santa Fe PHEV

Hyundai has been one of the most proactive brands when it comes to electrification, jumping in early into the hybrid and all-electric markets with a variety of models. But the obvious missing piece is a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) model.

Thankfully, Hyundai UK already has the Santa Fe PHEV available, with a claimed fuel economy rating of just 1.6L/100km and up to 55km of electric-only range. While that’s off-the-pace of its Chinese rivals, which offer more EV range, the addition of a PHEV powertrain to the Santa Fe seems like an obvious choice given the shifting market dynamics.

There’s only one other model that arguably makes more sense to be a PHEV in Hyundai’s line-up, which you can read about below… 

Hyundai Tucson PHEV 

The Tucson PHEV has been available in the UK for a few years now, back at a time when the technology was proving unpopular in Australia. But since then times have changed dramatically, but Hyundai Australia hasn’t taken advantage of the situation.

Toyota won’t introduce a RAV4 PHEV until later in the year and Mazda is still coy on when the CX-5 will join the PHEV party, so there was a golden opportunity for the Tucson to steal sales in the interim.

On paper the 67km claimed EV range is behind the nearly-triple-digits offered by some Chinese competitors, but the 1.1L/100km fuel consumption rating would no doubt attract attention from local buyers looking to cut their fuel bill but not ready to make the electric switch.

Toyota Prius Prime

One of the most talked about Toyotas in years is the new Prius.

Surprisingly, after years of polarising opinions, the new-generation model launched in 2022 was an immediate hit with not only those looking to save on their fuel bills but genuine car fans. It wasn’t hard to see why, with its sleek and stylish looks.

But as I said at the time, it was hard to justify bringing it to Australia as a ‘hybrid hero’ when Toyota was already selling thousands and thousands of hybrid Camrys, RAV4s, Corollas, etc.

However, as Toyota prepares to unleash the RAV4 PHEV, the plug-in hybrid Prius Prime would make sense as a technology showcase just like the original Prius did. In the same way the Prius made hybrid approachable and understandable, leading to its expansion across the range, so too can the Prius Prime.

And at a time when PHEVs are becoming more common, it wouldn’t hurt Toyota to flex its muscle and remind everyone who was the pioneer in this space more than two decades ago.

Jetour Traveller

While some might argue we already have enough car brands, Chery’s off-road spin-off, Jetour, makes a strong case for Australia with its Traveller SUV. This Santa Fe-sized SUV has a genuinely rugged off-roader look to it that would have appeal to Australian buyers.

Officially, Chery Australia hasn’t confirmed Jetour will arrive in Australia, which isn’t a big surprise as it’s already busy establishing the Chery, Omoda and Jaecoo brands.

The good news is, the Traveller (or T2 as it’s known in some markets) is already available in right-hand drive, so that obstacle is overcome. And it comes with both petrol and PHEV powertrains, so it would be well-suited to the current market demands.

If and when Chery decides to bring it, this super-sized Suzuki Jimny lookalike would likely find an audience in Australia.